klhofbauer
Member
What is the name of your state? AZ
Okay, so I know I have stupid stamped on my forehead - believe me, I've already beat myself up over being so absolutely DUMB over this.
First, understand Ron K from Ron's Tree Service, has done our tree trimming for over 18 months - we had absolutely NO reason to NOT trust him. He has always come out within 24 hours of making an appointment to get our palms trimmed, fruit trees thinned - anything.
So, early August DH and I applied for a refi on our house. We intended to get quite a bit of yardwork done. Trees pulled/cut down, new stones/rocks and redo our sprinkler system.
Sunday afternoon, August 20th, we called Ron and he came out and gave us an estimate on plain yellow lined tablet paper. We agreed to pay him 1/2 of the funds upfront - we knew he had to pay his workers. He did NOT sign his estimate, however, I have kept records and marked off what each line he completed.
On Monday, August 21st he came out at 11am like he said, did a lot of work moving probably 1/4 ton of river rock from the back of the house to the front; also cut down but left the stump pieces of one of our palms we wanted gone - so yes, he did at least $400 worth of work. At that point, I then agreed to pay him the remainder for the demo - which was another $325.00
On Tuesday, August 22nd, he was back around 9am - and did some more of the more - not quite completed. PLUS, he left our yard and the side of the house is a horrible mess. Our pool deck ended up looking like a mudbath. I paid him the remainder of the demo work $325 - BUT, I wrote on the memo section of the check: 2nd 1/2 DEMO PIF - WORK NOT COMPLETE NEEDS FINISHED
Well, gosh, guess what.
He said he would be back on Wednesday, August 23 - at 7am. Gee, need to guess he never has shown back up?? I have called EVERY day. My DH has called a few times. Ron called my DH back on Monday, August 29th and said something to the effect "I know I need to come out and finish, but my truck broke down and I haven't had a way to get over to your place to finish the work." Ron never told us WHEN he would be back out.
Take a guess - he has never called us back nor has he bothered to SHOW.
Well, I've had to pay out an additional $260.00 to pay 2 other guys to finish up the work RON was supposed to do.
I've tried Intellius and USSearch (which sucks) - wish I had done this before. I have no idea if these are correct numbers - in fact, the phone numbers I've tried to call listed with an address on the Intellius report are defunct. BUT, there are TONS of traffic violations - wish I knew a traffic cop - they probably know exactly where Mr. Ron Kawamoto lives here in Phoenix.
According to the small claims procedures I would need to do, I have to send certified mail or hire a process server on this guy. The problem is - I have absolutely no idea how to find this guy's correct address! All I know are: (and you'll see why I wish I had done a background check)
1. His full name: Ron Kawamoto
2. His phone # from his business card.
3. The court case from a civil judgment (can't find it on the Maricopa Country public record search) back in 2003.
4. The 32 traffic violations back from 1996 to present (last one in April 2006)
5. The business "Ron's Tree Service" is listed in his wife's name Brenda Reaves - but I couldn't find anything on her in a search on intellius.
Questions:
1. How, how, HOW do I find this guy?
2. In addition to the $325.00 that I paid him for work he never came out and completed - now we've incurred an additional $260.00 paying 2 other guys - I intend on including this amount in the small claims figure. This is what I gathered from the court website, so I believe I have at least the 3 years to file: Three years - Debt from oral contract; stated or open account; relief on ground of fraud or mistake
(ARS 12-542) Does this sound correct?
3. From what I gather, it seems I can ask the judge or hearing officer for a Debtor's Exam immediately following a ruling. http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/justiceCourts/Info/smallclaims.asp I'm sure he will attempt to get out of it - if he even bothers filing an answer. Is there a way to prevent them from trying to get rid of items or personal property?
~~~~~~~~~~~
My biggest problem though is trying to make sure I can FIND this person.
