Pocono News Section

Scam Artist Cons Auto Body Shop Owners

Scam Artist Cons Auto Body Shop Owners - Monday, April 28, 2008 at 5:10PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Monday, Apr 28, 2008 @ 05:10pm EST
Mifflinburg, Union County-

Police say the owners of two auto body repair shops were scammed by a company from Wilkes-Barre. The owners of those shops were ordering booths to paint cars. Neither got what they bargained for. And they fear more victims may be out there.

Dave Swartzlander runs C. P.R. Automotive in Mifflinburg. He moved his company to its current location about four years ago. He decided to order a new paint booth, mixing room, and prep station to compliment the existing one at his shop.

Swartzlander says he signed a contract and made two down payments totaling over $30,000, roughly half of the total bill, to Boltek International. He explained, "Once I had paid that I haven't heard from them only a few times, and recently I haven't heard anything from them."

Swartzlander says he's had no luck getting his booth and now he just wants his money back. "I would be happy to get reimbursed what's entitled to me," he added.

The owners of BZ Motors in Lewisburg also placed an order for a paint booth with Boltek International.

Same basic story, except after much wrangling, they got the booth delivered, but had to install themselves. Company reps say it ended up costing them a lot more than they first thought.

Dave Swartzlander calls it a lesson learned. He says he'll be much more careful in the future. "It makes you wiser dealing with vendors and other people for that matter. Will I ever make another purchase? Probably, but I'll be very skeptical about it."

Both telephone numbers listed on Boltek International's website have been disconnected. State Police at Milton are asking anyone else who may have had dealings with Boltek International to give them a call. That number is 570-524-2662.