Tootees Race Cars
 

Just curious if anyone's had business dealings with this company. I'm having a serious problem with them, and its taken over 15 month and a court case to even get them to return phone calls. Any information would sure help

Where are they out of?

They are located in Neeses, SC. They advertise on the web, that they have been in business for 30 years, but if they conduct business like they have with me, I find this really hard to believe.

Yeah I've seen them on the web. I thought about using them. What did they do to you?

I contracted them to build a top dragster chassis - basically an unpainted roller. I paid them 26,000.00US dollars, and have yet to receive a car. I'm from a long way away, flew down to SC a year ago in February to be fitted, then travelled back with truck and trailer in July to pick up car that was supposed to be finished althought it is 3 months late. When I get there, I found a partially finished car, the parts that were bought and paid for not there. I asked for my money back, and they suggested we call the sheriff out to their shop. Its now almost a year later and still no car. I get excuse after excuse of why it's not finished, just empty promises. In November I started a lawsuit, found out they're in Chapter 13 backruptcy, and now I'm awaiting an April court date to attempt to get my parts, or a car, or in the best case senario my money back. If I get anything I'll be suprised, other than a good boot in the arse from Dad for being too trusting. Like I said anything that could help would be greatly appreciated. I am at the end of my rope, have lawyer bills, and a really sick feeling in my stomach about the whole deal.
These guys came highly recommended, and what work I saw visually was flawless, but it shouldn't take this kind of run around to get a car built.

Guys, anybody out there have any info to help out with lawsuit? Sorry your deal went bad. It sucks to get screwed. Hope it works out in your favor. Keep after them.

Bulldogracing
I have had a similar experience with Tootees. I will not discuss it in any public forum at this time but if you would like to talk privately we may be able to assist each other. If you would like to discuss the issue post your private e-mail address or your phone number and I will contact you.

65 GTO
 

65 GTO, just wondering if you got my email adress and phone number. Would sure like to chat and see what we can do for each other. I have another court date in May, not sure of the date, but if I can pass any info to my lawyer of how the same type of deal is happening or happened to you, we might have a much better chance of getting something out of them. Thanks

bulldog you might want to speak with an attorney or something..a chapter #13 is for individuals that have assests such as a house etc...otherwise they file a chapter #7....i am not a lawyer but i am almost 100% sure that their business would not be protected under the federal bankrupty protection with a #13 filing....they would have needed to file a chapter 11 which is designed for businesses....if you can get their full name or by chance social security # you can call this bankruptcy hotline and punch in the information and it will provide a search and tell you what chapter they have filed the case# , attorney they have used and the trustee (1-800-669-8767)..at a minimum you will need to file a proof pf claim to your position....a name will work on this search but takes a little longer..a social is quicker but i know you might not have this info..

i live about 1 hour from Neeses SC....i cannot confront these people for you but if you need any leg work done with information etc..i would be more than happy to help you out..

If by some chance you get your money back and want a very good dragster chassis builder then you need to call ED HORTON which is located about 1 hour from the place you hired to get the job done...i know this is sour grapes to you now but i wanted you to know this just in case you do re-coup some money and want the job done right..

if i can help you in any way please give me a P.M. and i will share my phone number with you etc....

also reference to a law suit..here in S.C. you can sue in small claims court up to $5,000 dollars...higher than this and it goes to state court which would most likley invlove you retaining an attorney here in S.C...which i could help refer you in the right direction here if need be.


ps..i looked at their web-site and i can see why you trsuted them...the website looked really good..

again i really feel for you 26k is no joke to lose..if you or your attorney need anything from me here in S.C. such as leg work on anything that is only available in S.C.....please let me know


thanks- Brian

Sorry to hear about your situation but Brian will help you as he steps in and always has a good level headed opinion on about any subject that pops up on here...Also I would always have to think twice if i were a scammer to get involved with anyone with the word BULLDOG in their id....I can tell you will go to all lengths to bust their ass....Good luck and keep us posted....And I am sure Snoop Dog bjuice is on their heels right now.........

Bulldogracing. I sent you an e-mail this morning. Talk to you soon.

