AVOID! - A1Gloverepair - Gordon King

[Marckus99]

Avoid this crook!

Sent him my Rawlings Model HH,
Seven weeks ago.

No glove return, no return emails, no response to texts and no return calls.

I will be reporting him to the Better Business bureau.

- Mark

[SyrNy1960]

I watched his video on YouTube, seems legit. I had an issue like this before, only to find out later the seller was in the hospital. Could be a similar situation.

[SyrNy1960]

Use a different email to contact him inquiring about using his services. If he responds, then you’ll know for sure.

[SyrNy1960]

In fairness to Mr. King, he asked me to post his Better Business Bureau response to Mr. Rios’ complaint:

BBB,

Mark Rios sent a glove to me to re-string and recondition. I called Mr. Rios upon receipt of the glove, as I do with all customers shipping gloves. Unfortunately, I was unable to get into his voice mail to leave a message acknowledging receipt.

In his complaint, he said that I did not respond to his calls. According to my cell phone details, he made two calls: 8-17-20, which I explain later* and one on 8-22-20 @ 10:50 AM, that I was unable to answer, wherein he left no voice mail.

In two emails to follow this one, I will be forwarding two emails I sent to Mr. Rios, which should put to rest the issue of not responding to his emails.

*Mr. Rios called me last week (8-17-20 @ 1:27 PM), at which time we spoke for a brief few minutes. The brevity of the call, was due to my not wishing to hear vulgar (F Bomb) language. So, after about 60 seconds, I hung up. I was unable to say much more than hello, as he began speaking without pause in an angry demanding tone, telling e what I was going to do and when I was going to do it. Isn't interesting that that phone call was not included in his complaint.

Insofar as credibility, I have been doing this work full time for quite some time. If you check out my website, you can easily see testimonials from 2013 through 2020. I realize those may not have anything to do with this case, I feel it is worth mentioning.

To be very specific, his glove is far from being worth $ 250.00. It is considerably old. I can provide pictures from my receipt of his glove, if you wish.

In my work, I do a lot of glove restoration. Therefore, based on the age of a glove and more importantly, the condition I receive it in, work can take some time.

The older a glove the longer it takes. My reason for that, is older gloves have leather that is dry in places or may have cracking or "alligatoring". These types of things, make it necessary to take things methodically.

He accuses me of being a crook. I can confirm receiving his glove and money.
I sent two emails to him and answered his vulgar language call.

His glove is in my possession. It was not damaged, lost or stolen. He knows that.

Now you know it.

He is angry, although I cannot figure out why. He was not lied to or promised something I didn't deliver, nor did I deceive him.

Mr. Rios did not request a specific return by date. Nor did I promise him a set return date. Therefore, I am not sure why he is so upset.

He will have his glove mailed back on 8-24-20. If he would have acted appropriately in his call of 8-17-20, and simply asked when the glove would be returned, I'd have told him I had a target date set for shipping on 8-24-20.

Please know that I don't charge as much as others in the USA who do this kind of work. I have a small reasonably successful business and don't get anything out of unhappy customers. I try to treat every glove as it were my very own.

Just to review things, for both our benefit:

Mr. Rios sent me a glove and money to re-string and recondition his glove.

I tried to reach him acknowledging receipt of the glove and his voice mail was apparently full. At any rate, his voice mail would not allow me to leave a message.

Then I began work on his glove, which consists of removing all strings and ensuring the glove is clean before restoration of the leather commences. (In the case of Mr. Rios glove, it had oil residue and dirt on the outside of the glove surface.)

I responded to an email of his on 8-3-20. (For clarity, I custom cut strings from whole bovine steer hides, that eventually get installed in the gloves. I wanted you to understand my reference in this email to the term "cutting strings".)

By the way, I mention in my 8-3-20 email that I had a surgery. So, I was upfront and honest with him, perhaps more than I needed to be. However, as a professional at what I do, I prefer to tell the truth.

I answered a call from him on 8-17-20. (After about a minute of his demanding, ordering, angry tirade, he used a vulgar word and I hung up. I work with my customers, not for them. Therefore, that kind of behavior is unacceptable.)

I responded to an email of his on 8-22-20.

Please look for my forward of two emails that I reference above. I will note the complaint number in both subject lines as well as, Mr Rios name.

In most cases, my customers chose me. I accept most gloves that are submitted, as I am confident that I can provide a positive result.

I find it rather peculiar that an individual would submit a claim to you, as well as write a Facebook post and a Yelp post, before he received his glove back. As I note in my email of 8-22-20, to Mr. Rios, none of those tactics changed when his glove would be ready for return shipping.

Should you need anything additional or need to speak with me directly, you have my number below.

Gordon C. King, Owner
A1 Glove Repair, LLC.
6134 Stumph Rd. Ste. 308
Parma, Ohio 44130
440-655-2674
gking@a1gloverepair.com
WWW.A1GloveRepair.com

[SyrNy1960]

The purpose of me getting involved in this is because I've seen so many times where customers are so impatient and sometimes overreact. I've experienced it many times as a seller, and I received many unfair negative feedback and untrue negative posts about me as a seller.

