Forewarned is forearmed

[alwaysoar]

Recently Robbie posted the info that there were parts for sale in Wisconsin. I emailed the guy, he quoted me a price, I agreed, and he then sold them to someone else. Fortunately, I had not sent money.

No blame to Robbie, of course, but I would not do cyber business with:

J. Van Zile or his agent in WI,
Gordon LaCombe

Unless you can do it in person.

Integrity is everything in everything.

Ed@BTV VT
TF 527

[mulwyk]

Re: Forewarned is forearmed

That's nothin'. I saw an ad in Barnstormers in 2004, J-3 Project, $12,000 for everything, and only 300 miles away. I call the guy that evening and it sounds good...logs back to day one, covering materials included, low time engine. I say, "I'll take it, I'll be there tomorrow morning with a check and a trailer." He says" OK, I'll be here"

Next day 5 AM I hook up the trailer and hit the road. By 10 AM I'm almost there so I call the guy on the cell phone. "I'll be there in 20 minutes" says I. "Great! I'll meet you at the hanger!" says he.

20 minutes later, I walk into the hanger and, you guessed it, there's some guy there writing a check for MY cub project! The owner explains that he figured whoever got there first with a check had first crack at the cub. Sure nuff.

It was a long long trip back home towing that empty trailer.

Was I ever pissed. But what can you do? Most aviation folks are great, dependable and honest. But, wow, there's sure some stinkers out there!

Bob Gustafson

[alwaysoar]

Re: Forewarned is forearmed

After a life time in the free market system, I have the greatest respect for those who treat you fairly. I know a lot of people like that, actually, but more who have no scruples. My example is not the worst, just another example of someone who didn't do what he said he would because it didn't serve his interests.

[paulp]

Re: Forewarned is forearmed

What happened to you all is a shame and a sad comentary. However, it just proves my theory that God made more horses' asses' than horses!!!

[crispy critter]

Re: Forewarned is forearmed

Paul, I've never hated to agree with anyone more but you are right. Nobody believes in fairness and honesty......it's all about money and everyone for themselves. I'm just glad we have this little group here where most of us don't have to worry about doing that to each other.

[hangarb7]

Re: Forewarned is forearmed

I feel I just have to pass this story on....

A few years ago I towed the family and a pop-up trailer to Oshkosh for the EAA convention (oops, sorry... to be politically correct, AirVenture....ugh)

On the other side of Fond du Lac the transmission blows all the fluid out and I limp into a service station. Five, count 'em, five guys toy with the thing for two hours and finally get the transmission cooled down. They charged me for two or three quarts of tranny oil and that was it. Said they were more worried about me makin' OSH than getting any money from me. Claimed they hadn't done a thing. Even offered to give them some money for their "coffee" supply, but nope.

Get to OSH, bed the family down, and limp that GM over to Fox Valley Transmission in downtown OSH. Guy said it would be a minimum of $350, or $600 or $1200 if he had to replace everything. What could I do?

I told him to do what he needed as I needed to get 'er home to Pittsburgh, too.

He charged me $400 for the partial teardown, new seal and drilling a tiny hole to keep the seal from blowing again; AND a transmission cooler. Got another 30,000 miles out of that car.

He had me over a barrel and kindly treated me fairly. Nice people are out there.

Jack D.
N44057