quote: Steven J Hart

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My theater has been serviced by Mr. Vita from CSS inc. since 1998.

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I sat with Brain Vita at a table one night at a Showorst Dinner 15 to 18 years ago. I woldn't exactly say he was the friendliest person I ever ran into.... . With so many small mom and pop theatres still operating in his own northeastern area I also would have to wonder why a dealer would have to go so far to service so little...... .

Mark
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-14-2006, 07:35 PM:
 
Also, just because a company/someone services and treats their "customers" well, it doesn't necessarily follow that they do the same with their vendors/suppliers.
 

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Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 02-14-2006, 08:54 PM:
 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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With so many small mom and pop theatres still operating in his own northeastern area I also would have to wonder why a dealer would have to go so far to service so little......

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quote: Brad Miller

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Should I try and reword this again, or do you understand how the concept works?

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My favorite thing about posting on this site is that I have a knack for getting flamed by Brad for (apparently) being a total idiot. Yes dear Brad, can you please explain it to me again. I just don't understand your lofty concepts.

Steve
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 02-15-2006, 08:48 AM:
 
Just to add my "Amen" to the above.....I might not want to see anymore "NEW" customers, especially those who look like dealers or service people.

Maybe this is why I occasionally get multiple out-of-focus pictures of Ron Purtee on this web site(?)
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 02-15-2006, 11:16 AM:
 
Ah Ron Purte. He has owed BACP $4,000 plus for over three years now. This started out at a $10,000 debt and was slowly worked down with a number of trades. The problem was finding something of quality he had in stock to trade for. I settled on cleaning out the RP40 and Buzz Track he had in stock. I'm not interested in bogus Film Lube or Sankor lenses so what's a fella to do?

He walks up to me at each trade show, and without prompting, proceeds to tell me he is going to pay up. Of course he has not.

Someday, there be a unit of deadbeat called a Purte in the dictionary with his picture by it.
 

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Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 02-15-2006, 11:25 AM:
 
Hasn't this been beaten like a dead horse here?: Thats not filmguard!

quote: Steven J Hart

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My favorite thing about posting on this site is that I have a knack for getting flamed by Brad for (apparently) being a total idiot. Yes dear Brad, can you please explain it to me again. I just don't understand your lofty concepts.

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quote: Steven J Hart

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As far as I know there is no one (within easy driving distance) offering service to our area.

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quote: Frank Dubrois

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Maybe I'm not reading some of these posts correctly. There is a guy out there who isn't paying his invoices, but we shouldn't judge him to harshly? I think we should keep posting about him until he either pays up or has no one left to do business with.

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Totally agreed. A deadbeat is a deadbeat, no matter how you slice it.
 

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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 02-15-2006, 08:46 PM:
 
Not to take away from Mark's offer by any means, but I know of a few techs who do a lot of work in that area. If you wish Steven I could see if they're looking for new customers and send you their info via email (or post it, but not without they're okay).
 

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Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 02-15-2006, 09:06 PM:
 
Mark, Dustin - Thanks for the offers. I take care of most all the maintenance in my booth myself. The one exception is the A chain alignment as I don't have a 'scope. My Century R5 has been rock solid so I haven't had a tech in my booth for a couple of years. Phone support and parts is about all I've ever needed to keep my equipment running good. Living up here in the Frozen Tundra I figure that if I want to put on a good show consistently I better know how to fix everything in the booth! (Amps and processors excluded but that's what spares are for)
Steve
 

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Posted by Robert Burtcher (Member # 3227) on 02-16-2006, 12:09 AM:
 
Hey, Brad...

If CPI is selling a product under the FilmGuard name without your consent, and assuming you've registered the trademark "FilmGuard", can't you sue CPI for trademark infringement?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-16-2006, 04:01 AM:
 
Yes, but their bottles do not say "FilmGuard" on them, even though they blatantly advertise it on their website here. The slimeball way around this is to not actually write "FilmGuard" on the bottles and claim they haven't been able to update their website (even though it's been 3 years). However if you call them up and order a bottle, they will fail to tell you that it is a knockoff and ship you that stuff instead. If you ask them if they will ship you genuine FilmGuard, then they will give you a pitch about how it is the exact same thing. This isn't the proper thread to be discussing things like this though and there is no sense in concentrating on one thing they are doing. CPI mis-represents pretty much everything they sell. Anyone buying from them or using their products are supporting criminals in many senses of the term, even if they haven't personally been burned.
 

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Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 02-16-2006, 12:18 PM:
 
Its good that you mention this. Although I don't do business with them, I had NO IDEA they were doing that. If someone offered Filmguard, I would assume its Filmguard. Scumbags.
 

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Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 02-16-2006, 12:31 PM:
 
Steven,

britestar systems in the twin cities provides service to the dakotas. TJ Hopland, who is on the forum somewhere, is a tech and his dad runs the company. Mel is the guy who actually started MTS way back when. They are good people to deal with and have good service.

Josh
 

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Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 02-16-2006, 02:02 PM:
 
TJ Hopland & Tim Eilher both do service for B.S.S., they cover MSP, greater MN, WI, ND, SD & occasionally beyond. Bright Star is what remains of MTS nowadays.

Bright Star Systems
(952)-926-2009
 

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Posted by Ken McFall (Member # 845) on 02-19-2006, 08:52 AM:
 
Unfortunatly I know of a person/company who belongs on this list but as it's not my bussines that was affected I cannon jepordise any future legal action.

In the UK you have three years to bring a claim to court so it's too early to name and shame.... come the day
 

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Posted by John Eickhof (Member # 323) on 02-21-2006, 05:15 PM:
 
Thanks for the opportunity to expose RON PURTEE AGAIN!! I had closed for business two years ago and in order to settle a small debt of $3500 or so with CPI, Ron and I agreed to a trade of merchandise to pay off the debt! However, not only did he want enough to pay it in full but then requested more items from my inventory that amounted to approx $11,00.00 over the original debt! I packed and shipped over 7 tons of equipment to him in Nashville, Ron had personally guaranteed that he would zero out my amount due him and send payment on the rest (which I have invoices for ) Well..you can guess it..I still have never seen a penny! It even took him over 9 months to just stop sending me statements still showing that I owed him!! He was upset that the shipping cost (agreed to be paid by him) was approx $4,000.00 because his assistant listed the goods as 'electronic equipment' not as 'scrap' like I suggested thus the shipping rate was out of sight! So he apparently thinks that was too much! I have had an attorney contact him with no reply, thus my next move is to hire someone who will completely ruin his personal & business credit! At least this may wake him up!! ( if anything on principle alone!) I find it very disheartening when someone I have known for 20+ years as not only a friend but a business associate would do such a thoughtless thing! And blatently 'screw me over'! Plus he hammered down the 'trade to him' value to less than $0.15 / Dollar!! I really felt insulted!! But wanted to get things cleared up and some of my inventory moved out!! I emplore the honest folks who read this to avert their business to someone else or go ahead and charge up a bunch of stuff and send me the money and tell Ron to credit the debt he owes ME!! Thanks for letting me vent! By the by..he ended up with over 100 ISCO lenses, another 100 or so other lenses, several AW-3s , LP-270s, rectifiers & lamphouses up to 6K, and a pile of newer Balco platters and MUTs! Plus about 1200 lbs of NOS parts!! Boy, with friends like Ron, I sure don't need any enemies!! For you out there that are self employed..you know how a debt of $10k or so takes the wind right out of your sails! My family has suffered as a result of Ron's DEADBEAT attitude! And I personally will NEVER FORGIVE HIM FOR THAT and his conscience (if there is one) will get him in the end!!!
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 02-21-2006, 05:47 PM:
 
Don't sugarcoat it John. Tell us what you really think.

However, You are getting into dangerous territory encouraging people to charge up stuff with CPI and then defaulting. Not a good idea even in jest.
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-21-2006, 08:56 PM:
 
Wow - nobody has been screwed by the Duffy's of EFW fame? I know of several landlords that have been taken to the bank by them ...
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 02-22-2006, 08:44 AM:
 
I have had nearly identical experiences with Brad on CPI (locally known as Cat Piss International). I would say more, but the lawyers have it. Louis
 

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Posted by John Eickhof (Member # 323) on 02-22-2006, 01:03 PM:
 
Hi Sam! Thanks for the kind words? Anyway, I think I summed it up by saying 'the honest people' out there! In other words, I would trust their honesty would prevail and they would not actually do something like that, however, when I went up against the USFS last year the donations rolled in from around the world for my defense fund! I eventually prevailed in US District Court in Reno, NV. and the USFS spent over $90,000 trying to convict me of a $150.00 ticket!! So, CPI isn't the only one wasting peoples money around here! By the way, it was a preceedent setting case and I had 6 PRO-BONO lawyers at my side!
 

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Posted by Timothy Eiler (Member # 383) on 02-23-2006, 05:06 PM:
 
John It good so see you here on the Board As I have Not heard From You Since You answered My e-mail on

Deleted private email - against site policies.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 02-23-2006, 07:30 PM:
 
Timothy, John's been busy running over bushes..
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-24-2006, 02:59 AM:
 
Timothy, this is NOT the thread for chit chat. Also the rules clearly state you may not post email addresses or private emails within the body of the posts.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-24-2006, 03:10 AM:
 
Makes one wonder with companies like this if there shouldn't be a policy of "money first, then ship items" - so no one gets bit in the end.
 

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Posted by John Eickhof (Member # 323) on 02-24-2006, 10:34 AM:
 
Ya know Monte..that should have been a sign to me..before I was going to ship all the big stuff to Purtee, I asked hime for payment in advance since I was trying to close out the company books..he answered 'John, you've known me for years, I'll send the check out as soon as I get the equipment and invoices' Ha Ha..I should have known then...but unfortunately, I am a trusting soul..oh well...Some of the vendors used to require a partial payment on order for larger equipment orders plus hey would give you an additional 'fas pay' credit too! On big jobs it could save a thousand or so!! It all adds up!!

[ 02-27-2006, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: John Eickhof ]
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 02-24-2006, 01:02 PM:
 
Prepayment may well be our common future. I looked at credit cards, but in a non retail environment, there is insufficient markup to allow the fees. Louis
 

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Posted by Timothy Eiler (Member # 383) on 02-24-2006, 08:32 PM:
 
I bought and Paid for one Irem rectifier and a couple of older Strong Lamphouse’s one complete and the other was for Parts From John Eickhof. I took approx a year to do anything as far as shipping goes in getting the Equipment. When I did finally get this arranged I Contacted John and he had at that point sold Both Lamphouse’s again to another Party. John said he would refund ½ of what I paid him for the Lamphouse’s and then Subtract 75.00 from that for putting the Irem on a pallet and strapping it down. Ok Fine I did take way to long to get the stuff Out Of his hair. I paid for the Shipping and received the rectifier in August 2005.

By December 30 2005 I had not received the refund. So I contacted John and he responeded that he spaced out sending the check and would send it asap.

I sent a follow up E-mail To John Eickhof on 1/22/2006 and on 2/12/2006 I have not heard a response from either e-mail nor have I received the refund that was promised.

[ 02-25-2006, 09:10 AM: Message edited by: Timothy Eiler ]
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-24-2006, 11:41 PM:
 
If one doesn't take delivery in a prompt fashion then the blame rides on them
one must complete all the arrangements
on the same token the seller I assume made reasonable attempts to contact regarding getting the goods shipped
If someone buys something from me but doesn't get it out the door I do expect reasonable storage charges
 

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Posted by Timothy Eiler (Member # 383) on 02-25-2006, 08:16 AM:
 

quote: Gordon McLeod

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If one doesn't take delivery in a prompt fashion then the blame rides on them
one must complete all the arrangements

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quote: Timothy Eiler

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I took approx a year to do anything as far as shipping goes in getting the Equipment.

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quote: Gordon McLeod

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If someone buys something from me but doesn't get it out the door I do expect reasonable storage charges

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quote: Louis Bornwasser

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Prepayment may well be our common future. I looked at credit cards, but in a non retail environment, there is insufficient markup to allow the fees. Louis

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quote: Gordon McLeod

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If someone buys something from me but doesn't get it out the door I do expect reasonable storage charges

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quote: Gordon McLeod

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Also most card and bank agreements specifically disallow any costs being added for card use or incentives to use cash

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quote:

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David Robertson, publisher of The Nilson Report, a newsletter about credit and debit cards, disputes American Express' claim that its customers will go to other stores rather than shop at Walgreens so that they can use their cards.

