Boss 338 Wheels **GROUP BUY**

[jugernot]

As of today I still have not heard anything from anyone at AEW. I just sent off an second email which is attached below. I think I will call again on Monday.

Hello,

I'm sending you this email in hopes of obtaining some information on the wheels I purchased through the group buy on the 67-72chevytruck.com web site. I originally placed and paid for the wheels in March of this year. I heard about and understood that there was a delay in the production of the 20x8.5 chrome wheels, which is what I ordered for the front of my truck. I also ordered and received the chrome 20x10 wheels.

This is the second email that I have sent and have yet to receive a response to my first email, which was sent on 09-08-10. I called (800 242 4364) on Sat 09-11-10 and spoke to Erik, who informed me that my wheels would be coming off the production line and should be box up soon. He also advised me that he would call me on Monday 09-13-10, but I have not received that call.

I have been waiting patiently since March, but know I'm getting a little frustrated with the lack of communication from your company. If I have emailed the wrong person or called the wrong phone number could you please provide me with the information of whom I should contact? I would like very much for someone to contact me regarding this matter. I have listed my details below.

Thank you, I look forward to hearing from someone and receiving my wheels soon.

Regards,

[Josh]

He was advertising his business and all through the thread which is vending. He took money in exchange for goods even with minimal profit it is advertising. He needs to step up and do what needs to be done and stop ignoring everyone.

[brossow]

Originally Posted by Josh

He was advertising his business and all through the thread which is vending. He took money in exchange for goods even with minimal profit it is advertising. He needs to step up and do what needs to be done and stop ignoring everyone.

Your site, your rules. Just trying to offer my perspective as the fool who inadvertently started this mess. No good deed goes unpunished and all that....

[Liz]

I am not understanding why you are sounding annoyed with us. We stepped in to end this giant cluster and attempt to help the folks get what they are owed. Yet we are the bad guys?

I know Colin fwd you a copy of the email as well. According to him, he has no records of the sales besides what is on this site. He also refuses to give me a list of which usernames are owed wheels, because he feels that is a privacy issue. Sorry but when folks take money and do not deliver parts, I feel it is a fraud issue...

In the end I am actually LOOSING money on this deal, as the cost of the product has increased over the past few months and regardless of the increase I'm not asking anyone for more money than they actually paid and I have been paying the difference out of my pocket

That is from the email I got today. If it was a group buy, and money was paid upfront.. how do prices change? Group buys are a mass order that is placed at the same time.. not several orders over several months.


Also on a side note, and not really to do with the wheels.. He had an admin from another site email me on his behalf. When I checked the whois of that site, he owns it etc. So he is emailing me pretending to be someone else, on his behalf. I replied and asked. No reply from him on that. Only one to me about his issues here and how he is out of money with this deal, and how he has no records etc.. Poor poor pitiful he.

Sound assy? Maybe... A group buy, through a non vendor, and people got screwed left and right. The head of it will not disclose whom has been shipped or owed parts, or provide refund or tracking information. Yet wants access to the site, and is trying to make US look bad.. Ya I am a bit pissy.. I have a ton of better things to do with my time.



So once again

Whom is owed wheels still.

[brossow]

Originally Posted by Liz

I am not understanding why you are sounding annoyed with us. We stepped in to end this giant cluster and attempt to help the folks get what they are owed. Yet we are the bad guys?

Liz, never for a moment did I say you were the bad guys, nor am I annoyed with you or intend to sound that way. My only interest in the thread at this point is accuracy and fairness, not taking sides. I was trying to paint an accurate picture of what happened. Believe me, no one wishes more than I do that I hadn't suggested the group buy in the first place, and I would like it over as soon as possible. Having said that, here's what I know:

1. Colin took orders for wheels at near-cost as a favor to us, not as a money-making venture. The difference between actual cost and what we paid offset differences in shipping costs, etc. There was no profit motive. How do I know? Because I set the prices to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest when Colin was doing us a favor. I still have all of the correspondence related to this if you need proof. He wasn't acting with a profit motive. As far as I'm concerned, he wasn't acting as a vendor any more than if I asked my buddy to pick up an alternator while he was at the parts store and I reimburse him for it and maybe give him a buck or two extra for gas money or a "keep the change" kinda thing. Money changes hands between my buddy and me, but no one would call him a retail outlet. That's what Colin did, just on a larger scale with more disastrous results.
   .
2. Even the local cops and the FBI need a search warrant to get business records. As much as it seems at first blush like Colin should just willingly turn over the list of people who bought wheels in this deal and that doing so would just make the problem go away, in reality that's not a reasonable request. Even if it were, as Colin said, without access to his account here it's nearly impossible for him to match up the names of real people from order forms with their handles on the forums and I'm sure you don't honestly expect him to turn over all of his sales records. As a private citizen, I'd be horrified to find out a business had turned over my purchasing history to someone without my consent, particularly to other private citizens and not even law enforcement. Even the Patriot Act doesn't cover what you're asking Colin to do. That's not him being shady; that's him being a good business owner and protecting himself, his business license, and most importantly his customers' privacy.

There are a lot of problems here, and I know you're trying your best to help. But individuals need to come forward and say what they're missing, or they need to pursue the matter on their own (as I did). I deeply appreciate your efforts as the owners of this forum to help those who are missing product, but you can't possibly expect greater policing powers than actual law enforcement has.

The new batch of wheels are due out in 8 days. Until then, no one (including me) is going to get any more wheels. Here's a compromise that may well solve the problem: give Colin back his account for two weeks. That will give him the ability to communicate with anyone who has sent him a private message about missing wheels. Place conditions on how he can use his account: he can only use it to respond to PMs and to reply to this thread, not to post elsewhere on the board. By the time two weeks is up, new wheels should be shipping and he should have tracking info for everyone who has purchased. If at that time there are still serious issues, then take it from there. In the meantime, suspending his account has cut off a primary line of communication between him and the people you're trying to help.

Again, I'm not taking sides here. I'm not pointing fingers or trying to make anyone the bad guy. I'm certainly not defending Colin's actions (or inaction) except insofar as I want everyone to have an accurate picture of what happened and be on the same page. I simply want it resolved as much as anyone, and I'm trying to help. With that said, there's nothing more I can do here. I've tried my best to paint an accurate picture of what really happened and what needs to happen to resolve it. Take it for what it's worth. It's just my own advice and opinions, not demands or complaints about the way the site is run or the people who run it.

Good luck,
Brent

[Liz]

2 things real quick..

1. we are not above the law, nor do we attempt to be. When deals are done on the site, we have the right to request information. If the "seller" is legit, telling us the status of a deal and the username of whom is owed things should not be an issue. No one is asking for ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION. Tracking numbers to relay to folks, usernames and status of shipments is NOT personal info, nor illegal for us to ask for. If he chooses not to give it, it only makes him look bad IMHO.

IX. Fraudulent practices or attempts to defraud another will lead to account suspension and banning. This is in direct reference to items offered for sale, trade, or leading someone on as a buyer.
I will turn you in! This also applies to people posting fabricated lies about another user or business. If you have a real issue, discuss it off the site, but don't make up lies because you're upset with someone. 67-72Chevytrucks.com will not put up with this kind of slander

2. Taking money for items and not delivering them is fraud. Plain and simple. No matter how good intentions are etc, it is fraud. If he is so willing to make good, and insure everyone is taken care of.. Then why ignore admin PM, replying to this thread, user contact etc. Any business whom had a mixup or issue in the past has gladly given a username and status of the deal. That is not illegal to ask for.
However it is illegal to take folks money for items and not deliver.


Back to the rest. I do apologize if we (not just I , but several staff members whom have read your replies) have taken them as we did, if that is not how they were intended. At this point, no offense at all intended, unless you have taken the payments and are shipping the items, it honestly does not involve you.

I fully understand that you feel bad because you began the deal etc.. But unless you are directly involved in the actual deal itself, it honestly does not involve you. I do however appreciate your input and help thus far.

Colin has been told how to reinstate his account. We do not allow bad deal users back to do this and that etc.. What he chooses to do from their is his choice. As far as telling folks to take up for themselves as you did. Yes, by all means they should. But with that, the deal was made on this site. Therefor we are involved. It is a privately owned website, and in the end it is our problem to tend to. If that means suspending accounts etc, thats what has to happen.


On a side note.. Colin owns and admins a website that runs vbulletin software, just as we do. He is aware of how the system works ( one would assume) and to say he has not read this thread (when timestamps show he was on this thread) or that an Admin PM was not received due to his inbox limit change (when admin PMs are forced through no matter limits) is hard to swallow. All the issues may have reasonable explanations, but when you have a bunch of inconsistencies in fact, and refusal to work with staff. It becomes hard to "trust" the person.