Mr. Rios posted on this site on 12 Jul 20 asking for advice about a glove repair service. On 16 Jul 20, he posted he found A1 Glove Repair. In mid-august, he files a complaint with the BBB. It takes much more time to repair gloves than that. And has shown, issue with communication was a factor.

This man has a business, which provides a service to this hobby. I think it's only fair that he have his say in this.

Thanks, Tony

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Mr. Rios posted on this site on 12 Jul 20 asking for advice about a glove repair service. On 16 Jul 20, he posted he found A1 Glove Repair. In mid-august, he files a complaint with the BBB. It takes much more time to repair gloves than that. And has shown, issue with communication was a factor.

This man has a business, which provides a service to this hobby. I think it's only fair that he have his say in this.

Thanks, Tony

Thank you Tony.

Well Mark, I have to say that from the information provided in this thread, I'm feeling most sympathetic towards Mr. King from A1 Glove Repair.

Doug "and I don't even need a glove repaired" Goodman

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by Marckus99

Avoid this crook!

Sent him my Rawlings Model HH,
Seven weeks ago.

No glove return, no return emails, no response to texts and no return calls.

I will be reporting him to the Better Business bureau.

- Mark

Mark,

It's much easier to admit fault and apologize, than it is to hide. You see what damage can be done when people get mad and overreact. It's also better to be humble and admit fault, as it will help you gain respect from others.

We've all been there one time or another in our lives.

Learn from it, better yourself, move on, and enjoy the hobby!

Tony

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Mark,

It's much easier to admit fault and apologize, than it is to hide. You see what damage can be done when people get mad and overreact. It's also better to be humble and admit fault, as it will help you gain respect from others.

We've all been there one time or another in our lives.

Learn from it, better yourself, move on, and enjoy the hobby!

Tony

I think it says a lot about the OP that he hasn't come back to this thread to either tell us his story in more detail or to admit he posted in anger and to apologize.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Jim65

I think it says a lot about the OP that he hasn't come back to this thread to either tell us his story in more detail or to admit he posted in anger and to apologize.

He's logged on right now.

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by Jim65

I think it says a lot about the OP that he hasn't come back to this thread to either tell us his story in more detail or to admit he posted in anger and to apologize.

And he would only have to do it by making a post. Face-to-Face is much more difficult.

[william_9]

This sounds all too familiar to me. Though I don’t know any of the parties involved, I remember reading the original inquiry post and kept right on scrolling.

I used to do a fair bit of glove restoration as part of my business. I focused on early gloves, usually very valuable, rare models. In many instances, they would be show pieces. Some were unquestionably museum quality gloves. Regardless of the specifics, it’s very detail oriented work. Despite all the tools, materials, and knowledge gained from hours of doing good work, it’s oftentimes very hard to convince some people that they’re not just paying for leather, they’re paying for an experienced set of eyes and hands. It’s doubly frustrating when a collector will eagerly spend top dollar to acquire a tired glove, then reach out to me and haggle with a restoration estimate that was oftentimes a small fraction of the purchase price. I won’t even get into the pigs ear scenarios. No, it cannot be turned onto a silk purse.....

I salute Gordon for being a gentleman and taking the high road. My solution was to remove the service from my website and get on with my life. The few restorations that I do these days are for valued friends and clients who I know to be reasonable people. I wish you well, Gordon!

Btw, since I’m on a roll, I’ll mention that I spoke to Scott (a reasonable guy) last summer and would have happily done the re-lace on his JVDM, but the timing wasn’t good for me. I’m happy to hear that Gordon is jumping on it.

Be excellent to each other.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by Marckus99

Avoid this crook!

Sent him my Rawlings Model HH,
Seven weeks ago.

No glove return, no return emails, no response to texts and no return calls.

I will be reporting him to the Better Business bureau.

- Mark

So Mark, what do you have to say now?

[doug.goodman]

If Leon is reading this -

I think that a change to the thread title would be fair to the business involved.

Doug

[SyrNy1960]

Mark,

You continuously log on and read the comments. Help us understand why you refuse to post a response. It’s the right thing to do.

Tony

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Mark,

You continuously log on and read the comments. Help us understand why you refuse to post a response. It’s the right thing to do.

Tony

Because, like many people these days, Mark find's it easy to go on the internet and bitch about whatever happens to be bothering him at that moment, but when shown to be wrong, he suddenly forgets how to type, and doesn't have the balls to apologize, or even admit that he may have been overreacting.

Doug "prove me wrong, I'll change my mind" Goodman

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Because, like many people these days, Mark find's it easy to go on the internet and bitch about whatever happens to be bothering him at that moment, but when shown to be wrong, he suddenly forgets how to type, and doesn't have the balls to apologize, or even admit that he may have been overreacting.

Doug "prove me wrong, I'll change my mind" Goodman

Well, Mark started this, and he is the one who can put a final end to this. If not, then why be here anymore?