"Everybody who has an American Express card has a Visa or a MasterCard card or a debit card," Robertson says. "Walgreens is not going to lose business. The losers are American Express card holders."

American Express charges merchants an average 2.05% of sales made on the card, vs. 1.55% for Visa and MasterCard, Robertson says. Those averages are for both debit and credit cards and all types of cards offered by the companies, including corporate and consumer. That means that for every $100 in credit card sales, retailers pay American Express $2.05 and Visa and MasterCard $1.55.

While that may seem like a small amount, the dollars add up, merchants say. Many say the spread in the fees, which are negotiated by each retailer, is wider, with some merchants reporting American Express fees above 3%. Robertson, however, says American Express has been reducing its fees in recent years to be more competitive.

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quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

We take alot of credit card payments at CLACO and the items are marked up to reflect the extra charge we get nabbed, about 18% when customers use them

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quote:

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EXTRA CHARGE FOR USING A CREDIT CARD

Some merchants seek to impose a service fee for all credit card purchases.

When a merchant gives a credit card slip to the credit card company or bank for processing, a percentage of each purchase—usually 1.5% to 5% of the purchase amount—is deducted. This "merchant discount fee" helps pay for the bank's services and for the credit card system. By charging extra for credit card use, the merchant passes the discount fee on to customers.

MORE: Since 1984, when a Truth in Lending law ban on surcharges expired, some states have enacted laws prohibiting surcharges.

States That Prohibit Credit Card Surcharges:

* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Florida
* Kansas
* Maine
* Massachusetts
* New York
* Oklahoma
* Texas

Visa and MasterCard prohibit surcharges, and American Express discourages them. Amex does prohibit "discrimination" against the Amex card, however, so if a merchant accepts Visa and MasterCard (and cannot impose a surcharge under those companies' rules), the merchant may not discriminate against Amex by imposing a surcharge.

TIP: Any merchant that accepts American Express cards and also accepts Visa and/or MasterCard may not charge consumers a surcharge on Amex purchases.

Surcharges invite numerous abuses by retailers, including bait-and-switch tactics. There are no laws on how and when surcharges must be disclosed, making it difficult to figure out the total price of an item. Travelers often find it difficult to get out-of-state checks accepted, and should not be penalized for using credit cards. Further, credit card acceptance usually produces higher sales for merchants, offsetting the cost of processing credit card transactions.

Note that a cash discount is legal and permitted under all credit card companies rules. A cash discount offers a lower price for cash than credit; for example, many gasoline stations offer cash discounts. While this may merely be a loophole, it is permitted. In addition, there are a few state governmental agencies, including state tax offices and motor vehicle departments, that are permitted to charge surcharges due to state laws that do not permit them to pay discount fees. However, retail merchants may not impose surcharges.

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quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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Well I guess thats how it is in a socialist country but in a democracy its alot different.

---

According to the CIA's The World Factbook - Canada Canada's Government is:
a constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary democracy and a federation.

Canada does have socialized health care, but their government is curently controlled by the Liberal party which could be loosely compared to the U.S's Democrat party.

Steve
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-02-2006, 07:54 AM:
 
I don't know if there is a law banning debit card surcharges or just the way business practice has evolved; but in Britain credit card surcharges are increasing, whereas I've never known them applied to debit card transactions. In fact, a growing number of retailers (not many high street stores, but, for example, council tax and gas bill payments) will only accept debit cards and won't take credit cards at all.

This could be because under British law, a credit card provider must refund the cost of defective goods or services not delivered if the supplier refuses to or goes bust. So basically, you're getting a 'free' insurance policy. For that reason I always buy high cost items (e.g. major electrical appliances) with my credit card, even if it means swallowing a surcharge. By the same token I recently bought an airline ticket on my CC, despite a surcharge: I figured that £3 was a small price to pay for a guaranteed, no arguments refund on a £400 ticket if the airline goes TU between now and when I take the trip (not an insubstantial risk, given that the airline is Northwest and the trip isn't until July).
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-02-2006, 09:15 AM:
 
Actually in the recent election it is a conservative government (republican) that is in power but as a minority government
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 03-02-2006, 10:14 AM:
 
Leo,

Does TU mean the same thing on that side of the pond as it does here?
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 03-02-2006, 11:44 AM:
 
I think it does Sam. Of course in aviation we say, "Tango Uniform".

Leo, Northwest's pilots are so angry and fed up at the proposed cancelling of their contract and retirement package that they are about to vote for a suicide strike (the latest NWA ALPA MEC polls show 90% in favor of such a move). They see themselves as goners anyway and plan to take the company down with them. I think a review of credit card rules regarding airline ticket purchases, especially on NWA and DAL would be a good idea these days.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-02-2006, 12:50 PM:
 
Paul: Delta is "right there" with NWA as well.

BTW: My 23 year old daughter started as first officer at PSA last week on CRJ-200 (part of U.S.Airways) Louis
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-02-2006, 02:52 PM:
 
Take this discussion into a dedicated thread elsewhere in Yak and get this one back on track please.
 

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Posted by Jay Pregent (Member # 3682) on 03-20-2006, 11:21 AM:
 
Just wanted to warn any other service techs out there about a theater I ran into.

I installed 2 Irem and 1 Strong igniters for him and he is refusing to pay the parts bill of just over $2,700. The claims range from I quoted him a cheaper price to being able to get them at half price from some one else. Also claims that there is a core charge/refund for the Irem igniters and since I was offering to take them away he said that I was trying to rip him off. (I like the HV caps and to use the remove-able bases in antique radio reproductions.)

When I mentioned that this could hurt him in getting service from anyone in the future he threatened to hit me with a $50,000 law suit. I asked how, if all I say is that he is not paying me for what I invoiced him for.

I know this guy will need service sooner than later. I just don’t want to see anyone else burned or threatened like me.

The theater is Movie Magic Cinema in Bangor Maine owned by Don Simpson.

And for the record if he is out there. I will post the details of when and if he pays me.
 

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Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 03-20-2006, 01:27 PM:
 
You know, I believe you can always file mechanics liens against claims like this.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-20-2006, 08:00 PM:
 
Have had some luck with bad check artists with filing with the Postmaster General for mail fraud. Uncle Sam does all the work for you. It helps if your (small) local postmaster is a buddy. Louis
 

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Posted by William Collins (Member # 3773) on 05-03-2006, 06:57 PM:
 
Didnt mean to post on this thread. if a moderator sees this then please could he/she delete it!

Ta

[ 03-05-2007, 05:50 PM: Message edited by: Aaron Sisemore ]
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-03-2006, 11:02 PM:
 
And what does this have to do with deadbeats???

Please pay attention in the future to where you are posting so the moderators aren't forced to delete you or your posts.
 

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Posted by Patrick Dunn (Member # 3333) on 08-17-2006, 10:09 PM:
 
ok, well we had one guy who figured he never needed to fram the movie because he can just twist the knob after he starts the movies, so he always started them with the worst possible framing ever. Eventualy he scratched several prints and blamed it on other people when it was obviously him. But it wasn't long before they stopped letting him work with the projectors. than he was fired.

[ 08-19-2006, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: Patrick Dunn ]
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-17-2006, 10:39 PM:
 
That is just a shitty presentation. You might want to lookup the definition of a deadbeat as we are referring to here.

quote:

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One who does not pay one's debts.

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You need to go to this thread.
 

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Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 09-20-2006, 03:35 PM:
 
I believe that companies should always demand prepayments and then ship out the goods to any bloody dealer/service installer e.t.c. Our policy is that we receive from the customer at least our cost for the products (not profit) to be able to prepay the supplier (except for one time with BACP!! he he he.. but Sam got his money after all) so we keep both our heads covered and clean. Loosing supplier trust is the worst thing to do. Just my cherry in this thread.
Demetris
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 01-26-2007, 09:30 PM:
 
I understand CPI has gone chapter 7. I have not personally verified this, but if true, one deadbeat gone.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 01-26-2007, 10:27 PM:
 
The phone number on their website has been disconnected.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 01-27-2007, 07:41 AM:
 
Suits me just fine.....much money owed. Louis
 

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Posted by Mark Thomas Walker (Member # 4149) on 01-29-2007, 07:27 PM:
 
The problem with 'deadbeats' in the exhibition industry is that, obviously, it is far too common. Why is this? Probably because large company like WB and Village Roadshow do not pay enough money. Having worked for various companies in australia and the UK, I have found that the only way to ensure the 'phat screen' is to be 'paid in full'.
 

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Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 03-05-2007, 12:47 PM:
 
Yes, CPI is gone but he is opening up under a different name.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-05-2007, 01:44 PM:
 
Amazing. I guess it's hard to keep a good criminal down.

So what company name is Mr. Ron Purtee going to scam people with now?
 

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 03-29-2007, 04:16 PM:
 
You should remove the CPI booth from the Videos section. Even though it's true that he was at showest 2003, showcasing someone you know to be a fraud is a bad idea.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-29-2007, 06:39 PM:
 
I think it is a good idea for all to know exactly what he looks like......in case he starts to make house calls. Louis
 

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Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 03-29-2007, 06:49 PM:
 
Brad, is it ok to state the name of the new company?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-30-2007, 12:41 AM:
 
ABSOLUTELY!
 

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 03-30-2007, 04:53 PM:
 
Yes, having a video of him solely for the purpose of showing people what the deadbeat looks like is a good idea.

But the video in question isn't in a section for that. Moving the video to a deadbeats section would work.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-30-2007, 11:29 PM:
 
Here's a picture of the little shit known as Ron Purtee that has stolen from pretty much EVERYONE in this industry.



Of course I doubt he is stupid enough to show his face again. What I understand is that he will run the show at this new company, but will have himself a front man to hide behind.
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 03-31-2007, 11:51 AM:
 
Not to add fuel this fire, but I did see him face to face at ShoWest 2007.
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-31-2007, 05:42 PM:
 
I saw him in the Lighting Images Technology Booth.
 

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Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 04-01-2007, 07:09 PM:
 
One jerk that screwed me over is an independant cinema owner named Jim Yates. He screwed me over back in 2002. He eventually got court-banckruptcy protection with his lawyer present and ended up scamming out of all his debts. I am out of pocket debt with the bastard, who has never attempted contact with me to set things straight. I went all out for him, getting his cinema problems fixed.Our own Bevan was a great asset to me when I relied on his help to service his theatre. Bevan and his peers can surely attest to what a pain-in-the-ass Yates was to deal with!

Cheers

Kutler
 

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Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 04-02-2007, 10:49 AM:
 
Under the links section on thier (LIT) website - Film-Tech is listed - - first.
 

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Posted by Matt Zeiner (Member # 1914) on 04-02-2007, 12:02 PM:
 
Hi folks. I got one for ya. Ali Davis from Manchester, CT. I installed a bunch of used gear from a closed Showcase in East Hartford. This was the most aweful, half-assed installation I have ever seen. He actually bought the old screens and cut and stapled them to rickety 2X4 frames he had his marginally qualified crew build for him. He "shot in " the seats with nails because it was too much money for him to actually put them in safely. The theatre seating is dangerous. (he is a real estate big-guy in the area) I don't know how the building department let this stuff pass. Several pieces required repair, including one of Louis' automations that required component level work on site to the input module (no time for re-ex), a CP-500 PSU and VCA card replaced from my own stock, and 2 bad power amps. His hack crew forgot to retrieve some important pieces, so I fabricated and installed new parts as needed to patch him together and get him open. I burned the candle at both ends, bent over backwards to meet his ridiculous deadline. After the installation was completed, he actually told my boss that I had slacked off to the tune of 4 hours of lounging per day, produced several "witnesses" who corroborated his fantasy land story, balked at paying travel time, saying that it was innapropriate to charge for such a thing, even though that was aprt of our written aggreement from the get-go. We even produced contracts from other service companies proving that this was a normal and accepted practice in the industry for time-and-materials-type jobs. At the risk of not getting any money at all from this jerk, my boss had no choice but to take considerably less money (the guy went so far as to suggest he should only have to pay $.50 on the dollar!). Obviously, had I slacked off for 4 hours a day, he would not have opened at all, and luckily my boss knew better. He provided us with fake billing addresses (luckily our attorney sniffed that one out), paid the amount he felt he should, and refused to pay interest when his payments were more than 90 days late. Watch out for this guy. He's a real snake, and full of shit.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 04-02-2007, 03:23 PM:
 
(Ref large picture above) All this & UGLY too!! Louis
 

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Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 04-18-2007, 08:35 AM:
 
Re: Ron Purtee
Whoa... he and his wife actually showed up at my drive-in about a month ago one Saturday afternoon. They said they just wanted to "look around". I had forgotten his name... but now that the picture is posted... that's him. Seemed kind of shady.

