The BRJ Black Friday Thread (Only for updates for/by customers.)[Ad Free]

electriceye

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I'm missing something here. Has ANYONE filed a legal claim against Junior? If not, why the hell not? I see everyone saying they're going to give him a piece of their mind, etc. But if there are no legal judgments against him, then you're sort of SOL.
 

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SpaceDock

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^ I have been having a bitch of a time with it. I called Hesperia, they said call local, called local they said call jurisdiction I was in when I paid, called old town PD and they have kept me in a shuffle between fraud specialists and detectives. So no official charges yet, but in the works.

Anyone who got screwed...get on it now! This definitely takes time, but all the police I have talked to say it is a solid case of fraud and that the emails/pics of guitars with Jr are excellent evidence. It is a matter of getting everything into the correct hands. Our bureaucracy is insane!
 

electriceye

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^ I have been having a bitch of a time with it. I called Hesperia, they said call local, called local they said call jurisdiction I was in when I paid, called old town PD and they have kept me in a shuffle between fraud specialists and detectives. So no official charges yet, but in the works.

Anyone who got screwed...get on it now! This definitely takes time, but all the police I have talked to say it is a solid case of fraud and that the emails/pics of guitars with Jr are excellent evidence. It is a matter of getting everything into the correct hands. Our bureaucracy is insane!

But besides criminal charges, what about civil suits? Has no one bothered to file a claim against him?? No wonder he's able to jump right back into business. No one actually went after him for the money. :wallbash::scratch:
 

MetalThrasher

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This is F ing unreal the shit he is pulling right now. I haven't been active here for a while due to fishing big tournaments all summer but I log on today and see this nonsense. SpaceDock, I will be sending you a PM shortly and thanks for your actions trying to get our guitars or money back. I am one of the many people that paid in full and didn't get crap.
 

MatrixClaw

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Just checking in and reading some newer posts, as I often do, just to keep up with things. Can't believe this SoCal / Gearhounds crap. WTF???

How more shady can Bernie get at this point? Disgusting.

Even more interesting is that I noticed BRJ has updated their website since the last time I checked and is actually using a photo of my guitar on their website, without permission from me to use it. I'm no copyright expert, but I'm pretty sure it's illegal for them to use my photo as their own, as I can prove I was the photographer and have never released my copyright for their use. I also noticed they're actually using photos watermarked by BoogieStreet...

I think, if anything, these violations are enough to contact the website provider (GoDaddy) and have their website taken down, so that no one can contact them. I can't seem to find their Facebook anymore, or Bernie's personal one, so I'm assuming they've deleted those, as well?
 

Tesla

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Been a bit busy lately so haven't managed to catch up on the latest. Can someone quickly fill me in on what's going on now please?
 

stevexc

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Been a bit busy lately so haven't managed to catch up on the latest. Can someone quickly fill me in on what's going on now please?

The latest is that BRJ has resurfaced, working with a company (SoCal Guitars) that appears to be, for all intents and purposes, GearHounds with another name. He's apparently putting out new guitars with/through them without addressing the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of undelivered goods.
 

Larrikin666

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Since this is a niche forum, I started a group on Facebook as well. I'm going to use it to house any and all documents people want to put forward as James works with the California Attorney General.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/794673537222033/

We need to get anyone and everyone who this affects in this group. I'm not going to tolerate people coming into the group to defend Bernie. The group isn't meant for that.
 

crg123

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Even more interesting is that I noticed BRJ has updated their website since the last time I checked and is actually using a photo of my guitar on their website, without permission from me to use it. I'm no copyright expert, but I'm pretty sure it's illegal for them to use my photo as their own, as I can prove I was the photographer and have never released my copyright for their use. I also noticed they're actually using photos watermarked by BoogieStreet...

