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Ok, so on 17 March 2018, I chat on the phone with Rick Helsel, Manton Mi, 49663. The number listed is for "Michigan Big Trees." EDIT - REMOVED STREET ADDRESS.
First up, Rick said he has a friend with a few Stihl Contra G/GS gearcase covers and I desperately need one for my Contra GS. When I said I really needed one, he said, "I'm on it!" After that, nothing.
Next up is the "original 10 cube Stihl 090" that Rick found. He said it was for sale and George Harrison (wasn't he one of the Beatles?) in California owns it. Rick is going to "set it up so I can get it." You guessed it. Nothing.
On 31 March, after spending considerable time to find one, I manage to scrounge up a flywheel for a Dolmar KMS-4 that Rick has. Cost me $110 including shipping to Rick. Like a dummy, I ship it to him without asking for cash up front.
Rick is also searching for a 288XP, so I find him a nice used one in Europe. Then he tells me he wants a new one, and I put him in touch with Robin Wood. Hope he didn't jerk Robin around, too.
Next Rick said he found and would pick up a hardly used Stihl Contra for me. After that, nothing.
On 1 May, Rick said he would ship a Super Rex jug, piston, and carburetor to me to swap for the KMS-4 flywheel. Even sent pics of the parts. After saying, "Ok, I will ship it," he never sent anything.
On 2 June I said I needed a gas tank for one of my Solo Twins. Rick said he had tanks that will fit. Never heard back on this even though I bugged him about it again.
On 27 June, I'm finally starting to lose patience and wrote Rick telling him so. Said, "I lost a family member. But Scott I will do everything that I said that I will do." So I send condolences and give him some time.
2 August I said, "I just want my money. I give up." He replied, "I have PayPal. Just let me know what your address is."
12 August, no money. Contact him again. He replied, "I'll get it this week."
22 August, he sends pictures of 2 Contra parts saws. I said, "I'd take those instead of $100." Yeah, I'm a dummy.
A few days later, he said, "I'll ship the Contras." Last Friday, he said, "I will ship them tomorrow." I wait a few days and ask for the tracking number. Crickets.
I finally get my money via PayPal from Greg Helsel 0n 29 August. Only took about 5 months.
Lesson learned -- don't deal with Rick Helsel. He's a liar, plain and simple.
First up, Rick said he has a friend with a few Stihl Contra G/GS gearcase covers and I desperately need one for my Contra GS. When I said I really needed one, he said, "I'm on it!" After that, nothing.
Next up is the "original 10 cube Stihl 090" that Rick found. He said it was for sale and George Harrison (wasn't he one of the Beatles?) in California owns it. Rick is going to "set it up so I can get it." You guessed it. Nothing.
On 31 March, after spending considerable time to find one, I manage to scrounge up a flywheel for a Dolmar KMS-4 that Rick has. Cost me $110 including shipping to Rick. Like a dummy, I ship it to him without asking for cash up front.
Rick is also searching for a 288XP, so I find him a nice used one in Europe. Then he tells me he wants a new one, and I put him in touch with Robin Wood. Hope he didn't jerk Robin around, too.
Next Rick said he found and would pick up a hardly used Stihl Contra for me. After that, nothing.
On 1 May, Rick said he would ship a Super Rex jug, piston, and carburetor to me to swap for the KMS-4 flywheel. Even sent pics of the parts. After saying, "Ok, I will ship it," he never sent anything.
On 2 June I said I needed a gas tank for one of my Solo Twins. Rick said he had tanks that will fit. Never heard back on this even though I bugged him about it again.
On 27 June, I'm finally starting to lose patience and wrote Rick telling him so. Said, "I lost a family member. But Scott I will do everything that I said that I will do." So I send condolences and give him some time.
2 August I said, "I just want my money. I give up." He replied, "I have PayPal. Just let me know what your address is."
12 August, no money. Contact him again. He replied, "I'll get it this week."
22 August, he sends pictures of 2 Contra parts saws. I said, "I'd take those instead of $100." Yeah, I'm a dummy.
A few days later, he said, "I'll ship the Contras." Last Friday, he said, "I will ship them tomorrow." I wait a few days and ask for the tracking number. Crickets.
I finally get my money via PayPal from Greg Helsel 0n 29 August. Only took about 5 months.
Lesson learned -- don't deal with Rick Helsel. He's a liar, plain and simple.
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