I bought some stuff from him about 7 years ago, but now I get all of my suppliues from either Jack Roe or Louis.
 

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Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 04-18-2007, 02:46 PM:
 
I bought booth supplies and carbons from Purtee for years when he was at Marble before I started using my present supplier. He even helped me put something over on the boss. About 18 years ago we had photo tube pick ups and direly needed to convert to stereo, I had him ship two cases of carbons, replacing half of one case with two stereo pick ups and bill it all as carbons. After the installation we told the boss and he was delighted with the result. Never had a problem. Are his problems recent or was I just ignorant?
 

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Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 04-18-2007, 03:56 PM:
 
I'd say that this goes back at least 15 years.

He was looking to distribute an "all-in-one" FM sound system for drive-ins. We had already built our first version. He approached us about having us manufacture them and having him sell them. To get started, he just needed us to send him two "samples". We later learned he was planning to reverse-engineer and make them himself. After we backed out, he came up with the "Sky Monitor". We didn't do much business with him after that... if any.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-18-2007, 04:48 PM:
 

quote: Bill Enos

---

from Purtee for years when he was at Marble

---

quote: Steve Anderson

---

When I was working tech for a small indy theater in Franklin TN the manager on duty was in a panic about losing a lamp and called Ron who sent over a lamp in a unmarked box and an invoice for $700.00 the manager failed to call me and when I found out I told him to pack it back up and return it. I saw the bulb and the writing was Chinese I don't know what the make was but I told the owners to never do business with this guy.

---

quote: Steve Anderson

---

I saw the bulb and the writing was Chinese

---

quote: Richard Hamilton

---

Unmarked box, but you knew it was Chinese?

---

Ahhhh... Mr. Lick... having eyes ploblem?? Humm, I lead it as posted..... Anyone I know that has tlied them has had bad ruck with them... KaBoom!

Mark
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 04-20-2007, 10:49 AM:
 
$700 for a Chinese bulb is, itself, a crime. Louis
 

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 04-20-2007, 05:33 PM:
 
I assumed it meant the writing on the bulb was in Chinese as well.
 

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Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 04-22-2007, 04:00 AM:
 
So is anything with CPI on it crap? Lens tissue? any kind of fluid? We've had some sitting around for a while. Should it be tossed out? Or are their legitimate products with CPI on them? I'm getting worried.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-22-2007, 11:39 AM:
 
The only CPI thing I ever had was some splicing tape which a tech (now out of the industry) told me was "the same" as Neumade. It wouldn't peel worth a crap - would tear off in tiny slivers.
 

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Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 04-22-2007, 01:28 PM:
 
CPI probably had at least two sources for splicing tape.

I have one roll of clear tape marked “Made in UK,” which may very well be re-branded Jack Roe product. “Neutape” it isn't, but the tape isn't half-bad.

On the other hand, about a year ago I had the misfortune of using CPI Zebra tape that definitely was not marked “Made in UK.” It was truly horrid stuff that did not peel off cleanly, usually tearing in shards and leaving adhesive behind. After that episode, I decided Neumade's tape was the only way to go...
 

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Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 04-24-2007, 03:27 AM:
 
The last time I used CPI clear tape (about 7-8 years ago)it wouldn't even come off the roll without splitting. Went through damn near the whole package ( I believe it was 5 rolls) just trying to build one print. Contacted my corporate office back then and informed them of the crappy tape and they promptly sent me Neumade clear tape.
 

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Posted by Kevin Baglow (Member # 721) on 04-29-2007, 01:25 AM:
 
Brad, in future cover your self with a condition of sale that an account keeping fee of $XX will be added each XX days that the account is not paid. This covers phone calls and legals in collection of overdue accounts. But you hopefully you will no longer have any overdues.!
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 04-29-2007, 02:10 AM:
 
Kevin, Film-Tech wasn't the only manufacturer that got screwed. In fact, it would be a much shorter list to name the manufacturers who DIDN'T get screwed! Wait, were there any???

Regardless, supporting Ron Purtee by purchasing products through any company he is associated with is contributing to theft, even if it is indirectly. I would hope this industry is smart and respectful enough of the dozens of manufacturers who make the very equipment and supplies that they use to never support anything he is associated with again. This is why it is important that theaters do not purchase anything through Booth Supply Warehouse.
 

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Posted by Mike Williams (Member # 1140) on 05-01-2007, 07:41 AM:
 
Brad - watch out, I think he is selling his "FilmGuard" again.
- From the CPI website
 

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Posted by Anslem Rayburn (Member # 1267) on 05-01-2007, 08:01 AM:
 
The 1800 number goes to a voice mail

[ 05-02-2007, 03:09 AM: Message edited by: Anslem Rayburn ]
 

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Posted by Mark Escorcia (Member # 1192) on 05-27-2007, 01:31 AM:
 
I haven't posted here in,who knows how long...
I wish I had known about CPI's practices.
I ordered Simplex projector oil;I orderd 2 more,and receved 2 bottles of "Century Oil" and it was darker than the firt bottle. After contacting my service tech suplier,they said to me they were told the bottles were "mislabled"

Yeah,right.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-27-2007, 01:58 PM:
 

quote: Mike Williams

---

I think he is selling his "FilmGuard" again

---

If you click on "Products" and then on "Film Lubricants" he has the actual Film-Guard Logo and a link to a Film-Guard info sheet, but no picture of the product. Are we sure he's not really selling the real thing? (Not that I'd buy any from him either way.)
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-27-2007, 04:05 PM:
 
Yes, positive. I received many complaints about how "your FilmGuard damaged my film" and in every single case as soon as I asked them to describe the bottle and the color of the liquid...it was Ron Purtee's ridiculous knockoff every time.

I actually paid a few people to purchase a bottle from CPI and report back what they sent. They specifically ordered "FilmGuard" and the invoice said "FilmGuard" but the bottle and liquid was not. When they called to say that they had been shipped the incorrect item, CPI said "no it's exactly the same thing". Yeah right. What an ass.
 

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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 05-27-2007, 05:00 PM:
 
I understand if you can't discuss such thing publicly Brad but you should really take legal action. A cease and desist letter from an attorney would at least get him to remove your trademarked logo/etcc and an actual lawsuit could probably be brought fairly easily considering the actual damage to the Film-Tech reputation that has been done (how many people thought they got film gaurd and didn't contact you to complain but rather vowed not to buy it again?).
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-27-2007, 07:58 PM:
 
If you don't know how much you were damaged, it is impossible to get/receive damages. LOuis
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-27-2007, 09:14 PM:
 
Louis,

It may not be all that hard to have his sales records subpoenaed for the last say 5 ears and see how much damage was actually done and who it was sold to. This is clearly Patent Infringement!

Brad, Also now would be a good time to attack with a lawsuit while the person that be is not all that stable. His bankruptcy probably has not been settled yet and you might be able to make damage claims there

Mark
 

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-28-2007, 12:29 AM:
 
And it's possible to get punitive damages.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-28-2007, 09:24 PM:
 
Well, there's not only the actual damages. There's also damages to Brad's good name.

Is the F-G name trademarked? If so, there's another violation.
 

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Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 06-03-2007, 04:57 AM:
 
If I recall correctly, Film-Guard is both Patented and Trademarked.

There is a website called Legalzoom.com. For a much smaller fee than an actual lawyer, they will construct a strong cease and desist order for pennies on the dollar. For patent and trademark infringement it may only cost you a few hundred dollars to have the paperwork drawn up and served.

The website is designed and maintained by top lawyers in nearly every field. I used it myself to get my website domain name away from its owner just by issuing a similar order. It only cost me 120 dollars for that. I would look into it..

LegalZoom.com

check it out.

Ciao
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-03-2007, 01:23 PM:
 
Guys, the money isn't the main issue at this point. It's the fact that Ron Purtee is a scam artist and screwed MANY MANY people in this industry from the manufacturers right down to his customers who were given inferior and often damaging goods.

Any company that has any sort of ties with this man should not be supported in the slightest, unless you back that sort of business practice.
 

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Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 06-03-2007, 09:53 PM:
 
The only way to stop his activities is for someone to take legal action. The longer you wait and allow him to use your trademark the less likely you will be able to prevail in court.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-03-2007, 09:59 PM:
 
Newsflash guys...CPI is out of business!

The only purpose of this thread in regards to Ron Purtee is to warn others for if/when he fires up a new company. And yes if in a new venture he sells FilmGuard or any sort of knockoff, I will attack. So everyone please save the legal advice because his company has already gone bankrupt.
 

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Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 06-07-2007, 10:47 PM:
 
Paul Van Ness and Bill Collins of Cinema Salem LLC Have honored thier agreement to me, have acted like gentlemen and are good people to deal with.

[ 06-08-2007, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: Sean McKinnon ]
 

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Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 06-11-2007, 03:49 PM:
 
Here is a new name for the deadbeats list, Peter Lea. Peter only ever posts to the for sale forum here on Film-Tech. He posted a listing in February for Dolby SRA-5's. I purchased one and sent him payment. He requested payment by bank which made me skeptical but I got him confused with Peter Hall who is a regular on Film-Tech so I sent the money.

To make a very long story short, he has claimed to send the unit twice and I have never recieved anything. I double checked my shipping address with him and he claims he has it right. Everytime I contact him he takes weeks to respond. He has never sent me trackings numbers when I have asked numerous times. I have contacted the shipping companies he claims to have shipped my packages by and they never have a record of ANY packages leaving his zip code and coming to mine. It has been well over four months since I sent him payment for this. I e-mailed him over a week ago and have still not heard back again. Sometimes I don't hear from him for 3-4 weeks, then he claims to have been on holiday or had knee surgery.

[ 06-11-2007, 11:55 PM: Message edited by: Joshua Waaland ]
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-11-2007, 08:12 PM:
 
Perhaps one of the other Brits herre on F-T could render you some assistance and pay this guy a visit. If he sent it they can give hm the tracking number. Also if all customs papers are not properly filled out it may have been abandoned.

Ahh, but things can go wrong in the opposite direction too. I also had a similar and unusual problem but in making a payment overseas. I sent a payment twice but they never received it... and indeed the Bank Checks never cleared. My bank has yet to cancel them and credit my account so I have double what I was supposed to pay for an item out and neither they nor I have the $$ as of this day. Of course they didn't believe me when I told them I sent it.... but when I attempted to do a wire transfer of the funds to a well known F-T member in the same country so he could pay them for me the wire transfer did not go through because the New York branch of that bank had closed. I scanned and e-mailed him my bank papers that were rejected and he could indeed see that I had attempted to pay for the item for the third time!! I gave up after that and figured if I ever meet him in person I will be all to happy to hand him the cash.

Mark
 

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Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 06-11-2007, 11:54 PM:
 
He told me he got the money. That is why he supposedly sent the package.

I think he is just another one of those dealers who is up to his eyeballs in work and makes up stories to put you off. We have a salesman like that at work. They procrastinate until you get angry and make them do something about it. I think deep down they don't mean to be scamming you but they just aren't people of their word. These are the kind of guys that need money to motivate them. Unfortunately, once they have the cash they have no motivation to hold up their end of the deal and just keep making excuses.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-28-2007, 04:57 PM:
 
I would like to add to the the Deadbeat list....

Pinedale Entertainment Center
153 S. Entertainment Lane
Pinedale, WY. 82941
Owner Bill Kellen

They are out 4 months now for a total of $2965.94 for booth maintainance and masking repairs. Also failure to return a loaner lens which is included in the above total.

Payment of this outstanding bill will also be acknowledged in this thread should we ever receive payment.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-09-2007, 11:32 AM:
 
I would like to add to the deadbeat list:

Rodney Hughley
Cinema-Tech
Lexington, KY

$24,000 owed as of Jan 2007. I do not know his new company name or address. Beware of Lexington, KY based operations selling parts, service or materials.

Should we ever collect, I will acknowledge it here.