[brossow]

Because Colin's been blocked from the site, he asked me to post the following info for people who need to contact him:

email would be the best way sales@hidsolutions805.com or when I'm in the office they can call me at (347)725-0051

Just passing it along....

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by brossow

Because Colin's been blocked from the site, he asked me to post the following info for people who need to contact him:



Just passing it along....

Thanks I just sent him an email.

[Liz]

Originally Posted by brossow

Because Colin's been blocked from the site, he asked me to post the following info for people who need to contact him:



Just passing it along....

Thanks for posting his contact info. I hate that ya'll had to lose contact via the site.. but when personal threats about showing up at our home etc are made, users lose access. And for the record, he had created a second id to gain access to the site. It was used to post replies elsewhere, and try to get the rubber chicken to visit.. not to clean up the mess left here with this deal.

There will be no further contact with the user and the staff of this site.

I hope everyone gets their parts and or money back at this point.

[brossow]

Here's the latest from Boss regarding the 338s. This info may be specific to just the chrome 20x10 (the size I'm waiting for) or the 20s in general:

Hello Brent. I have located these parts. They are on a truck headed to my chroming facility here in Chino Ca. The eta for these to arrive here at the door is 9-27-10. From there it will take about half a day to get the prepped for chrome, and about another 2 days for the chroming process. They will be ran through the hand dip line to make sure that any imperfections are avoided. Once completed. We are working on a way to expedite them to out Minnesota location for delivery to you. I apologize that this may not be the best news, but I am now aware of where the parts are and how long this process is going to take. I will keep you updated and let you know as soon as I see the wheels from chroming, and when they are ready to ship out of my location.
Thanks for you patience.

[Shane]

the tap dance continues it appears ...

[big mike71]

Originally Posted by Shane

the tap dance continues it appears ...

Hello my honey, hello my baby, hello my ragtime doll.

[tcb-1]

Shaner, that's one of my favorite Looney Tunes........ kind of like this thread.

what a cluster...... **shaking head**

koolaid, anyone?

[jugernot]

I just called the phone number again and it seems like the person I spoke to knew nothing about the group buy through this web site. He asked what wheel I was waiting for, so I told him as well as gave my name and phone number. He said he would check into it and call me back.

Well I'm a little surprised while I was writting this reply I received a call from Ruben, who told me that the wheels were back ordered, but could not give me an ETA on arrival. He stated that he would have more information on Monday and call me again.

[brossow]

There's a real problem with communication between the order desk (the toll-free number we've all been calling) and production and management. The person I quoted above is the head of the allocations department at AEWC and should be the definitive version of what's going on.

I cautiously suggest we be patient for a few more days and resist calling the order desk. I'm pretty sure that we at least played a part in Marcus being fired; he was trying to keep us happy and not getting or giving accurate info. Management there is aware there is a communication problem and are working to fix it, but in the meantime I humbly suggest we back off the order desk people for at least a few more days. Stuff is supposed to be out of chroming early next week and I hope to have more info straight from the top on shipping status (in general). After I have word that stuff is shipping again, then I suppose the order desk is fair game, but until the wheels are done being built there's nothing to be gained by calling the order desk.

I'm sure that sounds strange coming from me, who was breathing down their necks for the past several months, but now that I have a better picture of how things work (or don't work) there I think I'm justified in suggesting a bit of restraint for the time being. It won't help anything to call and no good can come of making more work for those guys before we know for sure the wheels are available again . Fair enough?

Cheers,
Brent

[jugernot]

I understand what you are saying and will not call or send anymore emails. But please understand that for SIX MONTHS I have patiently waited for delivery of the wheels I ordered. I have waited in silence and hoped for weeks that the wheels would arrive.

I appreciate all the effort that you have put in to see that those who are due product, receive it.

But it blows my mind that the supervisor, who I emailed twice, can't take the time or make an effort to reply and share the information you received with me. I have about a thread of patience left. I'm not happy and will spread the word about the unacceptable customer service this forum has experienced from this company.

[brossow]

Originally Posted by jugernot

I understand what you are saying and will not call or send anymore emails. But please understand that for SIX MONTHS I have patiently waited for delivery of the wheels I ordered. I have waited in silence and hoped for weeks that the wheels would arrive.

Same here, man. No one feels your pain more than I do.

