After demanding a copy of ALL the paperwork in my file, including the insurance correspondence, they come by w/the same estimate sheet they gave me before. When I again requested all documents related to the insurance claim, George tried to tell me "well, that was my accountant that did that...it's just an Excel sheet...", and I said, "Then give me a copy."
I was so pissed at this point, I don't recall what asked me next, but I finally said "Look, what you are asking me to do is commit Insurance Fraud." He says "How so? By paying your deductible?" I said "No, by telling me to send in a second invoice with false numbers on it to reclaim the depreciation!" So he starts in with how "you know the insurance didn't send enough to cover the repairs..." At which point I pointed out once again that I was unwilling to commit insurance fraud to remedy that, and again requested the paperwork.
At this point this little con said "Well, if you didn't want to do business with us, just say so!" So I said "No, I don't want to do business with you. I don't trust you, you weren't honest with me."
So he took his toys and went home. We'll see if he's stupid enough to try to come after me on the grounds of that blank form I signed in June giving them permission to contact the insurance company. If he is, I look forward to contacting the Attorney General. I'm contacting my insurance company on Monday, to see if they have a record of the communication, and tell them what these people were doing.
I wasn't expecting to make money off this deal. I figured the insurance wasn't going to cover all necessary repairs - and I expected I would have to put some of them off. But I won't deal with liars, cheats and thieves. And I won't participate in fraud.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Talk about adventures in home ownership...
So, the hail storm in late March that totaled my roof, damaged the cab (which I still owe money on thanks to my worthless ex-driver and the fact I was too sick to drive it enough to keep up the payments he created with the A/R's), and damaged several windows, is still creating drama in my life.
What happened is partially my fault. This being my first experience with home-ownership during a severe hail storm, I failed to get multiple quotes. I didn't sign a contract on the initial estimate, but on June 9th, when the insurance had failed to pay enough to come close to the total estimate for the roof, and while I was sick to boot, the roofer asked me to sign a form so he could request that the insurance company ante up more cash.
So he sends me a blank form, and being feverish and sick, I didn't read the fine print. I just signed it and faxed it back. I just didn't feel like screwing with this shit. My bad. He calls me about two weeks ago and tells me the insurance company had approved the claim for $9500. What? The initial estimate on the roof was $6300! The windows couldn't cost more than $1200 or so for the damage involved - which was mostly beading and a couple of frames. Where the hell did this figure come from? But he assures me another $3900 is on the way to cover the difference.
Well, a check arrives for $1557 a few days ago (more than a month after his request for the blank form to be signed). At this point, I've already got an uneasy feeling about this guy. So I email him (sorry, I just can't seem to get the email to line up right):
I also attached documents the insurance company sent detailing the replacement cost, deductible, and the depreciation I could reclaim when the work was done. His response? An email stating he would call me before lunch tomorrow and "explain everything."
I responded with:
So then, he called. He explained that he could not do this over email - and get this - because he planned to give me two invoices, and of course, he couldn't put that in writing. One with the price he was actually charging me - and one with the price he said I could submit to the insurance company to recover the depreciation. "I don't care what you do with that money", he said. "I do." I said. He kept pressing to come over to go over the numbers, sign the contract, and collect half of the money prior to the roofing.
Well, I agreed to a meeting, at 5pm tomorrow. Mainly to gain time to re-examine the numbers, and try to figure out what he was trying to pull off. I mean, the insurance fraud part of it was fairly obvious. But I was trying to figure out if there was a way to get the roofing done for what I have already been paid for the total damage, and deal with the windows on my own.
When I realized that any way I approached it, he was going to try to screw me if I refused to submit the falsified invoice, I approached my neighbor across the street - he had gotten a quote from Elite, as well. He educated me on the costs and how they're determined by the insurance companies (he has a construction background), then suggested I speak to our neighbors a few houses down, who had planned to go with Elite until this week when they got some disturbing news.
