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Tool Crib is now owned by Amazon.com, a company I
did carpentry for in 1996. They “paid” me with a
fraudulent check. They still owe me. Please
don’t support a company that doesn’t pay the
work
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Define "fraudulent" check, please. Do you perhaps mean returned for insufficient funds? Or was payment stopped for a stated reason? Was it signed by an unauthorized person? What did you do about it? What did your State's Attorneys office have to say about it?
Just interested in why you were stiffed for the work you performed. Your experience might educate others as to the pitfalls of self employment. But if you are going to post something like this you have to tell us the truth.
Comments? Ralph
*Salem - I see that Amazon is "managing" Tool Crib's web site but did they actually buy Tool Crib. I didn't think that was the case. I kind of like Tool Crib - the products are right and the deal can be pretty hard to beat. Tell us more about why Amazon didn't pay you.ThanksBuz
*Accordign to Amazon.com, they "acquired" Tool Crib of the North.I saw a real neat documentary on the guy that started Amazon.com, and how they started, grew, and are at the point they are now. After all this time and growth, they still have not made any money (profit). How's that for an American company. Real growth, real investors, and no profit.During this documentary, I saw where they started, and where their operation is now housed. I really have to wonder exactly what kind of "carpentry" work you could have done for them. It must have been a very small job, and I would like more info on how you got ripped.Just curious...James DuHamel
*As far as I know, Amazon merely has taken charge of Toolcrib's Internet business. yet Toolcrib is still reachable over the Internet for "mail order." Whatever. their prices still tend to be higher than HD or williamalden. But yes, their service has been good to me.
*Your big error was taking possession of the check in the first place. You should have asked to be paid in stock.
*Not exactly watching the post, eh? Well, in case you're not too swift, we're not buyin' it on your unsubstantiated word, although since the "yellow box" appeared, I haven't looked at the Tool Crib.MD
*Thought I might add some clarity here. Salem, seems that you might be out of line here "ditto" on Ralph's post. Did you ever think of getting a lien or what's up with the work?As for Amazon, They did purchase Tool Crib of the North, But that was only a division of the business itself. It actually was part of ACME Electric, and Tool Crib of the North, was a advertising slogan first, and then was made the name of the internet business portion .......Amazon's head guy actually had some lowly beginnings as a regional representive for black and decker and ACME/Tool Crib was in his area, and some friendships etc....Poof the deal was done. Some fall out from the deal for Grand Forks, ND on amazon's part. but neverless a sale. ACME stills exists and does a deal on management and warranty for some period of timeAs for purchasing from Amazon, they make a pretty good bargining chip to keep the locals on their toes. And with no sales tax and six dollar shipping on anything. I find them hard to beat. This goes double on accessories, that become special orders and I have to wait six weeks locally, or get it at amazon in a couple of days. Don't get it wrong, I love my local dealers, but there's a limit.
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I wasn't a contractor when I did the work. I was
an employee. I sent L&I after them, but L&I
doesn't pursue anything less than a $2500 claim,
and I was too naive to take them to small claims
court myself. A lien has a 90 day statute of
limitations in my state.
I still have all the documentation, including a
copy of the hot check, signed by Jeff Bezos. His
wife was crass enough to offer me $50 then $100 to
drop the issue, which I refused. A friend had
gotten me the job and was afraid he'd lose his if
I went after it too hard. The amount owed is
$675.00, enough for me never to forget it.
Clearly people can make their own choices as to
who to buy from. But if you've ever caught wind
of Amazon's sweatshop conditions, I'm here to tell
you they're true.
I live where specialty items can be found quickly,
so I understand the catalog appeal to those who
can't make quick purchases. But my partner and I
would still buy from the crib. We won't now.
Make you own choices, make them wise
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Right you are, we all have to make our choices, and wisely, we hope.
What is L&I?
A bogus check in the amount of $675.00 constitutes a felony in my neck of the woods (FL). Don't tell us that Mr. B is now too big to be touched for such a petty crime? I supposed the State's Atty might lose his job for doing the right and legal thing? Who has the original check? If it bounced, it should be in your hot little hands, not just a copy.
So, did they tell you that you were an employee and whatever you did was in the course of your employment? And that your regular pay covered whatever? And the work you did was not up to snuff, so tough luck, sue me? Or that you were an unlicensed contractor and as such were not legally entitled to perfect a lien, so tough luck?
And, your friend still works there? So you are not going to forget it but you are also not going to pursue it too hard because he might lose his job? But you are going to do your best to bad mouth the company on-line and urge everyone to quit buying from a company that wasn't even involved at the time. Sour grapes!
If you succeed (I doubt it) I'll bet the severe lack of business will result in your friend being "downsized" anyhow.
I sincerely hope that this introduction to the big, bad world of business is the only setback you have in your career.
Comments? Ralph
*b BRAVO! Ralph.Couldn't have said it better myself.One should consider the business ethics from which they are operating before casting stones.With regard to mega-corporations: I do all I can to work with the Mom & Pop's in my community, even if it means a few extra bucks or a little planning and patience in ordering. Don't get me wrong when push comes to shove, I'll click-on.
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Tool Crib is now owned by Amazon.com, a company I
did carpentry for in 1996. They "paid" me with a
fraudulent check. They still owe me. Please
don't support a company that doesn't pay the
work