Robert S. Cosmar's Blog
December 19, 2023
Making a Comeback
Namaste.
Robert and CJ
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email Robert: robertcosmar@gmail.com
email CJ: cjheck60porsche@gmail.com
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November 20, 2020
Video Update: By Our GoFundMe Organizer, Tony Martinez
Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Robert Cosmar and CJ Heck, a sweet senior couple, stranded in Central Florida during hurricane season.
As survivors of consumer fraud and a legal system that failed them, I believe we can make a difference by helping these two FL Seniors who lost everything.
Please consider contributing, especially in this time of giving and gratitude.
Blessings to all who have given thus far --please continue to share their GoFundMe link.
Click Here to Share or Donate!
Donations can also be made anonymously.
October 20, 2020
ADDENDUM to our GoFundMe OCTOBER 19, 2020
After several new RV problems, a lot of discussion, sleepless nights, and weighing the possibilities with our organizer, Tony Martinez, Bob and I decided we have to approach our GoFundMe campaign differently.
When it began, Tony had such great plans for helping us get back on our feet: Reach the GoFundMe goal, repair the RV, sell it, use the proceeds to buy a manufactured home in a gated 55+ community.
Then the roof leaked, the steps motor blew, and we had a serious electrical problem. We had to deal with the electrical problem, we had no choice. But, it soon became clear ...
We can’t wait any longer. We have to do something different.
The RV has become a money pit. It would be better to cut our losses. Live in the RV long enough to find a small house, move, and list the RV for sale ‘as is’ and list the problems.
We're starting to look at small manufactured homes in 55+ gated communities with at least a pool, clubhouse, and a pond for fishing. That would be perfect for when our kids and grandchildren visit. We hope to share some photos soon.
Anyway, that’s the plan. We hope you will support our decision –-we feel this will make much more sense. We will keep you updated.
Same goal, different reason. Please help support us by making a donation and sharing our link.
Thank you so very much.
email Robert: robertcosmar@gmail.com
email CJ: cjheck60porsche@gmail.com
October 16, 2020
There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel ...
I think I’ve mentioned before, this is my first and only encounter with a GoFundMe fundraiser. It’s been interesting, to say the least, and while it could someday be a life-changer, it’s something I know I never want to need again...
On one hand, I’m thrilled with the response we’ve gotten. We’ll be eternally grateful to the many wonderful people who have shared their kindness and generosity and blessed us with donations –some of them, three and even four times. They cared enough to want to help and that feels good.
On the other hand, I’m embarrassed and not just a little frustrated, because I feel I’m being a pest every time either of us puts the GoFundMe link ‘out there’ on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.,
Thing is, Bob and I know, the quicker we hit our GoFundMe goal, the faster we can stop bombarding everyone daily with the link. Until finally, we can put the fundraiser behind us. It sure won’t make us wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, but it will help us get back on our feet –-and not be so worried about being homeless.
A large part of my own frustration comes from being a writer and having, for instance, writer’s block. I’m running out of fresh ideas. I’m constantly searching, wracking my brain for things to say and new ways to say them so people understand just how important this fundraiser is to us. Maybe if I can write one thought in a new and unique way, those who haven’t donated yet, will.
So, if you’re reading this, that’s good. Now that I have your attention, read our story and make a donation. Help us get to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Stay healthy, be happy.
CJ
"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~C.J. Heck
October 13, 2020
Help Comes in Many Sizes and Flavors ...
It's not easy being seniors and starting all over again --certainly not how Bob and I thought we would spend our "Golden Years".
This is a link for the GoFundMe campaign our friend, Tony Martinez, organized for us.
GoFundMe for Bob & CJ
It's going to be a life-saver when we can finally reach our goal, thanks to so many wonderful and supportive donors. It's an elite group, but you can belong to it, as well. Please read our story, then donate. Then share our link with your network, groups, and friends. Encourage them to also read our story and possibly make a donation. We are already at 1/3 of our fundraising goal. Let's keep the momentum going --will you help? We would sincerely appreciate it. No amount is too small. Any gift would be helping these two oldsters get closer to our goal and back into our life. Please, click on the donate button. Open your hearts and help us. Thank you most sincerely.Stay healthy, be happy
Namaste.CJ GoFundMe for Bob & CJ
email Robert: robertcosmar@gmail.com
email CJ: cjheck60porsche@gmail.com
September 16, 2020
In considering these latest problems with the RV, it sudd...