It seems two of their Reps had quit, citing questionable business practices. (No kidding?) The neighbor in question had finally received a call from one of those reps, who had informed her of why he no longer worked there, and why he and the other rep were now employed with a different roofer. They're going with the other roofer. The wife said she would ask the former employee to call me tomorrow before George arrives.
Now, George is not the owner of this company - his father is, I know because I've researched them. And unless I get some sort of astounding change in estimate, I'll be alerting Dad to his activities after I tell him to sod off. If he gives me any shit, I'll be contacting the Attorney General, as well. Frankly, I don't trust him enough to let his people do my roof at this point, anyway.
But what truly amazes me is that this young man has the GALL to think I would defraud the insurance company to pocket a few bucks. Hell, I need the money as much as anyone - and sure, my insurance company is reaming me as hard as it can -it's what insurance companies do, partially because they expect this sort of fraud. But why the HELL would I risk violating the law to do it? Personally, I value my freedom a great deal. A few hundred bucks sure as hell isn't worth getting my roof done if it comes with a side of felony charges.
Stupid people annoy the crap out of me. I'm sure there are some who might think me stupid for not playing the game. But dammit, I have to live with my actions. And I will not let some little dishonest piss-ant dictate those actions for me. Frankly, I can't wait to educate him, and his father on the doings of his son.
Consider it a lesson learned - for both of us.
What happened is partially my fault. This being my first experience with home-ownership during a severe hail storm, I failed to get multiple quotes. I didn't sign a contract on the initial estimate, but on June 9th, when the insurance had failed to pay enough to come close to the total estimate for the roof, and while I was sick to boot, the roofer asked me to sign a form so he could request that the insurance company ante up more cash.
So he sends me a blank form, and being feverish and sick, I didn't read the fine print. I just signed it and faxed it back. I just didn't feel like screwing with this shit. My bad. He calls me about two weeks ago and tells me the insurance company had approved the claim for $9500. What? The initial estimate on the roof was $6300! The windows couldn't cost more than $1200 or so for the damage involved - which was mostly beading and a couple of frames. Where the hell did this figure come from? But he assures me another $3900 is on the way to cover the difference.
Well, a check arrives for $1557 a few days ago (more than a month after his request for the blank form to be signed). At this point, I've already got an uneasy feeling about this guy. So I email him (sorry, I just can't seem to get the email to line up right):
George,
While I'm still on antibiotics, and not quite over this crap, I wanted
to let you know I did receive another check from the insurance company
for $1557.16. I am attaching images of their estimates and why they
sent this amount.
Now, I have a few questions. How, exactly, did the total repair cost
go up to $9,500? The original estimate you gave me on the roof
was $6,300. I understand the windows would add to that (and I'll admit,
I'm curious why you didn't quote those costs to me at the time), but
by the replacement cost the insurance lists, it still wouldn't amount
to $9,500.
When you sent me the blank form to fax to you granting permission to
contact the insurance company, you didn't mention the total cost
estimate. In fact, the first I heard of it was during our phone
conversation when you said the insurance company was going to send
another $3,900 for the repairs. Before you contact them again, I would
like an explanation for why the numbers changed. If you cannot do the
repairs for the amount you previously claimed you could, then perhaps
I need to look for a company that can, or have the repairs completed
during the off season when material prices decline.
I'm feeling a little in the dark here, and a little concerned about
how this is unfolding. Perhaps you could help with that by explaining
via email. I'll understand better in writing.
Thank you,
Michelle Palmer
While I'm still on antibiotics, and not quite over this crap, I wanted
to let you know I did receive another check from the insurance company
for $1557.16. I am attaching images of their estimates and why they
sent this amount.
Now, I have a few questions. How, exactly, did the total repair cost
go up to $9,500? The original estimate you gave me on the roof
was $6,300. I understand the windows would add to that (and I'll admit,
I'm curious why you didn't quote those costs to me at the time), but
by the replacement cost the insurance lists, it still wouldn't amount
to $9,500.
