Everything was fine until I walked through their front door.
I googled for a local store that had specific brand of frames, Mykita. The search results showed that Specs Appeal on Grand Ave in St Paul had them advertised on their web site, but when I get there and asked about them, they said they didn't have any. So I was like, oh great, a "bait and switch", and the oldest marketing trick in the book. I don't recall if I said "bait and switch" out loud, but I may have. I'm sure they at least got an eye roll because that's really annoying to me.
I was already there and so I looked around a little. They had some really weird frames in their selection. I might rather walk around blind than walk around in those things. I was joking about them to the clerk. "Hey, these frames would be perfect for work! .......... if I was a rodeo clown."
Well it seems that they are very sensitive about their inventory because they didn't think that I was funny at all. I got a blank stare and I left. I think I said that they should update their web site on the way out, but there was nothing confrontational at all.
Then I got a mile and a half down the road, in the alley ready to park in the garage when I get pulled over!!! Then 3 more cars pull up and surround me! What the ????
The police interrogated me over 4 pair of what must be extremely expensive frames because it was a full felony stop. They threw me into the back of a squad car (those back seats are awfully uncomfortable, I'm used to BMWs). The police detained me, searched me, questioned me for about 30-45 minutes, and tore my BMW apart looking for glasses. Of course they didn't find them. Meanwhile, my neighbors and family are seeing this and wondering what I must have done. Embarrassing to say the least.
Now I have a lot of respect for the police, what would we do without them? I'm glad they are out there, but a lot has been going wrong lately in the twin cities on what should be routine (Jamal Clark, Philando Castile, Justine Ruszczyk). Being the subject of a felony stop is not a position you want to be in. Its extremely dangerous and its a good thing I was cooperative, didn't reach for my id too quickly, and no one startled them with a mystery loud noise. Things can always go south quickly with tensions running high. I'm very angry and upset that I was put in that situation by Specs Appeal. Why?
SWATTING is the only logical explanation I can come up with.
In my opinion, SWATTING someone is an extremely dangerous and foolish thing to do. The FBI reports that there are roughly 400 swatting attacks each year of varying severity. Its a disgusting act of down-right cowardice and can get someone killed. It's a very traumatic experience for the victim, and a drain on police resources who could be out there chasing real criminals.
I later sent a not so very nice email to info@specsappealmn.com. No threats, and it was directed at the business, not to a specific individual. I demanded some answers, and that my name be cleared but got no acceptable responses so I sent a few more emails.
All I asked them for was an apology and an explanation, why is that a big deal?
Well finally, I got an email about my complaint, but it came from the St Paul police! (Email attached as image). Incredible! Why is "Officer IshallNotNameAtThisTime" from the St Paul police dept getting involved in a consumer complaint!? She doesnt even accuse me of threats or anything in her email, she just thinks 6 emails inquiring about about a swatting incident is "Harassment".
That's clearly a stretch. It looks to me like Specs Appeal is using the St Paul police department as their proxy to attack people they dont like. Quash all criticism. The email from police was clearly an attempt to get me to STFU about this incident. No due process, "Officer IshallNotNameAtThisTime" just decrees her own brand of restraining orders I guess.
I stopped emailing them for an explanation and took to Yelp instead. Its obvious they refuse to clear my name in writing but why not?
Where's your video surveillance Specs Appeal? An "upscale" frames boutique with no security cams? I find that hard to believe.
Where are the missing frames Specs Appeal? 6 cops searched me and found nothing.
Where is any evidence at all Specs Appeal?? You have none because there is none.
Why didn't you clear my name when I asked instead of calling the police on me ..... again?
Something like, "Dear Jonathan, We understand you had a bad experience after visiting Specs Appeal. We are no longer accusing you of felony theft from us. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. "
That would have been something I could have used to clear my name and reputation to my now x-wife and former neighbors
Will Specs Appeal now call 911 again to report a negative Yelp report to the St Paul Police Department?
My advice to the general public: Stay away from Specs Appeal. Stay far far away. read more
