Eli (aka Ilir Pilaj; aka TuningEuros; aka TuningEuros.com) - A bumper lip saga (theft, stolen money)

[danewilson77]

Here is a pic of the "thief," so you can visualize him as you read it.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Funny/34895_414895262084_572417084_5068801_1858021_n.jpg

Myself and Bullfrogs///M3 (Jeremiah) purchased a bumper lip for our M Tech II bumper, about 3 months ago. What we received was an ///M3 bumper lip (wrong). We both immediately contacted Eli (Ilir Pilaj), and he informed us, that if we shipped it back, he would refund our money, once we told him what the shipment tracking number was. He sent me a shipping label, and off went the lip...back to California. I of course gave him the shipping tracking number.

Initially he responded to my emails and seemed cordial. Since then, It has been 2.5 months. No money. No word. He has not responded to any of my recent emails (last 6 weeks). ELi....has gone dark.

This is where I am at...getting my money back from Eli. UPS is investigating. NFCU is investigating.

I don't think Paypal will get involved...because the initial payment transaction...actually was completed as prescribed....just with me getting the wrong lip.

I was able to reach the warehouse (www.optionimports.com) via email today. Mike (with sales) told me that since they (optionimports) had received the bumper back, and refunded Eli the money...that I had to take it up with him. I am now awaiting response to my most recent email, sent to optionimports regarding a good way to contact Eli.

If you see Eli floating around somewhere....tell him I'm looking for him...and whatever you do....don't trust him.

I am PMing him a link to this post. Maybe he can respond...

And for the record...as soon as Jeremiah and myself are refunded the money....I will delete this thread.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

So, you ordered a bumper. He shipped a lip instead. You returned lip.

Did he ever say that he would ship the right bumper to you?

Also, since the warehouse actually gave the money back to Eli (for your lip), he simply has your money at this point. He has a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=572417084

Ray (Smilez) is a Facebook friend of his. Perhaps Ray can hit him up, too, to find out what happened.

[danewilson77]

No...I ordered MT II lip...and got ///M3 lip. First sentence...Boss.

Thanks for the Facebook link.

[danewilson77]

Damn...I'm sure I can trust him....now that I see his picture on Facebook. Pisses me off. The kid looks like he's 19, and he's got my money.

You know Boss. I try to do the right thing....all the time. Help people out.......go outta my way for people....and then you have some....who completely make me wanna turn into something I don't wanna be? You wanna know what that is? A lethal ninja weapon. You know I can't put my hands in my pockets. Why? Because I don't carry a concealed weapons permit.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Got it. A lip for the M Tech II bumper.

I think he might be 19, DW. I think he once said that. File a police report. That might also get his attention. Now that you know he got a refund for the lip (and didn't pass it on to you), he has a legal issue.

[Hornung418]

Looks like douchebag scum to me. Glad I didn't order anything from him. Good luck with this kid, DW and Jeremiah.

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

DW, you might want to hit up other forums with this information too. He may have done this to others.

[danewilson77]

Got it. A lip for the M Tech II bumper.

I think he might be 19, DW. I think he once said that. File a police report. That might also get his attention. Now that you know he got a refund for the lip (and didn't pass it on to you), he has a legal issue.

Copy Boss.


Looks like douchebag scum, to me. Glad I didn't order anything from him. Good luck with this kid, DW and Jeremiah.

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

Thanks Justin.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

And be sure to copy the thread title. Good Google title.

[danewilson77]

Added pic..to make it more "personal"

[billschusteriv]

This sucks. I remember discussing this with you when I came down with the e30 and did C&C.

Let us know what other forums you post this on...so we can keep our eyes on the threads.

Keep us updated on the investigations and police report...

BlackBerry. Tapatalk.

[mimalmo]

It's guys like this that give us Eli's a bad name.

[danewilson77]

This sucks. I remember discussing this with you when I came down with the e30 and did C&C.

Let us know what other forums you post this on...so we can keep our eyes on the threads.

Keep us updated on the investigations and police report...

BlackBerry. Tapatalk.

Copy. I only posted on BMWMafia additionally.


It's guys like this that give us Eli's a bad name.

:rofl

[danewilson77]

Ahhh...look at this email I received at 2000 tonight.