When you sent me the blank form to fax to you granting permission to
contact the insurance company, you didn't mention the total cost
estimate. In fact, the first I heard of it was during our phone
conversation when you said the insurance company was going to send
another $3,900 for the repairs. Before you contact them again, I would
like an explanation for why the numbers changed. If you cannot do the
repairs for the amount you previously claimed you could, then perhaps
I need to look for a company that can, or have the repairs completed
during the off season when material prices decline.
I'm feeling a little in the dark here, and a little concerned about
how this is unfolding. Perhaps you could help with that by explaining
via email. I'll understand better in writing.
Thank you,
Michelle Palmer
I also attached documents the insurance company sent detailing the replacement cost, deductible, and the depreciation I could reclaim when the work was done. His response? An email stating he would call me before lunch tomorrow and "explain everything."
I responded with:
First, it's Ms. Palmer - or simply Michelle, not Mrs. Palmer. I'm gay
- not married. They don't allow that here.
Second, I suggest you bring something by in writing explaining the
situation, because given the way the numbers have changed, a
verbal agreement - or explanation - is not something I'm comfortable with.
I have a book to ship tomorrow, and because of the infection and the
decongestants I'm taking to deal with it, I'm having trouble sleeping.
It will probably be mid to late afternoon before I will be
available.You can call and explain if you like, but understand that I
am agreeing to nothing until you have spelled it out for me in
writing. This is my first experience with a homeowner's claim, and I
feel I was foolish not to get several estimates before allowing you to
contact the insurance company. The change in the numbers has only
created more anxiety for me.
I look forward to speaking to you, but understand that any explanation
needs to be in black and white, not verbal. Had I not been ill, I
would have known better than to sign a blank piece of paper giving you
permission to contact the insurance company in the first place without
a detailed estimate. I'm sure you have an explanation, but understand
that because of the way the numbers suddenly changed, I don't entirely
trust you at this point.
Michelle Palmer
- not married. They don't allow that here.
Second, I suggest you bring something by in writing explaining the
situation, because given the way the numbers have changed, a
verbal agreement - or explanation - is not something I'm comfortable with.
I have a book to ship tomorrow, and because of the infection and the
decongestants I'm taking to deal with it, I'm having trouble sleeping.
It will probably be mid to late afternoon before I will be
available.You can call and explain if you like, but understand that I
am agreeing to nothing until you have spelled it out for me in
writing. This is my first experience with a homeowner's claim, and I
feel I was foolish not to get several estimates before allowing you to
contact the insurance company. The change in the numbers has only
created more anxiety for me.
I look forward to speaking to you, but understand that any explanation
needs to be in black and white, not verbal. Had I not been ill, I
would have known better than to sign a blank piece of paper giving you
permission to contact the insurance company in the first place without
a detailed estimate. I'm sure you have an explanation, but understand
that because of the way the numbers suddenly changed, I don't entirely
trust you at this point.
Michelle Palmer
So then, he called. He explained that he could not do this over email - and get this - because he planned to give me two invoices, and of course, he couldn't put that in writing. One with the price he was actually charging me - and one with the price he said I could submit to the insurance company to recover the depreciation. "I don't care what you do with that money", he said. "I do." I said. He kept pressing to come over to go over the numbers, sign the contract, and collect half of the money prior to the roofing.
Well, I agreed to a meeting, at 5pm tomorrow. Mainly to gain time to re-examine the numbers, and try to figure out what he was trying to pull off. I mean, the insurance fraud part of it was fairly obvious. But I was trying to figure out if there was a way to get the roofing done for what I have already been paid for the total damage, and deal with the windows on my own.
When I realized that any way I approached it, he was going to try to screw me if I refused to submit the falsified invoice, I approached my neighbor across the street - he had gotten a quote from Elite, as well. He educated me on the costs and how they're determined by the insurance companies (he has a construction background), then suggested I speak to our neighbors a few houses down, who had planned to go with Elite until this week when they got some disturbing news.
It seems two of their Reps had quit, citing questionable business practices. (No kidding?) The neighbor in question had finally received a call from one of those reps, who had informed her of why he no longer worked there, and why he and the other rep were now employed with a different roofer. They're going with the other roofer. The wife said she would ask the former employee to call me tomorrow before George arrives.