Louis Bornwasser
Hadden Theatre Supply Co
Louisville, KY
 

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Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 08-13-2007, 06:30 AM:
 
An update to the deal I had with Peter Lea. I found a webpage for the police in the UK and sent them an e-mail. It took a while but I tracked down his local Bobby and they visited him. That got his attention. He e-mailed back and said he was alarmed to have the police visit him. He actually tried to get upset with me and I told him if he hadn't came up missing for months on end this never would have happened. From February to August is plenty of time to get me my money back or the item. No excuses!

I got my money back but he shorted me a little from what I paid him. When you figure in the $30 my bank charged me to make the transfer, the $15 they charged me to get the transfer back and the difference he shorted me I am still out almost $68 US. I have learned my lesson. Never make a bank transfer and never deal with Peter Lea.
 

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Posted by Robert W. Jones (Member # 4228) on 11-17-2007, 04:47 PM:
 

quote:

---

#1 Ron Purtee and company at Cinema Products International (CPI). Is there any manufacuter this company hasn't ripped off yet? These guys have the lowest morals I've ever seen, right down to bottling up Wal-Mart automotive oil in containers labeled "Century oil", etc. They also have a knock-off product to FilmGuard that they concocted in under 2 weeks after I booted them from being a dealer for failure to not pay their bills. The product is known to damage film over the long haul (meaning a print you use it on today may end up getting you a bill for the cost of the print down the road when that print gets rented out to another theater). What's really sad is they will sell it to you as "FilmGuard" and claim it is the exact same ingredients, then I get the call from the theater panicked and angry about the product that damaged their film because they think it is mine, but upon closer evaluation of the bottle and seller, it is NOT actual FilmGuard. It doesn't take a chemist to figure out that they are not the same product by a long shot.

---

quote:

---

He sells on E-Bay. Beware!

---

quote: Brad Miller

---

They also have a knock-off product to FilmGuard that they concocted in under 2 weeks after I booted them from being a dealer for failure to not pay their bills.

---

Brad,
This was the product I mentioned last year. Clear, in a spray bottle. I tossed it. I know Film Guard is Amber in color. Great stuff.
Rob
 

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Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 02-17-2008, 10:35 AM:
 
Greetings. I don't know if this question I have should go here or not. If not, my apologizes and can be moved if necessary to avoid confusion.

Anyway, last night when closing the booth and cleaning lenses, I saw a CPI Lens Cleaning Tissue and I was like, "Oh No! Not that dreaded CPI." Anyway, my question is this, what do all of you think of the CPI Lens Cleaning Tissue? And, should I use it to clean all 10 of my lenses?

After reading the posts, I don't trust CPI at all and never will. So, seeing the CPI Lens Cleaning Tissue in my booth is some concern to me.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-17-2008, 04:31 PM:
 
The first thing to remember is never clean a lens "dry". No matter what you use it would be like an abrasive on the coating. Kleenex and paper towels are out even if wet. Paper towel is way too abrasive and Kleenex sometimes has softening or scenting in it which can actually leave a film on the lens itself. When I worked at Canon USA we used a 50/50 mix of MEK and Alcohol with Kimwipes (Not For Plastic Lenses!!!). We were cleaning 50,000 dollar TV zooms in the factory repair center aside from the normal every day camera lenses... Clean in a circular motion starting at the center and working towards the outside. It DOES take practice to get it right so no streaks develop from the evaporating chemicals.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-17-2008, 04:40 PM:
 
The CPI lens tissue was actually manufactured by Jack Roe and re-branded CPI and is a safe product to use.
 

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Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 02-17-2008, 06:20 PM:
 
Thanks Mark and Brad for the information. I just wanted to be safe rather than being sorry. I do have the Rosco Lens Cleaning Fluid which I use and have one placed by each projector.
 

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Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 02-29-2008, 09:17 PM:
 
Beware of Diane Scofield of the now defunct Phoenix Digital Solutions. She goes around to small town single screen theatres and sweet talks them into doing pre show advertising. She then proceeds to produce a less than stellar pre show and make up expenses so the theatre gets little to nothing. (She sold over $35,000 in ads and we got around $2,000 or so., we were told $15,000-20,000)

We have since won a lawsuit with her, and conveniently she has disappeared. Anyone with any information on her whereabouts or assets, could you please contact me? She may be in Grand Rapids, MI or Phoenix, AZ residing with her son Aaron Scofield.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 06-22-2008, 06:26 PM:
 
What?? No Purtee Award winner this year? Louis
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-22-2008, 06:34 PM:
 
I've got two very surprising ones that I am about to post if a check doesn't arrive pretty soon. They have never been a problem in the past and are big companies, so I try to give them the benefit of the doubt.

(Hadden of course is never on such a list.)
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-25-2008, 05:22 PM:
 
I hate to do this to a fellow film-techer
Last year Tony Bandiera asked to get a copy of a westrex dubber manual
Due it size I fedex shipped it to him with the proviso that he get it copied and returned to me
He never did return it, numerous emails unawnsered, and then haveing discovered he had been ill I let it slide until this year when he resurfaced on the forum and again I emailed him with a response he would deal with it tomorrow and since no response
In fact he didn't even have to ship it but arrange to give it to a fellow LA filmtecher who regularly has shipments going to me
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 06-25-2008, 11:28 PM:
 
Hi Gordon:

Please email me your direct addy again, as I will just send the manual back to you directly. I have some free time this week..finally, and can get that taken care of.
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 06-26-2008, 10:33 AM:
 
Garcia Lorca said,

"About books, there are two kinds of fools,

Those that loan them, and those that return them".
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-28-2008, 04:07 PM:
 
Today the manual has been returned thanks
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 07-21-2008, 03:11 PM:
 
Gordon, glad we could get this resolved. And thanks for posting the update here.

quote: Sam Chavez

---

"About books, there are two kinds of fools,

Those that loan them, and those that return them".

---

quote: Gordon McLeod

---

Today the manual has been returned thanks

---

Lessee...
11 pages of grumbles... one good outcome.

Pretty good odds... Almost like posting bad checks on the quickie-mart wall!
 

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Posted by David Mann (Member # 4917) on 08-23-2008, 10:29 PM:
 
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

[ 09-03-2008, 04:59 PM: Message edited by: David Mann ]
 

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Posted by Robert Madara (Member # 3981) on 08-24-2008, 03:42 PM:
 
In 2006, I spent 3800.00 on red readers, mixing boards (3 screens), & other booth upgrades at the theater.

My ex-parner, , wanted to buy me out & become the sole prop.

In 2007,he paid me 2000.00, but still owes a balance of 1800.00.

[ 10-08-2008, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: Brad Miller ]
 

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Posted by Robert Perez (Member # 2759) on 09-22-2008, 01:31 AM:
 
Removed

[ 11-21-2008, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Robert Perez ]
 

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Posted by Robert Madara (Member # 3981) on 09-23-2008, 08:18 PM:
 
This debt has been resolved to my satisfaction. I regret that I have caused any embaressment. I wish him all the best in his future endevors. Thank You. Robert Madara.

[ 10-08-2008, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: Brad Miller ]
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 09-24-2008, 11:18 AM:
 
I see that Film-Tech has, once again, been useful. Perhaps he would have NEVER paid if he had not been properly embarassed. Louis
 

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Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 10-20-2008, 09:43 AM:
 
I am glad that things worked out between Tony and Gordon...both good chaps in this business!
 

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Posted by Andy Bajew (Member # 5330) on 07-14-2009, 03:12 PM:
 

quote: Frank Dubrois

---

So is anything with CPI on it crap? Lens tissue? any kind of fluid?

---

I couldn't find a response to this question. I ran out of FilmGuard last night screening Harry Potter and we still have the second print to screen tonight. All we have is a huge bottle of CPI film cleaner. Is that safe to use on the media pads to clean the film? Or should I just let the print get a little dirty and hope the new FilmGuard comes in soon? With all the talk about how bad CPI is, I would rather not want to take any chance of damaging Harry Potter.
 

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Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 07-14-2009, 03:43 PM:
 
This has been discussed extensively on the thread listed below.

CPI Film Cleaner Thread
 

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Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 08-08-2009, 12:37 PM:
 
If there is anyone who could NOT be accused of being a "deadbeat" it would be Louie Barnwasher His word is his promise...even when he has a LOT of words to tell you!
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 08-08-2009, 12:46 PM:
 
..cuz he loves what he does and with that, he offers two very important attributes that attains to a very successful business: Service and Satisfaction.

-Monte
 

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Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 08-08-2009, 12:48 PM:
 
As a manufacturer you should always ask for a bank guarantee, prepayment or guarantee letter of credit before you actually ship anything out. As a purchaser you should always make sure you keep your supplier happy with payments so they will look after you.
Demetris
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-16-2009, 09:47 PM:
 
So, how long does everyone wait to be paid before deciding to file a lawsuit?

A certain film festival owes me over $3k for expenses, labor, and equipment rental from late May/early June. The invoice is nearly 60 days overdue, and they haven't bothered to write or call to explain the situation or set up a payment schedule. (I am in the phone book and have worked for them for the previous two years and they should have no trouble finding me.)

I believe that their intentions are honorable, but that they are short of funds at the moment. Several vendors have apparently also been screwed.
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-16-2009, 09:56 PM:
 
Do you have an interest clause in your contracts? If you are strict with that...and send out the interest invoice 30-days from the due date...you'd be amazed how fast an "honorable" person will get into contact with you. It even gets some of the "less-than-honorable" ones.

Steve
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-16-2009, 10:00 PM:
 
Scott,

Send em a regestered letter giving them 7 days to pay you unless your state laws say different. You have been patient enough and waited long enough already! In the letter let them know you will file a mechanics lein against them as well as take them to small claims court if they don't pay up in the specified time. The court will obviously find in your favor so it won't cost you a dime to go to small clamis with it as they will have to pay the court costs also. This way you will get paid by the court and the court collects the money from them. The biggest problem you have is that they may dissolve before you can get this done, thats why the 7 day pay up. Once you file for a court date they can't get out of it no matter what. If they don't show up they may still be found liable for the payments they owe you... depends on the court but a no show for something like this may automatically make them guilty. Time is of the essence in a case like this because they may not be around much longer...

In 32 years in this biz I've only been stiffed once and all it took was a letter from my attorney to get my money... that was easy but it is not always so. When I was at CLACO they got stiffed by quite a number of customers and sent em to collections... you are lucky to get 50% of your money back by doing that. Doing a careful credit check before hand is the best way to avoid this. You may want to do this on future jobs for these people...

Mark
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-16-2009, 10:08 PM:
 
Everyone has always paid me (more or less) on time before, so my invoices have never said anything about interest or late fees. (They will in the future.) If nothing else, this has been a learning experience.

I'd prefer to settle this out of court, as the maximum amount recoverable in small claims court in their state is $2500. On the other hand, $2500 is better than $0, and I am concerned that the organization may fold. I have sent them a letter that says, essentially, "call me ASAP" via Fedex, but it won't arrive for another day or two. I have sent them a couple of copies of the invoice over the last two months via regular mail and have received no response to any of those.

Isn't a lein only useful if they have actual assets (real estate, etc.)? As far as I know, they don't.

At this point, I would say that it is extremely unlikely that I will work for this organization again without 100% cash up front.
 

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Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 08-17-2009, 06:38 AM:
 
Scott: ASAP is one of those fuzzy phrases that means different things to different people. Mark is right about using specific time lines. I'd give them 7 days to respond and then turn up the flame thrower.

BTW, I'm not so sure that the court in their state will pay you the claim. In Virginia they will only issue a judgment and getting paid is another issue entirely. At the very least then, you could write off the bad debt on your taxes.

Good luck.

...Rick
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-17-2009, 10:00 AM:
 
In Kentucky you only have about 60 days to file a mechanic's lien. After that, it is too late.

Also the lien is worthless unless they "own the property" or have possession of something you sold them.

Good luck, been there many times. (I'm not so soft hearted now as I was 2 years ago.)

Debtor's prison. . . . that's the answer! Louis
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-17-2009, 11:15 AM:
 
I was reading an article in a magazine about "how to deal with a debt collector." It said the collector has the right to contact you until they "receive a letter telling them to stop." Then it said that, if you are receiving calls from a collector, you should write them a letter telling them to stop calling! WTF?!

