Beware: Upstate / Connelly

[Tom Wells]

I bought some "XKE" uprights and hubs from Bill Connelly dba Upstate Cobra back in April on eBay.

In an e-mail prior to my bidding he stated "If you aren't pleased with them send them back! "

After I received the units, they were not rebuildable for my purposes so I requested return for refund. Connelly replied "Don't send them back!"

Here are some photos of what I received:







I tried going through Paypal and Connelly refused to cooperate. I then went to eBay requesting arbitration through their process. Upstate / Connelly stonewalled - no response whatsoever.

Anyone planning to do business with this person or company should see what they are getting in advance or take a chance on buying junk.

That's all I wanted to say

[avanti-176]

Tom,
I am sorry to hear of your troubles, all I know of Bill is that when I bought my Cobra from him a couple of years ago and met him he is still to this day one of the nicest gentlmen I have ever met. He has always answered any stupid question I have called him with and he just did not seem to be someone not willing to stick to a deal.
I really hope that you can get things worked out. I know that he has been trying to sell his company so there are probably other things going on that we do not know about,but he did seem like a truley nice man and not at all unreasonable and it does not sound like you are being unreasonable so I would think things should be able to get straightened out.

Good luck,
Dan

[Tom Wells]

Yo Bill S.,

What was the timeline from the time you made your purchase to the time you asked for a refund.

The same day they were received.

I have been trying since then to get this resolved. No joy so far.

[zimmy]

Tom:

I have been a friend of Bill's for almost 10-12 years. Let me know if you don't get a better answer and I'll try to call him for you. I just spent a bunch of time talking to him at Carlisle in May. It really doesn't sound like him at all. Give me a call if I can help.

Best to Kay.

Zimmy

[Tom Wells]

Yo LawnMowerMan,

All I have is the e-mails and the non-op parts and a debit in my Paypal account.

Maybe someone hijacked his eBay and e-mail accounts????

[zimmy]

Tom:

I'll try to call him tomorrow for you (assuming I can remember).

So many dandelions to kill - so little time!!!!!

[CoupeBill]

Dear Tom, you had better tell the Truth concerning this matter. If you remember correctly I had told you that these hubs were welded up by Contemporary Classic and you were adamant about the fact that you wanted a Certificate stating that they had been welded properly. When I couldn't supply you with a Certificate then and only then did you start complaining about these hubs! Contemporary went out of business in 1999 so needless to say I wasn't able to contact them for a certificate. The hubs when shipped to you were pressed together and I wasn't able to view the bearings or races. The cosmetic dings on outside of the hub carriers are purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the structural integrity of the hub carriers. Did you forget to mention that I found another Ebayer that was interested in the hub carriers only and was willing to pay you the exact price you had paid me. So by trying to slander me over this forum with half truths serves you no purpose other than showing the readers how ridiculous you truly are! On a final note you failed to mention that Paypal ruled in my favor on this issue, so why don't you take the hint and drop it!!!!


All the best!
Bill Connelly
Upstate Super Replicars, Inc.

[Tom Wells]

Hello Bill,

1) You stated in an e-mail to me prior to the purchase "If you aren't pleased with them send them back!"

2) You stated when I asked to return them "Don't send them back!"

You did try to get me to keep them by stating the words (not facts) you listed above.

You then tried to get me to sell two of them to a third party, making me your agent, which I did refuse to do, as it would have made me responsible for selling what I consider to be unsafe parts. I did offer to return them to you as you initially offered so you could sell them to the third party - you again refused to accept them and reneged again on your statement 1) above.

This did not and does not change 1) and 2) above.

Please refund my money and I will return the hubs and uprights to you in the exact condition received.

Regards,

Tom

[Cracker]

Cobra brethren - do you ever feel like we live within a Soap Opera around here?

On a more positive note: Zimmy, how ya doing? I'll call and catch up soon!

[flipper35]

Maybe an oil case opera would be more fitting.

[John McMahon]

Originally posted by Tom Wells


After I received the units, they were not rebuildable for my purposes so I requested return for refund.

Tom,

I'm curious as to why these used parts which you say were advertised as 'rebuildbable', were not suited for your needs?

Do you have the verbage from the eBay ad?

[BlueRooster]

Does it matter why they are not suitable?

If Bill said that you could return them for a full refund, seems to me that Tom has the right to do so. Even if he just changed his mind...right?

Bill should resell them to the new party not Tom...IMO.

Dane

[Tom Wells]

Thank you Dane,

My point exactly.

Tom

[John McMahon]

so what was wrong with the hubs?

[Tom Wells]

Hello John,

Look at the pictures above. The upright is damaged and all the hubs are welded, non-XKE components, patently unsafe until proven otherwise.

What is your plan for using this information?

[John McMahon]

Tom,

I don't know the facts other than what you told me.

I saw no explanation for your dislike of the hubs.

The only problem I saw was the chewed up ribbing.

I saw a difference of opinion between both you and Bill C.

I asked for the details of the ad or maybe the email stating the money return, you did not provide.

I used to moderate these types of issues on this forum.

I have no plans on the information and in fact will let it drop.

Good Luck, buy new hubs.

[elgecko]

Tom,
They just don't get it.
If I purchased an item off eBay with a satisfaction guarentee, I do NOT need a reason for returning the parts, even if it was just cosmetics.
It all boils down to what was written in the parts description on eBay and what was written in the email response as to return policy. It's a contract, pure and simple.
Worse case..... Put them up on eBay and hope for a higher bid then you paid for them. But..... with all this pubicity
Good luck
Dave

[mr bruce]

Them welded hubs are a lawsuit waiting to happen. The nicks in the Al parts appear to be cosmetic. Is Jag stuff that hard to find ?

[John McMahon]

Bruce,

No they are not, they are everywhere...call Classic Jaguar for great refurbished parts.

[cobra crazee]

hey I thought appearance is everything, atleast to some degree
I think Tom should call Classic Jaguar when he gets his refund