Thanks for all the info guys. This is the best help I've received so far. I have the lawsuit against them, but it's moving really slow, and as I found out over the weekend, I'm not the only one with a suit against them. The biggest issue I have, is the 8 hour flight to get there, so any info I can track down with ya'alls help would sure be apprieciated. If I can find out if my parts are still there that I bought and paid for, this give me another avenue to chase, because if they're not there and were sold, this is a crimial offence, and would go to state court as the parts bill is well over $5000.00.
My lawyer found out their in Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but they've entered into contracts with myself and others, but haven't reported this income to the bank. They like to work in small payments, thus not drawing attention from the bank. They are pretty smooth at what they do, as this is not the first time they've played this scam. There are others that are into them for the best part of $100000.00, with no end in sight. Again thanks for the help. If anyone has info please pm me, and I'll be in touch.

god yes. years ago i went through the same thing. i begged and pleaded with them after 6 months of them denying me entrance in there shop after giving them a big cash down payment. even after going to court they didn't pay. finally i went through all the credit checks and placed leans on their property and they waited till the dedline of public auction of their land to return my money.

I buddy of mine in johnstown pa had the same problem. I think it was 3 or 4 years ago. After over a year he did get the car. But they took him for a ride.

Lawsuit advice
 

Yes to those seeking advice on lawsuit when it involves people and companies across state lines. Folks need to know that if a deal is made via the internet and it goes sideways, the party seeking compensation is more than likely to have it heard in their state of residence, not the party who did them wrong. Just my two cents, but there is legal precedence on this and after hving gone through it personally, it is a long road and time consuming, so be aware.

Good luck,

tootee
 

yes i kow how u feel i used to work for him i know all about it. if u like leave me a number id like to talk to u.

Mostly poeple like this get the deposit and use it to finish other peoples cars that have been in there shop for awhile,You haven't got your car because they don't have the money to finish it and there is probably no parts for your car there,because they have not been purchased,your car is on a back burner until the money is there to finish it,and you will get all the excuses why it is not done,was the $26000 you gave them the whole amount for the car or was it a deposit? I would never give the full amount on car has not been built,a small deposit for good faith is all that is needed,you go and see the car once a month and its progress and then pay for the labor and parts to that given point of being built,that is the way it works,so we all are happy about spending our hard earned money, Hope you get something back,or I would fly down there and wouldn't leave without satisfaction,if youknow what I mean? Good luck in court :shock:

Tootees
 

If you have had any dealings with tootees. Please contact me.

Sounds like a terrible situation

Really sorry to hear about that. Be it 7500 or 26000, that would be a alot of money to me. I agree- Chapter 13 is is interesting & leads me to believe they have assets. So what they are doing is using your money for working capital most likely & they are buried in overhead/debt... at this point, they probably have thier creditors & vendors cutting them off too if they are using consumer funds to keep the buisness alive. It is surprising that they have not converted the 13 to a Chapter 7 yet. Alot of vendors & creditors will make a comany such as a corp or LLC sign a "Personal Guarantee". If they have signed this in the past, that means that likely obligated to those vendors/creditors first... even thier personal mortgage & other assets have a lien priority. What is to protect the consumer??? They should be first... I hope you guys get every dime back... Good luck!!

TOOTEES
 

All companies of 30 years will have a handful of "disgruntled" customers. People who you will NEVER make happy no matter what you do or offer. With 30 years service Tootees has a rather small ratio of unhppy customers. Less than 20 "disgruntled" out of 30 years and thousands of customers, could any other company say that? What is posted on sites like this is always one sided and you have sympathy for the poor guy who was not sure what he wanted, could not pay for what he wanted, family problems, etc... the list goes on, yet for some reason all of you "racers" want to danm the guy who makes you what you race in. You trust them with your life, but you hate them. This is not menatlly rational. Tootees has always settled any case to the satisfaction of the county officials. There are only two workers at Tootees after the death of his Father, Tip, who was a founding member. Tootee and Jerre are the only workers left now. Jerre had serious health problems last year to the point of being very near death. This left only one worker, Tootee in the shop to work and care for his sick, dying wife and dying mother. Tootees tells their customers of their situation and that only one person will be working on their project so it may take much time, even years, no problem then, only later. Tootee and Jerre have done philanthropic work, worked at drag strips, made many one-of-a-kind cars. Everyone who has cried about their situation did get their car, so what is the problem exactly? This board does not represent the truth and should be considered a half turth information page or maybe just a "slam page"

Seems the truth tends to come out on this board- As a regular on this board and others for the past 2-3 years I tend to be amazed at the actual ratio of valid complaints.