"Hey Dane,
My sincerest apologies for not hearing from me. It's not that I have forgotten about you, it's been a long story and I'm ashamed to admit it but I tried opening up the company with a partner and well basically he screwed me over. He cleaned out the company account took all the money and ran and I been so busy fighting legal battles wit him as it was a joint account. What I'm doing now so it's fair to all my clients is I opened up a pool account and are depositing/saving up little by little of my own money to pay everyone back. I'm sorry I been out of touch guess I felt ashamed to admit I got taken advantage of but guess you don't know who to trust anymore. I have not forgotten about you and I will get you your money back it will take same time as I have to same up from my own money to pay costumers back and it's a large sum but you will get it back. I hope you understand and I'm sorry. Eli"

Again....I will delete the thread when the money is paypal'd to me and Jeremiah.

[ZSP-Mafia]

Sorry to hear about this Dane. Has anyone heard from Ray recently?

[Oli77]

In less than 2 hours! Word gets around fast around this internet world we live in!

Sounds that you and Jeremiah will get your money back.

[Johnmadd]

If this guy is truly dealing with his ex-partner legally, you should get everyone that got ripped off to jump in and on the lawsuit, if there actually is one.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Even if that happened with Eli, he'll need to come out of pocket with some guys. You don't screw over guys like Dane and Jeremiah who were nothing but good to him.

And Google is already working. Tuningeuros yields a result that I would not like.

[Oli77]

I might be too optimistic, your right Spencer.

[Hornung418]

No it doesn't. Sounds like a stupid excuse to me!

Good luck guys

+1
Typical, sympathize with me cause I'm going through the same thing as you, BS.

RootedDROIDXstatus. Come at me, bro.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yeah. I didn't see anything in Eli's message that said he would be paying them back. Just excuses as to what happened (allegedly) and why money won't be forthcoming.

[Oli77]

"I will get you your money back"

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Oli, true. I just saw the words. Nothing in the message that made me think that it will actually happen, though. Just pie in the sky. My guess is that this thread will never be deleted.

[danewilson77]

Oli, true. I just saw the words. Nothing in the message that made me think that it will actually happen, though. Just pie in the sky. My guess is that this thread will never be deleted.

Damn.....I'm gonna have faith in Eli...other than being responsible...that we are getting our money back. Full to the rim with grace.

In one week....I will file a police report.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

DW, good idea.

[bullfrogs_M3]

Received the same email as Dane, last night when I got off my flight coming home. Just kinda glanced at it and said "whatever" and went on with my life. Not the first time i've gotten screwed over. Surely won't be the last. I think I would actually feel better if the communication went completely dead so I could truly forget about the whole mess.

[Smilez]

i'm trying to get a hold of him.

[kpro]

I'm sorry you're still having trouble with Eli, I was never contacted back about my situation with him either...You are the last one who deserves to be screwed over, you put your EVERYTHING into this place and being here for our community of members. I hope it turns out in your favor and you're paid back the money you're owed.

I remember when first dealing with this kid that he basically begged for me to buy the bumper from him over somewhere else...should have been my red flag, but I just wanted to help him out at the same time.

[danewilson77]

Most recent email from warehouse...optionimports....confirming they did receive bumper back...

"Hi Dane, Of course you can deal with us directly if you'd like. Are you a forum advertiser or a shop? We did receive the lip back at our location.We are not allowed to release financial information about our customers, but all we can say is that he was responsible for the round trip shipping which is about the same as the cost of the part. Thank You, Sales Team"

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

For the record, ZHPMafia.com never received any compensation for the sales of these parts, either. Eli completely screwed the entire enterprise.

By the way, our thread on Ilir Pilaj now is number one on Google (http://tinyurl.com/67soyhm). Even Facebook can't keep up with us.

[danewilson77]

Werd! Thanks for the footprint Boss.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

No problem. It helps that the Google bot lives on our site. I should charge it rent.

[danewilson77]

No problem. It helps that the Google bot lives on our site. I should charge it rent.

Hehe.

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[danewilson77]

Bump. ;o(

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Bump. ;o(

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Sadly, this thread will likely live forever.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

[danewilson77]

Sadly, this thread will likely live forever.


iPad. Tapatalk. Bi-winning.

