At the Portland Triumph club meeting the other night a letter was being circulated from a dissatisfied customer of a Texas business. I've typed in a copy of the a Hemmings ad, and this gentleman's letter. AD: STEERING wheel restoration, plastic/bakelite only, for most British/foreign sport cars, etc, can recondition most cracks, splits, etc, if we have something to work with, $100 & up, 100% satisfaction guaranteed; UPS, COD. The Parts House, 214-414-6704; FAX: 214-414-6205, TX Letter:

[1993/April/14] TO ALL TRIUMPH CLUB MEMBERS: I write to you in regards to a Triumph parts vendor who seems to take pride in the inter-state rip off of customers. In December 1992, I contacted Mr. Fabrizzi, of Fabrizzi Parts House in Garland Texas, in regards to his ad in the Hemmings Motor News. This contact was concerning the restoration assured, by Mr. Fabrizzi, that his process was excellent and satisfaction was guaranteed 100%. When the wheel was returned to me, via UPS, I was not allowed to pay by check, as had been agreed upon, but by CASH ONLY. At that point, I knew that I was about to be had. Upon opening the box, I was totally horrified to find my steering wheel covered with masking tape, putty, primer, and a very small amount of black paint from a $.98 spray can. The enclosed picture tells the horrid story. At once, I called Mr. Fabrizzi and he quickly informed me that the quality of the work was good and had been done by himself and not another employee. Since I was not satisfied with the work, Mr. Fabrizzi said that he would send me a refund immediately. Enclosed are the copies of my telephone bills showing my many attempts at trying to retrieve my $135.00. As of this date, I still have not received my monies as stated in his ad of 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. I write to you in hopes of letting your membership know how Fabrizzi Parts House does business. There should be NO place in the hobbyist/restoration field for people like this and only Triumph clubs, such as yours, can make sure they help put them out of business. I thank you for letting me inform you of this matter and and helping me inform your membership. Sincerely, Fred Thomas, Stafford VA Enclosed also were copies of his phone bill showing 15 calls to Garland TX, and picture of a TR3 wheel with spots of primer and tape all around the spokes. -- greg_meythaler@ccm.hf.intel.com

Basically, RUN DON'T WALK to the nearest exit! Rino Fabrizi has a reputation as a guy with whom few people do repeat business. I'm told that the Austin- Healey club in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area has refused to renew his membership and won't run his ads in their newsletter. The letter from the Triumph club is not an isolated case. - Dave Lapham All you said about Rino Fabrizzi (Parts House) is true and then some. -- Larry Dickstein <bugide@juno.com>

[2000/Nov/27] I have had dealings with Mr. Fabrizi. His dealings also include MG's. On 11/06/00 I sent Mr. Fabrizi a Postal money order for used but in good condition parts for my MGB. On 11/25/00 I received the parts. They all were either broken or burned out and completely unusable. I contacted him and he told me to take it up with the Post Office as the package was insured. I pointed out to him that the package had no insurance tag or insurance stamp. Obviously, there was no insurance bought. I have asked for my money to be returned and have been ignored. Am I happy with my dealings with Mr. Fabrizi, NO. Would I recommend him, NO. Mr. Fabrizi is a LIAR, a CHEAT and a THIEF. Beware, beware, beware. -- Steve Irwin <salt@softcom.net>

[2005/May/30] In October 2005, I ordered $3,177.30 worth of parts from Mr. Fabrizi. During the next month I called repeatedly to determine their delivery. About a month after the order, I was told to come and pick some of them up at the parts house located at 5040 Grisham Dr. In Rowlett, TX (75088). I was told that certain other large parts, including a floor carpet set and a canvas convertible top would be shipped direct to my home address. Eventually the carpet set did arrive, however the convertible top did not. For the next three months I would call about once a week to inquire about the top. I was repeatedly told by Mr. Fabrizi that he had called and that the supplier would expedite the completion of my top. On subsequent calls I was told by Mr. Fabrizi that he had received no word. When asked to call the supplier, time after time he said that the supplier was not available, but that the top was coming. When asked for the supplier<92>s name or phone number he refused saying that the supplier would not talk to the general public and that all contact would have to be through Mr. Fabrizi, yet when I requested him to call in either my or my son<92>s presence, he would always refuse to call. After four months of stalling, with still not top, nor any indication from Mr. Fabrizi that an order had actually been placed, I requested, via a certified letter, that my money be refunded. Mr. Fabrizi would not pick up the certified letter even when notified by telephone that it was ready for pickup. On March 6, 2006, I delivered a copy of the letter to Mr. Fabrizi in his parts house. He merely took it, tossed it aside, and left the room. On May 10, 2006, in small claims court, Judge Gerry Cooper, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Place 1, Garland, Texas, entered a judgement against Mr. Fabrizi . I still have not received a refund and will initiate further legal action.

I have been restoring antique automobiles continuously for more than 30 years and have purchased many thousands of dollars worth of parts and supplies from individuals and parts companies. I have never been stalled for a time period anything like this transaction, nor have I ever encountered anyone in the parts business before that simply would not deliver a purchase, explain the problem, nor refund the money. -- "Forrest A. Garb" <forrest@garbenergy.com>

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