The collector is also not allowed to tell you that "not paying the bill" is a crime. Well, WHY ISN'T IT a crime? It should be the same as stealing with all the appropriate penalties.

This is a prime example of what's wrong with this country IMHO.
 

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Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 08-17-2009, 11:44 AM:
 
Not paying a bill is a civil, not criminal offense. Hence, no debtor's prisons anymore
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-17-2009, 11:53 AM:
 
Yeah, really too bad! Louis
 

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Posted by Cody Martin (Member # 2523) on 08-17-2009, 03:48 PM:
 
Gonna have to agree with Louis on this one, debtors prison is the only solution for those deadbeats ;-).
 

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 08-17-2009, 04:13 PM:
 

quote: Martin McCaffery

---

Not paying a bill is a civil, not criminal offense.

---

And even not paying a COURT-ORDERED judgement is not a criminal offense.

In fact, I just had a case of this transferred to Superior Court so I could put a lien on the business in question that's yet to pay for the damages they were ordered to pay.
 

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Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 08-22-2009, 04:33 PM:
 
Yep, even a court ordered judgment is not a crime. The person I mentioned a few pages ago that we won the lawsuit against has not yet paid a cent of the six figure judgement we won.

There are no police out looking for her.

Do not ever deal with Diane Scofield, Phoenix Digital Solutions, or whatever she is calling her scam now.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-22-2009, 08:10 PM:
 
Bricks and baseball bats, guys. Bricks and baseball bats.
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-25-2009, 08:55 AM:
 
I'm officially sick and tired of several weeks' worth of unanswered phone calls and letters. I will no longer be nice about this.

The festival that screwed me over is the Newport International Film Festival in Newport, RI. I would advise against dealing with this organization until it makes good on its past debts. I will edit this post if and when they pay me what I am owed.

In the meantime, I have sent letters to the board members.

edit 7/20/2010: NIFF is dead, but "Newport Film, Inc." has formed, with the same executive director and several of the same staff members. I would recommend not doing business with them, as old bills have not been paid and the ethics of forming a new organization in order to avoid doing so are questionable at best.

[ 07-20-2010, 07:54 AM: Message edited by: Scott Norwood ]
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-25-2009, 10:14 AM:
 

quote: Tim Reed

---

Bricks and baseball bats, guys. Bricks and baseball bats.

---

Oh, is that how you truckers do it??? Ya have to be very careful going that route... just ask the Local 110 memners that are still in prison that used baseball bats on a theater manager not too long ago...

Mark
 

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Posted by Jarret Chessell (Member # 5077) on 08-25-2009, 10:40 AM:
 
On my invoices I have "TO BE PAID WITHIN 30 DAYS OF INVOICE DATE" written directly to the left of the total I've had some people take longer than 30 days to pay me, but you know they're good for it if you've done lots of stuff for them (and they want you to come back).

The 30 day thing gets you out of people trying to wait forever, and you have an actual time frame if you want to go after them. I recommend someone have something like that on their invoice. The only deals i've been screwed on were ones where I didn't hand over a proper invoice on site.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-25-2009, 10:55 AM:
 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

Oh, is that how you truckers do it??? Ya have to be very careful going that route... just ask the Local 110 memners that are still in prison that used baseball bats on a theater manager not too long ago...

---

quote: Scott Norwood

---

"Overdue accounts may be charged a 1.5% per month late fee."

---

I would change the wording to "Overdue accounts will be charged a 1.5% per month late fee."
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 09-09-2009, 02:28 PM:
 
My invoices say 2% 10 Net 30 which is incentive for customers to pay early and take the discount. It's interesting though that most do pay early but don't bother to take the discount. Go figure...

Mark
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 09-09-2009, 03:44 PM:
 
mine read 2% of outstanding balance charged per month on over due accounts and I once even managed to get a judgement to collect that interest
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 09-10-2009, 03:23 PM:
 
The fact remains that repo and courts don't work at all. My LAWYER even has problems.

Embarassment and public ridicule seems to work a little bit.

(Still no money from Rodney Hughley of Lexington, KY or from CPI's Ron Purtee, though.) Louis
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-15-2009, 12:38 PM:
 
In case anyone cares (probably not), NIFF still owes me. I've had limited communication with the members of the board of directors and none with the executive director. Other staff members and vendors have also not been paid (though some have).

I was interviewed for an article in the local paper, which appeared on September 5. It was a well-written and fair article. I've also spoken to a reporter for the local "artsy" paper and there may be an article there as well.

I've also spoken with the state's film commission director (whom I know from other events). He wrote to the board members and suggested some possible funding sources, as well as requested that the staff be paid.

Unfortunately, all indications are that the festival is out of money and will not be able to continue without a large and immediate influx of cash. The festival phone line was disconnected a few weeks ago. If they can't pay the phone bill, they probably can't pay me, either.

I've filed a small-claims lawsuit, but it seems unlikely that I will be able to collect anything given their cash situation. The board members all seem to be fairly wealthy, but also seem to be generally unresponsive and unwilling to help.

Expensive lesson #1: When working for a nonprofit or other organization that is not a full-time business, GET CASH UP FRONT! An escrow account would also work. Just because the same organization has paid on time in the past does not mean that it will do so in the future.

Expensive lesson #2: Make sure that every invoice carries a note about late fees and interest charges.

Expensive lesson #3: If you must put up cash to pay someone else's expenses, get reimbursed immediately. Avoid buying stuff for other people if possible. Definitely do not buy stuff that is expendable or disposable or otherwise has no resale value.

Expensive lesson #4: If you run such an organization and cannot pay your employees promptly, call or write to them immediately to explain the situation and answer questions. Do not ignore letters and phone calls asking about the situation. This just makes creditors (like me) angry.

I've worked for dodgier festivals than this one and have never had payment issues. This one always seemed to be well funded and unlikely to screw people over. Lesson learned. At least I was not in a position of being dependent upon this income.

Argh.
 

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Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 09-15-2009, 01:40 PM:
 
I'd think everyone would care ... suggestion.. don't just put "NIFF", list their whole name and the names of the people who should be paying you. That way, if they simply try to start another festival under a different name, anyone who reads this in the future will know who the people are....

I worked the Greenwich Film Festival in Greenwich, CT (I think they went out of biz, too) and it was very clear to me the festival party held at the end was considered more important than the films, or how they were presented.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 09-16-2009, 06:38 AM:
 
I second John's request. The whole point of listing here is so that no one else is scammed. This helps the new guy. It may also get you paid since they can't go elsewhere until you are satisfied. Louis
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-16-2009, 07:58 AM:
 
By popular (?) request, here is the list of people associated with the 2009 Newport International Film Festival in Newport, RI. There are other staff members, but these are the individuals whom I believe are responsible for the festival's inability or unwillingness to pay its bills. I doubt that any of these people reads F-T, but maybe this will help others avoid them. I will edit this and previous posts if and when I am paid in full.

Executive Director: Jennifer Maizel

Board of Directors:

Annette Leidermann Raisky, Chairman
Mary Pat Ryan, Vice-Chairman
Mitchell V. Massey, Treasurer (he is the only person who has bothered to respond to multiple letters and email messages, but he provided few details; I do give him credit for at least responding)
Kathy Staab, Secretary (also owns the Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport, RI.)
Richard L. Bready
Bartlett S. Dunbar
Diana Gonzalez
Brendan P. Kelley, Chairman Emeritus
Stuart Lazar
Joan Martin

Also, Alan Weiss is listed as the Chairman in the 2009 program book, but has since resigned. (I believe that he also bears some responsbility for the current mess.)

Edit #1 (11/13/2009): I won the small-claims case by default (they did not answer or appeal). I have not yet collected on the judgment and do not expect to be able to do so. Argh.

Edit #2 (12/21/2009): No luck on collecting as of yet. I've engaged a collections attorney in hopes of getting something. Wish me luck.

[ 12-21-2009, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Scott Norwood ]
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-24-2009, 08:38 AM:
 
Okay. At the suggestion of several members of the forum I will list this one, to clear the air:

MARK GULBRANDSEN

Backstory - In two separate transactions, Justin West and I bought a Mitchell 35mm reflex conversion camera outfit, and a Moy geared head, from Mark many years ago (approaching ten years now). He misrepresented the condition of the camera saying it was excellent and ready to use, when the truth was it needed work. Among troubles with the motor, wiring, and one of the lenses, it had a cracked reflex pellicle that extended into the picture area. Mark's defense has been that, for the price he sold it ($5500), we had no room to complain. Actually, we did have room to complain; the price was no special bargain - it was exactly what other (complete) camera packages of that vintage were selling for on eBay - and the camera wasn't in the condition he said it was.

Recently in another thread, Mark has defended the cracked pellicle he didn't tell us about, saying it was a "slight" crack and "an inexpensive fix". Well, it was a complete crack, there was nothing slight about it, going right across the lower left-hand corner of the image; and if it was such a cheap fix, why didn't he fix it before sending it to us? I mean, he had PLENTY of time to do so... (read on) (Actually, it was NOT easily repairable, since the manufacturer of the reflex conversion was long out of business, and that part was no longer available from service centers.)

But even all of this I could forgive...

The Rub - Mark took nearly TWO YEARS to send us the parts from these two transactions - and we still didn't get everything! After constant hounding and many emails, he would finally send another component. His excuse was always that he had to go somewhere or do some work, and he'd make another unfulfilled promise of shipment. All the while making it very clear, in sarcastic tones, that our interests didn't matter; his work obligations trumped any duty he owed us. However, he was very dilligent in making sure we sent him the money right away at the start. He was asking about that every day, which we submitted promptly!

Contrary to what Mark has posted in another thread, I DID ask for our money back. And whenever I did, he'd promise to ship something right away ("I'll have to dig around to find it," he'd say.)

After several months, I considered it a loss and gave up. It took his being outed on another forum, however, by numerous other people he had treated the same way, for us to get the items we finally did, when we did.

Why he is a deadbeat - as if the foregoing weren't enough - We got nearly everything he owed us except a new Anvil case for the camera that he had promised from the start. He originally said he would ship the camera body in it, but instead he used the rotted and damaged original. When confronted with this, he promised to send the new case on a separate shipment, which of course he never did. There was something else outstanding, too (maybe batteries), but it's been so long I can't be certain, so I'll just leave it at the Anvil case. Incredibly, he emailed me about a year ago, asking if I wanted to buy another camera he had for sale!

Anyway, that's why Mark isn't a friend. And he's had the unmitigated gall to go around on this forum bashing and demeaning me!

It is he who has no room to speak.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 11-24-2009, 10:01 AM:
 
Oh, yes, I remember. He never sent the matte box assembly for the camera, either.
 

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Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-30-2009, 06:08 PM:
 
Is it me, or is taking it to court a joke? Like Scott said, he has a judgement by default for them not showing. Who now is going to go after these people. This happens all the time. I know of many, many people who have had judgement against someone for many years with no results. This is why people don't even bother trying to collect money sometimes for old debts. This is also why people stiff people sometimes because they know they can pretty much get away with it. As far as getting money up front or getting some kind of guarantee, they will just go to someone else who will sell them the items on credit.I'm ALL for public ridicule!!!
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-30-2009, 09:32 PM:
 
Yes, taking it to court is a joke. Public ridicule sometimes works. . . or at least protects someone else.

My own lawyer said that (now that terroristic threatening is illegal) if I discover a way to collect debts to let him know; he has a list for me to follow up on. Louis
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-02-2009, 01:51 AM:
 
I don't really understand why it's illegal to walk into a store and steal something, but if you buy something on credit, promise to pay and then don't, that's NOT illegal. Well, maybe it is, but taking someone to court is "a joke" and there's no recourse if they don't pay a judgement. How is that NOT stealing?

Plenty of laws protect the deadbeats, but nothing protects the business owner.
 

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Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 12-03-2009, 02:56 AM:
 
That is why always you should have a signed contract. Contact is the best way to move things to court.
Demetris
 

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Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 12-03-2009, 07:09 AM:
 
Getting to and through court isn't the problem. It's after you win, there is no way to collect. Winning the case is the easy part.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-03-2009, 10:18 AM:
 
Scott,
Have you considered TV court? I'd love to see you get these people on Judge judy!!! I knew someone that actually was on the old Judge Wappner Show and they won their complaint. Oh, and in some States like Utah getting paid is not a problem because probate pays you if you win your case then they collect from the defendant. Defendants are much more likely to pay the State back thanthey are the plantiff.