So, if anyone has any ideas - please let me know! I know there are a few Debt Collectors who know how to find people that do post and visit this forum. Any ideas or thoughts would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
KH
Okay, so I know I have stupid stamped on my forehead - believe me, I've already beat myself up over being so absolutely DUMB over this.
First, understand Ron K from Ron's Tree Service, has done our tree trimming for over 18 months - we had absolutely NO reason to NOT trust him. He has always come out within 24 hours of making an appointment to get our palms trimmed, fruit trees thinned - anything.
So, early August DH and I applied for a refi on our house. We intended to get quite a bit of yardwork done. Trees pulled/cut down, new stones/rocks and redo our sprinkler system.
Sunday afternoon, August 20th, we called Ron and he came out and gave us an estimate on plain yellow lined tablet paper. We agreed to pay him 1/2 of the funds upfront - we knew he had to pay his workers. He did NOT sign his estimate, however, I have kept records and marked off what each line he completed.
On Monday, August 21st he came out at 11am like he said, did a lot of work moving probably 1/4 ton of river rock from the back of the house to the front; also cut down but left the stump pieces of one of our palms we wanted gone - so yes, he did at least $400 worth of work. At that point, I then agreed to pay him the remainder for the demo - which was another $325.00
On Tuesday, August 22nd, he was back around 9am - and did some more of the more - not quite completed. PLUS, he left our yard and the side of the house is a horrible mess. Our pool deck ended up looking like a mudbath. I paid him the remainder of the demo work $325 - BUT, I wrote on the memo section of the check: 2nd 1/2 DEMO PIF - WORK NOT COMPLETE NEEDS FINISHED
Well, gosh, guess what.
He said he would be back on Wednesday, August 23 - at 7am. Gee, need to guess he never has shown back up?? I have called EVERY day. My DH has called a few times. Ron called my DH back on Monday, August 29th and said something to the effect "I know I need to come out and finish, but my truck broke down and I haven't had a way to get over to your place to finish the work." Ron never told us WHEN he would be back out.
Take a guess - he has never called us back nor has he bothered to SHOW.
Well, I've had to pay out an additional $260.00 to pay 2 other guys to finish up the work RON was supposed to do.
I've tried Intellius and USSearch (which sucks) - wish I had done this before. I have no idea if these are correct numbers - in fact, the phone numbers I've tried to call listed with an address on the Intellius report are defunct. BUT, there are TONS of traffic violations - wish I knew a traffic cop - they probably know exactly where Mr. Ron Kawamoto lives here in Phoenix.
According to the small claims procedures I would need to do, I have to send certified mail or hire a process server on this guy. The problem is - I have absolutely no idea how to find this guy's correct address! All I know are: (and you'll see why I wish I had done a background check)
1. His full name: Ron Kawamoto
2. His phone # from his business card.
3. The court case from a civil judgment (can't find it on the Maricopa Country public record search) back in 2003.
4. The 32 traffic violations back from 1996 to present (last one in April 2006)
5. The business "Ron's Tree Service" is listed in his wife's name Brenda Reaves - but I couldn't find anything on her in a search on intellius.
Questions:
1. How, how, HOW do I find this guy?
2. In addition to the $325.00 that I paid him for work he never came out and completed - now we've incurred an additional $260.00 paying 2 other guys - I intend on including this amount in the small claims figure. This is what I gathered from the court website, so I believe I have at least the 3 years to file: Three years - Debt from oral contract; stated or open account; relief on ground of fraud or mistake
(ARS 12-542) Does this sound correct?
3. From what I gather, it seems I can ask the judge or hearing officer for a Debtor's Exam immediately following a ruling. http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/justiceCourts/Info/smallclaims.asp I'm sure he will attempt to get out of it - if he even bothers filing an answer. Is there a way to prevent them from trying to get rid of items or personal property?
~~~~~~~~~~~
My biggest problem though is trying to make sure I can FIND this person.
So, if anyone has any ideas - please let me know! I know there are a few Debt Collectors who know how to find people that do post and visit this forum. Any ideas or thoughts would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
KH