In considering these latest problems with the RV, it suddenly occurred to me, it would cost more to repair the RV than we could ever get out of selling it—and it would never give us enough to buy a small home when our RV home is gone.
That was sobering. To think we could still be looking at being homeless is so terrifying that it boggles my mind!
A very good friend wrote to me this morning and shared her harrowing experience with black mold in several houses. She strongly urged us, “Get rid of the RV ASAP. There’s way too much wrong with it!” I don’t know, maybe the photos of the dark water damage stains on our ceiling troubled her. I do know I trust her and she has our best interests at heart.
Trouble is, we still desperately need more donations to make anything positive happen.
No one likes to think they could, or would, ever be dumb enough to fall for consumer fraud. We all tend to think it would be obvious, somehow, and the bad apples easy to spot. Bob and I used to think like that, too … until it happened to us.
We’re here to tell you, the bad apples are NOT easy to spot. They wear convincing smiles, use low key voices, aren’t pushy, are anxious to help, and they look just like us in their worn jeans and T-shirts. In other words, they come across just like you, or we do.
We walked into the dealership with a beautiful dream and reminded them so much of their parents that they vowed to breathe life into our dream.
We all like to think we’re above falling for that kind of idiocy. Maybe some would even snub their noses at the homeless man on the corner holding his sign. “Ha! That would never happen to us!”
Until it happens to us. Then it’s the most frightening thing you could ever imagine. Pride holds you back from asking for help. You don’t want anyone, and I mean ANYone, to know it happened to you.
Well, it can and it does happen. When it does, fear makes pride take a back seat to your basic survival and suddenly, you have no alternative but to reach out for help.
We still need your help, everyone. Please reach into your heart –-and your pocket. $5 or $10 is so trivial an amount that you would hardly miss it, but when you’re facing homelessness, it’s a godsend …
Thank you.
CJ
Bob & CJ's GoFundMe
Robert and CJ are senior citizens, 69 and 71, on a fixed ...
Robert and CJ are senior citizens, 69 and 71, on a fixed income. Instead of enjoying their golden years together, they are starting all over again. CJ is a Vietnam War widow. Her first husband was a combat medic, KIA 1969, and awarded seven medals posthumously.
Their problems began with a situation that could have been avoided, had sales personnel at an RV dealership been people-centered and honest, rather than only money-focused and predatory.
In July 2018, they sold their house, car, and furnishings in Florida to realize a long-time dream of retiring and being full-time RVers. They looked forward to visiting their four children and eleven grandchildren up north, traveling the country, and enjoying retirement together.
They didn’t have a lot of money, so they combed the Internet for months, searching for a used Class A motorhome that was affordable and big enough to be comfortable living and traveling in.
At an RV dealership in Winter Garden FL, they found a one-owner, used 2000 Class A 39’ Safari Zanzibar Diesel pusher motorhome with very low mileage (33,000). It looked perfect for them from photos on their website. They drove to Winter Garden to see the motorhome and loved it.
Brand new to RVing, they asked the dealership to have their mechanics check everything carefully and to inform them of possible problems, or safety issues. If there were any, they would look at other used Class A motorhomes.
They were assured everything checked out fine. Naïve and trusting, they didn’t know to get everything in writing —what did the mechanics and service department actually check out?
They settled on a price of $33,750 plus a two-year extended warranty, for $7,200. After selling the house and paying cash for the RV and warranty, it left them with a small slush fund in the bank for travel, fuel, visiting family, and an occasional repair.
Their problems began the first day of ownership. No matter where they went, they ended up in RV repair shops. That meant campgrounds while waiting for parts and motels when repairs were being done.
So far, they’ve paid over $18,000 just in repairs not covered by the extended warranty, or State Farm Insurance. Add to that the unplanned campgrounds, motels, and at times, a rental car.
Throughout the entire two years of ownership, they’ve exhausted every avenue to recover their money from the RV dealership who sold them the motorhome. They have come to realize the dealership only cared about making a sale, nothing else --certainly not two naïve senior citizens.
