What recourse for astronomical rip-off?

Hey guys,
It's dirty laundry time and I hate it, but I'm sure one of you has had
a similar incident and can shed some light on a dark and dismal
situation, and no, I'm not a troll (if I understand the term correct-
ly).
A few years ago I put together my first telescope. Completely new
to astronomy, with the help of a couple of books, the internet, and
San Fran's Sidewalk Astronomer's site, I ended up with a 12.5" Dob
that gets really nice images. The experience couldn't have been
better. I was left with the impression that the astronomy community
was earnestly goodwilled and honest above reproach. With time came
aperture fever, a good deal on a 16" mirror, Kriege/Berry's book on
truss scope assembly and one bad apple. Enter "Precision Mirror
Cells".
In August, 2002 I sent a $225 check as a deposit for the fabrication
of the worlds finest mirror cell. The pix on his site were beautiful.
I was so excited as other parts came in. The Appleply is georgeous,
my secondary seems to be ideal, and Optical Mechanics did a superb
job with resurfacing the 16". Early Feb., 2003 I was informed that my
mirror cell was 99% finished, and I sent the remaining $200 balance.
Since then it has been like pulling teeth to get correspondence from
"Mr. Precision", until, finally, in Oct., 2003, he confessed that "due
to unforeseen circumstances, and financial difficulties" the business
had gone belly-up. Lots of apologies and one bad check later, I still
don't have my $425 back.
He sounds sincere in his apologies and I know times can be
difficult, but I feel I have been amply patient. The National Fraud
Information Center website is calling my name. My frustration mounts.
I finally found another mirror-cell craftsman at DAR astro-
machining to fashion what I need, (BTW, Dave Rubenhagen is not
only a superior designer/creator, but a fine example of those "good-
willed, above reproach" astronomers I referred to earlier.), so con-
struction is back underway and the show goes on. Still, I would love
to have some other perspectives and advice how I might best find
restitution and closure.
Thanks.

Phillip Little wrote:
snippage
Enter "Precision Mirror
Cells".
In August, 2002 I sent a $225 check as a deposit for the fabrication
of the worlds finest mirror cell. The pix on his site were beautiful.
I was so excited as other parts came in. The Appleply is georgeous,
my secondary seems to be ideal, and Optical Mechanics did a superb
job with resurfacing the 16". Early Feb., 2003 I was informed that my
mirror cell was 99% finished, and I sent the remaining $200 balance.
Since then it has been like pulling teeth to get correspondence from
"Mr. Precision", until, finally, in Oct., 2003, he confessed that "due
to unforeseen circumstances, and financial difficulties" the business
had gone belly-up. Lots of apologies and one bad check later, I still
don't have my $425 back.
He sounds sincere in his apologies and I know times can be
difficult, but I feel I have been amply patient. The National Fraud
Information Center website is calling my name. My frustration mounts.

Just have him ship your "99% completed" mirror cell to you "as-is". ;-)
His response will be a good indication of the veracity of his claim.

Good Luck,
Etok



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Phillip Little wrote in message . ..
Hey guys,
It's dirty laundry time and I hate it, but I'm sure one of you has had
a similar incident and can shed some light on a dark and dismal
situation, and no, I'm not a troll (if I understand the term correct-
ly)...

You know what to do. Business is business.

If he really is bankrupt, you put in a claim so you're
an official creditor and hope for the best. If you're not
a secured creditor, you're almost certainly screwed.

If he really isn't bankrupt, sue.

Either option is likely to cost you money up front.
It may be more expedient to cut your losses and walk
away. That's what I'd do for 400 bucks, but probably
t for 4000; YMMV.

Laura Halliday VE7LDH "That's one small step for man,
Grid: CN89mg one giant leap for mankind..."
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - N. Armstrong, 20 July 1969

Laura Halliday wrote:
Laura Halliday VE7LDH "That's one small step for man,
Grid: CN89mg one giant leap for mankind..."
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - N. Armstrong, 20 July 1969

Huh. Never noticed the date. Happy Neil Armstrong day.

Regards
Nigel

--
http://www.sysadmininc.com (My daytime job)
http://www.british-expats.com (My spare time)

"Unlike me, many of you have accepted the situation of your imprisonment,
and will die here like rotten cabbages." - Number 6

Phillip Little wrote in message . ..
Hey guys,
It's dirty laundry time and I hate it, but I'm sure one of you has had
a similar incident and can shed some light on a dark and dismal
situation, and no, I'm not a troll (if I understand the term correct-
ly).
A few years ago I put together my first telescope. Completely new
to astronomy, with the help of a couple of books, the internet, and
San Fran's Sidewalk Astronomer's site, I ended up with a 12.5" Dob
that gets really nice images. The experience couldn't have been
better. I was left with the impression that the astronomy community
was earnestly goodwilled and honest above reproach. With time came
aperture fever, a good deal on a 16" mirror, Kriege/Berry's book on
truss scope assembly and one bad apple. Enter "Precision Mirror
Cells".
In August, 2002 I sent a $225 check as a deposit for the fabrication
of the worlds finest mirror cell. The pix on his site were beautiful.
I was so excited as other parts came in. The Appleply is georgeous,
my secondary seems to be ideal, and Optical Mechanics did a superb
job with resurfacing the 16". Early Feb., 2003 I was informed that my
mirror cell was 99% finished, and I sent the remaining $200 balance.
Since then it has been like pulling teeth to get correspondence from
"Mr. Precision", until, finally, in Oct., 2003, he confessed that "due
to unforeseen circumstances, and financial difficulties" the business
had gone belly-up. Lots of apologies and one bad check later, I still
don't have my $425 back.
He sounds sincere in his apologies and I know times can be
difficult, but I feel I have been amply patient. The National Fraud
Information Center website is calling my name. My frustration mounts.
I finally found another mirror-cell craftsman at DAR astro-
machining to fashion what I need, (BTW, Dave Rubenhagen is not
only a superior designer/creator, but a fine example of those "good-
willed, above reproach" astronomers I referred to earlier.), so con-
struction is back underway and the show goes on. Still, I would love
to have some other perspectives and advice how I might best find
restitution and closure.
Thanks.

Verify if he did declare bankruptcy or just folded the business.