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Mon Mar 31, 2025 8:13 am

Hello all i was wondering if any of you guys from California have done business with the bus guy out of garden grove California. I sent him my bus back aug of 2024 for him to do some work on it. It has been a hassle to get him to respond to me. several months ago he did get back to me and told me about things going on in his life and that his busniss was failing. I kindly asked him to return my bus in which he said that once i have recieved the bus to inspect it and we could talk about a refund. After several weeks of going back and forth he finally sent the bus back. When i got i inspected it and he did not do any work on it. Now i have been trying to contact him to see about the refund he was going to give me. He has ghosted me. I sent him up to 9 grand ( a deposit and the money to start building an engine with some engine bay work). Has anyone here delt with him. I have been patiant with him and understanding of his current situation but now i just need to get my money back so i can move on.
Any help would be appreciated .

Mon Mar 31, 2025 8:41 am

Check you PM

Wed Aug 06, 2025 12:27 pm

I have a friend that was also left high and dry by Adam, The Bus Guy. His Facebook site refers to health issues...Anyone working a class action suit?

Wed Aug 06, 2025 12:36 pm

Man, I don't know how people let this happen. I feel bad for you and hope you get it sorted.

I can't tell you how many times I've been involved with this same story...someone sends a car and a pile of cash and it's all gone.

Crazy....

Wed Aug 06, 2025 1:37 pm

The amazing thing is that Gary and Robbie in the San Diego area are known to live up to their word. Garden Grove is like a 90 mile drive to them.

Wed Aug 06, 2025 3:11 pm

I couldnt find any feedback

Wed Aug 06, 2025 5:01 pm

I give my car to you. No cash down.

Each week, you tell me what parts you bought, hours worked, and I pay you.

If you can’t work like that, I can’t either.

Wed Aug 06, 2025 5:06 pm

Abscate wrote: I give my car to you. No cash down.

:lol:

not here. you leave a thick deposit and as the meter runs down you send more. I may be an asshole, but I have a sterling reputation.

I don't know ANY shop that runs that way. Why would a shop finance anything for anyone? Hell, it's becoming the norm for those who work on older cars to require a 50%+ cash deposit up front as doing the paperwork for an abandoned car/mechanics lien is a pain in the ass.

^^^ and I'm talking legit businesses, not people working out of their yard/rental unit. I mean 100% licensed shops

Wed Aug 06, 2025 5:29 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: Abscate wrote: I give my car to you. No cash down.

:lol:

not here. you leave a thick deposit and as the meter runs down you send more. I may be an asshole, but I have a sterling reputation.

I don't know ANY shop that runs that way. Why would a shop finance anything for anyone? Hell, it's becoming the norm for those who work on older cars to require a 50%+ cash deposit up front as doing the paperwork for an abandoned car/mechanics lien is a pain in the ass.

^^^ and I'm talking legit businesses, not people working out of their yard/rental unit. I mean 100% licensed shops

I would gladly do this but unfortunately where I am nobody works on these things so I’m stuck fumbling around trying to figure things out on my own. Well with the help of the fine folks here of course. At least if I screw it up I can’t blame anyone else.

Wed Aug 06, 2025 9:27 pm

anyone that would open a shop up to do AC VW work is nuts these days.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 5:14 am

Never, never, never pre-pay for work to be done. If the shop has to have a down payment find another shop. Handing over cash and your car is a recipe for getting took, there is no incentive for doing the work, doing it right or in a timely manner.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 8:26 am

busman78 wrote: Never, never, never pre-pay for work to be done. If the shop has to have a down payment find another shop. Handing over cash and your car is a recipe for getting took, there is no incentive for doing the work, doing it right or in a timely manner.

100% disagree

If it's a legit shop with a good reputation then there's nothing to worry about.

Think of it this way

You drop off your 2022 (whatever) for service work. It's your daily driver. The shop fixes it, you come and pay the bill. Done. If you bounce, they have something of value and can do all said paperwork.

Now you drop off your 40, 50,60 year old cherished shitbox, all of the parts are special order, days/weeks away. The shop spent a ton of time figuring shit out, ordering parts and now your precious pile of shit is a "zombie car" that is sucking up space and can't be worked on until parts roll in.

Now the paperwork to file for an abandoned car is even worse due to the age and probably messed up paperwork dating back decades...if there is any paperwork at all...

Not only that, 98% of people demand said pile of sadness is stored indoors which is now costing even more money...but every second this thing lays around...indoors or out...it's a huge insurance liability.

And this is exactly why so few will even work on these things anymore, then they end up at some no name "shop" and posts like the o/p's are made.

