Censored posts????

This morning I posted an unflattering thread about a replica vendor and dobn't see it on the site tonight. Are such posts commonly deleted my the moderators?

The post was honest and might help other Speedie enthusiasts avoid the same problem I had with this outfit.

Jack,Hot Springs

Big Brother is always watching.....

Odd. There have been plenty of instances where folks said negative things about vendors. Unless it was really outrageously nasty, I can't see why Theron would delete it.

" . . . folks said negative things about vendors."

I'm TOTALLY guilty of that ! ! ! But I always try to explain myself. Never negative, for it's own sake, but sort of disappointed with certain elements or areas of the product/build/kit/etc. sometimes.

Maybe it was just a computer hiccup.

Post it again and see if it sticks. Now I REALLY wanna read it!

Jack,
I rarely delete or edit posts. A user will get edited if I see profanity, but I just remove the profanity and offer a warning. I will delete a post that is clearly an advertisement.
However, I haven't deleted a post for content in so long that I can't remember when I did.

I combined two threads yesterday into one. "What Should I Pay for This Car?" was posted in two topics, so I merged them together.

I also will delete a posting if it is missing a thread subject. The user usually reposts with a thread title and then we have two identical threads. I did this yesterday to a new thread, but I can't remember who posted it. Is it possible this was your posting?

The end result, Just post it again. Let me know if it doesn't stick, I may have a server problem.

-=theron

Hey Theron--I appreciated your post. You know---maybe I just failed to hit the "send" after I finashed my post. Funny---I later searched for "Automotive Legends" and found some really harsh critisizms of AL and they made my post look like a complement to them!! So I now believe it wasn't removed and apologize for the accusation!

I was pissed because of the way I was just treated over a hubcap that was put on my Speedie as one of a set of 4 because it was dented around the outside edge when it was removed 5-6 times with a screwdriver, it was missing the two little removal holes, had a "made in Taiwan" sticker inside it and had thick rust in a circle inside.This was a used, damaged hubcap when it went out on the car. How could it possibly have been taken off the car 5-6 times as indicated by the number of screwdriver removal dents. The other three were new.

I bought the car with 700 miles so it was new and should not have had a used, damaged hubcap; the previous owner said the hubcaps had never been off of the car---I think this is true as the wheels were quite out of balance when I got it---another problem, but that wasn't my beef. The prev owner paid an amazing $1,995 for an "emblem kit" that included the hubcaps--supposedly new ones!

I mailed the Hubcap back to Wil Cashen of AL who didn't bother to respond and instead "Michael" in parts called me back to say they weren't going to make it good, that it didn't leave AL twith that cap on it and he inspects everything before the car leaves Malibu. He would, however sell me a new set for about $340.00. Sweet.

---that's stunningly poor customer service! Plus I'm told I'm a liar to boot.

Treatment like this needs to be exposed for the benefit of others and that was the reason for my initial post. The 3 oz. bottle of touch up paint last week should have been a warning as I was charged $29.95 and later learned I should have bought the same thing directly from VS for just $7.00! Thanks for the forum, Theron. I'll try to hit that
"send" button now.---Jack, Hot Springs

Perhaps there is a way to warn the builders what is happening to the cars they sell to these guys....I realize there isn't much can be done if they buy them used from other sellers, but they are giving the real makers bad names....

Just FYI, Jack, a little rust on the inside of these hubcaps is not unusual. They are generally poorly plated over in China, and will rust unless you coat the inside with oil, and the outside with wax. This is a problem that all manufacturers have to deal with since they get these parts from the same sources. The dents and other marks, however, are more troubling.

JACK JUST SO U KNOW THIS POST WILL BE DELETED BECAUSE U USED THE WORD PISSED ;)

Lane man--a "little rust" is one thing--this one showed deep and old rust--point is, the hubcap was slapped onto the car along with three good ones,it was used and damaged by taking it off with a screwdriver---multiple times!