Mark
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 12-03-2009, 01:14 PM:
 
Great suggestion Mark...I can see the promo for an upcoming show:

Plaintiff Tim is suing defendant Mark for alleged failure to deliver some camera equipment...

It is a good suggestion really as the publicity will also help motivate someone to pay up...but Mark, given the current situation between you and Tim it was a dangerous thing to post...
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-03-2009, 04:37 PM:
 
Tony,

I was referring to Scott's situation but there are a few things that need to be cleared up regarding this. I will only respond this one last time to Tim's whining.

Tim was sold everything in the pictures he was sent BEFORE we agreed on a deal for the camera. I still have those pictures here.

Tim did get the the following:

Camera in GWO and had been recently serviced.

Crystal Motor and power cable there was no power source as part of the deal.

Baltar Lens set with one lens iffy and no case, he knew about it.

Matte box that as was shown in the pictures of the camera.

Mitchell case for the camera in usable shape. The cases are old and collectors items so I hope Tim did not throw it away.

Magazine Blmip

1000' Magazine

Tim's complaining started about the cracked pellicle but I had used the camera for a few of years on and off with the crack just fine. I had also had the camera serviced about once a year by Les Day up till when he passed on, then it sat for about a year. He always said to leave it alone because it's NOW WHERE near the convergence point of the lenses and it would not be in the photographed image. It could be seen in the ground glass which goes a bit beyond the photographed area, typical of just about all reflex MP Cameras. Obviously he's also used it on and off for 10 years with the crack because he implies that it hasn't been repaired because the manufacturer is out of buisness and there are no parts. Yes! Both Mitchell AND Cinema Products ARE out of buisness but I provided Tim the name of a reliable place it could be repaired that was reccomended to me by Les whan he became ill. They can still repair it today and they specialize in reflex modifications to non-reflexed cameras just like Tim's camera. I also told him that the camera required at least yearly servicing anyway so he should have a reputable place at hand to send it to. Tim had or may still have the info. The pellicle IS NOT a field replacable part. It requires special tools, ground glass re-alignment, and possibly the flange focal distance to be re-set properly. Aside from the place I reccomended to Tim there are at least three other places or people that can repair any aspect of that camera today. Many are still in use. As far as I know the designer of the reflex conversion is also still living and I definately know his company is which is very well known for building cameras. Perhaps the crack has grown over the ten years he's had the camera, I haven't seen it since it left here. Have you ever had the camera properly serviced Tim? If not you should write and I'll be happy to give you a list of those places.

He complained about the matte box:

That he'd prefer the bellows type matte box and I said I would see what I could do. I had a couple of others here at the time but they turned out to be for other cameras. There were NO PROMISES made on getting that type of the matte box and I did try to locate one and would have been happy to exchange it with his. I could not locate one. There are a few of those Matte Boxes around but they are scarce has hens teeth beacause parts of them are fragile. You normally see them in museums such as the ASC Museum.

RE: The Gear Head:

The gear head came from Lucas Film. They used it for a long time. It very likely served duty on Star Wars and Empire. However Tim complained about the gear ratio. And yes, it did have a different gear ratio than other heads that I had used but it still worked fine for me. Some heads have two speed gear boxes and some don't. So I used it and Lucas used it and so whats up with that? A case was included with the gear head that should have also fit the camera. No case was included in the price of the gear head. So Tim got the case he asked for.

In essence I'm guilty of very late delivery and nothing else. If the camera was non-functional I wouldn't have sold it. Other film collectors also suffered as well on delivery but everyone eventually got what they bought and paid for.

I have a pretty good reputation in this buisness for doing good work promptly and I always treat people fairly. I also have a 100% feedback rating on E-Bay after 233 transactions. Here are a few of my E-Bay reviews. Look for yourself... "KSA50"

"Very nice item. Great packing job! Highly recommended!!"

"Super ebayer! Item in perfect condition, fast shipping and nice contact. Thanks!"

"Great transaction & communication! Very kind seller. MUCH RECOMMENDED +++++"

"As-described, fast shipping, great communication. A good seller to have on Ebay"

The above represents who I actually am. We all go through tough points in our lives! Tim has gone through one of the toughest points in life that a person can face. I live in the present, not the past. Tim seems to live in the past for what ever reason. I got my life back on track quickly after I left the sucky job I had at the time. And personally, I'd rather be friends with Tim than not and I don't really hold grudges against anyone and if I do it's not for very long, I'm never been that type of person.

Case closed in my book, and I will ignore any future posts by anyone regarding the subject. You can all say what you want or think what you want... It's a free Country after all!

Mark
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-04-2009, 12:11 AM:
 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

I will only respond this one last time to Tim's whining <snip>
Tim did get the the following: <snip> Matte box that as was shown in the pictures of the camera.

---

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

Mitchell case for the camera in usable shape.

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quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

Tim's complaining started about the cracked pellicle <snip> it would not be in the photographed image. <snip> I had also had the camera serviced about once a year <snip> then it sat for about a year.

---

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

Obviously he's also used it on and off for 10 years with the crack <snip> I provided Tim the name of a reliable place it could be repaired that was reccomended to me by Les

---

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

The pellicle IS NOT a field replacable part. It requires special tools, ground glass re-alignment, and possibly the flange focal distance to be re-set properly.

---

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

Its an inexpensive fix

---

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

RE: The Gear Head:<snip>However Tim complained about the gear ratio.

---

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

A case was included with the gear head that should have also fit the camera. No case was included in the price of the gear head.

---

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

1. I have a pretty good reputation in this buisness
2. I also have a 100% feedback rating on E-Bay
3. I live in the present, not the past.

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quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

Case closed in my book,

---

Obviously. For nearly 10 years.
 

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Posted by Andrew Zimmerman (Member # 5591) on 01-16-2010, 05:48 PM:
 
"Wow - nobody has been screwed by the Duffy's of EFW fame? I know of several landlords that have been taken to the bank by them ..."

Plaza Cinema Cafe Closed
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 01-17-2010, 09:04 PM:
 
Nope ... come into a few good deals following them into complexes though...
 

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Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 01-27-2010, 12:29 PM:
 
Intersting article in a pennsylvania news paper about a New York based theatre operator...

Pike County Courier

Movie magic gone bad

$17 million trail of debt and judgement follows cinema developer, By Nick Troiano

WESTFALL — It’s a story for the movies, but Westfall has no place to see it.

Norman Adie, the man who promised to provide one and didn’t, is a Scottish businessman who first made his name in the cinema industry as a theatre manager in London. He arrived in New York City in 1971 and worked as production manager at Radio City Music Hall before he began building a big screen empire, which once included seven movie houses in the Times Square area. Decades later, that empire now appears to be crumbling and the entrepreneur who once inspired confidence in investors is now referred to by the same people as a crook and a con man.

In 2002, Adie made his debut on the local stage in Monroe, N.Y., where he sought to renovate an old 1940s theatre into a modern five-screen complex. Legal issues emerged shortly after construction. One Liberty Properties, a real estate company that was a partner in the joint venture that owned the property, alleged that Adie, along with its own president and CEO, conspired to defraud the company. During this period, no progress was made on the new theatre, despite the old cinema having already been torn down and a new steel frame erected.


Mayor John Karl said the Village of Monroe was about to declare the property blighted and take control, but Adie quickly returned from Brooklyn to ask for an extension to get his finances in order. Karl recalls being “jerked around” and feeling skeptical, but Adie settled the litigation, purchased back the property and opened the theatre in May 2008. The movie house operates successfully to this day, although Karl said that Adie still owes the town a $7,000 contribution for new light posts.

Soon before the theatre’s completion, Adie set his sights on Westfall Township where he planned to convert the vacated Grand Union into an even larger theatre with seven screens. When word first broke in 2007, many residents were overjoyed. Local resident Carol Hass told the Courier, “I can’t tell you how excited I am about the movie theatre coming. I am so excited to know I will have a place to enjoy with my kids.”

These hopes were dashed, however, when “Grand Opening” promises were missed, first by Thanksgiving 2007 then by Independence Day 2008. At the time, Adie claimed that there were complications with getting approval for building plans.



But Charles Miller of Westfall Town Center Joint Venture says Adie fell into financial trouble, did not pay the lease and abandoned the project altogether in 2008-leaving behind an incomplete renovation.

In June 2009, Pike County Judge Kameen ruled in favor of Westfall Town Center Joint Venture and issued a $12.7 million judgment against Adie and Westfall Cinema, LLC.

Miller said that although he was aware of Adie’s past legal issues, he felt reassured by Adie’s long-standing reputation, self-confidence and ability to ultimately complete the Monroe cinema. Now he says that he believes his company was “dealing with a man who misrepresented himself and his financial ability.” Miller said, “This man knows no limits…he made a vain effort to defraud investors and to lead us up the garden path.”

Around the same time, unbeknownst to Miller, Adie refused to pay rent on his Foxmoor 7 Theatre in Marshalls Creek, according to property owner Dr. Ram Rayasam. Adie took over that theatre in 2006, and by 2007, he and Rayasam were in legal battles. Both sides settled out of court, but Adie did not pay a dime more since, Rayasam said. Adie was evicted in December and owes some $3.45 million on his lease. “He is a con man and egomaniac. He does not pay anyone, even the little guys,” said Rayasam.

In the aftermath, would-be competitors Rayasam and Miller are now friends that share much in common. While neither expects to recoup any lost money, both are close to securing new tenants to carry on their respective theatre projects and both are determined to ensure others are warned about Adie.




As of late 2009, Adie promised to open another theatre in Middle Smithfield Township that would include a 3D and Imax screen. Kate Galinus, open records officer for the township, said Adie has not yet submitted any plans for construction but could not confirm a report by source familiar with the situation that a stop work order had recently been issued.

“I’m sure that he can find people to dupe just as he duped us,” Miller said, “but I am hopeful that people will get word of him and not fall for his tricks.”

Adie did not return phone messages seeking his response to this story.
 

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Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 09-21-2010, 12:34 AM:
 
Just a heads up. Peter Lea has re-registered on Film-Tech from the looks of it. He is now going by Pete Lea and is trying to sell his SRA-5 frames again. Too bad for him they are a dime a dozen on ebay now. Avoid this deadbeat at all costs.

See page 9 of this thread for the whole story.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-21-2010, 11:53 AM:
 
Well he won't be posting here anymore. Thanks Joshua.
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 09-29-2010, 04:16 PM:
 
Check the following page for this resolution.

Add Sanborn Theatres, AKA The Movie Experience to the list of deadbeats. After performing work for them in San Luis Obispo, with an invoice term of NET TEN they have yet to pay up. This invoice became past due on the 14th, I have had to send it to them three times and was told last Thursday that it was to be paid on Friday. There has been no response to my last email inquiry.

If/when they pay up the $1,110.75 they owe (and that doesn't include late charge) I will come back and edit this post.

[ 10-11-2010, 09:48 PM: Message edited by: Brad Miller ]
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 09-29-2010, 04:25 PM:
 
Good luck! This is the Ron Purtee dedicated page. however, there are several others who owe YEARS later. Undisputed equipment delivered, not a cent paid. I will list them later when I compute their current balance. (Adding 1.5%/month.) Louis
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 09-30-2010, 05:58 PM:
 
Still no check or communication from Sanborn Theatres. Looks like this will go to small claims court soon..sucks since California requires you to file the claim in the county where the work was performed, not where the company's offices are. So another long drive is in my future.
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 09-30-2010, 07:30 PM:
 
Sanborn is known to pay, but late. I would advise some patience here.

The rest of us here don't even bother to post our little problems until it's clear we are not going to get paid.
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 09-30-2010, 11:56 PM:
 
If the invoice was dated on the 4th, it's not even 30 days aged yet. I don't know of many companies who's A/P operates on any faster than a 30-day pay. I'm pretty sure the biggies probably don't pay any quicker than 60 days. I wouldn't qualify someone who's late on a net 10 a deadbeat by any means.
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 10-01-2010, 01:09 PM:
 
Sam, I agree on using some patience, but as I am about to explain I think under the circumstances I have been patient enough.

Sam and Mike: My standard terms of service for any repair/ minor installations are such that they are COD (or cash on completion) and only in rare cases do I ever extend NET terms for service calls. When I do it is either NET 10 or 15 max.