If you think for a minute I'm going to order parts for an engine or a rebuilt transmission for your 50 year old car on my dime without a deposit, you can tow the thing right back out of here. In fact, they don't even make it in the driveway without a deposit being agreed upon.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 10:03 am

Based on what you have said you obviously have no respect for the 40-50-60 year old vehicles being brought to your shop and equal respect for the said owners. Probably best for all parties including you to stick to the newer models.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:11 am

busman78 wrote: Based on what you have said you obviously have no respect for the 40-50-60 year old vehicles being brought to your shop and equal respect for the said owners. Probably best for all parties including you to stick to the newer models.

funny :lol:

I have a 13 month waiting list. I respect the cars just fine WHEN the people that own them respect the process, which you clearly don't seeing you think everyone is out to rip you off.

the people who audibly groan, make faces and are in general disbelief about what it really costs to work on them...those are the people I weed out. I don't run a soup kitchen. If that bugs you then by all means, open your own business and work for free, or give your boss a few days...no charge.

I've said it before and I'll say it again (2 things actually)

#1 - sorry my profession is your hobby...that doesn't mean it's free or costs any less

#2- I've never lost a dime by saying no to a job, but I've lost thousands by saying yes

but...people find themselves in these positions by choosing the "cheapest guy" out there or the guy who claims to "be way cheaper than a shop"

Now, I'm not saying that is what the OP did (but it seems he may have been victim to it)

Not sure how it works outside of CA, but here I have to pay for a 150k bond so lets say I "steal" your cherished possession and the state finds in your favor, they will pay you up to the bond amount (150k, which is the state minimum for me)

and if I rub you wrong, so be it. but after 30+ years of dealing with people who have more dreams than money, you'd be a little salty too. I'd rather you be mad at me for being honest than pissed at me for lying to you.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:16 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: busman78 wrote: Based on what you have said you obviously have no respect for the 40-50-60 year old vehicles being brought to your shop and equal respect for the said owners. Probably best for all parties including you to stick to the newer models.

funny :lol:

I have a 13 month waiting list. I respect the cars just fine WHEN the people that own them respect the process, which you clearly don't seeing you think everyone is out to rip you off.

the people who audibly groan, make faces and are in general disbelief about what it really costs to work on them...those are the people I weed out. I don't run a soup kitchen. If that bugs you then by all means, open your own business and work for free, or give your boss a few days...no charge.

I've said it before and I'll say it again (2 things actually)

#1 - sorry my profession is your hobby...that doesn't mean it's free or costs any less

#2- I've never lost a dime by saying no to a job, but I've lost thousands by saying yes

but...people find themselves in these positions by choosing the "cheapest guy" out there or the guy who claims to "be way cheaper than a shop"

Now, I'm not saying that is what the OP did (but it seems he may have been victim to it)

Not sure how it works outside of CA, but here I have to pay for a 150k bond so lets say I "steal" your cherished possession and the state finds in your favor, they will pay you up to the bond amount (150k, which is the state minimum for me)

and if I rub you wrong, so be it. but after 30+ years of dealing with people who have more dreams than money, you'd be a little salty too. I'd rather you be mad at me for being honest than pissed at me for lying to you.

well said Don. :thumbsup:

Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:39 am

busman78 wrote: Never, never, never pre-pay for work to be done. If the shop has to have a down payment find another shop. Handing over cash and your car is a recipe for getting took, there is no incentive for doing the work, doing it right or in a timely manner.

You guys are both right.

For the OP, doing an agreed amount of work on a running car, no pre-pay.

For the '"I want you to refurb my clapped out trash" a deposit is reasonable, if the reputation deserves it.

Ive never been in Sit B - I always get them to the point of running, tagged, and insured before I pull out the checkbook toolbox.

The Three Horseman of Disaster are: Divorce, Drugs, and Dice - thats when your money burns up.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 1:48 pm

we’ve gotten a bit off track in answering the op’s question, though don alluded to a possible course of action.

you might contact the calif bureau of automotive repair, and see if the guy has a license, bond, etc.

https://www.bar.ca.gov/

Thu Aug 07, 2025 4:04 pm

If “health issues” is code for “drug addiction and theft,” yes, Adam is having health issues.

I worked on two of his “restored” buses this week, and you are going to need a lawyer if you want to see a cent of your money ever again.

Robbie

Thu Aug 07, 2025 4:07 pm

airschooled wrote: If “health issues” is code for “drug addiction and theft,” yes, Adam is having health issues.

I worked on two of his “restored” buses this week, and you are going to need a lawyer if you want to see a cent of your money ever again.

Robbie
:lol:

I think Robbie is tired of people being taken advantage of by less than professional mechanics. Of course, Robbie has earned the right to say that. One can trust his work ethic and knowledge.

Thu Aug 07, 2025 4:10 pm

SGKent wrote: airschooled wrote: If “health issues” is code for “drug addiction and theft,” yes, Adam is having health issues.

I worked on two of his “restored” buses this week, and you are going to need a lawyer if you want to see a cent of your money ever again.

Robbie
:lol:

I think Robbie is tired of people being taken advantage of by less than professional mechanics.

“Professional” just means it’s your main income. I’m
Tired of bad mechanics.

Robbie