BXBuilt Theft Victims; check in (03/06/2023)

[4RUN-GT2]

honestly anything they put out wouldn't be enough to explain their behavior, they're so scummy that in my eyes nothing they say will make a difference


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Perfectly stated. Inflation, labor issues or otherwise, if you can't fulfil your obligations, simply return the money and definitely STOP taking any further orders.

 

[toverturf]

Instead of uploading 4 images here's what the instagram post said.

The last few weeks at BXBuilt have been emotional for sure. I have been wanting to put out a statement for weeks, but had no idea of how to come out and say it all. Sadly, social media beat me to it which set unplanned motions into play and also risked the safety of my own family, employees and friends. When the social media posts began, I was blindsided and I had no idea of how to professionally respond, other than to crawl into a hole and make sure my family would be safe from harm. I felt alone, in the wrong and helpless.

After 6 years I let the community down, our dealers and my friends, and for that I am sorry. I did everything in my power to keep BX alive and going, including selling all of our cars and assets in early 2022 as we foresaw a rough economy year ahead. I also pulled my own retirement pension funds and put them into BX to keep it alive. Even with all that, and investing every penny that my family had left, we failed. We went all in because we believed in BX and we loved the community that we had been a part of since I got my 4Runner, in 2016. Ending like this was never the intent of myself or this company that was my dream, my everything, for the last 6 years. At this point, I have no idea what the future holds for my family and I. But for everyone else in the community, I am sorry for how it has all ended.

For those that don't know, BXBuilt began in 2017 on my kitchen table. By the end of 2019 we began an extreme growth pattern, followed by even more growth all of 2020 and 2021. Yes, we bit off more than we could chew. We strived to keep our pricing low for the community, even with all the price hikes going around. Ultimately, doing so was a crucial mistake and the beginning of our demise. In the end, the business model of long lead times mixed with material shortages, and major inflation on goods, shipping and labor rates killed us. By 2022 when supply chains began to normalize, we began to operate deep in the negative largely in part to fulfilling orders sold at pre-inflation pricing. We did our best to diversify and to self fund the business for as long as we could. We even added other services to try and help with revenue problems to keep things moving forward, but in the end it was not enough to cover what was needed to stay in business. We even attempted a partnership with a well known company, but after running the numbers with them, it was apparent that BXBuilt was a sinking ship. With the current economy and a destroyed reputation, it would be impossible to increase revenue back to sustainable numbers, not without another major investment. And simply put, my wife and I had already put everything that we had into the business.

We should have made this statement sooner. However the shock of losing everything, including my reputation has been hard to deal with. Finding the words to make this statement has been one the hardest challenges of my life. Please do not take out our failures on our ex employees, their families or friends. We, as a business failed, not them.
Again, I want to sincerely apologize to the community, our dealers and our friends for letting everyone down.

 

[Romeo1]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpoqMgquuK1m_HOMyoZ0CWUMYMx-DJGMNMCJ-40/ Here's the official closing statement explaining everything.

And...... it's gone.....

Sorry, I couldn't help using the south park reference.

I'm surprised they kept processing orders for as long as they did, without having goods going out the door.

 

[formulate]

The IG post doesn't do anything to address customers. It comes across as more of a pity-me communication.

Details of my unfulfilled order:

Order date: Nov 27, 2021

96 - 02 4runner retrofit headlights Base Package: $382.50
Front LED Halos: $100

Subtotal $482.50
Shipping $50.00
Total $532.50

Had email communication with Daniel Hawkins on 6/2/22 and 9/28/22. The second email being notably more curt than the first.

 

[cblock406]

What a scumbag. And that apology, wow. Sorry for the people that got burned, and good riddance this loser is ousted from the car community.

 

[RigRunner]

Been had

I've been had by the bxbuiltsters as well. Out over a grand for lights I preordered with a couple hundred dollar discount.

Purchased September 6, 2022. I opened a case this Sunday morning on PayPal—it was immediately closed with a "ineligible for PayPal Purchase Protection."

I paid through PayPal credit (0%) which is attached to Synchrony bank, so I sent them a letter in the mail with the form they ask you to fill out and submit. I could have called but I didn't feel like being on the phone for an hour. We'll see what happens.