Tony

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Because, like many people these days, Mark find's it easy to go on the internet and bitch about whatever happens to be bothering him at that moment, but when shown to be wrong, he suddenly forgets how to type, and doesn't have the balls to apologize, or even admit that he may have been overreacting.

Doug "prove me wrong, I'll change my mind" Goodman

Man, you have a lot of middle names!

Rob “screw the D**gers” Greene

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

If Leon is reading this -

I think that a change to the thread title would be fair to the business involved.

Doug

Leon, I agree with this. It's been three days, he's constantly logged on, yet nothing.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by Marckus99

Avoid this crook!

Sent him my Rawlings Model HH,
Seven weeks ago.

No glove return, no return emails, no response to texts and no return calls.

I will be reporting him to the Better Business bureau.

- Mark

You are a douche.

[Michael B]

Thus

[Marckus99]

I guess I was wrong, he isn’t a crook after all.
I did receive my glove, after just forty five days.

First, although I did receive an email from Gordon, that the glove was on the way.
He did not provide tracking info. No biggie.

Second, upon receipt I noticed the name on the box was incorrect. Hmm.

Third, I originally sent the glove in a special linen bag, that was not shipped back to me. He claims it was his oversight and it would be mailed back to me. Okay, moving on.

Fourth, the glove was not re-laced correctly and as it originally was.
In fact, I can no longer fit my hand into the glove, due to the new re-lacing.

Lastly, the piping along the wrist was CUT OFF! Further, not even replaced.
The job requested was for re-lacing and clean/condition.
I neither requested nor was it discussed to cut into the glove.

See photos below.

Additionally, this is one of Rawlings iconic gloves, issued in ‘55 as a top of the line model, retail $30/32. A mint one just sold on the bay for $1243.

So Doug....ethical?

[batsballsbases]

Mark like I said I dont know you but its good that you came on and tried to set the record straight. The apology (if it was one) looks a little left handed in my opinion. Love to see some other photos of the work on the glove. Now just to be fair about the piping was it loose? Just hanging there? or was it still mostly attached? Now if it was the first two I myself probably would have cut it off. But to your point I would have contacted you first to ask if it was O.K. to do so.. Bottom line is you have your glove ,the man did what looks to be a decent job on it, BUT next time write everything down on a list for "work to be done and what not to be done" So then there is no question.. Life is short dont stress about something that is small. You of all people should know that.... Enjoy the glove...

Thankyou for the extra photos....

[perezfan]

Thanks for finally coming on, Mark...

I agree that the communication was lacking (badly). A phone call was in order, before even touching that rolled leather piping (loose or not).

And he should have checked other exemplars, regarding how to properly lace the glove. Anyone who has ever seen one of these knows that the wrist strap lacing is now incorrect.

I would be equally upset. William (Forum Member here) or Hammer Sports Relics could probably correct some of what was done incorrectly. That is, if you want to sink more money into it. Sorry to see how this went down.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Thanks for finally coming on, Mark...

I agree that the communication was lacking (badly). A phone call was in order, before even touching that rolled leather piping (loose or not).

And he should have checked other exemplars, regarding how to properly lace the glove. Anyone who has ever seen one of these knows that the wrist strap lacing is now incorrect.

I would be equally upset. William (Forum Member here) or Hammer Sports Relics could probably correct some of what was done incorrectly. That is, if you want to sink more money into it. Sorry to see how this went down.

Well said Mr Steinberg!

This is the best response I've read in this thread.

And I wish you luck going forward if you want to fix the improper re-lacing Mark...

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Marckus99

I guess I was wrong, he isn’t a crook after all.

...

Additionally, this is one of Rawlings iconic gloves, issued in ‘55 as a top of the line model, retail $30/32. A mint one just sold on the bay for $1243.

So Doug....ethical?

Thank you for responding.

I'm not sure what you mean by "So Doug....ethical?"...

Does he have ethics? I think so.

Do you have ethics? I don't know.

Do I have ethics? Yep.

Also, I'm not sure what relevance there is to the fact that a mint condition glove of the same style as yours just sold for $1243. I have a 1952 Topps Mantle with a sharpie mustache and a mint one sells for loads of money, big deal.

One look at the website for A1 tells me that the guy takes gloves that have been used until they are falling apart and repairs them so that they can be used some more. He doesn't claim to be a guy who can restore your glove to mint condition so you can sell it for $1243 on ebay.

The gentleman who owns that company probably defines "restoration" as "making an unusable glove usable" which is not what we collectors consider to be the definition.

I'll bet that he didn't even notice "special linen bag" that you sent the glove in and he probably tossed it aside without a second thought. Hopefully he can find it to send back to you.

You should still change the title of this thread, but I don't really expect that you will, but I suppose your ethics will guide you.

Doug "no witty nickname today, sorry" Goodman

[Marckus99]

Finally, I sent Gordon an email regarding the condition of the glove, missing the piping, four days ago. No response.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Marckus99

Finally, I sent Gordon an email regarding the condition of the glove, missing the piping, four days ago. No response.

Four days ago was Friday, maybe he is taking a long weekend.

It took you eight days to reply to this thread...