Sanborn was given a full copy of my Terms And Conditions, and before the job was performed on the 1st of Sept. it was understood and acknowledged that they would be billed with NET 10 and MUST pay on time or be charged late fees and have their NET privileges revoked. They fully agreed that a NET 10 would be o.k. and that they would pay on time.

I am here because they have not responded to inquiries, they had me send the invoice three times claiming they never got it, and never even mentioned that they were strapped and need more time to pay.

If a client is up front and honest, i.e. if they had said to me that cash flow is tight right now and they might need more time, I would have been o.k. with that.

I provided the service they asked for, did more things above what was scheduled, and incurred expenses including paying my helper out of my own pocket. I even discounted them because the extras pushed the job into premium time hours, (which I billed them at regular overtime for) so I don't think it is unreasonable to expect them to fulfill their end of the deal and pay the invoice on time!

I have dealt with studios and "big corporations" in the past and go into that deal expecting slow pay. But Sanborn is NOT a "big corporation" and that does not excuse them from this situation.
 

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Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 10-02-2010, 07:29 PM:
 

quote:

---

They fully agreed that NET 10 would be o.k. and they would pay on time.

---

Who fully agreed to it? Sounds like they B.S.ed you on it. Just like Terry in Local 150's office B.S. everyone.
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 10-11-2010, 01:42 PM:
 
I am pleased to report that the check has finally arrived, and that Sanborn Theatres has honored their end of the deal, albeit 25 days late. No explanation was given for the delay, but since they paid up, it's all good. No more NET terms for them though.
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 10-11-2010, 09:01 PM:
 
See! Patience.

Sam
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 10-11-2010, 09:27 PM:
 
Now go back and edit your original post like you said you would.
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 10-11-2010, 09:31 PM:
 
LOL would love to but I get the message that the time limit has expired.

Admin, can you assist?
 

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Posted by Andrew Zimmerman (Member # 5591) on 11-03-2010, 05:31 AM:
 
The Prado cinema Cafe in Bonita Springs, FL has recently closed after only a few months of operation. Most of their employees only received a single paycheck. The theater was "owned" by Jim Record, but multiple independent sources have told me that Jim Duffy was involved. This jives with information that I received from Duffy himself when he was at the Plaza Cinema Cafe in Orlando and told me about his new project in the Naples area just befor the "owner" closed the doors and ran out in the middle of the night owing everyone a month pay.
 

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Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 12-07-2010, 12:25 AM:
 
According to the Times Herald-Record On-Line theatre owner Norman Adie was arrested on Nov. 23rd and charged with stealing more than $500,000.00 from investors. Adie was charged with two counts each of wire fraud, and securities fraud. Adie was charged in connection with investment scams involving his brooklyn heigths cinema, and the Westfall Cinema project in P.A.

According to county records Adie owes 5 Million to Citizens bank in connection with the Monroe 6 Cinemas in Monroe, NY and has not paid on the mortgage in a year. According to the paper Adie is about to lose the Monroe location.

This is in addition to the post above where Adie was thrown out of one of his theatre operations in P.A.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-07-2010, 09:00 AM:
 
Tony,

I always bill on a net 15 for all my customers. On big jobs I might ask for a percentage down since that job is going to occupy much of my forseeable time. I never bother a customer about a bill untill it is at 45 days and I never cut off service to a customer until 90 days. A few of them are just scraping by and I'd rather help them make it than not. I have never been stiffed by any customer in 32 years.

Mark
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-02-2011, 06:59 PM:
 
Posts above this one in the last few days deleted by Admin.

This is cool, it's been a while since we've seen a good argument on Film-Tech.

I'm with Tony & Sam on this. The whole thing shouldn't have been brought up. The whole PURPOSE of this thread is to 'name names,' so as to protect the unwary. So I vote for the mods to go back to the beginning of this nonsense and delete it all.

[ 08-05-2011, 01:07 AM: Message edited by: Brad Miller ]
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 08-02-2011, 09:22 PM:
 
Hmmmm, let's see if one is smart enough to figure out the "rules" of this thread based on a few key posts from those first two pages:

Post #5 on page 1:

quote: Brad Miller

---

Mark, if you have a known deadbeat, list them. Do make SURE that before you post that they are absolutely in the wrong though and have been given plenty of time to make good.

---

quote: Brad Miller

---

Yup I've already checked with my attorney on this. The deadbeats outed on this thread will remain listed here until such time that they make good on their debt.

Just do note that for anyone adding to this, do make sure you have proof of the debt.

---

quote: Brad Miller

---

You can add two more to this list.

#1 Ron Purtee and company at Cinema Products International (CPI). Is there any manufacuter this company hasn't ripped off yet? These guys have the lowest morals I've ever seen, right down to bottling up Wal-Mart automotive oil in containers labeled "Century oil", etc. They also have a knock-off product to FilmGuard that they concocted in under 2 weeks after I booted them from being a dealer for failure to not pay their bills. The product is known to damage film over the long haul (meaning a print you use it on today may end up getting you a bill for the cost of the print down the road when that print gets rented out to another theater). What's really sad is they will sell it to you as "FilmGuard" and claim it is the exact same ingredients, then I get the call from the theater panicked and angry about the product that damaged their film because they think it is mine, but upon closer evaluation of the bottle and seller, it is NOT actual FilmGuard. It doesn't take a chemist to figure out that they are not the same product by a long shot. Beware of everything these guys sell, as it is all second rate and the goal of the company appears to screw people. I have invoices 3 years old this company still has not paid. From what I understand, they owe anywhere from $10,000 to a few hundred thousand bucks to pretty much every manufacturer.

#2 Brian Vita of CSS Inc. out of Peabody MS. This guy has a known history of not paying his bills either. I have invoices 2 years old he still has not paid.

I am permanently "topping" this thread, as this sort of info needs to be known.

---

And of course there are oh, about 15 other pages of people who understand how this thread works...

...the rest of this post deleted by Admin.

[ 08-05-2011, 01:05 AM: Message edited by: Brad Miller ]
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-05-2011, 01:08 AM:
 
There you go...the rules of this thread summed up nicely in the above 2 posts. Out 'em or stay angry and keep quiet.
 

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Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 02-04-2012, 12:14 PM:
 
After consultation with Brad, here's a warning to other Film-Tech members in California, Washington State and Oregon:

If a young man by the name of Justin Ray Hill approaches you for a job, DO NOT HIRE HIM!!

After talking to him and doing an online background check (which came up clean) I brought him to So Cali to assist me and a colleague with a digital install. All seemed to be ok, he did good work and was generally respectful.

However, this past Wednesday, while I was asleep from a severe sinus infection, he decided that the pay he was given for the week wasn't enough..so he stole my laptop computer (with many irreplaceable files), my smart phone, two ipods, a digital camera, two thumb drives, and a USB external hard drive.

If you should encounter him, please PM me right away, I do have a report filed with local law enforcement and the law enforcement of his home town.

So much for trying to help people, eh?
 

---

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 11-22-2013, 12:53 AM:
 

It has been 656 days since the last post.

 

---

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-22-2013, 12:53 AM:
 
Tony says in the post above, "So much for trying to help people, eh?"

That's exactly how I feel.

Tony bought a new Cat. 790 just about a year ago and never paid for it. He acknowledged the bill and offered to pay extra for the lateness some time ago but nothing but excuses and offers after the fact, to trade me for merchandise of no value to me.

After a while I gave up the effort but it did get under my skin so here I am posting this dirty bit of laundry out on the clothes line.

And, to add insult to injury, a certain SoCal guy he sold it to ended up posting it for sale on Film Tech. Pretty blatant I must say.

So beware! This is worth a couple of units of Purtee deadbeat points no?
 

---

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 11-22-2013, 01:50 PM:
 
First off, I will start by acknowledging that the debt for the card is legit and I do not deny that I owe Sam for it. This whole thing went down as an informal deal, and my mistake was I had ordered two cards one right after the other and since neither of us did any "formal" paperwork I was under the mistaken impression (at that time) that I had paid for the second card when in fact I had not. So the error for the debt IS on my side of the deal, 100%.

However, for whatever reason, Sam had refused to accept a few offers to clear this debt:

First, I offered to make a series of partial payments, but Sam said he'd rather wait until I had the full amount together for him (I understand that in a way, because it does complicate book keeping when a series of payments are made.) Fair enough. My current lack of steady work made the gathering of the full amount at any time pretty much impossible.

Second, I offered to send an identical card back to him. He didn't want it, again fair enough as he probably has (had) several already sitting around in inventory.

However, I get most of what little work I currently have coming in from a colleague who Sam knows well.

That colleague, while at Sam's location to place an equipment order, offered to settle my debt IN FULL (and deduct it over time from my future pay) BUT Sam refused to accept that money.

This I did not understand....if I end up paying for it in the end, what difference would it have made for Sam to accept the money, settle the debt between us and leave the matter between me and the colleague to be settled as a side matter?

In short, this whole thing could have been settled easily several months back...but for whatever reason Sam refused to accept the money.

I will freely admit that this last refusal genuinely pissed me off as unnecessary and downright rude. (And very uncharacteristic of Sam as we had previously had a very gentlemanly business relationship.)

If Sam is willing to discuss this further off of the forums I am willing to chat with him so we can put this to bed once and for all.

Sam is a true gentleman and this situation is most unfortunate but I trust we can get it solved soon.

Side note: "Purtee deadbeat points"..now that's funny. Should point be awarded based on dollar amounts owed, or time delay?
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-22-2013, 03:28 PM:
 
Purtee deadbeat points are assigned on a sliding scale of sanctimony and fake outrage. Tony is not so bad on that scale.

As to having a colleague pay his debt; said colleague did offer essentially a garnishment of Tony's wages but I did not want to take it to this level without Tony even knowing of the offer.

I know he is always broke so I felt that would be underhanded, rude, and illegal. There was and is nothing preventing Tony from paying the debt when he heard about the offer. It a matter of having the discipline to amass a few hundred $$ all at one time.
 

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Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 08-17-2014, 09:22 PM:
 
Here Sam,I want to pay off every Deadbeat out there that still owes you Money.Please accept this "Ripped off Film Buyers" Cash Note that was given me on a Bad Sales Transaction.I was guaranteed that it was Legal Tender,so feel Free to use all of it


 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-17-2014, 11:04 PM:
 
That note has "Curly" spelled wrong, so it is obviously a phony.


 

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Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 08-17-2014, 11:42 PM:
 
Woah woah woah woah woah WOAHHHHHHHHHHH wait a minute here.

CPI C-lube was a rip-off of FilmGuard!?!?

WOW! We used that stuff for YEARS! However, we did NOT use it on film. We used it to clean the film paths. (Spray, wipe. Cleans and lubes, I always made sure to wipe excess off, it, as Brad mentioned, got nasty on film)

That shit wouldn't pass for FilmGuard in a hundred years. I distinctly remember having to shake the little spray bottles because the oil would separate out and sit at the bottom. And of course, with those cheap bottles, when shaken, would leak everywhere. And spraying was difficult at best, the stupid plunger was always breaking or the tube would fall down into the bottle or it would just surge out of the underside of the plunger when depressed, etc etc. That's about all it was good for, cleaning shit off of rollers.

Gooooood times.

I feel like a piece of my first few projectionist years has just been stolen from me.

Brad Miller, accept this very indirect apology please! Though I had no part in purchasing the stuff, using it without knowledge of the dirty deeds of the maker, I can't help but to feel 'dirty' for having even used it at all.
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 08-18-2014, 12:29 AM:
 

quote:

---

Here Sam,I want to pay off every Deadbeat out there that still owes you Money.Please accept this "Ripped off Film Buyers" Cash Note that was given me on a Bad Sales Transaction.I was guaranteed that it was Legal Tender,so feel Free to use all of it [thumbsup]

---

That's digging deep on an old topic. Seems like someone has a rock in their shoe. Send the money, I can take a joke as well as the next guy.
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-18-2014, 06:32 AM:
 
CPI C-Lube was never a ripoff of Film-Guard. C-Lube was targeted towards the XeKote market (lubricating gates and edgewaxing)...the flaw was that after a period of time that it was nasty stuff that didn't do what it was marketed to do.

Now CPI DID have a "knockoff" Film-Guardish stuff, that like the crappy C-Lube...also didn't work as marketed and was merely substituted for the real thing.
 