All these hubcaps should be waxed on the inside periodically but that is another story andhas nothing to do with the shabby treatment I complained about. In fact I did wax the moonies I put on to replace the nipples since I don't have a complete set of nipple ones

For $10 bucks AL could have made a friend and a happy customer. Hell---I would have paid the cost to replace it even and STILL be ok with it.

Very sad.---Jack, Hot Springs

Just kind of a tip, I guess.

If you get tired of waxing the hub caps, you can coat them with a neat new clear spray. It'll be in the housewares section of your local Big Box Store and is used for brass door knobs and door knockers and the like.

REALLY tough and stays clear and, most importantly, doesn't diminish the natural chromed shiny finish on the caps.

The stuff that I got was called "Golden Coat" I think, but just ask one of the floor workers there, you'll probably make out fine.

Buy the most expensive weather-proof finish that they have.

My thread of serious complaint about some lousy customer service has been turned into "Hints from Eloise!!"

What the---------------?

Jack, Hot Springs

...welcome to the madness...


BTW...I wonder what's the best way to remove red wine stains from linen napkins?

Oooopppsss . . .

Didn't mean to offend, honestly, I just thought that a tip to keep the three good hubcaps looking new might be of some help to you.

Again, no offense or lessening of your legitimate complaint meant at all.

Luck,

TC

Jack,
I understand your frustration with Automotive Legends.
But, remember one thing:
Automotive Legends in a "Boutique" in Malibu, Calif.
They sell Automotive Style/Logo Shirts, hats, Jackets, books, models, pens, and for people who don't ask the price: Cars.
The entire place can't be over 500 Sq. Ft.
They don't build cars, they sell cars for companies that do.
They don't have a Parts Department, they have a few assessorries on the shelf.
I was in there one day, and I asked if they sell the gear shift knob that was on a Spyder that they had on the floor.
I was quoted $255 "Installed". This was for a Wood Porsche knob!!
If you need anything for your car, try Vintage Speedsters, or JPS, or any of the other companies list on the "Makers" tab on this site. They want your business and will take care of you.

Lester--they actually told me that "their factory" was in Azuza, CA.

Guess you didn't know they had a "factory" didja?

I since learned that the Speedsters they sell are Vintage Speedsters---nothing else. Of course they dress them up with high dollar extras that are 1/3 the price elsewhere.

Too bad Kirk sells them anything---he's doing super well with a legimate operation and seriously good product. Too bad his name gets put in the same sentence with AL's.---Jack, Hot Springs

A salesman from AL contacted me about consigning Butch to them... He introduced himself as if he was THE second coming, asking if I knew who AL was? I didn't have the heart to tell him I knew all about them!

Paul---good for you! In looking over the car brands by members it's odd to me that there is no one who says they have an Automotive Legends car---it's only the main brands; VS, IM, Beck, ---unless I'm reading this wrong.

Of course if I ever buy another car it will be directly from Kirk Duncan---period. A huge advantage is the ease of getting it registered. Love having that old VW vin#!!---Jack, Hot Springs

--Just wanted to bump this--hope no rules are violated.

Full credit needs to be given.---Jack

Paul why not let them sell it if they can??? What can it hurt?

It wasn't a consignment suggestion, just another low-ball offer by what I suspect was a lot boy who was a 'legend' in his own mind...

Oh, sorry.

Ok My new nipple hubcaps arrived today. I had to buy four of them thanks to Automotive Legends who refused to replace the bent-up used one they shipped with the car.

Thanks Automotive Legends--you are really amazing.---Jack

How do they look? Worth it in the end? Are they as sturdy as your earlier ones? I recently grabbed up a set of four lug caps and wasn't impressed at all in the thickness of the metal.

Given the amount of exposure that AL is getting/will end up getting here, is IS "amazing" that they acted like such $HIT$!

...penny wise - pound foolish!

TC--first--I will have some extra spacers--still need em??