In the meantime, that's a lot of money to be out of without a refund or any kind of explanation, let alone an email. If I wasn't following the company on Instagram I would have never have seen the half-hearted apology that gave customers with open orders zero solace. Nice business model, I guess. I don't get the inflation excuse, he kept having discount sales throughout the year. They probably realized that they could net a huge payday every time they offered the sales and thought the money would just keep rolling in and order volume would remain high. So, thinking this, they probably spent all the money on stuff and once the economy started tanking and orders slowed, started soiling their underwear and jumped ship.

I don't remember the last time I paid out over a grand for something and got absolutely nothing in return. I want to say a bunch of nasty stuff about the people working over there, but I imagine they'll get theirs eventually. And if they don't, at least I can rest knowing that they live what I can only assume must be crappy lives, outside the pilfering and pleasuring, that is. Humorously enough, I still owe $103 on the purchase.

Someone from there did message me back on Instagram quickly enough, but it's like, come on. Where did all the money go? Company started from a kitchen table to becoming a ponzi scheme, it's like a bad Lifetime movie. I got one word for you: greed. There must have been some major purchases to mismanage money that terribly, was anyone paying attention? I remember seeing posts from them from a few months ago and it seemed like they were doing everything but working. I was like, "where's my lights?!"

What a sad state of affairs. I've been done had.

 

[JZiggy]

Company started from a kitchen table to becoming a ponzi scheme

Nailed it.

It's also possible that the desire was for BX to be sold to a larger automotive aftermarket company on the fast track. Long term business strategy and disciplined finances not required.

 

[Lampshade]

Instead of uploading 4 images here's what the instagram post said.

F*** that. I could feel bad for the guy, but an Instagram post filled with tears didn't mean much when he didn't even bother to send emails to customers who paid $hundreds and haven't received a product. I paid $900 (stupidly on a debit card) on 9/6/22, and just today noticed that their website is no longer registered.

I understand money problems. If you were highly leveraged before the supply chain problems hit, then sure, this last couple of years would be prime dirt to dig yourself deep into a hole. But sending a few emails only costs the time to write them. I'm so pissed I can't find words (that wouldn't get me banned).

 

[Lampshade]

Per the OP request, original order details copied from order confirmation email on 9/6/22 (during Labor Day sale):

06-09 4runner quad projectors with quad halos
Housing Paint Color Options: Satin Black
Housing Style: Spyder Style with Sequential Strips installed
Multi High Projector Color Style: Grey/Clear Lens
Add RGB Controller (RGB Upgrade for Halos): No
Price: $1,025.00
Qty: 1 $1,025.00
Subtotal $1,025.00
Shipping $50.00
Coupon - $205.00
Tax $0.00
Total $870.00
Note for Seller: Please swap the halos/multihigh projectors for Bajas per Andrew. Please use clear Bajas.

 

[JBTundra13]

BXBuilt order not Filled

Order date: May 26 2022
I have many communication through email asking for an update. One communication back 6months ago stating they were experiencing a shortage. But I saw ppl posting pictures on IG with similar lights!
Order#12252
Mini BiLed $350
RGB Controller $80
Ledstrips $200
RGB Turbine $200
07-12 tundra Housing $550
Shipping $75
Total $1,455

 

[jh0599]

Order 4/29/22

Land Cruiser 100 Series Headlights
Total $1,050.00

Email communications saved between myself and Daniel Hawkins, the latest from him on 1/9/23 saying, "we are getting closer still about 4-6 weeks out...".

 

[mtech91]

Ordered 6/1/21 for headlights, 525.00 got the run around from Daniel and nothing delivered.

 

[NissanTechJake]

I was another unfortunate victim for about $700….

Was a year in February

 

[cloval]

Registered to report theft by bxbuilt. Thanks for posting the information regarding police reports, I plan on visiting my local PD.

Order placed on Nov 25, 2022
96 - 02 4runner retrofit headlights (No Halos etc) Base Package
SKU: 364215376135191
Housing Color Paint Options: Chrome
Price: $500.00
Qty: 1 $500.00

Subtotal $500.00
Shipping $50.00
Coupon - $100.00
Tax $0.00
Total $450.00

 

[cloval]

Everyone who was a victim of fraud or theft needs to file a police report with their local law enforcement agencies. This is the only recourse we have. Thanks again to 4RUN-GT2 for posting the procedure on the first post of the thread.



Edit: 4/10/23 - I was able to contact LV Metro Police Department. Due to the nature of this crime it cannot be filed online or over the phone. The sheriff department local to any victims must submit a "courtesy report" on our behalf. Please call your local sheriff's department.

