I have noticed that a frequent topic of discourse on AK deals with frustrations associated with buying and selling equipment and parts. Many Ebay transactions end in disappointment. Ebay and Paypal have some options to address these problems, and in many cases, they work just fine. However, in some circumstances all does not end well, and we are left with few options. One hurdle is that the seller/buyer are in different states. This causes a practical problem and frequently the result is, legal options are foreclosed for all practical purposes.

In an effort to deal with this problem, and also as an effort to contribute something to the site other than sophomoric humor and requests for electronic advice, I have decided to try an experiment. I am a lawyer (which may explain my utter inability to understand the most simple electronic issues) in Ohio. My practice includes both consumer law and general litigation. I am willing to assist AK members with difficulties in Ohio related to the topics we share in common. For example, if you buy a mint Pioneer 1010 from someone in Ohio, and they do not uphold their end of the bargain, you can contact me and I will try to help. Conversely, if you encounter a deadbeat buyer in Ohio, I will likewise try and help. Subject to the caveats, provisos and exceptions below, this will be at no charge, and can be considered one of the benefits to being a member of our little society.

The fine print (you knew this was coming, admit it):

1. I will not get involved in disputes between AK members.
2. I will not sue anyone as part of the free benefit. If litigation becomes necessary or advisable, we can talk.
3. Any out-of-pocket expenses must be reimbursed. This might include the cost of certified mail or long distance telephone charges, but it will not exceed the actual amount I incur on your behalf, and should be nominal.
4. I can tell you to take a hike if you are unreasonable or you otherwise offend my sensibilities (you may laugh and refer to the fact that I am a lawyer).
5. If I actually do any good, contributions to the site would be nice.
6. If this just turns out to be a mess, I can quit at any time, but you still have to read and respond to my moronic posts about audio stuff (see, for example, my question about the differences between a 9090 and a 9090db).

I suspect there may be other members of my noble profession among AK members, perhaps in other cities and states. I would welcome them to join me in this experiment.

If you really feel the need to see my bona fides, please visit my firm's website using the link below.

If you have questions or concerns, shoot me a pm.

Peace, David Kessler
http://www.bhmlaw.com

Hi David, I can't wait to see how your experiment works out!

Greg

Thanks for the note of encouragemnet. I should have mentioned that barristers and solicitors are welcome to help out as well!

Hi David;

Very nice offer and very much in keeping with the spirit of this forum and it's membership. You sure you are a normal lawyer :D

Ohio huh?

Reminds me of that joke about Cleveland Ohio.

Seems a large mail order company was going to have a radom drawing prize for customers that placed orders during a two month period.

Posted prize?

1st place prize is one week paid vacation to Cleveland Ohio

2nd place prize is TWO weeks paid vacation to Cleveland Ohio

:p: :p: :p:

Lefty

Go Tribe!

Oh man a free shyster on retainer. Kind of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.:D Now I just have to move to Ohio.


Mike

don't pack yet Pro_Ac, it is the offending party that needs to reside in Ohio. If it were the other way around I'd be doing some bannana dancing.

:banana: :banana:

but alas, that is not the case:

:cry:

Cleveland jokes, eh :naughty:

The Mistake by the Lake???

Didn't the Cuyahoga River once catch fire there in the 70's??

Lastly, I believe someone, either here in the wonderful Murder City known as Detroit, or back home in Milwaukee, once painted "Welcome to Cleveland" on the roof of their garage, which happened to be on the main landing approach to the airport. Just to "amuse" the passengers :naughty:

Actually, I have spent a little time in Ohio and always found it to be quite a nice place.:thmbsp:

Actually I think that is an awesone thing to do!! Bully for you David!

FWIW, I'd suspect that 19 times out of 20, a registered letter from a lawyer is about all it takes to get someone's attention in a big way....

Dave,

VERY classy. Thanks. I honestly hope I never have to call you!!

___

Yes everyone, the river burned, many, many times, but no one cared until the '70s!! Then it took their minds off the Indians. And the Browns. And the Cavs. Arrrgh I'm bumming myself out!!!

Don't forget the "boy wonder" mayor (haven't I heard from him lately :p: ) and bankruptcy.

Anyone who comes to/through here let me know, I'll spring for a "Burning River Brew"!

Pete

After the Bluejackets season we all suffered through here in Columbus, even the Tribe looks good!

That's a tremendous idea and it inspired me. To extend the concept to the really tough cases, I'd like to have the phone number of someone who knows how to break kneecaps. Or maybe just bend them a little. There's a fellow in AZ who hosed up two $1500 auctions in a row for me and I'd like to see him having trouble climbing stairs for a while.;) :twak: ;)

Hi David, thanks for the offer. A lawyer friend of mine (yes, I have friends) calls me a litigious litigator as I'm king of the small claims court here. My theories of law amuse him to no end as they are somewhat circuitous but ultimately correct nonetheless.

