NOTICE: This is a re-print of a post I made in August 2009 concerning those listed in the title. At the time of the blog failure there were some thirteen(13) comments, mostly from former & current customers of Terry Savanich. I’m sorry to say that all the comments were lost. Including those listing the links to the folks investigating the complaints filed against ‘Our Bandit Leather Crafters’. Please, if you previously posted information, post it again for the use of others.
Bull*
Dear Readers.
I’ll not even pretend to know what the hell is going on with Terry Savanich of ‘Our Bandit Leather Crafters’ anymore. Over the last few months my mailbox has had increasing traffic telling me every possible version of horror story possible. Now the complaints have reached the point of at least one a day! It appears that for whatever reason – and despite making some mighty fine leather – Terry has decided to screw over dozens of would-be purchasers of his wares. Yep, I understand being sick. Done enough of that myself! However, there is NO reason that he couldn’t be honest and refund the money to his prepaid clients if he isn’t physically capable of doing the work he contracted to do.
As all of you are no doubt aware, I wrote of my praise concerning Terry’s leather work when I received, promptly, my leather from him. Now The Bull is feeling guilty for possibly leading many readers astray. (Gods! I hope that none of this really is my fault.) I can’t help but feel as if I’ve been ripped off, too, for supporting Terry in his business and in his supposed illness.
NOTE: The Bull, & ‘The Bull Speaks!‘, no longer supports, endorses, or is involved with Terry Savanich or ‘Our Bandit Leather Crafters’. These thieving business practices should not be condoned on any level. More, I recommend that anyone with an order for leather with Terry seek out the Better Business Bureau. If your case is not settled quickly, then you should consider a lawsuit.
Bull, out
[...] issues arise concerning Terry Savanich and ‘Our Bandit Leather Crafters’. Please read this post for further [...]
I hope that there are not many people in the same spot that I am in.
Wes Anchorage, Alaska
There are many folks like you dealing with Terry Savanich. I suppose I was a lucky one, and I’ll admit that in retrospect I wish I had never promoted his work. I love the holster he made for me, but it isn’t worth the pain of knowing others have been robbed – possibly because I spoke so highly of him on my blog. There were many comments on my blog before the database melt-down about this issue and links to the Attorney-General of Terry’s state. I recommend that you contact said office so that they can help you get either your leather or your money rom Terry. I understand that a few folks have begun getting their leather after making legal complaint calls to the Attorney-General.
Thanks for your comment!
Bull*
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has an online site and a ‘Consumer’ division where there is a ‘Complaint Form’ which was easy to fill out and submit . . . http://www.SpeakOutOhio.gov . . . ‘they’ will contact Our Bandit Leather with our complaints and I’ve read where they ‘have had’ some success in getting real ‘ACTION’ out of Terry Savanich. I ’strongly’ recommend filing a complaint online with them to anyone still waiting for your order from Terry.
Also myself and a few others have filed ‘Complaint Referral Forms’ at the online “Internet Crime Complaint Center” . . . or “IC3″ (google them). This was an easy process also and ‘another’ I highly recommend any other victims using to ‘help’ in bringing civil ‘laws’ into practice with regards to getting what we were ‘long ago’ promised as well as ‘paid for’!!!
Bull*
I just received the following from Ohio A/G . . .
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“Please find enclosed a copy of the response we received from the above-named supplier regarding your complaint.
Please contact the supplier in regard to your dispute as they have requested and please let me know whether your complaint is resolved. If I do not hear from you within 30 days, I will assume your complaint was resolved.”
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Supplier (Terry Savanich) In Response To This Complaint . . .
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“As I have stated before, there is NO LONGER an Our Bandit Leather as it was closed due to my health issues. I have tried to respond to any customer as the email site is still up. As long as the customer has been nice, I respond but will not respond to nasty emails as my health will not permit the stress. I have about 18 back orders to complete and over half the customers are pleasant and understanding. The other few are nasty, demanding and have decided to use your service as a debt collector. It is not fair that their orders should be come ahead of people who have waited patiently for their orders to be completed. For the record I am not a thief, crook and have not taken money with the intentions of not providing the service. Since my illness I have inquired many thousands of dollars in medical debt that has to be paid so I have no money for the refunds and it did state on the web site when these people ordered that there were no refunds for any reason. It also stated the by purchasing the holster they agreed.
If Mr Cox wants to wait for his order to be completed in line, I will do so. If not the best I can offer is a refund, but it wil have to be paid in payments as I am able.
Thank you.”
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WTF!!!!!!???????? I will be in touch via phone with Anne Davis the Ohio A/G Consumer Protection Specialist . . . first thing on Monday. Right ‘now’ I am ’speachless’!
Speechless is certainly the word for it! This is outrageous behavior – and, IMHO at least, NOT something that should be able to get him out from under his obligations! Keep us informed to the details of the on-going investigation.
Accept a new ‘promise’ (latest of 5 over past 2 yrs) of delivery of my order within 30 days “or” total refund of my money (all $291) within 30 days.
Much has changed in the past two years (including my 100% sevice connected disability now leaving me with ‘much less’ use of my legs) . . . so I opted for my money. And also because after ‘2 years’ of non-delivery (awaiting) on a 4 month order . . . Terry is ’still demanding’ another ‘month’.
It just ain’t of no use being wheelchair bound now much sooner than later.
Terry’s final remark (of course!) was he thought a refund was ‘best’ also as I probably wouldn’t appreciate it (his product/effort) anyway.
So ‘latest’ thru Ohio A/G . . . the ‘check’ is in the mail . . . ! Will post when/if it arrives.
The problem is that – for whatever reason – Terry did not bother to inform anyone else of his health issues until forced into doing so by legal threats from customers who had been waiting for years in some cases. Even now more & more customers are coming forward with dated correspondence and canceled checks showing how they have been ripped off for hundreds of dollars. In most cases their calls, letters, and emails simply go without reply.
As much as anyone I know what it is to be disabled. In 2002 I found myself suddenly paralyzed from mid-chest on down – with NO warning. Just woke up like that one morning! Yet life went on and my responsibilities along with it. I have offered Terry an opportunity – which is STILL OPEN – to post here and clear up any disputes &/or confusion. That offer has gone unaccepted.
Frankly, I don’t see what other option the customers have other than filing legal action. If the state AG is involved the numbers of people effected must be higher than I thought.