Steven Bishop - [email protected] - Kubelkraft

[bakersam]

Written Sept 6th: If you haven’t visited Steven Bishop at Kubelkraft in person, you definately should do so before sending thousands of dollars to him. Ask for multiple references too. You owe it to yourself to know exactly what you’re dealing with before signing anything. FYI...Kubelkraft is the old KoobleKar rebadged following Dennis Mallon’s departure. You’ll still find plenty on the web documenting KoobleKar's bizarre business practices. Bishop worked and learned under Mallon then inherited the (one man in a tin shed) business when Mallon left.
I’m the second committed customer Bishop's lost in as many months by his own admission. That’s a major loss of revenue for a one-man operation, and warrants your sober consideration. Since then Bishop won’t respond to my repeated calls, texts, and emails regarding the $ 1,900 paid for the two donor cars sitting in its yard. The facts speak for themselves.
Buyer Beware.

Written Sept 17: As a follow up on the earlier post. I was able to enlist help from someone in Albuquerque to drive over to Steven Bishop's business and physically intercept him. This allowed my contact to accompany Bishop back inside and remove several thousand dollars worth of parts which I had previously shipped directly to Kubelkraft in the forlorn belief that we were going to embark on a special project. Well...that was the plan anyway until Bishop flatly refused to sign a standard sales agreement containing such fundamental items as buyer protection, a dispute resolution processes, a cancellation clause, or even a written work statement that directly quoted Bishop's verbal recitation of the work he would perform. Why? Left unresolved is the $ 1,900 paid to Bishop for two donor cars which he still retains at this writing. My friend's personal observation of Bishop's muddled behavior confirmed what I had experienced too. Unable to consistently focus on matters...a disoriented grasp of what was even happening. I've found him all "up" one day, and the total opposite the next with no follow through on commitments he'd made. As though our conversation the day prior had never even happened. I'd already begun to suspect there were personal "issues" running in the background with Bishop. Whatever the underlying explanation, while he may be a talented metal bender, he's proven himself utterly incapable of conducting a standard business transaction in anything approaching a reliable, responsive and even coherent manner.

[bakersam]

It's now Jan 31st, '18 and Bishop has reappeared on the samba after a year's absence. You're strongly recommended to have him specifically address his previous performance as described above. You owe it to your peace of mind, and your wallet.

[bakersam]

And he's back again. Carefully read and then closely question him on his performance as detailed in this feedback section. This is the old "Kubel Kar" outfit relabeled. Google "Kubel Kar" to get even more background on what you might expect to encounter now.

[55rover]

Ordered a Kubelwagen from Steven in 2021. Below is the link to to project history.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773802

[Fire61]

Steven Bishop does good craftsmanship on most of the items he fabricates, BUT!!!! As he requires a full payment for small items, or a 10K deposit for a vehicle BEFORE making the item, his craftsmanship means NOTHING if you don't get the item.

Similar to his predecessor Dennis Mallon who Steven worked under before taking over the business, deposits were made, but NO product. For this to carry forward under Mr. Bishop is a shame for all kübel enthusiasts. I lost a couple of hundred dollars. Thank goodness it was not a 10K deposit on a kübelwagen that never appears. Kind of like playing in a casino and losing all your money. You hope it pays off, but in the end you still have an empty garage and wallet.

I tried many, many phone calls, emails, texts and was ghosted by Steven. I contacted the Albuquerque Police Department, but Operator #2064 advised me it was a civil matter regardless of the amount of money involved, and has nothing to do with the Police, even if there was a contract. Many of us owners do not live in New Mexico. No recourse there.

For existing kübel owners requiring replacement parts, I advise looking for another supplier.

I sincerely wish every current and future kübel owner a wonderful experience with your car, and look forward to seeing your pride and joy at events and shows. Be well.

Photos that show the facts of my transaction with Steven Bishop are available by PM.