Yup.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[mimalmo]

It shouldn't take this long for him to make it right.

[danewilson77]

It shouldn't take this long for him to make it right.

Yup. That's why I think he's skating.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[mimalmo]

Startin' Up a Posse

[danewilson77]

Startin' Up a Posse

I helped start the site, and endorsed this dirt bag, and I feel bad for Jeremiah more so than myself. Almost $500 between the two of us....no telling how much and who else.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Smilez]

i never got a response from him either :-/

[danewilson77]

i never got a response from him either :-/

Thanks for trying Ray.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[bullfrogs_M3]

I am in communication with him as of the last few days. I will follow up here, once I get some more information to pass along.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Jeremiah, let us know how it turns out.

[danewilson77]

Bump.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Unfortunately, "Ilir Pilaj" now results in three threads (on Google) that highlight the trouble.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

If you guys end up having to file a police report, and need Eli's address, you can always get the information by going to network solutions (http://www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/tuningeuros.com) and looking up the domain information for tuningeuros.com.

Dane, you'll need that information.

[danewilson77]

OK...got it.

Tuning Euros Inc
ipilaj88@gmail.com
7032 4th Ave D2
Brooklyn, NY 11209
US
Phone: 7185010829

[danewilson77]

Bump

[mimalmo]

I can't believe he's not stepping up to take care of this yet.

[danewilson77]

I can't believe he's not stepping up to take care of this yet.

Yup...me neither.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

And his situation is not helped by our Google strength. "Tuningeuros" now puts this thread at the top of the Google search, ahead of the tuningeuros Web site.

[danewilson77]

Latest from the warehouse....confirming they did receive the lip back.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/SalesTeamMsg-1.jpg

[Smilez]

pretty sad actually, he seemed better than this for the time i've known him.

[pleasecorrupt]

All I remember is defending him once when someone was looking for him and asking where he was... -_-

[billschusteriv]

Sad not to see positive progress on this one. Thanks for the updates guys.

[MrEnigma330i]

Holy hell, just read through that thread. That is screwed up! I can't believe something like this happened. I mean I know it HAPPENS but, everyone on these forums always seems like a tight knit group. Everyone is always helping each other and it almost feels like a family. When one of us gets screwed over, it feels like we ALL get screwed over.
Think anyone over in that area thats a BFc member or a ZHPM member would go there and give him a big WTF?

[danewilson77]

The latest from my bank.....will keep you guys updated.

"Subject: bumper lip investigation Navy Federal Response 07/25/2011 : Thank you for updating us on your dispute claim. We can attempt to assist you; however, we cannot guarantee a favorable outcome. At this time, we have reversed the transactions totaling $235.00 and sent the charges back to the merchant's bank. Credits will appear as Account Adjustments on your next billing statement. If we receive documentation from the merchant in response to our reversals, it will be forwarded to you for your review. The circumstances of the dispute and the strength of your documentation, will determine whether the credit will remain permanently on your account. If you have any questions, you may contact Gina at 1-888-842-6328, press *8 and enter extension *70739. Thank you."

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Johnmadd]

Money to Dw, charged to pos, good job.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

There you go, DW. The ONLY way this will get reversed is if Eli disputes it from here. At that point, it would be a crime if he does. He would be a total moron to get this reversed.

[danewilson77]

We will see. Updates to follow. Still skeptical.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

As it turns out, though, Eli never did square up with you. You had to get this taken care of on your own. I guess this thread is staying up forever.

[danewilson77]

Agree. Still need to let others know of the sketch.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Johal E32]

just saw this thread, that's terrible that someone would do such a thing......

[danewilson77]

Thanks for the support fellas.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

This is the best thing that could happen for Eli, too. Now he doesn't have to worry about Dane filing a police report.

[danewilson77]

This is the best thing that could happen for Eli, too. Now he doesn't have to worry about Dane filing a police report.

pseudo Bi-winning

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

pseudo Bi-winning

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LOL

[mimalmo]

It still has to clear or has it already cleared your bank Dane?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Eli, the reversal has occurred. The credits will appear on next month's billing statement.