Now, George is not the owner of this company - his father is, I know because I've researched them. And unless I get some sort of astounding change in estimate, I'll be alerting Dad to his activities after I tell him to sod off. If he gives me any shit, I'll be contacting the Attorney General, as well. Frankly, I don't trust him enough to let his people do my roof at this point, anyway.
But what truly amazes me is that this young man has the GALL to think I would defraud the insurance company to pocket a few bucks. Hell, I need the money as much as anyone - and sure, my insurance company is reaming me as hard as it can -it's what insurance companies do, partially because they expect this sort of fraud. But why the HELL would I risk violating the law to do it? Personally, I value my freedom a great deal. A few hundred bucks sure as hell isn't worth getting my roof done if it comes with a side of felony charges.
Stupid people annoy the crap out of me. I'm sure there are some who might think me stupid for not playing the game. But dammit, I have to live with my actions. And I will not let some little dishonest piss-ant dictate those actions for me. Frankly, I can't wait to educate him, and his father on the doings of his son.
Consider it a lesson learned - for both of us.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
I have had enough.
I decided, after much combat with various persons on teh interwebs, that it was time to tell my own story - the story the JFK conspirators have been hankering for for years.
But Geez, it seems like my dad's biggest fan isn't so thrilled. Observe:
Dear Al,
First, you claimed you had asked Biblio to remove your ILAB logo WEEKS
ago - yet it was still there. Which is why I reported it.
Second- you don't KNOW the truth of my father's life. You WERE NOT THERE.
As for your lack of military service, you didn't go into the military
not because you were not ALLOWED to - but because you CHOSE NOT TO. Anyone over the age of 18 has a legal right to make their own decisions - my kids do. So could you.
What Roger put HIS FAMILY through was his doing, his choice. And he WAS wrong, repeatedly - it was proven. Remember Eugene? Who was in in EL PASO at the time Roger claimed he was in Dallas? My father was human, imperfect, and often incorrect. He PISSED Decker off with his
media interviews and his preoccupation with his own often incorrect testimony. As well as his constant co-operation with the conspiracy community.
I'm not even saying there wasn't a "conspiracy". I'm saying it doesn't fucking matter anymore - especially to those of us alive today. I'm saying that I will tell my story, from my point-of-view. whether you like it or not. And if you continue to sell my father's manuscript you WILL be a part of that story, like it or not. You, and every other conspiracy nutjob determined to drag my dead father over your coals online. By selling his manuscript for profit you have made yourselves
fair game.
And it's been 46 YEARS. Not 45. It started when I was 6 months old.
And thanks to you people - it never ended.
I will write my book. And the lot of you conspiracy theorists will be
unveiled for what you are - parasites.
My father was a lunatic. You are worse - because you had to have known he was a lunatic, regardless of who killed Kennedy - which we both know is something we will never discover. Frankly. I think the efforts of yourselves and the the rest of the conspiracy community contributed to that.
We are never finished Al. Not until I can make each of you pull your references to a dead man who can no longer testify for himself off the internet. I am working on that by working on MY memoir. When that happens, I can die peacefully. Until then, this is war.
We are NOT finished, not by a long shot.
And I HAVE researched copyright. If all I cared about were money, I could sue the shit out of all of you. But this isn't about money. It's about right and wrong. You are wrong.
On Sun, Jul 19, 2009 at 1:30 AM, DUMBASS> wrote:
> Michelle:
>
> ...and I thought we were finished.
>
> Oh well, then one final thing...you say "copies" of your father's
> manuscript. There are no "copies" only the single copy that he gave to Penn
> Jones back whenever (as it bears no date). I am indeed getting out of the
> book business and none of the sites have either I.L.A.B. or A.B.A.C. after
> my name and I have asked Biblio to remove the I.L.A.B. logo from my page
> (which is something that Biblio did, not me) and they said that they will
> remove it.