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Posted by Timothy Eiler (Member # 383) on 10-10-2014, 11:26 AM:
 
Does not seem right to take money for Digital projectors (or anything else for that matter ) and then not deliver and what you sold.

http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/20430/#sthash.eAjKK8IS.dpuf

quote:

---

2 ND movie theaters fight to recoup money paid for projectors
At least two communities in northeastern North Dakota may be out tens of thousands of dollars raised for local theater improvements after an equipment supply company filed for bankruptcy.

By: Kevin Bonham, Forum News Service

At least two communities in northeastern North Dakota may be out tens of thousands of dollars raised for local theater improvements after an equipment supply company filed for bankruptcy.

The Save Our Strand Committee in Grafton has paid $47,000 toward a new digital projector that is long overdue for arrival from Cinema Service and Supply, a Massachusetts-based company.

Park River’s The Lyric Continues committee has paid about $30,000 to the company.

Jack Maus, chairman of the Grafton committee, said the company has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and its assets have been frozen. Both committees have filed consumer complaints against CSS with the North Dakota Attorney General’s office.

“We started hearing indications about a month ago,” Maus said. “We kept insisting on setting a date for them to come up and set up the projector.”

The Lyric Theater, which closed this past winter, reopened over the July 4 weekend, showing movies available for its older projection system, she said.

“We’re proceeding with the legal process to try to recoup at least some of our money,” said Laurie Jensen, TLC president in Park River. “We understand there are no guarantees.”

Theaters throughout the country have been forced to switch from 35-millimeter to digital projection over the past couple of years. In many smaller communities, local committees have raised money for the digital equipment in order to keep their theaters open.

Grafton’s Save Our Strand Committee initially raised more than $100,000 to remodel the theater and to purchase one digital projector, which CSS delivered in early 2013, according to Maus.

The committee already has done some major remodeling in the building and has been raising more money to update the theater’s lobby, Maus said.

The $47,000 spent earlier this year was for a projector for Strand 2.

“We’ll continue with the fundraising,” Maus said. “We have other projects we want to do. But we’ll probably wait on the second projector.”

The Park River committee also has remodeled its theater, including the lobby and restrooms.

Jensen said the group will continue to raise funds for the project.

“We feel bad because it’s money that people in the community have given us,” she said. “This is a little bump in the road and we have to think positively and move forward.”

---

 

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Posted by Joe Elliott (Member # 4006) on 10-10-2014, 02:50 PM:
 
Well, looks like Ron Purtee got out of the theater business, as you can see from his resume he posted online.

http://www.cbcjobs.com/profiles_u/Ronald-Purtee-533157.html
 

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Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 10-10-2014, 03:49 PM:
 
How come the Guy's not in PRISON from what I've read on all these former Posts about him
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-10-2014, 07:17 PM:
 
Because being a deadbeat is not illegal, apparently.

I don't understand this. If you go into a store and walk out with an item without paying for it, you can go to jail for that; but if you sign your name, either to a charge account ticket or to a check, PROMISING you'll pay for it, you can just ignore the bill and never have a consequence, outside of a bad credit rating.

They're both stealing in my book.

Apparently Purtee has done the same thing, except in reverse -- taking money but not delivering. But he promised to deliver, so that makes it OK....?
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 10-10-2014, 08:28 PM:
 
I don't think this latest issue is about Ron Purte unless I'm missing something. I think I may know who it is about but I'll not name him here.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-12-2014, 11:34 AM:
 
Name names.

Perhaps there needs to be a similar listing under the digital banner now.
 

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Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 10-13-2014, 06:37 PM:
 
Checked on this and it is Brian Vita's company. Beware!
 

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 10-13-2014, 11:11 PM:
 

quote: Mike Blakesley

---

Because being a deadbeat is not illegal, apparently.

I don't understand this. If you go into a store and walk out with an item without paying for it, you can go to jail for that; but if you sign your name, either to a charge account ticket or to a check, PROMISING you'll pay for it, you can just ignore the bill and never have a consequence, outside of a bad credit rating.

They're both stealing in my book.

---

quote: Steve Guttag

---

CPI C-Lube was never a ripoff of Film-Guard.

---

quote: John Eickhof

---

Hi Mike, just for grins..actually the spelling of Curley is correct in fact even the type style and their images are taken right from the of the titles of the 1930s shorts. I have them on several of the original print late 1930s stooges shorts I have on 35mm. I think they named Curly Joe Besser the way your thinking.

---

CURLY - Jerome(Jerry Horowitz/Howard) 1903 - 1952

I have 65 3-Stooges Prints;all from 1936 - 46 Spell it CURLY





 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-30-2015, 10:24 PM:
 
OK then, I stand by my original post! I knew watching all those Stooge shorts on TV when I was a kid would come in handy someday. I'll have to inform my mom, who never liked me watching them.
 

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Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 01-31-2015, 11:58 AM:
 
Just to add a Note about CURLY; He suffered a Stroke in 1946 and was replaced by his Oldest Brother SHEMP(Sam Horowitz/Howard)1895-1955 He appeared in only one other short "Hold that Lion" where he was a passenger on a train and had no dialog.SHEMP took over the 2 reelers in 1947 to 1955 when he suffered a heart attack coming home from a Boxing match in the back of a taxi cab.MOE(Morris Horowitz/Howard-1897-1975 contacted old vaudeville friend JOE BESSER who finished out the shorts up til 1959... Larry Fein(Feinstein) also died in 1975.

I'm pretty knowledgable on the 3 stooges since I have researched, studied them from the early 60's and have quite a few of their Shorts...
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-31-2015, 01:03 PM:
 
OK so which Stooge film was it where Curly was sneaking into a press conference or something, and all the reporters were showing badges saying "Press" and Curly showed up with a badge that said "Pull!" (Nyuk nyuk nyuk) I remember the movie but not the title.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 01-31-2015, 02:25 PM:
 
Please open a new thread guys. Curly wasn't a deadbeat.
 

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Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 01-31-2015, 07:17 PM:
 
Yes; we certainly don't need a CURLY PURTEE!
 

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Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 03-20-2015, 01:50 PM:
 
Brian Vita is still out there, in business, or at least trying to be.
His current company name is Total Cinema Solutions - the only address I've seen is for a P.O. box in Peabody, MA.

My boss mentioned that we'd been contacted by someone who wanted us to use them for tech calls, I got the impression that he'd gotten both a phone call, and email. This prompted me to take a closer look at the emails in the inbox.
I found that Brian Vita had sent us email. He was trying to sell us a windows-based computer, loaded with TeamViewer, and software 'appropriate for our projection system'. He was also trying to talk us into a contract to have them remotely monitor our system for its maintenance needs.
Now, where we already have a laptop, with TeamViewer and Communicator, we didn't need to buy an over-priced machine from him, and part of my duties is to keep tabs on the maintenance needs of the projector. Hence, I let my boss know that they guy was trying to sell us stuff we didn't need, and explained why.
Mr Vita also told my boss some tall tale about why he doesn't get along with our consultant.

My guess is that he thought my boss could easily be taken for a proverbial ride.

 

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Posted by Larry Shaw (Member # 388) on 05-18-2015, 05:22 PM:
 
Cinema Service And Supply, Inc.

Court: Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court
Case number: 1:14-bk-15474
Judge: Frank J. Bailey
Chapter: 7
Filed: Nov 24, 2014
Type: voluntary
Updated: Nov 25, 2014

Creditors:
•77 Walnut Street, LLC
•American Express Merchant Services
•Capital One Services
•Christie Digital
•City Of Peabody Tax Collector
There are 35 more creditors.

Debtor:
Cinema Service And Supply, Inc.
77 Walnut Street
Suite 4
Peabody, MA 01960
Tax ID / EIN: xx-xxx3093
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-26-2015, 06:15 PM:
 
Not too surprising.... The bad aspect about bankruptcy is its all federal and if you are a business they let you keep your tools of the trade. So that means he'll be back.
 

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Posted by Timothy Eiler (Member # 383) on 12-04-2015, 11:33 AM:
 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

---

The bad aspect about bankruptcy is its all federal and if you are a business they let you keep your tools of the trade. So that means he'll be back

---

quote: Adam T. Holland

---

Senator Russell K. Long once said, never get in a pissing match with a man that buys ink by the barrel. Mr. Reed I would head that advise. The strong arm of a Louisiana Politician goes way further than this website and it is not wise to take one of us on. If you happen to be driving through NELA you better be buckled up, be driving the speed limit and have all your ducks in a row as that $80.00 you are raising Cain about on this post can become a lot bigger very quickly in Small Town America.

--- Adam T. Holland, Mayor

---

quote:

---

... Shot in the back by Buford Tannen over a matter of 80 dollars

---

 

---

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-08-2017, 08:15 AM:
 
Thanks, everyone! I appreciate your sage comments and support.

It's funny how the (second) payment notice he said he didn't get... was the one he REPLIED TO in the threatening email he sent me yesterday. That says it all. And "it is not wise to take one of us on." What does that mean? Oh, so I'm not entitled to my money? That childish comment only proves my point; he thinks he should get the work for free!

The tone of his response completely validates my original assessment. Not once did he say, "What do I have to do to pay this?" For the record, I sent two requests for payment after he stopped responding. He had no problem asserting himself up to that point. Everyone here can see he has no problem speaking up.

The fact remains he ordered a service, failed to pay for it, and would not respond to the line of communication we were engaged in. End of story.

This is what you need to do, Adam. It's very simple and requires nothing further on anyone's part: be the honorable businessman you claim to be... PAY YOUR BILL! Here's how:

As I said in my emails, I "prefer" PayPal, using my email address as the recipient. Here is the link you wanted: www.paypal.com It's intuitive. I have little old lady customers who can use PayPal, so you really don't need someone to hold your hand, do you? (If you are totally lost, there is a "How To" section at the bottom.)

If you wish to pay by check, that's fine (made payable to Tim Reed). Use the address you have on file for me (checks must clear first).

Once you have paid, you will receive the content - not before (that's how it works). Then I will make note here that the debt has been satisfied.

It was a token amount, anyway - I normally charge $350 for custom work, but since you had pleaded poverty before, I was trying to go easy on you.

I guess no good deed goes unpunished.
 

---

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-08-2017, 09:05 AM:
 

quote:

---

he strong arm of a Louisiana Politician goes way further than this website and it is not wise to take one of us on. If you happen to be driving through NELA you better be buckled up, be driving the speed limit and have all your ducks in a row as that $80.00 you are raising Cain about on this post can become a lot bigger very quickly in Small Town America.

---

quote: Adam T. Holland

---

Let me set the record straight on Mr. Reed's post. Yes we did request and updated policy trailer to include our Exhibitor of the Year Award and yes the cost was $80.00. That is the only information in his post that is true.

He sent an email asking us to pay using Pay Pal; however, it didn't have a link as to where to pay. After being notified of this post today I looked back in my records and he never sent a follow up email with a link or asking for payment. It is our policy to pay by check and invoice as to keep better records. Also we never downloaded nor played the trailer mentioned as he never sent a link as to where to download it.

As far as the statement in regards to our attitude of "It being a privilege to provide us with as service" if he feels that way great, we feel the same way. We pride ourselves with being the No 1 Independent Theatre in the Ark-La-Miss and have worked hard to achieve this status by providing the very best entertainment experience in the region and the highest level of business morals to guide our conduct. We followed through with our promise last year to promote his product via our Facebook and at the Tri-State Convention to our many friends in the industry.

We would not have survived in the poorest parish in the nation and our family would not be third generation community leaders, with me serving as the Mayor if Mr. Reeds assessment were correct.

Furthermore if anyone on this thread is a deadbeat I would say it would be Mr. Reed as he chose to blast one of the oldest operating businesses in Northeast Louisiana and Southeast Arkansas on a website rather than to pick up the telephone and call if he felt as if he was being shorted. That is how a real man and a real businessman conducts himself.

That is how the cat truly ate the cabbage.

Senator Russell K. Long once said, never get in a pissing match with a man that buys ink by the barrel. Mr. Reed I would head that advise. The strong arm of a Louisiana Politician goes way further than this website and it is not wise to take one of us on. If you happen to be driving through NELA you better be buckled up, be driving the speed limit and have all your ducks in a row as that $80.00 you are raising Cain about on this post can become a lot bigger very quickly in Small Town America.

--- Adam T. Holland, Mayor

---

quote: Steve Kraus

---

I'm guessing the bill was never paid or Tim would have posted.

---