If the other Eli disputes the reversal, and Dane doesn't have a good paper trail and story as to why Eli is contesting the reversal, Dane's credit may not remain.

At this point, though, Dane is getting a credit. If Eli does nothing, the credit will be permanent.

[danewilson77]

Yup. Just checked. $235 is off my card.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[E46 Enthusiast]

Damn, Im really sorry about all this dane. Your a great guy and are constantly around for the BF.c community. You didnt diserve to get screwed over by a close friend (from what i hear) who you were helping out, in what sound slike, was his time of need. After reading every single slice of text on this forum, I understand how difficult this must have been for you. Im glad you got you money credited back to you. Have you heard from Eli? or has he tryed to take the money back (asking because I dont understand your post above) Best of luck to you buddy, your an awesome guy.

[danewilson77]

Thanks E46e. I paid money...he sent me the wrong bumper lip. I sent the lip back, and never got a refund.in a nutshell.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[E46 Enthusiast]

Damn, well let karma do its job and bite eli in the @$$. In the mean time I hope you get your money back and best of luck to you :rolleyes

P.s. sent you 2 dollars for stickers lol when do you think i can get those? :eeps

[mimalmo]

Glad to hear you got your money back. Too bad he couldn't have been a standup guy and do the right thing. What about the other member here? Did he get a refund?

[danewilson77]

Glad to hear you got your money back. Too bad he couldn't have been a standup guy and do the right thing. What about the other member here? Did he get a refund?

I haven't heard about Jeremiahs(bulldog///M3) status. I know he's been really busy.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[sgplayer69]

damn man, this really sucks. I had bought m3 rep mirrors from him and received them, and actually been in contact with him for the past few months, but he stopped responding about a week ago, very confused about that. I just sent another text to him, hopefully he'll shoot me something back with an explanation.

Good luck with the rest of this process man, and hope everyone gets their money back if he really did screw them over

[Smilez]

yeah i haven't been able to contact him either. which is strange because he never done that. last i heard was he's getting married. :dunno:

[danewilson77]

yeah i haven't been able to contact him either. which is strange because he never done that. last i heard was he's getting married. :dunno:

Ha! Go figure.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[mimalmo]

I wonder if his future wife knows about his dishonesty....

[Marcus-SanDiego]

If she does a background check she will find this thread.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Dane, check in here at least once a week. Just want to know if the credit stays in place.

[danewilson77]

Still there as of now. Thanks Boss.

[pleasecorrupt]

After a week or so I'd just reorder the card you got the refund just to avoid any funny business assuming you paid with cc.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

After a week or so I'd just reorder the card you got the refund just to avoid any funny business assuming you paid with cc.

No worries there. Dane used paypal. Eli never had the card number.


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[Smilez]

Ilir Pilaj b-day today :/

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Happy birthday, bad Eli.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[danewilson77]

Mmmm....no happy birthday....bad, bad Eli. As far as I know...Jeremiah is still out $235.00.

[Smilez]

do you guys want me to post this thread on his Facebook?

[danewilson77]

Sure....He never responded to my friend request...hehe.

[billschusteriv]

"Subject: bumper lip investigation Navy Federal Response 07/25/2011 :

Navy Federal is da bomb. :wub

[danewilson77]

Navy Federal is da bomb. :wub

No kidding.

And...during the debt crisis, government lockout crap....they still paid military members....their normal pay.

[Smilez]

i guess i'm not his FB friend no more after i posted the thread :dunno:

[danewilson77]

LOL......that's called conviction Ray. His loss.

[Smilez]

you win some you lose some.

[danewilson77]

Bump.

Jeremiah...are you still pursuing this?

[bullfrogs_M3]

Bump.

Jeremiah...are you still pursuing this?

Not really....no

[mimalmo]

Just file in small claims court and you should easily win a judgment. Be sure to ask that all your court fees are paid by him when you lose. When he doesn't pay the judgment, you can ask the courts to garnish his wages or confiscate his tax returns.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Anything new here? Dane, did your credit stick?

[danewilson77]

Anything new here? Dane, did your credit stick?

Yup. So far so good.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Good to hear.

[danewilson77]

Good to hear.

Yessireeeee.

