eastcoast2 wrote...
I'd advise anyone reading this NOT to seek Dean, because he is completely unresponsive. He has had a frame of mine (prepaid) since November 2006, and has promised to ship it "the next day" no less than three times over the last five months. He does not answer emails or phone calls. I may actually receive my frame someday, but it is growing more likely that getting it will require legal action.

eastcoast2 wrote...
Here's the complete narrative plus an update, as of early December 2007. October 2006: contacted Dean about a repaint, since he had the correct decals for my frame. He called and emailed about two days later, and we agreed on a price. He said the frame would be done in 3-4 months. November 20, 2006: frame and fork received at Acme and check cashed by Dean for the entire job and return shipping. March 2007: I began sending emails and leaving phone messages about the status. No response. June 2007: filed a complaint with the Washington region Better Business Bureau. Dean didn't respond to them either, so they closed the complaint as "unresolved." Early July 2007: I emailed all the framebuilders referenced on Dean's email site, asking if he still existed. Two replied that they no longer used him (one citing "unprofessional timelines") . One said he would be seeing Dean soon and would ask him about the status. Late July 2007: I email Dean, this time informing him I am considering legal action. He emails back saying the frame is nearly done and will ship within a week. Early September 2007: I return from vacation - no frame, no communication. I manage to get Dean on the phone for the first time since October 2006. He says the frame is done, and will ship the next week. Late September - October 2007: no response from Dean to repeated emails and phone calls. During October, I email and leave a phone message for him every single business day. He does not respond to any of them. Late October 2007: I file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Section of the Oregon Department of Justice, and copy Dean in an email. He sends a reply, saying the frame will ship the following week. Mid-November 2007: still no frame, and by now Dean's phone will not accept messages. I post two comments in this forum, and send Dean the URL. Dean finally emails back with UPS shipping information. November 30, 2007: a little over a year after paying for the work, the frame arrives - without the fork. The paint job is beautiful, but the frame has no value without the matching fork. December 4, 2007: no word from Dean about whether he has the fork, has painted the fork, or when it might ship. I resurrect the information I have collected about small claims court.