Originally Posted by jugernot

But it blows my mind that the supervisor, who I emailed twice, can't take the time or make an effort to reply and share the information you received with me.

The information I just shared isn't from anyone you guys have been in contact with, not on the phone or via email. I'm in direct contact with the allocation manager (not the sales manager mentioned earlier) and am now getting info from as close to the actual production line as I think anyone's gonna get. While I won't be sharing that contact info, I'll continue to share whatever production info I can. Even though I only got the ball rolling on this, I feel responsible not just to the people who are still owed product but also to the company who really fell victim to overselling by Colin, who either didn't understand the situation when taking the orders or took the orders recklessly knowing that wheels weren't going to ship right away.

No one foresaw the debacle this would turn into, but having a better view of the big picture from both sides now I think it's fair to say that AEWC to a large extent has gotten the short end of the stick as well as us. Product was oversold, product that they couldn't deliver and which they apparently never said they COULD deliver, either immediately or in the short term. Then their private order desk number (supposed to be only for dealers) was given out and Marcus got caught in the middle. I don't know exactly how he screwed things up either for us or AEWC, but he's no longer with the company.

AEWC is busting their butts trying to make this right. They made some mistakes in communicating with us (probably because they aren't used to dealing directly with end users; their business is 100% sales to retailers) and have addressed that in part by eliminating a problem employee, apparently. It's like this: imagine you have a paint brush and a couple cans of paint. One of your friends hears you have paint supplies and tells 50 people you'll paint their houses for them, that you'll do it by the end of the week, and that they have to pay up front. Try as you might, even though you weren't the one who made that impossible promise, you try your best to paint some houses anyway but because you only have a couple cans of paint, you can only get one of them done. Everyone else, of course, is pissed because they were promised that their houses would be painted and they paid up front.

Anyway, you see where that analogy is going, and I'm sure you see some obvious holes in it. But you get the idea. AEWC is doing their best, but the situation really isn't their fault (except insofar as they had a bad employee giving bad information; he's gone now). Bad PR isn't going to help anything and really isn't fair. They didn't create the problem but are trying their best to fix it nevertheless. They want us to be satisfied, and they're trying to make that happen.

That's really enough from me on the subject. I feel really bad about the part I played in slamming them previously, before I had the whole story. All I can do now is try to present the rest of the picture. Hope this helps.

Brent

[brossow]

Update from Colin:

I have another update for the board. Three more orders have been completely filled which leaves just the chrome wheel orders outstanding. The good news is the fronts are available, and being held in the warehouse right now for this group purchase. The problem is the rears are now out of stock, and since Marcus is no longer working for AEW the ones he stashed for me have been sold to other customers, they expect a delivery of more chrome rears to the warehouse tomorrow (Friday). But as we have all seen, I wouldn't hold my breath. This is good news for jugernot, he is waiting for chrome fronts only. The other two waiting for chrome wheels are waiting for a complete set.

I would also encourage clarification to the board members to remember that AEW corporate doesn't have any of your order information. These orders are being filled through my business, and through the warehouse facility I am in contact with. The drop ship information on the wheels doesn't enter the corporate office system until the wheels are located, billed out, and shipped. Calling the corporate office, emailing the corporate office, or any variation of that will not get anything accomplished. They can either contact myself via email or through the company phone number I provided or if absolutely necessary contact Ruben at the warehouse I'm working with. I discourage contacting Ruben as he's working on the wholesale side and his job isn't to be in contact with retail customers, but that option is there if necessary.

Thank you,

Colin
HID Solutions
http://hid-solutions.com

[jugernot]

I really really hope so...................................

[jugernot]

Today I got an email from HID Solutions (Colin) indicating that my order has been shipped. I will let you all know when it arrives.

[jugernot]

We I can finally un subscribe from this thread. I finally got my wheels.

[vasquezmrysvll]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[big mike71]

Alot of B.S. to go through, but they're good looking wheels without a doubt.

[brossow]

Just got this from AEWC: "Today I will be shipping your wheels to my Minnesota location. I will send you the tracking info and the manager of my Minnesota location will contact you to switch these out." So seven months after ordering I should finally have a complete set! That seems reasonable, no?

[brossow]

Finally today I received the last rim to complete my set. Immediately took it to get the tire mounted before anything else could go wrong. Too bad everything is packed away for the winter already and it'll be at least six months before I can see them mounted on the rolling chassis....