In my earlier post, "Coming Soon: the 'Treasure Trove Dreams' Rogue's Gallery" (http://treasuretrovegold.blogspot.com/2011/05/coming-soon-treasure-trove-dreams.html), I mentioned that I'd begin publishing a list of small-scale mining and treasure hunting liars, cheats, thieves, hustlers, scammers and basic n'er-do-wells who conduct their "business" in an unfair, deceitful, or unethical manner. Once again, I will remove anyone or any business from the Rogue's Gallery once they have taken documented corrective actions and/or made restitution.
Here is my first Rogue's listing to receive a big thumbs down:
1. North American Mining Company (Alex Long and various and sundry partners)
Operating (and I do mean operating) under the vague umbrella of the North American Mining Company (NAMC), Alex Long is a Canadian hustling various mining claims and properties here in the West, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and elsewhere. NAMC used to have a promotional website, but I've been unable to locate it online any longer. Be advised that Alex Long and NAMC have a Facebook page, but there is little info there except for a Sacramento PO box and and phone number.
I did find the following info about NAMC online however:
"On October 13th, 2010, the North American Mining Company (NAMC), owned by Alexander Long and Brandon Carreau announced that the company started a mineral properties division engaged in the business of selling gold mining claims. NAMC is planning on selling to the mining community."
(Note: Someone named Brandon Esposito-Carreau is listed as the "president" of NAMC on Facebook. You can read more about Esposito-Carreau in the comments section of this same post in "Bedrock Dreams." Oh, and that last line should have read "NAMC is planning on 'snookering' the mining community.")
Selling Claims on eBay
In the past Alex Long sold mining claims on eBay under the moniker of ugodsdaddy. It was on eBay that I first came into contact with Long and NAMC. By the way, mystery of mysteries, Long had very high customer ratings on eBay...go figure. However, I see no offerings from ugodsdaddy listed on eBay at the present (time to take the money and run I guess).
Long and his NAMC "pards" were selling 2 adjoining placer claims on the North Yuba River in N. California, my old dredging stomping grounds. Since N. Yuba claims are hard to come by and these appeared to be good ones, my California mining partner (the other Jim R.) and I bid on one and purchased it in the Fall of 2010. Someone else purchased the other claim.
Right off the get go there was some confusion as to which claim went to which bidder and according to what Long told me over the phone, the other original buyer got pissed off and backed out of the deal. I also received an e-mail from another eBay seller of claims in the area who suggested there may be issues with the claims. Long blew this off as "professional rivalry" in an e-mail exchange with me
"I Will Take Care of the Paperwork"
But the crux of the Long's roguishness lies within the following e-mail he sent me after we successfully bid on the N. Yuba claim:
"J.R., I will take care of the paperwork with both the county and the BLM, and as soon as you send the full payment for the auction I will send the paperwork out with maps, the total cost of the claim will be the high bid and thats all. THe claim is current and all taxes are paid through 2011 and yes my claim is active."
Sounds good huh? Except for the fact that once Long and his NAMC buddies got our money that was that. Long or NAMC NEVER filed the appropriate paperwork with Sierra County or the Sacramento, California Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) office. This left the claimants still listed as Alex Long and others.Thank God we did receive the signed quit claim deed, because that's what really matters in terms of registering claims. But because of Long's hustle and BS we are currently having to take care of this business ourselves with the county and the BLM from long distance. (I might add here that the folks at the Sacramento BLM and Sierra County deserve kudos for their prompt help in this matter. This has been a very positive note in all this furor and my sincere thanks goes out to the BLM and Sierra County employees.)
Surprise, Surprise
Last Thursday (May 26, 2011) I called Alex Long and had a rather heated conversation with him over his failure to fulfill his part of the claim deal. Long blamed an unnamed "assistant" for the failure (i.e., made excuses) and said he was in Arizona but would personally go to the Sacramento BLM office and "make things right" for us the next day. Then he would call me.
I told Long that he better make things right or I would make him the first member of my Rogue's Gallery and put the bad "ju ju" out on him via "Bedrock Dreams/Treasure Trove Dreams." He seemed genuinely concerned about this possibility but that was probably just more smoke blown up my rear end. Of course, Long never went to the BLM and I've not heard back from him since. Surprise, surprise. He (and NAMC) already have our money, so why do they need to make things right? Sound like someone you'd like to do business with?
Alex Long is "long" on BS and short on delivering the goods. In my opinion he, Brandon Esposito, and the rest of NAMC operate dishonestly and are NOT trustworthy, period. Don't let Long's good 'ol boy slickness and false promises sway you. He talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk.
My Recommendation: Avoid (like the veritable Black Plague) doing business of any sort with Alex Long, Esposito-Carreau, or NAMC. Better safe than sorry when it comes to dealing with this bunch of conniving rogues.
Oh, and one last personal note to Long and NAMC: So you thought I was joking huh?
(c) Jim Rocha (J.R.) 2011
Questions? E-mail me at jr872vt90@yahoo.com
