Walk away parts?

[6x6guy]

I went to Fort Sill to pick up 2) M 105 trailers with receipts and pictures of the trailers with tarps, to my surprise no tarps ( the only reason I got them) and the reply from GL is "somebody got to them be for you did." On a Military base- with a secured lot What the F**K- I just drove over 1000 miles to get here and there is nothing can be done- what the hell -is that the standard catch phrase for employees, and not the first time I had heard it ( thats why I had the pictures of the item sales with the tarps.) Just thinking about all the GL screw ups gets me . I know I shouldn't get upset but thanks for letting me vent. I was told its good therapy.

 

[m376x6]

An idea here. It would involve getting the folks on this site together as a somewhat organized group, involving and supporting the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, and retaining a lawyer located in or near Maricopa County Arizona. Lawyers charge by the hour but perhaps by involving the MVPA who is also very concerned about public perception and also as I understand it uses Lobbyists for the good of the hobby might have the horsepower to get further ahead. At the very least we could unite with the MVPA (if they are willing) to involve a lawyer to see what recourse we might have against GL. Enough court involvement and maybe GL will take on a professional and honest demeanor. As far as stuff going missing, this has been an issue for the 25 years plus I've bought surplus. The only difference is when I dealt with DRMO the property was still federally owned, misappropriation had serious consequences on items missing and misrepresented. Both have let me pull parts when some have grown legs, I was happy but what about the fellow who bought it later after the pictures were already taken before the parts were pulled?. Now, DRMO sells it to GL, GL doesn't care so DRMO pulls crap they would have never done in the past and GL folks at the site will let you pull stuff off of other trucks just to not have to hear you get all cranky and ruin their day. Steelsoldiers and the MVPA together, armed with a lawyer in GL's backyard may be the ticket to get a fair deal and make a very strong organization. And you may not even have to be there in sunny Maricopa County for the mess. If some issues were shoved back into GL's face with some financial consequences based on court decisions maybe their attitude would change and their willingness to compensate their misdealings would come along. Just some thoughts

Regards,
M376X6

 

[rickt44498]

taking GL employees to court in AZ...

papercu, You are right. If you read the fine print in the "terms and conditions" GL isn't liable for anything! Alot of times they will work with you if it's a major screw up but they don't have to. Even if you wanted to take it to court how many people are going to hire a lawyer and go all the way to AZ to fight it?

since GL requires court dates in AZ...maybe if you could subpoena the involved GL employees, site mgr., asst site mgr., yard people as AGENTS of GL... the costs to GL for airfare, lodging, meals, from sale sites around the country would stimulate a more cooperative attitude from GL.

if SS and MVPA united with a local lawyer and filed a class action suit with copies of all the denied claims... it would show an ongoing, careless and reckless business operation by GL... food for thought...

speak softly... to your mouthpiece...let him scream..

 

[6x6guy]

Just thinking out loud here, does anybody know if GL has a term contract with the Government, and if the contract will be up for renewal- and the other interested parties that bidded against GL and most of all who do I contact in the Government about GL, because as all I get is the run around from Government Liquidation- somebody signed their contract to do business with the Government and should be aware of some of the existing problems-
because I certain GL isn't telling them.

 

[papercu]

G/L does have a term contract with DOD and it does come up for renewal every so ofter, nothing is secret about it and anyone can bid on it. You can start with your Congressperson at https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and see if they can help with any problems.
BUT the bigger question is how would you suggest that they put a stop to stealing? You stated that both DRMO and G/L let you "borrow" parts from other items, so aren't you part of the problem?
Fact is, it is not DRMO or G/L personnel items to "give" away at any time.
After it is sold there shouldn't be any "borrowing" but again, how do you stop it, armed guards 24/7 might work, if the guards don't steal it but who will end up paying for it.
They do offer that you can refuse the pickup and refund your payment (or at least did) and while you may not find that fair what else could they do? Buy you new replacement parts? Refund part of the payment, if so who decide what amount is fair? How long would that take?
While I agree it is wrong I don't see anyway to stop it. Wayne

 

[paulfarber]

There are a few things you can do.. depending on how bad you want 'justice' or how expensive/big the item is.

First, yes, you have signed away most of your civil court benefits... completely legal.. BUT a good law dog will get around them. First, if the incident occurred in say NJ, and GL has an office/presence in NJ then that crap about AZ is out the window. You were 'wronged' in NJ and THOSE laws apply.

Second, that part about paying THEIR legal bills... a Judge can set that aside in a heartbeat if he finds it to onerous, or if he thinks that it was included to simply stifle people from pursuing their rights. Happens all the time.

Third... say your truck is missing a bed cover... get 3 prices for a cover and average it out. Small claims in PA can only grant you money as an award.

File in Small Claims court. Your state will have limits on what amount you can sue for (PA is $8k, $10 in Phily). Yeah, you will probably get nonsense from GL about 'their rules' but bottom line, they have been served and need to show up. Once (if) you get judgment in your favor, go to the local GL yard and collect. Probably not that simple, and a Sheriff may have to be involved, and GL will probably ban you (which you could also fight, but not in small claims).

For a big item I would definitely small claim court them.. esp if they had a physical presence in the State (they do in PA).

 

[scrapman]

Judge Judy!!!

 

[paulfarber]

Judge Judy et al are not practicing law, they are arbitrators.

There is case law that can and will break a forum/venue clause.

If the event happens in a State X, with the whiteness/employees/place of business of defendant in State X, then it is onerous on the Plaintiff, and could result in an unfair trail by having the case heard in State Y. The employees are not in State Y, the property in question is not in State Y, and the act itself did not occur in State Y. Now if you drove from PA to AL and had trouble you are out of luck... no court in PA will give you the time of day.. AL might (depending on their rules).

