Pete Tonkin is a Fraud

4railer said:
I knew him for a few months (2017) then he asked me to help out in the shop . I saw the cue he asked me if I wanted it and I paid cause he said it’d be done soon the cue needs a day or two of work . As time went on I learned how he handles business.
Click to expand...
Got you, that's fkn sad man................. If you are still local, i would pay him a man to man visits. No heroics, but before I left he would be shitting out $6,000 in crisp $100 bills or delivering that cue.
 
4railer said:
Small claims court is so easy for him to not have to pay . There is no repercussions if he doesn’t pay up . I’ve spoken with sheriff’s office and attorneys. It’s a losing battle the only benefit would be that he would have to embarrassment of being sued . As long as he’s got J&J and a few high end collectors he doesn’t care about negative reviews. I can prove I paid him money but I can’t prove which actual cue is mine . He has many unfinished cues in the shop . It seems like small claims court is an easy way to handle it but it definitely is a losing battle. At this point I don’t want the cue or money I just want his character to be exposed .
Click to expand...
I guess the not so friendly way is the way to handle things
 
We got it brother, time to move on. There's is a place for this as you already alluded to so lets keep it there. I think everyone on AZ and in most of the pool world know the guy's a scumbag. If you live long enuff you WILL have a bad beat transaction. Learn and move on. That being said you might go hire a small plane to tow a banner around his house saying 'Tonkin's a Thief' or something along those lines. ;)
 
4railer said:
This belongs in the main forum . There was no real transaction so please do not move it to another section where it won’t be seen as much .

I know all this has been discussed in length with in previous threads . I’ve personally know Pete since 2017ish . I’ve helped him out in the shop a bit in the past we’ve helped each other through the years . Having spent lots of hours with him I hear how he talks and thinks about his customers and fellow cue makers .


He doesn’t really care about any of his customers at all excluding J&J cues and some wealthy collectors and women he is trying to court . He purposefully holds back on customers who contact him about work in progress and also repairs (I’ve heard him say oh they called so their cue is going to the back of the shop ) . I paid in full over 6 years ago for a cue that was basically finished it just needed a day or two of work .


Countless excuses over and over . Bold face lies about what’s going on . After this much time has gone by and hearing how he handles his other customers I know I will never get what I paid for . He is cowardess a lair and a thief taking peoples money knowing full well he’s not going to deliver. He has lost all respect from locals in our area he only uses people to his benefit.


I hope people are aware of his shenanigans and do not buy from him . As good as a cue maker he is he doesn’t deserve to own a business doing so . There are so many similar stories about him out there .
Click to expand...
So you are saying he is just like 95% of these clowns? A legend in his own mind.
 
garczar said:
Yrs ago i had a friend that took that route over a bad swimming pool deal. Long story short he went to jail and paid about 15dimes in fines for his lame attempt at getting even. Not worth it.
Click to expand...
There a plenty of ways...
 
4railer said:
Thats not really how it works in California it’s his word against mine . He would literally destroy that cue before he hands it over . He smashed a family members cue in pieces over an argument (his family member) . He does not let go of grudges.
Click to expand...
Small claims is easy
You just have to be more believable than him.
If the cue usnt done in 6 years the judge will award you the money back.
 
4railer said:
Maybe you could do all the research I’ve already done . If you have a law degree then you could give some real advice. Pete would destroy the cue before giving to me . I don’t want payment or the cue . I want this behavior of treating people like this exposed . And you are helping by responding so thank you .
Click to expand...
Buddy
You are overthinking everything.
Take him to court and lay out the facts.
If you never got the cue...you are going to win.
 
SBC said:
Small claims is easy
You just have to be more believable than him.
If the cue usnt done in 6 years the judge will award you the money back.
Click to expand...
Good luck collecting it. Been down that road a bunch with dead beat Tennants. Can't get blood from a Turnip. Brian.
 
a1712 said:
Good luck collecting it. Been down that road a bunch with dead beat Tennants. Can't get blood from a Turnip. Brian.
Click to expand...
IF, and a big if at that, you have a shot in SC court you better have a WELL documented paper trail. Without it you got nada.
 
SBC said:
Buddy
You are overthinking everything.
Take him to court and lay out the facts.
If you never got the cue...you are going to win.
Click to expand...
There is no winning in small claims court. I think people have watched way too much people’s court or judge Judy . I only have text messages Pete is so small he would destroy the cue before handing it over .
 