 

[cloval]

This is also a good resource for people who need detailed info for their police report, lawyer, etc. Plug "bx built" and "aspect of style" individually into the search function for more LLC related details.

https://esos.nv.gov/EntitySearch/OnlineEntitySearch

 

[nishy]

Ordered 1/11/22

96 - 02 4runner retrofit headlights (No Halos etc) Base Package
SKU: 364215376135191
Housing Color Paint Options: Chrome
Add Black Corner Lights: NO
Price: $382.50
Qty: 1 $382.50
Subtotal $382.50
Shipping $50.00
Tax $0.00
Total $432.50


Just heard about all of this BXB garbage today, haven't contacted them since December. Quickly contacted my bank, they said they'd be able to get a dispute started so hopefully I'll be able to get my money back... such a shame, but even more so, an annoyance to waste so much of everyone's time

 

[losso]

They were over selling . They couldn’t keep up with demand. I was lucky. I got my set . But they were asking me for more money so they can bump me up on the waiting list. I refused. Sorry for those who did not get their light…

 

[cloval]

**************************************************EDIT 03/07/2023*****************************************

I heard back from the Nevada DA's office who stated that they were not an investigative body and to contact Las Vegas Metro PD to initiate a report. They have an online reporting process and I contacted them and attempted to make an online report. Because the business is known (as opposed to it being an unknown person), you have to either make the report in person at a local Las Vegas Metro PD station, or (which will probably apply to most of us), go to your local police station and see if they will take a "courtesy report". The agency taking the report will forward the report to Las Vegas Metro PD. If they refuse, your nearest Sheriff's station will generally be more willing to take a report. I would suggest submitting a "statement of the facts" of your particular case so that it can be submitted with the report. I wish there was an easier process but that's where this process is at the moment. I'll update with additional info as more updates become available.

****************************************************EDIT 03/11/2023**************************************************

Thanks everyone for responding. Let's hope it helps us all in getting these crooks prosecuted for fraud. Again, thanks for responding and pass the thread on to others that have been victimized by BXBUILT.

I go down to my local PD for a police report on Monday, 03/13/2023. I was doing a little searching prior to that so I can provide them with BXBUILTs' ownership info. I came upon a thread in TacomaWorld (TW) that voiced many of the same sentiments as all of us here. Many victims over there as well. I thought Daniel Hawkins with was the owner or co-owner, as that's the person who responded to emails for them. He apparently is distancing himself from the person he identified as the owner (Andrew Abalos). Hawkins basically washed his hands of most of his involvement with BXBUILT. If you want more info on that, you can search out BXBUILT on TW. I'm going to submit links to this thread and that one on TW with the PD on Monday.

If there's any useful info to add after the report, I'll post up on Monday evening.

********************************************************EDIT 03/13/2023***********************************************

Got the Police report. Super easy and only took 10 minutes from start to finish. It's a courtesy report so they are simply documenting the incident and submitting a brief very summary of what happened. Any documentation that you provide will ultimately be forwarded to LVMPD for further review/investigation. I provided a copy of my credit card receipt, a copy of this thread and the list of people that responded to it since late yesterday (03/12/2023), as well as my conversation with the Nevada DA"s office. So that should give you some idea of what to bring or have available when you have your report taken. You can simply call and have them come out to your house or business. Let's get everyone's incident documented with your local PD.

*********************************************************************************************************************

I'll start it off being victim 1: Date ordered 11/2021, LED headlights, painted black housing, paid $600 and never received.

Any new updates to report on your case or from any other members? I'm still working towards a resolution with my bank and local sheriffs department.

 

[4RUN-GT2]

Any new updates to report on your case or from any other members? I'm still working towards a resolution with my bank and local sheriffs department.

Sorry for the delay, somehow wasn't notified there was a reply. I haven't heard anything yet which is not too surprising. Involved investigations with multiple victims (especially out of state) can all lead to extended investigation periods. It's still not clear if this will be handled on the local or possibly the Federal level.

I will encourage others to keep responding to this thread. As previously stated, I provided my local PD with a link to this thread so it's possible LVMPD are aware of the victims responding to this thread.

I will report any new updates in case I am contacted by any agency.

Regarding your resolution with your bank and local sheriff's department, does it look like you might be receiving a refund?