Again, in PA small claims is pretty straight forward and will cut through the crap. I've had to do it a few times when I ran a business and all the T.V. Law and Order crap simply doesn't happen.

Worst case, you win, and GL appeals to Court of Common Pleas. Then you are talking attorney's etc.

 

[papercu]

That is good, I didn't know some state allow you to file where breach or injury occurred. State Guide to Small Claims Courts
but when dealing with a USED vehicle, I think all 50 states will say "AS IS WHERE IS" now if they sold a truck and the description said "truck with cargo top" you may have a claim but only if you don't take the vehicle, but then if they refund your money you still don't have a claim because you are not out anthing(except your time and trouble). Wayne

 

[paulfarber]

No matter what GL says, they cannot advertise a truck as one thing, and then when you show up it is materially different than what they said it is.. then they cannot force you to fly to yet ANOTHER state to plead you case. Small claims court is the quick and simple way to resolve disagreements that have fairly obvious circumstances.

Even if they do, go to whatever state they are in and file in small claims court. You could probably do it via the mail, and only have to show up for the hearing (at most an hour) and be done. Once they get drug in front of the same judge over and over he will quickly see the pattern and we will have legal paper trails of the problems GL is forcing on the public.

GL DOES have the responsibility to protect the item from damage, theft or pilferage... otherwise they should let you remove the item(s) as soon as you win so you can protect your property. Taking your money, keeping the item (for whatever reason) and then allowing pilferaging is not acceptable. Winners SHOULD NOT stand for it.

BUT, remember that at the MOST you can expect is exactly whats there when you go to pick it up, or at least your money back.

 

[bassetdeuce]

G/L does have a term contract with DOD and it does come up for renewal every so ofter, nothing is secret about it and anyone can bid on it. You can start with your Congressperson at https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and see if they can help with any problems.
BUT the bigger question is how would you suggest that they put a stop to stealing? You stated that both DRMO and G/L let you "borrow" parts from other items, so aren't you part of the problem?
Fact is, it is not DRMO or G/L personnel items to "give" away at any time.
After it is sold there shouldn't be any "borrowing" but again, how do you stop it, armed guards 24/7 might work, if the guards don't steal it but who will end up paying for it.
They do offer that you can refuse the pickup and refund your payment (or at least did) and while you may not find that fair what else could they do? Buy you new replacement parts? Refund part of the payment, if so who decide what amount is fair? How long would that take?
While I agree it is wrong I don't see anyway to stop it. Wayne

Easy if you take the time to think about it. The way they stop it is to stop unescorted previews/pickups and limit the time for each. If you go to preview, you must know what you want to look at and make it quick, checking basic stuff and recording the VIN. If you go to pick up, you must get that item loaded or started, and leave the lot. No messing around, PERIOD. All of this while being watched by a GL lot person. People being allowed to screw around on the lot, shooting the sht with GL personel, and wasting everyones time opens the door (distraction) for BS thievery. GL is starting to do this at some locations.

 

[papercu]

Easy if you take the time to think about it

Most sites (that I go to) have one person or two and are open one or two days a week, those two have to check in the stuff from DRMO, get it listed, take pictures, answer phones, escort tirekickers and help load.
What if 5 guys show up to preview and 5 to load out, who get to do what first, who goes home mad and has to come back another day? In theory it sounds good but will it work in real life?
I guess G/L can hire more help but guess who ends up paying for it?
According to the news they now have a warehouse http://newsok.com/government-liquidation-opens-oklahoma-city-warehouse/article/3367622 great if you are close or can afford to have it shipped.
I have heard that most everthing is being shipped to central locations so maybe in a few years your idea will be the way it works.
I'm sure G/L would prefer to deal with a few major buyers than deal with hundreds of single buyers. Wayne

 

[paulfarber]

So do you want them so solve the problem or make it more convenient for you?

If the GL location cannot set up a simple schedule for loads/inspections then what hope do you have of them taking care of larger issues?

A load out should be given say 1 hr. An inspection say 30 minutes. And you put up a 'reservation fee' that is lost if you go over you allotted time.

Sounds fair to me.

 

[stampy]

So do you want them so solve the problem or make it more convenient for you?

If the GL location cannot set up a simple schedule for loads/inspections then what hope do you have of them taking care of larger issues?

A load out should be given say 1 hr. An inspection say 30 minutes. And you put up a 'reservation fee' that is lost if you go over you allotted time.

Sounds fair to me.

DUDE! you have my new favorite Avatar!!!!!

 

[paulfarber]

Had to change the first one.. the one where Jen is showing her perfect little rump in the background

 

[Isaac-1]

Well he did not admit to getting anything, just that the offer was made to get stuf.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

What if 5 guys show up to preview and 5 to load out, who get to do what first, who goes home mad and has to come back another day? In theory it sounds good but will it work in real life?

That's why most places require you to make an APPOINTMENT for preview/loadout.

I agree, if you can't do it in a set amount of time, forfeit a fee or come back tomorrow.

One other thing that chafes me about GL, you have 14 days to pickup, but they only allow removal on say 2 days a week. so in escence, you should have 7 full weeks to remove the property. They are really only giving you 4 days to remove it.

 

[Michael]

Shelby had an m109 listed yesterday as 35. Or at least the pics were a 109. Id say thats a hell of a screw up. I can understand it may happen but the narrative for the 35 said it ran and started... Would be intrested to see how that would get resolved

Bed are easy to change. I have bought two M35A2s with shop van bodies on them from GL with the data plates to prove it.

Parts walking off from lots is nothing new, it predates GL and probably goes back to the beginning of surplus. This new policy of watching you like a hawk and not giving you but 15 min to preview one or two trucks has been the best cure for my OD disease that has come along. I haven't bid on anything since.