"Type IV Store" Closed before it ever opened

[JohnConnolly]

to do it right there is more then it appears, a LOT more. The problem with parts sales is that if you have a conscience (I do, jake does too), you can't just take the $ and run like many other stores do. Your reputation is on the line due to the parts you are selling. When you build engines, you have control over this until it leaves your shop. This is the case with parts too, but you ain't the one putting it together! You can sell the parts "as-is" with no product support, or spend 2 hours explaining to someone how to install/adjust something that you may have made $12 on.

Time is $, and once you learn that, you realize how difficult it really is. Also, the sooner you realize that you can NOT keep everyone happy, the better off you are.

These are some of the reasons you do not see the parts store guys on the Forums; it puts them RIGHT in the crosshairs of their customers (and guys they may have ripped off or not treated adequately). The easiest way to deal with it is to not.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

Jake
You've changed your mind so many times on so many things at the spur of the moment I think your username should be Yo Yo or maybe Thin Skin.

[ratwell]

Its all over with before it had a chance to give me a bad reputation for customer satisfaction.

You can practically hear the sighs of disappointment especially after all the promotion.

Frankly, I think you're setting your standards too high as crazy as it may sound to you right now. What's important is that folks get access to parts. Of course if it makes you unhappy it's not worth it but there must be a suitable compromise to be found.

I'm sure the majority of folks would be perfectly happy with a store on par with the popular stores we currently get out Type 4 parts from rather than no store at all. Start simple, raise the bar and if you're still not happy at least you tried and helped some folks out. There are just certain realities to ordering parts that have to be shipped and mistakes happen.

No attack on Adam that needed the cam gear but don't most folks think it's unrealistic to be REBUILDING an engine you use as a "daily driver" and freak out over parts especially over the holidays. Totally unrealistic in my mind especially since he didn't pay to overnight the part? He gambled and lost. Shame on him for yelling at any vendor in this situation but I do admire his courage for posting since he seems to have caught the proverbial baseball in the world series of Type 4 parts.

Take Bus Boys. Everyone is freaking out they are not answering the phones today. Well, it snowed like a SOB yesterday and it's probably not safe to get to work. Should they shut the doors for good? Will people be phoning who didn't get their parts shipped the next day because of the weather? Probably because people are nasty when money and time are involved. It's inevitable that the more business you do the more folks you'll encounter that make you want to close up shop but what about the rest of us. Jake, aren't the rest worth it? Please don't let it get you down.

I've read a lot of Bus Depot flames over the last two years: sometimes they've screwed up, sometimes they've gone beyond the call of duty to remedy the problem before the flame and sometimes Ron has written off a customer for good. All of it over a small part: how unnecessary.

Frankly it's a wonder parts exist at all for these old engines. We should all be grateful.

[njv]

hi
to make that apology took some guts and a whole harted well done for comeing here and doing so good on ya.

imagine jake as a customer with his knee jerk reaction to stuff!!!

obviously john your words are ones of true wisdom and you cannot please all of the people but generally i hear nothing but good about aircooled net and that takes a lot to keep the balance in favour of you being publically deemed a "good " vendor it only takes a couple of unhappy teddies spouting of on the boards and you can lose respect from narrow minded people a lot of people will see thru if people are just being arses about stuff.

im having a bit of a problem with a firm in the usa at the moment wanting crazy money for a small package to germany at this stage i have sent two emails and no answer mayby they dont care i think they do and i will give them a little while longer due to holidays and all.

some people would not be very understanding even though it has been holiday time.

jake question had you received an apology two days ago would you have posted what you have ? i think so because your heart is not in it to be a retailer just my veiw.

[Bruce2]

. I got Email that afternoon from Kathy that the gear had just shipped Fed Ex that day and I could track it today (Tuesday). So first thing this morning I got on FedEx.com and entered the tracking number only to receive a surprise in the form of a promised delivery date of 1/7 (thanks to Fed Ex Ground). Well, I will be back at work 1/5 and the engine is going in my daily transportation so I freaked out,
Adam

I can't believe how stupid people can be. The part is critical to meet a deadline so you choose to have it shipped GROUND????

[alsehendo]

Jake your a hell of a promoter for your buds

[MASSIVE TYPE IV]

The shipping was my failt... Just like I told Adam. He paid enough to have it shipped express, and I dropped the ball...

At this point I don't know whats going to happen EXCEPT one thing.

The store will not open till I can do it right, and I'm not selling ANY more parts until that happens. Engines and DTMs and thats it!

I got atleast 30 emails a day from guys wanting parts, and I saw a potential to broaden my horizon a tad bit, and maybe actually be able to make a tad bit more money at the same time AND get more TIV powered cars on the road.

When I do this, if it happens I will make a page that pops up before you can ever even place an order... It will say this :

If you need this part tomorrow, you better call someone else!

Most things will be modified as I get the orders, its the only way I could ever make it happen, since the same rods will fit 5 different combos with different mods.

Today is 12/31 tomorrow starts an ew chapter in my book of Aircooled Technology. Right now my primary goal is the DTM cold weather testing, testing the TI DTM in mid January and then building a pair of 356 engines. After that we'll see what the future holds.

don't hold your breath.

[Alpine]

Sell info, Jake!

[jrinlv315]

Wow talk about a change in personal plans!! I don't even know where to start looking for the parts I need now, very sorry to hear about the hang-up... Good luck to you Jake, I'm sure you will make the right choice for yourself. JR

[pocketrocket]

Jake: As a drill sargent. I would say you may have lost one small battle but you will win the WAR!!!

[spongeworthy]

Its all over with before it had a chance to give me a bad reputation for customer satisfaction.

You can practically hear the sighs of disappointment especially after all the promotion.

Take Bus Boys. Everyone is freaking out they are not answering the phones today. Well, it snowed like a SOB yesterday and it's probably not safe to get to work. Should they shut the doors for good? Will people be phoning who didn't get their parts shipped the next day because of the weather? Probably because people are nasty when money and time are involved. It's inevitable that the more business you do the more folks you'll encounter that make you want to close up shop but what about the rest of us. Jake, aren't the rest worth it? Please don't let it get you down.

Actually, Bus Boys is closed because of the weather. Snow made the roads unsafe and the power is out on the street they are on.

Charles

[Ephry73]

Jake,

Does that mean no trading of parts either?

Shame that happened. I deal with shipping all of the time for the work I do, and it can be a royal PITA 40% of the time. From issuing thousands of dollars a week to having fully satifyed customers. It's all give and take.

Hope you can still get to distribute the parts and that everything picks up soon. Of course I am biassed since I was hoping to trade some parts and buy some parts from ya.



E

[regis101]

Geez, guess this means I'll never get the Camper Special camshaft, lifter and springs kit. What's up wit dat?

[vwdude53]

i'm very sorry to hear about that jake. but i'm glad things worked out with u and the customer . i hope everything works out in the future with the online "Type IV Store". i wish u the best of luck and business! see ya!

[greggholmes]

It will say this :
If you need this part tomorrow, you better call someone else!

Remember K-tel, or anyone else for that matter "allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery"

They went down becouse of the crap they sold.

The short kids ski's that strapped to your boots, my brother broke his leg with thoes.

[yetibone]

Personally, I don't think Jake would sell any "crap".

The disclaimer implies that time would be taken to make sure the recipient got the RIGHT part, of the BEST quality available.

Joe