Third Shift Studios; Jaison Tortorea Sold Substandard Aftermarket Emblems for my Car Columbus Ohio

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:



I called your 1-800-PMCARES number today, upon the advice of my Pontiac dealership. Please see the e-mail below and attached supporting documentation.



I recently had an extremely negative experience with a rather large purchase made from Third Shift Studios who purports to be a GM Certified Licensed Manufacturer/Distributor of GM Licensed aftermarket emblems.



I really thin GM needs to monitor/check on/investigate Third Shift Studios. The owner is Jaison Tortorea.



I placed my first order with TSS last year and it took over 4 months to receive my emblems. I was pleased with my purchases and placed a second order in October 2008. I kept placing orders for additional items until November 14, 2008. That is the day I paid for my last purchase, 105.00 for a Pontiac G8 Dart and an ashtray insert, essentially a custom plate made of red and chrome acrylic.



I waited and waited and waited. Finally 7 months later I received my order. TSS is a sponsor on the LS1.com board. Basically, TSS is an emblem broker. He does not make or manufacture any of the things he sells. He has various "Production Guys" in various states. I know for a fact that according to GM guidelines for these licensed vendors he is circumventing the required criteria.



I had a complaint against TSS and received no effective response from him by e-mail. When I finally lost my temper and sent an irate e-mail requesting that G8 Dart and the Ashtray over lay TSS did send me a $100.00 refund by PayPal; which, did not cover the shipping or the PayPal fees.



When I received the balance of my order I was beyond furious. These items are supposed to be eel and press. They are supposed to come with pre-applied 3M tape that meets GM standards. I tried to install the mirror visor overlays; which, cost me $90.00/each plus $5.00 shipping; and, there was a full inch of the adhesive tape missing from one of them. So I had to fix that before the install. I tried to install the hatchback emblem which cost $750.00 plus $5.00 shipping; and, it would not adhere to the hatchback. I tried everything including 90% electronic grade IPA. Finally, I bought some Ultra Thin Low Platform Velcro; and, was able to make that adhere to the hatchback.



The Trans Am lettering and birds I ordered in black/red/white for my doorsills was sent as free lettering and was not masked. Would have taken me hours and a caliper to get that installed on the door sills.



The smooth locks with bird designs were unmarked for placement and I did not receive 4 of one diameter ; which, were to fit the door locks and t-top locks (they are the same diameter).



After installed on the car exterior for approximately 6 weeks, the chrome acrylic birds ($45.000/pair plus $5.00 shipping )and the black acrylic /ram Air lettering ($35.00/pair plus $5.00 shipping) basically crumbled in my hands when I was detailing my 2002 WS6 Trans Am.



Finally, I became so infuriated and frustrated at the response that I filed a complaint on the sponsor feedback forum of the LS1.com board. This process is still on going. It would appear that he is going to give me back the 181.00 plus the PayPal fees I have requested. This includes that overblown shipping of $5.00 when I clearly received an box labeled $,80 USPS Priority Mail, $56.00 for Smooth locks I had sent to TSS for design, and $80.00 for the designing.



All of this is on the LS1.com forum. At this time the moderators have disallowed anyone from entering the forum until this is resolved between TSS and myself. This was the most unbelievable assault launched. TSS gather all these resellers who defended him. At that time I remained silent and listened and gathered more information for this complaint I am filing with you now.



I want you to know TSS has sent me the following message from the forum:





http://www.ls1.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1967378



[QUOTE=third_shift|studios;1967378]I will make 1 final pass at this.



I will pay you the $181. Before which, you will receive a letter to be signed by you outlining an agreement that in exchange for the refund you will no longer seek further refunds nor continue bashing us publicly/privately, as well as withdraw any claims against my company with GM.[/QUOTE]



I will accept the refund because that is what is owed to me. I expect that you will include the appropriate fees required by PayPal when you send me this refund.



My smooth locks were replaced gratis by another vendor the one's your partner has are not required.



I also sent your terms to my personal attorney. He has advised me that it is innocuous. FAX IT-847-283-0684.



I have contacted an attorney who has informed me that this is 100%

innocuous and ridiculous. I mean look at his words. He thinks he can control my private conversations. He thinks he can stop me from filing a complaint, a well deserved complaint, with GM. I have no intention of laying a claim to any money that is not owed to me or that I do not deserve. Believe me I could have asked for the entire thing.



I want you to know that I have an extensive e-mail trail to validate what I am asserting. The merchandise I received was substandard. I have kept a record of every single transaction and have PayPal receipts.



Non of this merchandise carries a GM seal/label bearing TSS's license number. I also know he recently violated GM copyright when he made a head plate for member NHRA-Trans-Am. No one would touch his request except TSS. TSS was willing to violate GM copyright to make the money for that head plate which bears the NHRA insignia. See attached pic.



I have attached a copy of Third Shift Studios (TSS's) home page. See the GM Certification/license and # LOGO. You have got to know that none of the people he is using to produce these emblems has any of the required paperwork. He has used sandmanws7 from LS1.com, from Dallas, TX whose true identity is Guadalupe Jasso, Dallas, TX who I sent those smooth locks to. And now he claims a new manufacturer Team Solstice who do work for the TV series Bull run.



I am going to attach a copy of this long long e-mail trail from the complaint on the forum as well. This is just a portion of the communications I have saved.



Additionally, TSS is also linked to Afterthoughtsauto (www.afterthoughtsauto.com).. This web-search will also show you a number of other resellers he is connected to:



http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Anac1iVlPn2gfwn_kI1hB8GmN3wV?p=third+shift+studios&fr=att-portal&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8





I posted this in my complaint process as well:



Regarding all the innuendo and veiled threats revolving around GM CERTIFICATION/licensing:

All of TSS'S production companies must sign a paper with him, that they are allowed to produce parts that he authorizes them to make.

So has that been done by you TSS?

This paper must be sent to GM as a record, so they know who is making the pieces.

So has that been done by you TSS?

Also anyone selling a part from a GM manufacturer must post in their site that it is produced with permission from that person, and display their logo.

Does Afterthoughts always do this? Do the other resellers who have stepped up to defend you always do this? It would appear as f all are culpable of infractions with regard to this criteria.

Any GM items on a site, not saying they are licensed probably are not.

And so how many of TSS's resellers have violated this policy as well?

You are trying to shut me up. You can refund my money but you cannot buy my silence.



This infuriated TSS and his resellers. They tried to intimidate me; but, there was no way I would cave or give up any ground.



Now I am writing to you to ask you to please investigate TSS or pass my request onto the appropriate people within GM who will investigate Third Shift Studios.



That business about signing an innocuous agreement was the straw that broke the /camel's back, so to speak. How dare he imply he can monitor my private conversations in the future or hold me responsible for any negative remarks made about TSS. That would be impossible when this entire scenario went public.



Please review this and please consider my request and investigate Third Shift Studios. I know that the moment I file this request it is no longer within my control. It is up to GM to follow through. Please, please read his own words regarding that document he expects me to sign; and, please recognize he is fearful of a GM investigation.



Thank you for taking the time to read my request.



Alpha-Omega
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.