Yea they used my photographs of my friend's guitar as well. That's the least annoying thing this guy has done though. I hope all of you can get your money back.

bfbd8b11cbf74a6930328499e2da4413
 

Khoi

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haven't checked the thread in a while, but I PMed you SpaceDock and joined the Facebook group
 

leonardo7

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Hey guys, how do we actually know that Bernie is back in business here? I believe it but before I get all excited Im curious to know where the proof is. Did he straight up make a statement or has someone said that he started a new business?
 

crg123

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This is the source people are refering to if you're curious: https://www.facebook.com/TheSocalGuitarCompany/info

About
The Socal Guitar Company is southern California new premier custom guitar shop.

Description
Southern California is now home to one the premier diverse guitar building facilities and retail outlet "The SoCal Guitar Company." “A company that is as diverse as the California lifestyle”. This is a joint venture which combines one of Southern California leading online and local retail dealers and Bernie Rico Jr. This joint venture will not only enable access to some of the music industry’s best high end custom guitars but also access to some of the industries high end quality products previously provided by the parties involved. Our commitment will be to not only customer satisfaction but to respect the legacy that was built by the three generations of Rico family guitar luthier’s. Many of the archives and history of the Rico family will be on display at the Southern California location to honor the legacy of the great guitar builders which will give you the player and fans a chance to view, touch and feel not only the history, but a chance to play and see the quality of the existing and new “Bernie Rico Jr” and “The SoCal Guitar Company’s” lines coming.

LIVE LOUD AND PROUD!
The Socal Guitar Company
 

leonardo7

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This is the source people are refering to if you're curious: https://www.facebook.com/TheSocalGuitarCompany/info

Wow OK. I find it quite odd that he would "come out" like this! Some investigating needs to be done.

So are they using his name because he's actually involved helping them finish those 200+ guitars? And then they are going to sell them?

Or are they using his name because he's now involved directly with building NEW guitars for them? And they are going to sell them?

Or is Bernie not involved and they are just using Bernie's name because they have the 200+ unfinished guitars started by his company? And they are finishing them without his help and then they are going to sell them?
 

Larrikin666

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Wow OK. I find it quite odd that he would "come out" like this! Some investigating needs to be done.

So are they using his name because he's actually involved helping them finish those 200+ guitars? And then they are going to sell them?

Or are they using his name because he's now involved directly with building NEW guitars for them? And they are going to sell them?

Or is Bernie not involved and they are just using Bernie's name because they have the 200+ unfinished guitars started by his company? And they are finishing them without his help and then they are going to sell them?

It doesn't matter how he is involved to be honest. The fact that he has any association with this company makes it suspect. He's resurfaced a bit, so that's the driving force behind all the activity here.
 

leonardo7

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It doesn't matter how he is involved to be honest. The fact that he has any association with this company makes it suspect. He's resurfaced a bit, so that's the driving force behind all the activity here.

I know but Im jumping a few steps ahead, as I always do! Thats exactly what Im saying, it makes it "suspect", but doesnt catch him red handed! If your going to go after him in court then it would be good to know to what extent he is involved. I mean what if those assholes just claim that they legally bought all of the guitars from a third party and there is no paper work or evidence involving Bernie's association aside from his name being used? I do believe that he is behind this, its obvious. But obvious isnt proof. I hope someone get's busted. Dont hesitate guys! get on this immediately
 

Larrikin666

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We're not going after SoCal guitar company. We'll be filing against Bernie himself. We are also, however, leaving review on the SoCal page warning people about Bernie's reputation.

1. If Bernie is building new guitars for them, people need to know about what he's done in the past.
2. If they are finishing old builds and selling them, people need to be aware of this who paid previously so they can ensure they don't sell their slot/guitar to someone new.
 

mikernaut

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Joined the facebook group. I also have some more WIP pics of various guitars from his shop that I can post up when he sent me a couple shots of my rebuild. Not sure if anybody else might spot one of their guitars in these pics.
 

SpaceDock

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Guys, file asap and get the ball moving.

If you look at the for sale ads on the SoCal website, they call out new custom runs and are trying to sell partially finished guitars all over again. No way can he get away with this again.
 


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