Jim and Pete: Con men extraordinaire -- Prosecution, Steel City...

Batman and Robin, Starsky and Hutch, Lone Ranger and Tonto. And then there are diabolical duos -- Butch and Sundance, Bonnie and Clyde .

[Karen]

Greg,

Why haven't you taken on Home Depot and Lowe's complicity in this ongoing scheme by demanding that they trespass these criminals from their properties? They should identify them, trespass them, and post pictures of them at the front doors warning people.

[Burning]

Meanwhile, the robed sages in Tallahassee fiddle on.

Glad you're there, Greg, but you can do only so much.

[A legitimate contractor]

What myself and my fellow contractors would really like it to have this type of fraud a serious felony. The Construction Industry Licensing Board does nothing when our license is fraudulently used to acquire work/permits. The sheriff's departments will take reports, but nothing happens. Meanwhile, my license is out there getting a bad name.

The police departments consider this a civil thing until there are dozens of victims or tens of thousands of dollars.$60K seems to be the limit in Brevard, I don't know if there is a limit in Seminole, but I know 7 victims and $140K didn't garner even a return phone call from the fraud division two years ago.

Orange County goes through the motions, but nothing happens and Volusia County considers it a civil matter and won't even respond.

[Legitimate Sales Rep]

When I read over-and-over again about guys like Jim and Pete, two things come to mind:

1. These type of people thrive for one reason and one reason only, they find suckers who want to believe they can find equal value for mucher lower dollars.

After they "cut the deal", they dislocate each shoulder trying to pat themselves on the back. They laugh at neighbors who paid a "lot more than they necessary for the same amount work".

Then when they get ripped, they're seen on TV sgedding huge, huge crockodile tears.

2. The authorities do little to thwart such scam artists. What they do is a crime, but even repeat offenders are never treated as felons. Few sanctions are imposed. For phony contractors, crime does indeed "pay". Many make far more money at their craft that a legitimate vendor.

[Metts Hater]

Legitimate Sales Rep wrote:

When I read over-and-over again about guys like Jim and Pete, two things come to mind:
1. These type of people thrive for one reason and one reason only, they find suckers who want to believe they can find equal value for mucher lower dollars.
After they "cut the deal", they dislocate each shoulder trying to pat themselves on the back. They laugh at neighbors who paid a "lot more than they necessary for the same amount work".
Then when they get ripped, they're seen on TV sgedding huge, huge crockodile tears.
2. The authorities do little to thwart such scam artists. What they do is a crime, but even repeat offenders are never treated as felons. Few sanctions are imposed. For phony contractors, crime does indeed "pay". Many make far more money at their craft that a legitimate vendor.

Not always true. I was not trying to save money when I met Metts. I just needed a general handyman to do severl different types of cosmetic jobs inside my home. I understand that quality work takes time, and that time costs money. I am happy to pay for it.

I have not been on TV yet. If I catch up to Jim Metts in person, THEN you may see me on the local evening news.

[Hobert]

For the most part, not in every single instance but for the most part, people who get conned are looking to get the unbelievable deal.
Whether it's the foriegn lottery scam, the Nigerian inheritance scheme or the walk-up (wanna-be) contractor deal of a lifetime - it's all the same. People who get taken (again, not all, but most) want the most they can possibly get, for the least possible cost/effort/work. If you need a contractor, handyman or repair person, talk to your friends and co-workers. Also, ask for references, call the references and investigate their worked. Caviat Emptor is the rule

[Gloom and Doom]

Sounds like something illegal Mexicans would do. Catch them and lock them up.

[cmed]

This sounds like an organized scheme to defraud. That is a third degree felony, punishable by up to five (5) years in prison. OCSO and OPD: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?

[Over This]

God Bless Grag Dawson and his column for putting these rats names out there! Before ANY work is done on my home, I research the potential companies, and quite honestly, if something shounds too good to be true, I don't bite!

[F Gump]

Steel ..........City Contracting

All that and spelling challenged too

[FSM]

Gloom and Doom wrote:

Sounds like something illegal Mexicans would do. Catch them and lock them up.

Yeah, Jim and Pete sound like they just swam across the river. And everyone has heard of the famous Mexican cartoon, "Speedy Metts."

Enlightening response, as always.

[CAMACHO]

I'VE ALSO BEEN SCAMMED BY PETER SPAZIANO AND HAVE FILED CIVIL COURT PAPERS AND HE HAS YET TO SHOW UP.....STILL WAITING FOR MY MONEY...THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE.

[seeking spaziano]

I too find myself a vicitm of Peter Phillip Spaziano of lakeland fla, anyone want to go for a drive??

[Mr Perfect]

I am a Handyman. I don't advertise or seek work. Don't do much of it anymore as I don't see it as a big moneymaker. BUT! If someone that does not have license. or even if they do! Should be able to tell you how much you could be spending. They also should not be trusted if they ask for one dime from you without being done. There are examples as to how you could spend before work is complete. If the person goes and buys supplies and returns with those supplies and hands you a receipt (a real one) you should reimburse the receipt amount only. You should pay only when the work is complete,, AND you are satisfied! And there is no other right way to do it. But because there are so many scumbags out there. A guy like me ends up chargeing next to nothing for the time I have to spend completeing a job. You have to think of them like a prostitute. You are not paying for them to do the job. You are paying them to leave when your satisfied.