Recently, I took my Segway to Jim Heldberg, proprietor of this establishment.
My Segway is a custom job with a blue anodized paint job and custom chrome wheels and tires. I also brought in some standard Segway equipment; the original tires and wheels, the original handlebar, an aftermarket light and other stock equipment.
Jim and I talked about the options for selling all of this. Jim suggested that the Segway be sold on consignment. He would broker the deal and take 20%. He suggested that he could sell it for $3695. A very specific figure. In any event, I agreed.
As for the other equipment, Jim thought he might want to offer $300, but he wanted to talk with his partner first. Again, I agreed.
Time passed and eventually I heard from Jim. He sold my Segway, and for exactly the price he thought he could get. How astonishing. Jim said he would mail me my check, not that afternoon, but soon.
A week passed and no check. I called Jim and asked about it. He replied that he didn't have my address. I had written it down for him while I was at his shop, but fine, whatever. I told him I would come down to collect it the next day.
The next day, today as it happens, I drive down. I walk in the shop and Jim's partner is there. Jim is out at the post office but my check is waiting in an envelope. Jim's partner has one of those 'can't look you in the eye, smells a dead racoon' dishonest kind of looks and immediately I begin to smell a rat, myself.
Though Jim stated he had forgotten what my address is, it's written plain as day on the check envelope. I begin to smell more rats. The figure on the check is the amount minus 20% of the sale price, as expected. But no mention of the other equipment I had brought to sell, and no sign of it in the store. I sit down to wait for Jim.
"Oh, I thought this was all included" Jim said when he returned.
Mind you, he had written everything down on that first day. $3695 - 20%, $300 for the equipment. Now that piece of paper was lost and Jim was playing the befuddled old gentleman.
After much argument he gave me a hundred dollar bill out of a wallet filled with more hundred dollar bills for the rest of the equipment I had brought. Brand new bills, too. Jim's partner wouldn't look at me at all as I walked out.
Jim told me that he used to be a yacht salesman, but in my opinion, he is the stereotypical used car salesman, with all that implies.
The reviews of the tours given at this place are probably true. I'm sure a tour here is fun. Also, you can't get rooked too bad buying a new Segway. You pay the new price and that's it, pretty much. But I'm telling you now, if you try to do any other kind of business with Jim Heldberg, keep my experience in mind. read more