4railer said:
There is no winning in small claims court. I think people have watched way too much people’s court or judge Judy . I only have text messages Pete is so small he would destroy the cue before handing it over .
Click to expand...
I won 3 of 3 in small claims...nothing to it

Won custody of my nephew on other side of the country representing myself in family court in California over 3 months with 200 pages files and 4 appearances by zoom.

Sued my employer and got 120k settlement without a lawyer

Beat my evil step mom for half my father's mesothelioma settlement when she tried to shut my brother and I out. Again no lawyer. She was risking losing half his estate for rewriting his will when he was incapable.

Its about leverage and knowing the law.
Being persistent.
Making convincing rational arguments based in the law.

People say there is no justice ...
Sometimes...
But there is never justice if you dont seek it.
 
Last edited:
SBC said:
I won 3 of 3 in small claims...nothing to it

Won custody of my nephew on other sude of the country representing jyself in family court

Sued my employer and got 120k settlement without a lawyer
Click to expand...
i'm assuming the salary case was backed up by good paperwork? otherwise its just word-vs-word.
 
garczar said:
i'm assuming the salary case was backed up by good paperwork? otherwise its just word-vs-word.
Click to expand...
Union job
After 3 years you can only be fired with real cause.
If there is no cause, thry can only non-renue you 1 year contract. The hospital president must sign off on it.

Boss was a manhater. Had given me a adverse assignment with a incompetent doctor because he was retaliating against his female PA who turned him in.
I refused. Can't give me an adverse assignment based on my gender and I cannot be a party to giving dangerous care.
I filed an EEOC case.

They eased the doc out over 4 months.
I was out on telework during the early covid days... because I put in for FMLA to be home with my son who was out of school due to shutdowns.
Was an 8 month Mexican stand off.
They eventually paid me and gave me a delayed termination 12 months out.
 
SBC said:
Union job
After 3 years you can only be fired with real cause.
If there is no cause, thry can only non-renue you 1 year contract. The hospital president must sign off on it.

Boss was a manhater. Had given me a adverse assignment with a incompetent doctor because he was retakiating against his female PA.
I refused. Can't give me an adverse assignment based on my gender and I cannot be a party to giving dangerous care.
I filed an EEOC case.

They eased the doc out over 4 months.
I was out on telework during the early covid days... because I put in for FMLA to be home with my son who was out of school due to shutdowns.
Was an 8 month Mexican stand off.
They eventually paid me and gave me a delayed termination 12 months out.
Click to expand...
If this dude wants representation...I know a guy!

Right now he is just crying poor me. Get a set of balls and show this guy you aren't his patsy.
 
None of
SBC said:
I won 3 of 3 in small claims...nothing to it

Won custody of my nephew on other side of the country representing myself in family court in California over 3 months with 200 pages files and 4 appearances by zoom.

Sued my employer and got 120k settlement without a lawyer

Beat my evil step mom for half my father's mesothelioma settlement when she tried to shut my brother and I out. Again no lawyer. She was risking losing half his estate for rewriting his will when he was incapable.

Its about leverage and knowing the law.
Being persistent.
Making convincing rational arguments based in the law.

People say there is no justice ...
Sometimes...
But there is never justice if you dont seek it.
Click to expand...
None of these are small claims . 120k isn’t and neither is family court . Very different I’ve been told by people who spend all their time in court this is a losing battle.
 
4railer said:
None of

None of these are small claims . 120k isn’t and neither is family court . Very different I’ve been told by people who spend all their time in court this is a losing battle.
Click to expand...
You got no heart son

Costs 12 bucks to file
If he doesnt show you win automatically

15 minutes to say your side


You are taking the advice you want to hear.
You want to be a victim....granted
 
yes once you win you can attach anything he owns. and some judges will order him to return the cue as is or the money.

plus if you were friends once and you go to his house you are saying he wont give you the cue as is, if you demand it from him.

you are wasting your time trying to discredit him any more than already done. and you are subjecting your self to losing a large defamation suit.
better hope YOU dont have any assets for him to attach.
 
maha said:
yes once you win you can attach anything he owns. and some judges will order him to return the cue as is or the money.

plus if you were friends once and you go to his house you are saying he wont give you the cue as is, if you demand it from him.

you are wasting your time trying to discredit him any more than already done. and you are subjecting your self to losing a large defamation suit.
better hope YOU dont have any assets for him to attach.
Click to expand...
Oh so you do have a law degree? Could you represent me in court ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top