As a complete outsider to this whole situtation, I'll toss my 2 cents in. Jim isn't denying he wronged people, and owes them money or products. I have no idea how much, but it sounds like an overwhelming number. In his letter he says he wants to make things right. No one can reasonably expect the man to refund everyone at once. This is going to be a tough nut for him to crack. He stuck his neck out posting the letter, to me thats a good sign.
Jim, All you had to do was call me once other than to collect the second half of my money and give me some sort of explanation. If I had known anything about your personal life I wouldn't have trashed your name on this forum. Do you have any sort of plan at this point to make things right with people? I mean what are you currently doing for a living? Does PAE still exist in any form?
There are a lot of sides to this story, and I'm glad I never lost any money to anyone on this or any other board. After reviewing many threads about Jim, and his business practices, I would think the only way to fix this is for everyone to post the dollar amount Jim owes them, and then Jim come up with a solvent plan to repay them. If he's a man of his word, then he will do that, and unlike a bank loan, no interest is accumulating.:dollar: Conversely, Jim, if someone (maybe a machine shop) owes you money, and you can prove it, then a lawsuit is in order. If you win, you can give people back their money. If you lose, go back to plan a- paying people off a little at a time.
I have been communicating with Jim for over 5 years on a complete restoration of a 71 skylark that he is, or sounds like was attempting to do for me. Everything has been prepaid in full and i never hear a word from him unless i call and happen to catch him around the phone. I`m not sure where i stand with Jim at this point until i talk to him. I just received the letter he wrote and have not been contacted by him. I would hope that he plans on talking to me soon. We are not talking about money for parts we are talking about an entire car that he has been paid for, that i sent him and don`t even know where it is right now until i talk to Jim.
When i started wanting to restore one of my Buicks, Jim`s name came recommended. I sent him a project that has not been completed, but has been paid for. I hope at this point Jim has a plan to make it right.
Some times life sucks and I'm sure that the letter is fairly accurate as far as family issues, but taking money to do work, asking for more to continue work, saying it's about done send more money. Years of hounding you by customers and there is nothing to show for it can not be explained by what's in the letter. Poor workmanship is not explained in the letter. Actions speak louder than words. Personal responsibility for people who ended up out money for work that you did or were suppose to do is what's needed.
I think this letter means alot. He could be like 99% of other guys out there and just file for bankrupcy and walk away. Then no one would get paid. Thanks for the letter, Jim. I knew there was a reason. Yes, maybe Jim wasn't thinking straight after he got screwed by bulldog, maybe shoulda just filed then, but he kept on scrambling to try and make it better in hopes all would eventually come around. When people are under extreme stress, they don't think straight. Guys, its easy to armchair ump after watching the replays, and we can point fingers until we're blue in the face, but the fact stands that he is trying to do the right thing.
The letter gives an excuse for some things but what about all the testimonial on here of him taking money to do work, saying he's made progress and wanting more money. No product or refund on many guys projects. Can't blame any one else for engine work that never happens, head work that is bad, restoration work that doesn't happen. At some point you need to stop taking more work when you have many many thousands of dollars and several years work of work that has never and will never happen, unless your plan is to take the money and make empty promises. Making it right with his customers would say a lot more than any letter could. I don't have a budget for things like a new improved big block casting so that whole mess could never effect me, and may not only be something that he had no control over but may well have started him down the road he's on. Doesn't matter. You don't take money for one project to cover another.
maxwedge, a couple questions. how could you and jim come up with a final price on your car before the work was even started? why in the world would you pay the whole thing up front? my advice would be, go pay jim and your car a visit, yank your car outta his shop and get what money you can back. hope things work out for you.
I've never met or talked to Jim, but have read a lot about his work ethics, and you should do the same. GO GET YOUR CAR NOW!
A sad reoccurring theme that you see on here. Many vendors where this gets to be the case. Lots of good vendors also. One of the things that I've learned on here is pay the extra for the best (many of which are on here) or have work done local where you can stop in frequently and keep tabs. Keep your wallet close with an unknown and pay for what you have seen done.
for anyone who cares, here's the process of how i got my car done. i sent JW a pm letting him know i was interested in taking care of the rust issues on my X. we talked a couple times on the phone, and JW personally came to pick up my X. we spent a good 45 minutes talking and going over details of the car. meeting jim for the 1st time i could tell he knew his stuff about our cars. i gave him a deposit and jim took the car to his shop to begin the work on it. i was kept well informed of the progress with e-mails and many pictures. i sent more money at the half way point and paid my final bill after i personally inspected and picked up my X. i think this is how it should work between the customer and the shop. communication is the key to a happy ending.
Jim, you say you "would like to pay everyone back" ? If so, please display the professionalism to contact each one of us who have invested and trusted you. Call, write a letter, email ............ Your best option rather than posting on a forum and running away.
Yes thats me. Since my dealings with Jim Burek things have taking have being going wrong. Jim Burek owes me at least $10.000,- due to his actions I also lost my Sponsor! I had to put my last savings to use to get a engine build. This deal with Jim Burek has taking to much money from us, and we thought we would recover from that after time, but the truth is its still costing us money. If anyone want I can show pictures and details, how Jim Burek build an engine for me.
I gave Jim money to rebuild my 455 short block. Crank, polished rods, pistons, balancer, flex plate, oil pan and a new billet chain set. Nothing trick. I paid him $2300.00. This was 4 years ago. He made one attempt to pay me some money ($260.00) over a year ago. Still nothing from him to date. The kicker is we both live in EL Paso and you would think he would pay me right away. I haven't been by his shop but was told he closed it down. If I get a chance I'll swing by and snap some pictures of whatever cars are still there.
I had a oiling issue with a 455 about 9-10 years ago that I couldn't figure out and nobody was really interested in really helpen me out with.So I took a chance and called Jim.Even thow it wasn't a motor that he built he talked with me for a hour on it and even called me later on to see if it worked.:TU:
I've dealt with Jim B, a few times, over the years...While the process was very slow and sometimes, below the quality level I expected, Jim always made it right. Now given the circumstances as his letter points out, it still doesn't argue well with failure to pay back, his failure to deliver after taking many dollars. Not only is it not appropriate for this web site, it, by all standards, is riddled with excuses none of which appear to be valid for taking money, and not providing the product. Jim, I followed the same trail with my parents as you did with your family. It happens, life is not only not fair, sometimes just plain evil. It happens. I rather suspect that the gentlemen in this fine group who are out money and product will not see and end to their frustration... Jim, shame on you for continuing a wrong when you could have made it right.