>
> Your father was a part of the history of your country. It has been said that
> the assassination of President Kennedy was the most important single event
> in the twentieth century. While wars lasted years and the space programme to
> get to the moon more than a decade, the assassination was over in less than
> six seconds and the reverberations from those six seconds still sound today,
> more than 45 years later.
>
> You cannot re-write your father's part in the history of the assassination.
> You cannot deny his part in what he saw and what he reported. While the
> results of his reporting were not at all good for Roger and his family, they
> cannot be changed, amended, erased or denied. They happened. I wish they
> didn't. My uncle was killed by a sniper in the Second World War. I never met
> him. I wish that I had and his death had a profound effect on both his
> mother and brother, so much so that neither my brother nor I were allowed to
> go into the military.
>
> Rather than rail against some researchers who have offended you, you should
> praise what your father did, what he saw and the steadfastness that he
> showed in the face of the avalanche of crap that fell on him. That life
> should be celebrated.
>
> I am only sorry that you can't see it that way, but, if you are indeed
> writing a book, I wish you well. While I won't be around to see it, I hope
> that it is a success and that it can give you and your family somr small bit
> of vindication.
>
> Good luck and farewell.
>
> DUMBASS
>
> m.a.p.atx@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Guess what Al? I'm taking your advice. I'm writing my own book. And if
> you continue to sell copies of my father's illegally, you will figure
> in that book by name.
>
> Thought you were getting out of the book business? Thought you were
> removing your false claim to membership in ILAB?
>
> Regardless, I have investigated the copyright law in the United
> States. You are in violation of it. I will enjoy mentioning people
> like you and the ass that has my father's autopsy posted online. I'm
> sick of you people, and the destruction you have created. Hell, maybe
> I should dedicate my book to each of you - given that my utter
> frustration with you all is the reason I'm writing it?
>
> My father's manuscript was NEVER published, and you damn well know it.
> There's a special place in hell for you people. And if I ever get a
> publisher, then maybe you'll find it in this lifetime.
I reported him to Biblio for continuing to exhibit an ILAB icon on his webpage that the didn't belong to anymore, but that really ceased to matter to me weeks ago. This man continues to attempt to sell a madman's vitriol as fact. My father was so far from sane he didn't have forwarding address. Hell, I couldn't even find him.
The very fact that these people continue to present a few pages he wrote as absolute fact is tremendously offensive. The fact that they do so without so much as a copyright to do so is simply offensive.
So yes, Al, I'm going to write my own goddamn book. And Roger ain't gonna be the hero. And in the process, I will mark my rights to his manuscript - so I'd suggest you stop selling the copies hella quick. Or you're next on my list. You piss-ant little ass-hole. You WILL be pointed out for doing the things I find so reprehensible. You opportunist little prick.
But Geez, it seems like my dad's biggest fan isn't so thrilled. Observe:
Dear Al,
First, you claimed you had asked Biblio to remove your ILAB logo WEEKS
ago - yet it was still there. Which is why I reported it.
Second- you don't KNOW the truth of my father's life. You WERE NOT THERE.
As for your lack of military service, you didn't go into the military
not because you were not ALLOWED to - but because you CHOSE NOT TO. Anyone over the age of 18 has a legal right to make their own decisions - my kids do. So could you.
What Roger put HIS FAMILY through was his doing, his choice. And he WAS wrong, repeatedly - it was proven. Remember Eugene? Who was in in EL PASO at the time Roger claimed he was in Dallas? My father was human, imperfect, and often incorrect. He PISSED Decker off with his
media interviews and his preoccupation with his own often incorrect testimony. As well as his constant co-operation with the conspiracy community.
I'm not even saying there wasn't a "conspiracy". I'm saying it doesn't fucking matter anymore - especially to those of us alive today. I'm saying that I will tell my story, from my point-of-view. whether you like it or not. And if you continue to sell my father's manuscript you WILL be a part of that story, like it or not. You, and every other conspiracy nutjob determined to drag my dead father over your coals online. By selling his manuscript for profit you have made yourselves
fair game.
And it's been 46 YEARS. Not 45. It started when I was 6 months old.
And thanks to you people - it never ended.