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[Johnmadd]

Not really....no

I don't see why you would not do like dane?

[danewilson77]

Bump.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Nothing new?


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[GSEN820]

Where is this Eli located?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Brooklyn.


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[GSEN820]

Oh I thought he was on the West Coast.

[danewilson77]

Bumping until J gets his $$$ back.

[bullfrogs_M3]

I don't see why you would not do like dane?

Unfortunately I bank with a large name brand bank. After the 30 days with no resolution I was pretty much F'd. On the plus side, I am not really stressing too much on it because I purchased it under my business account and ........... well, April 15th I'm not gonna stress it. You know, cause this was a "daily maintenance" part for my car! ;)

[danewilson77]

Unfortunately I bank with a large name brand bank. After the 30 days with no resolution I was pretty much F'd. On the plus side, I am not really stressing too much on it because I purchased it under my business account and ........... well, April 15th I'm not gonna stress it. You know, cause this was a "daily maintenance" part for my car! ;)

Lol...

Still pisses me off.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[mimalmo]

String him up....by his prunes

[danewilson77]

String him up....by his prunes

+2

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[Johnmadd]

Unfortunately I bank with a large name brand bank. After the 30 days with no resolution I was pretty much F'd. On the plus side, I am not really stressing too much on it because I purchased it under my business account and ........... well, April 15th I'm not gonna stress it. You know, cause this was a "daily maintenance" part for my car! ;)

Good enough.

[pleasecorrupt]

yep

[S85FTW]

I just realized the dudes name is Eli Pilaj (phontically pronounced eel-I peel-I) his last name is also phonetically close to Pu$$y in albanian haha.

[bullfrogs_M3]

Bump for the scammers out there that troll the boards.

Sure would be nice to get a refund so I can get a new mod from CobyWheel......oh well. :(


Handwritten on my Moleskin notepad

[danewilson77]

Bump for the scammers out there that troll the boards.

Sure would be nice to get a refund so I can get a new mod from CobyWheel......oh well. :(


Handwritten on my Moleskin notepad

After hours and hours on the phone with my bank and Paypal and emailing this guy I got my money back. You did not I take it?

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[bullfrogs_M3]

Nah....last I heard from him was December when he sent that one email to us


Handwritten on my Moleskin notepad

[danewilson77]

Oh.... You mean the "I'm sorry I'm a douche " email?

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[bullfrogs_M3]

Haa yea. I'm not "really" like this. Uh huh sure showing it now aren't ya


Handwritten on my Moleskin notepad

[Avetiso]

Just read through all of this. What a (comment deleted). Easy there Dario. johnrando

[danewilson77]

:rofl

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[Avetiso]

You're not going NSA on me, are you Rando? :rofl Okay, I'll tone it down. I wasn't aware it was frowned upon. But I still meant it. I hate scammers.

[johnrando]

:) We all hate scammers, I'm with you there. All good.

This message was brought to you by the NSA.

[Avetiso]

Hahahaha^^

[danewilson77]

Unbelievable! Hate to say it....but....heeeeee's baaaaaack!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1015799

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1048065

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/18/62dcf22c0987026723bb4347898bf2b1.jpg

[alexandre]

Unbelievable! Hate to say it....but....heeeeee's baaaaaack!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1015799

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1048065

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/18/62dcf22c0987026723bb4347898bf2b1.jpg

What a mess. Looked up ModMyEuro.com - registered to same email address as tuningeuros.com was.

[bullfrogs_M3]

wow, back from the dead AND still out there scamming people...... damn

I guess if you scam people once and you get away with it (for the most part, the banks paid Dane back but not Eli), then you might as well keep trying again and again. Sigh....

[Smilez]

HORRIBLE. Sadly i was teaching him the ropes and gave him some of my contacts so he can sale products, and ends up scamming people. :(

[Smilez]

i believe this is him. IIRC he was from NY

https://www.facebook.com/ilir.pilaj

[cakM3]

This guy should be reported to the police and thrown in jail where he belongs :facepalm

[mbeckel]

i believe this is him. IIRC he was from NY

https://www.facebook.com/ilir.pilaj
That's terrible that you try to help someone and he turned out to make it look bad.

Sent from in the bushes