I have empathy for any one who loses a family member, who has a family member who is ill, who is dealing with this lousy economy- but your post doesnt provide anything to support what you are saying-

How much money changed hands?

When was the contract agreed upon?

When did the owners get sick?

What communication was sent to customers?

What % completion is the project?

When should it be completed?

With personal issues that were not of the customers doing; was a refund offered?

bottom line is that a business run as a business has documentation and support to protect itself from litigation- lack of documentation tilts the scale to the complainant.

Is this board always the final word? Nope but it gets results.

So provide your documentation and prove the complainant wrong- pdfs of letters sent, copies of invoicing, there should be something especially from a business of 30 years. If you handled it by the book, this should be easy to clear, shouldn't it?

You are innocent until proven guilty, but accordingly the customer has the right to expect satisfaction, communication, value and product and does have the right to litigate.

So prove him wrong, add another positive to your business reputation and in doing so kill the thread- That should be pretty easy if everything is in order.

Scorp

SLAM PAGE?? I THINK NOT!! this thread wouldn't be here if project was finished and delivered to customer or money is returned, that simple.every scammer has a ton of excuses why they have not done one of those two things. jmo

I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THIS MAN GOT HIS CAR OR HIS MONEY-PERIOD :oops: :oops:
OTHERWISE -TRAGEDY OR NOT-- YOU DID NOT DO WHAT YOU WERE -PAID- TO DO :cry: :cry:
I HAVE BEEN THRU TERRIBLE PROBLEMS AND YOU STILL HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU WERE CONTRACTED TO DO-YES-I HAVE MY OWN BUSINESS!!

LIVELY

I would be "DISGRUNTLED" too if I paid $26,000 for something and never got it !! :roll:

with out a doubt

Re: TOOTEES
 

I agree...they are all cry babies....whining and moaning over a lousy $26 k. :roll:

BLUEARC----------DID THIS MAN GET HIS MONEY OR CAR OR WHAT???? :evil:
YOU GET ON HERE AND COMMENT BUT WE STILL HAVE NOT GOT AN ANSWER ON THIS!!! :evil: :evil:

LIVELY

take me for 26,000 and guess who gets to see god for judgement first. not me. i dont care about personal problems or what ever. if we make a deal it a done deal you do your half and ill do mine. period.ive had to finish customers cars or bikes when ive lost loved ones, fighting depression, suicidal at times and in pain bad enough i had tears in my eyes. ive stood on my feet for 12 hrs when my legs and feet huet so bad i had to wipe tears away so i could see to get someones project done. to me there is NO excuse. the man should get his car done or money back or someone is just a thief

Yes everyone here complaining about not getting their car, chassis, parts, components, did get them. and more when available to try to make a percieved wrong an affirmative right. We were only down for several years during family deaths and family sickness, as most people have problems, as admitted here. The problem is some who will come complain, will not come back and say that they were made whole in the end. Several on here admitted they got their parts, cars... so this company must not be all bad. In fact "deckwench" who poated here and her husband had the company investigated (early this year), by the FBI and SLED for internet fraud and general fraud with NO negative results, because they are not in business for 30 years to defraud anyone, and never have. Hope this helps answer your questions. Everyone on this board who has dealt with this company and put this company down HAS received their parts, chassis, tow vehicles, whatever was legally theirs. I made sure the sheriff was here to oversee. In fact one of the complainers took something that wasn't theirs and now we are in law suit with them, sometimes things do turn around with the help of God. Thank you for your time.

God helps those who are unable to properly manage their businesses? Interesting.....