I ain't no mouth piece but I play one on TV :lmao:

Have noticed that you mentioned "Tribe" a couple of times, are you by chance interested in Indian motorcycles too? I know that's quite a stretch but thought I'd put that out there anywho.

Anthony

With respect to counsel in other states, I recommend calling the local bar association wherever the bad guy resides. In most cases, they can refer you to a lawyer that can help. With respect to Indian motorcycles, I think they are great, but I'm not allowed to have one.

Not allowed to have an Indian bike? Is that by court or wife order? LOL!

Anthony

The higher of the 2 authorities.

Ah yes, the female authority......and the one sans the blindfold and carrying a frying pan instead of a set of scales.

Anthony

"She Who Must Be Obeyed". Oh, yeah. BTW, damn nice thing you're doing, David. -Sandy G.

Thanks. I'm just waitin' for a Guinea pig.

What do Italian police have to do with this? :dunno: :D

Anthony (Dago Rat Bastard Extraordinarie)

" Didn't the Cuyahoga River once catch fire there in the 70's?? "

I recall the Rouge River catching fire in the late 60s or early 70s. There was a hello of an uproar because the Ford Motor Company was fined $ 700.00 by a local judge for causing the pollution that led to the fire.

Complaints ranged from claims that legal action against Ford entailed the risk of causing Henry Ford II to get pissed and shut down the Rouge Plant... to... some who rudely pointed out that a fine of $ 700.00 amounted to nothing more than a license fee.

These events unfortunately occur all over the world and are not limited to the USA. Here in Canada the Sydney Tar Ponds ( Sydney Nova Scotia ) contain the improperly disposed effluents from the long bankrupt Sydney Steel Corporation. It is estimated that the cleanup will cost something in the order of $400,000,000.00 and take something like 20 years to complete.

In the Yukon Territory containment of Arsenic Sulphate contamination at the site of The Giant Yelloknife Gold Mine ( No hyperbole folks that was the actual name ) will cost about $ 1,000,000,000 and carry an perpetual yearly expense of at least $20,000,000.00 . The stockpiled pollutants are so toxic ...( They are exceptionally poisonous in the immediate sense and also highly carcinogenic in the longer term)... that no government in Canada ( including the Territorial authourities) will allow them to be moved off-site. The plan is to bury them in the mine,seal the mine with concrete and permanently freeze the ground around the perimeter of the mine to a depth of a couple of hundred feet and far deeper in some areas. The $ 20,000,000 annual cost following the initial containment will be for ongoing refrigeration to prevent thawing and for maintainance of the cooling plant.

If we're speaking of unspeakably polluted sites we musn't forget Butte Montana, site of the most poisonous lake on earth. It contains the liquid tailings of the mining that used to be done there and it is so bad that the lake had to have a large net placed over it to keep birds from landing in it, which would result in certain death. If it ever cuts loose, Butte can bend over and kiss it goobye. They're kind of proud of it too. Go figure...

Cleveland jokes?? Being an ex-Clevelander I see that Detroit is so jealous of their revival!! I'll be going there again today to visit a relative in the hospital, the view of the city from Metro Hospital is incredible, re-growth and revitalization everywhere, even the steel mills are active again now that ISG bought the old LTV plant where my father worked for almost 50 years. Yes, Cleveland has a long way to go, but it's on the right path!! DSK, what a great offer for assisting in purchase disputes!!
:bash:

Originally posted by revrun
If we're speaking of unspeakably polluted sites we musn't forget Butte Montana, site of the most poisonous lake on earth. It contains the liquid tailings of the mining that used to be done there and it is so bad that the lake had to have a large net placed over it to keep birds from landing in it, which would result in certain death. If it ever cuts loose, Butte can bend over and kiss it goobye. They're kind of proud of it too. Go figure...

Had a girlfriend from Butte.....that explains a lot!

Anthony

And people badmouth JERSEY? Sheeesh.

TA

Good people in Ohio......I should know, I was born in Cleveland :D

Dsk, That's a nice offer, I hope nobody has to take you up on it.

So far everything's been quiet. We have had some instances in other states, which Kam the fearless moderator of moderators is handling.

Originally posted by dsk
After the Bluejackets season we all suffered through here in Columbus, even the Tribe looks good!

David,
Don't count your BlueJackets out,they will be in the race next season,if there is a season.Remember most of the staff are from Prince Edward Island and we Islanders know hockey.
Doug Maclean,Gerard "Turkey" Gallant, a couple scouts and I think one of the plat-by-play guys are all from Summerside,Prince Edward Island.

Alan

Dsk

I have a matter that I could use your assistance with. I shot you an Email. Hope to hear from you.

Grumpy

Let the experiment begin

Ron

Born and raised in Cleveland!
I guess that would explain a lot of things!

So far everything's been quiet. We have had some instances in other states, which Kam the fearless moderator of moderators is handling.


Lets see. . . I got this buyer who bought a TurnTable,. . .6.00. . . and as with so many non-working parts units it is like pulling teeth to get any money. . .

Anyway something noteworthy will come along then you can drop the hammer. . . This could be interesting.