I will write my book. And the lot of you conspiracy theorists will be
unveiled for what you are - parasites.
My father was a lunatic. You are worse - because you had to have known he was a lunatic, regardless of who killed Kennedy - which we both know is something we will never discover. Frankly. I think the efforts of yourselves and the the rest of the conspiracy community contributed to that.
We are never finished Al. Not until I can make each of you pull your references to a dead man who can no longer testify for himself off the internet. I am working on that by working on MY memoir. When that happens, I can die peacefully. Until then, this is war.
We are NOT finished, not by a long shot.
And I HAVE researched copyright. If all I cared about were money, I could sue the shit out of all of you. But this isn't about money. It's about right and wrong. You are wrong.
- Hide quoted text -
On Sun, Jul 19, 2009 at 1:30 AM, DUMBASS> wrote:
> Michelle:
>
> ...and I thought we were finished.
>
> Oh well, then one final thing...you say "copies" of your father's
> manuscript. There are no "copies" only the single copy that he gave to Penn
> Jones back whenever (as it bears no date). I am indeed getting out of the
> book business and none of the sites have either I.L.A.B. or A.B.A.C. after
> my name and I have asked Biblio to remove the I.L.A.B. logo from my page
> (which is something that Biblio did, not me) and they said that they will
> remove it.
>
> Your father was a part of the history of your country. It has been said that
> the assassination of President Kennedy was the most important single event
> in the twentieth century. While wars lasted years and the space programme to
> get to the moon more than a decade, the assassination was over in less than
> six seconds and the reverberations from those six seconds still sound today,
> more than 45 years later.
>
> You cannot re-write your father's part in the history of the assassination.
> You cannot deny his part in what he saw and what he reported. While the
> results of his reporting were not at all good for Roger and his family, they
> cannot be changed, amended, erased or denied. They happened. I wish they
> didn't. My uncle was killed by a sniper in the Second World War. I never met
> him. I wish that I had and his death had a profound effect on both his
> mother and brother, so much so that neither my brother nor I were allowed to
> go into the military.
>
> Rather than rail against some researchers who have offended you, you should
> praise what your father did, what he saw and the steadfastness that he
> showed in the face of the avalanche of crap that fell on him. That life
> should be celebrated.
>
> I am only sorry that you can't see it that way, but, if you are indeed
> writing a book, I wish you well. While I won't be around to see it, I hope
> that it is a success and that it can give you and your family somr small bit
> of vindication.
>
> Good luck and farewell.
>
> DUMBASS
>
> m.a.p.atx@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Guess what Al? I'm taking your advice. I'm writing my own book. And if
> you continue to sell copies of my father's illegally, you will figure
> in that book by name.
>
> Thought you were getting out of the book business? Thought you were
> removing your false claim to membership in ILAB?
>
> Regardless, I have investigated the copyright law in the United
> States. You are in violation of it. I will enjoy mentioning people
> like you and the ass that has my father's autopsy posted online. I'm
> sick of you people, and the destruction you have created. Hell, maybe
> I should dedicate my book to each of you - given that my utter
> frustration with you all is the reason I'm writing it?
>
> My father's manuscript was NEVER published, and you damn well know it.
> There's a special place in hell for you people. And if I ever get a
> publisher, then maybe you'll find it in this lifetime.
I reported him to Biblio for continuing to exhibit an ILAB icon on his webpage that the didn't belong to anymore, but that really ceased to matter to me weeks ago. This man continues to attempt to sell a madman's vitriol as fact. My father was so far from sane he didn't have forwarding address. Hell, I couldn't even find him.
The very fact that these people continue to present a few pages he wrote as absolute fact is tremendously offensive. The fact that they do so without so much as a copyright to do so is simply offensive.
So yes, Al, I'm going to write my own goddamn book. And Roger ain't gonna be the hero. And in the process, I will mark my rights to his manuscript - so I'd suggest you stop selling the copies hella quick. Or you're next on my list. You piss-ant little ass-hole. You WILL be pointed out for doing the things I find so reprehensible. You opportunist little prick.
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