Well the new hubcaps are exactly the same as the first set from AL that were on the car. The Porsche emblem without the "porsche" name in script--that's ok.

Ther were $160 for the set. ok Chrome --looks a lot like polished aluminum though--but they are ok.

I did get a 4th one to replace the used, rusted and bent one that AL originally shipped with the car. Very high quality, nice chrome and had the Porsche script ---$65. But I returned it as it was a differend overahh shape and the emplem was maybe 15% larger than my original ones.

I'm still not too happy I had to buy FOUR when all I really needed was one.

I still have 3 if someone wants them---Jack

Jack -

I forgot to clarify my 'penny wise - pound foolish' comment!

I was referencing AL for trying to make a few extra pennies on insisting on a complete set of 4 caps - instead of gaining additional customers/business through a "satisfied customers'" word-of-mouth advertisement of good service and customer support !!

Peace - Out!

Ho Jim--I understood exactly what you meant. Clarification not needed but thanks for your concern.

Yeah--youu are right---what does AL pay for one of these cheapo nipple hubcaps---$15? Hell--they charged $2,000 for the "emblem kit" they sold the original owner of my car.I will take a wild guess and say that they made many times $15 on just that one screwing they gave the original owner of my Speedie. I can't imagine why they would palm off a used, dented and rusty hubcap as a new one---part of a set of four. Then not make it right after getting cought trying to sneak through such a junk piece.

Isn't it odd that there's not a single post on here "I'm so glad I bought my car from Automotive Legends rather than directly from Vintage Speedsters". After learning the facts I wouldn't be too proud to admit that either.

Thanks for your nice post though!---Jack

I emailed them yesterday & asked if they were resellers for vintage & they said no, they manufacture their own cars. Either they build them somewhere or they are flat out liars. I tend to think the latter.

I was told by AL that they owned their own build facility in Azuza, CA but later learned that this place belongs to someone else.

Possibly could this have been yet another falsehood? A slight mis- statement, perhaps??---Jack

AL- falsehood? No! I don't think I've ever heard those words in the same sentence!

Maybe we should sic Curt Scott on 'em.

Curt's Web Site:..........good reading !

http://www.kitcar.com/ratecard-kitcar.html

Email:
Curt@KitCar.com

It is my understanding that Automotive Legends buys kits, then has builders (mechanics with available time) complete the kit build. Apparently, at present, their principal builder/contracter is Fibersteel in Azusa, CA. which is owned by Russ Rodriguez. Russ has been around the 356 scene for quite awhile. If you want to know more about Fibersteel a key word search will bring up the link. The recommendation that you buy from one of the well known manufacturers with a production facility is a good way to avoid problems.

A great thread like this deserves a bump----maybe even a stickey---Theron?---Jack

I've visited their Malibu "showroom" a couple of times. It's my understanding that they buy finished cars from Kirk at VS and then add lots of "appearance items" to them to justify a fatter sticker price.

If they ARE "building their own cars," they're doing them exactly the same way VS does 'em...speedometer on the left, dash material that just "stops" at the windshield pillars, etc.

The fact that they're telling different stories to different people should make a smart buyer wary.

Automotive Legends in a "Boutique" in Malibu, Calif.
They sell Automotive Style/Logo Shirts, hats, Jackets, books, models, pens, and for people who don't ask the price: Cars.
The entire place can't be over 500 Sq. Ft.
They don't build cars, they don't buy partually bult cars and finish them, they curently sell finished Speedsters build by Vintage Speedsters.
Don't get me wrong; They do a fantastic job of selling cars.
It's just that they don't build them, so they don't know that much about them, and they can't fix them.

I wasn't asking them to fix anything---just replace one stinking nipple hubcap that was beat up and used and put with 3 good hubcaps onto the car.

I have replaced the hubcap myself but have nothing but distain for such a shabby business practice. Poor, poor, poor service and sky high rediculous prices too. Other than that--swell folks.---Jack