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Hi All!
I?m telling my story in the hopes that someone will be able to help me out. Our 6 year old son races in the kid kart division, and this year we took him to the Kid Kart Nationals in St. Louis. We had an awesome experience down there. We met new friends, learned a ton of racing tips, and our son got a lot of track time and experience.Over the course of the three days we were there we met an engine builder. We talked for over an hour about engines, and he offered to build an engine for us. We checked with a few other parents who knew this engine builder and felt comfortable doing business with him based on their recommendations. We gave this engine builder our spare engine, exchanged contact information, and agreed upon what work he would do for us.
The first two weeks of August I frequently talked with him on his cell phone about my engine. After apparently tearing our engine apart, I was told the cost to repair and make that particular engine competitive be would significantly higher than we initially agreed upon and much more costly than if I just purchased one of his engines. I agreed to purchase one from him and then he would just do what he could and put my original engine back together and send it back. His explanation was it would only be good as a ?short track? engine and never be competitive on a ?National Level? and at the larger tracks. Once getting the new engine out to us, he would then get our original out as well.
This engine builder called me a lot those first weeks. We not only talked about my engine, but about his son, racing in general, the integrity of people in go karting, and how important quality work is to both of us. We both agreed that man?s word is all he has.
The engine of his, that he apparently built for us, was ready to be shipped out Aug 14th. I paid for the engine through PayPal, got a confirmation phone call from the engine builder that the payment was received, and was told he was shipping it out through UPS that day. That next week we waited each day for the engine to arrive. I was able to contact the engine builder on Aug 19th and he assured me that the engine was on its way. He said UPS contacted him because the engine was delayed due to ?residual gas being in the engine?, but that he cleared that up with UPS and it should be to us any day.
As of September 13th I still have not received my engine and have heard nothing from him since despite trying to reach this engine builder daily by cell phone, email, pager, and telephone with multiple messages left. I have not received one response from him since our Aug 19th phone conversation. I do know however, that he has been able to retrieve messages and calls missed, as a mutual acquaintance has spoken to him using these methods in the last week.
Our family has worked really, really hard to allow our son the opportunity to race go karts and to try give him the equipment he needs to competitive and safe, but we don?t have unlimited financial resources. We put everything we had into this new motor, to give him the chance to really compete on or at a National level. Along with giving him all that money, he also has our 1 and only ?spare motor?. At this point we are out our money and our spare engine.
Please, if anyone has any information, tips or ideas on how I can contact this engine builder who goes by the name of Scott Smith of Comerrocket, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, please respond in this forum.
I don?t want to lose faith in people, and the racing community, but when something like this happens, it makes you question who and if you can trust others that you don?t have a personal and longstanding relationship already with. In addition to all the monetary loss and loss of equipment, just as bad is the fact that I thought we had met someone we could call a friend, someone to share the excitement of racing with, and even worst of all is the fact that my son at a very innocent and young age is learning the harsh reality of what a lot of people in this world are like and care about. Is that what we?ve come to?that money, greed, and deceit is worth more than honesty, integrity, a good friend, and our own good name. This really has been a shame and a dark experience not only for my son, and my family, but for racing (the sport we all love) as well. Good luck to all who are reading in their racing endeavors.Sincerely,
Scott Muench (a Kid Kart dad)
[email protected]I don’t think Scott Smith is a thief but you made your first mistake playing the Comer 50 game. Get a Honda 50 4-stroke, race locally and teach you son to drive before going the national scene.
I would leave one more message letting him know if he values further business from the karting community that he return your money. You don’t need his services any more. If not I would start posting here and move to every karting web site and let all other karts beware of his shady practices. The karters will take care of this guy!!!! :k
.Contact the Colorado Springs PoliceDepartment.
You have proof that the engine purchased was paid for and that you don’t have it. But first give him a call to tell him of your intentions and that he has one day to resolve this before the authorities are notified.
It’s called fraud and theft otherwise…
Hi All,
I had a very good customer of mine from CO suggest that Scott Muench post here. I thought it was a great idea and that it may yield a few leads. Scott Muench is a great guy and does not deserve to be taken advantage of. Please, if any of you know how to get a hold of this guy please let Scott know. Its just not right.
Please keep this post alive.
Scott Smith lives and races in CO.
http://www.comerrocket.net is his website.Thanks,
Kim Watzke – PKTIf you paid for this motor through Paypal you should be able to dispute it, and have it investigated by them and also get your money back, I have delt with Paypal before and it may take alittle longer but the results should be in your favor, Just my .02. by the way I know what you are going through I bought a kart one time, and used Paypal, never got the kart but I did finally get a refund of my money from Paypal :idn:
Just wanting to post and follow up to all who not only read, but responded to our initial post asking for help. Some very good suggestions and leads. I can assure everyone who took the time and effort to help us out, we have and/or are following every lead.
I have taken legal action and hopefully will all be soon behind us.
Thank you for keeping this post alive in hopes that this may not happen to anyone else, at least from Scott Smith.
For those that read the post from Kim Watzke, and are in the market for awesome products and outstanding service, look Kim up at PKT axles and kidkarter.com. This guy is the real deal, and can help anyone as he did for us. He is what integrity and good business stands for.
Thanks again Kim and everyone else who has responded.
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