No....that's OBAMAS job.

Hey Guys, thought I'd kind of put all this behind me. Yes, to set the record straight, I did receive my car from Tootees..........but it took a court case, 10000.00 in legal bills, and help from a couple fellow racers in the USA. What I received for my 26000.00 is a joke. It is basically a partially finished rail dragster. It came home with the wheels I paid for, old mockup rear tires, new front tires, and the steering installed. It has a partially finished rearend housing, with floater axles installed, but the center section and actual axles are not there. I also received a set of brake calipers and the master cylinder was installed. There is a partially finished aluminum seat also. When after repeated trips to SC to get the car, or try to get it finished, I came away with what amounts to about 10000.00 in parts and services. I have had to have the car finished by a local builder, and this has cost another 10000.00 to get it finished. I have legal paperwork from these "business" people that states they owe me an additional $5000.00 for parts and services that were paid for, but I have never received them or the money. This was a letter signed in front of the Sherriff. I have tried to call and make arrangements to get my money or parts, but they will not answer my calls. I guess call display is a good/bad thing. I don't have a problem to post a copy of the contract if anyone wants to see it. The place I screwed up in dealing with this business is I never got a "Finished Date" on the contract, so if they wanted to take 50 years to do it, as it's a one-off car, they are legally able to do this.
In my honest opinion, anyone who does business with them, are asking for trouble. I guess I learned the hard way, but I also learned a lot, and it'll be a long time before anyone gets my hard earned money again. I would like to thank deckwench for the help in this situation, because without him, I would still not have my "CAR" out of these guys.

Please "BUYER BEWARE"
If bluearc wants to discuss this, they have my number and I would appreciate a call to talk, but I would really like my money instead. Tootee and Jerre, you can say what you like to defend yourselves on here, but you know what happened, and I personnally cannot believe you would go on here and tell mistruths like this. When you say we should hear both sides, ensure you're telling the truth.

I almost forgot, to get my car out of their building, I had to sign legal documents from the Sheriff in Orangeburg, that would settle the judgment that I had from the courts. So basically, take what's here, or get nothing at all. If anyone wants the emails, phoney pictures, legal documents, or anything else, I will post copies, as I have already lost most everything in this deal, and don't really have anything else to loose. Let me know.

Thanks for your time.

? PARTS
 

Thats a CRYING GOD DAMN Shame!
I Would had to have Taken what what they Gave me,Then I would HAVE Had to GIVE SOMEONE A ASS BEATIN!!!
Beleive It OR NOT!!!
Like You said,What else could you Lose?A Little Time............?
Later
G :evil:

that is terrible. they will get theres in the end. not that that is going to make you feel any better

Tootees
 

Yes, I did report tootees to the FBI and SLED and they were cleared in my case being that they only had my car for a year and they claimed they really could not do anything at the time because the contact had no finish date, but thanks to the FBI and SLED, bulldogracing was able to obtain possession of his car after numerous years.
I still have an open legal case with tootees race cars so that is all I am going to say at the present. Once case has been settled, all facts will be posted.

In The Same Boat
 

I wish I had read this negative posting before I delivered my car to Tootees. My car has been at his shop for 6 months now and yes I gave him a deposit. There is always something going on with them. I've only been able to see my car one time since dropping it off. They won't return my calls in a timely manner, just all the B.S. on a ongoing basis. There is more to the story. However, I am too mad at this time to discuss it. Let me put it this way. I was referred to RJ to check out Tootees and their scam by someone they know or use to know? All I want is my car finished so I can move on with my life. No referrals from me!

So what you are saying is that during all the deaths and illnesses that put y'all down for years.................You continued to accept peoples money and cars KNOWING you couldn't do the work!!!!........How the hell do you sleep at night? I bet your family is quite proud of you :roll: :roll: I wouldn't hold my breath on God helping you, I suspect he doesn't like a thief either :!:

Thou shalt not steal- One of the 10 C's.

I will let my friends in Hell know to set aside a room next to BRIAN and the Gamer for the Tooties Gang.

Extra fire and the deluxe pitchfork in the a$$.

Scorp