They reached out to numerous consumer fraud attorneys, the Florida Bar Association, Legal Aid, senior law students at Florida law schools, Florida State Senators Rubio and Scott, 3rd District Congressman Ted Yoho, Orlando Channel 9 TV investigative reporter, Todd Urlich, State Farm Claims Department, the extended warranty company, and a Law Professor in Fort Lauderdale.
The Law Professor was the most helpful and the most honest. He told them they would never find an attorney who would go after the dealership. It would be impossible to prove consumer fraud under the laws in place in Florida under the current administration.
“Unless you have proof in writing of consumer fraud, judges most often side with the business. It would be long and drawn-out litigation and very expensive. If they were to lose, they would be ordered to pay their own legal fees as well as those of the business.”
When they drove the RV off the lot, Florida law considered it to be theirs, problems and all. He further suggested they forget the dealership, sell the motor home, get what they can out of it, and get on with the rest of their life.
With nothing in writing to prove consumer fraud, they had no choice but to put it behind them and sell the RV. “Live and learn”, yes, but that’s easier said than done.
To make a long story shorter, they thought they had sold the RV, but the buyer brought a mechanic with him to go over it thoroughly. After seeing his report, their prospective buyer walked away.
1. Both airbags for the front braking system are bad, ($2,000-$4,000) a critical, dangerous problem. Both have to be replaced. One has an obvious hole (he heard hissing as air leaked out) and the rubber is worn down showing the metal cords.
If the airbags go, the chassis could drop down and the RV will not steer. Worst case, the wheels will lock up and the RV could flip over in traffic, causing a fatal accident.
2. The differential pressure switch is bad on one of the four master cylinders. A safety issue, all four have to be replaced at the same time. To drive it as is, the brakes could fail and cause an accident. ($4,000 to $6,000)
3. There is a rusted tie rod that could go and it would affect the steering column, resulting in a loss of steering ability. ($500 to $1000)
4. The brake on the driver’s side is glazed. ($250 to $500)
5. The fuel gauge is broken. ($400)
6. Replace the roof ($7,000 rubber, $12,000 fiberglass)
7. Motor for electric entry steps has blown. ($300 to $400)
8. Because a new roof is needed, the ceiling on inside of coach is leaking in several places. This is due to a lot of rain over the past couple of weeks in Central Florida. (See #6)
***Interestingly, most of the problems the mechanic found would have taken years to fall into that state of disrepair. These problems should have been disclosed to Bob and CJ upfront by the RV dealership so they could have looked at other RVs, as requested. That is Consumer Fraud.
The mechanic further told Robert and CJ their RV is a safety nightmare and not to drive it.
“Have it repaired, have it towed to a junkyard, but under no circumstances should you drive it on the road.”
They had no money left for towing, or for further repairs. So, with hazard lights blinking, they limped to a campground where they are now, broken down with numerous critical repairs they can’t afford to fix.
Essentially they are stranded. If a hurricane comes, they will not be able to evacuate in their RV which is not drivable now.
The State of Florida prides itself on not allowing its senior citizens to be taken advantage of. Sadly, they have fallen through a huge crack in that theory. They are broke, bewildered, and almost homeless, living in a campground in a broken-down RV.
In their words:
“You really get to know someone when you share living in “a box” for two years. You either grow closer, or you don’t. There is no in-between. We are happy we have each other.”
August 20, 2020
TRUMP WATCH : Had to Do it My Way
Namaste.
Robert and CJ
**If you enjoyed this post, please share it!
email Robert: robertcosmar@gmail.com
email CJ: cjheck60porsche@gmail.com
August 17, 2020
TRUMP WATCH : Criminals are always ahead of the police
Namaste.
Robert and CJ
**If you enjoyed this post, please share it!
email Robert: robertcosmar@gmail.com
email CJ: cjheck60porsche@gmail.com
August 16, 2020
Consumer Fraud --the Gift that Keeps on ... Taking
Bob and I want to thank all those who have already donated --you have touched our hearts with your generosity.
Consumer Fraud -- the Gift that Keeps on ...Taking
email Robert: robertcosmar@gmail.com
email CJ: cjheck60porsche@gmail.com
Robert S. Cosmar's Blog
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