[SIZE=10pt]I likely will not win any popularity awards for this post. But after two years of refraining from posting here -after seeing the latest round of hurt feelers, I just feel compelled.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][/SIZE]
**PLEASE take this post in the positive spirit it is intended, -even if you don't like what you hear.**
[SIZE=18pt]Shame 1[/SIZE]
On the forum for having "Preferred" vendors. Mind you, a list of vendors is good, a place for vendors to promote their swag is good …but when a forum promotes some folks over others: Problems are bound to happen.
The assumption that the forum should take some responsibility when things go awry with a preferred vendor is always going to be assumed by users.
Furthermore, if we take a step back, we see that most of the issues of hurt feelings etc on the forum have come from vendor related things. It has caused people to leave (whether pushed, nudged or on their own accord). It has created motivation for folks to search out (or even create) other cyber spots to fulfill their FJR on-line wants and needs.
Speaking specifically of this thread. The heavy handed moderation has failed. This is a real-world issue and can’t be fixed by social-engineering via moderation. The people who got fucked on this fuel cell should have every opportunity to voice how they intend to move forward if they wish. Instead they were coached to be patient, coached on what ‘not’ to say. Thread closed, opened, closed, opened ….Eventually (at moderator discretion, not real-world dynamics) we were told it was now “OK” to be mad and even suggestions/ideas provided as ways to move forward.
Weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.
[SIZE=18pt]Shame 2[/SIZE]
To the people who spent their money because someplace in the cyberworld told them it was OK. You should have all bought this fuel cell because of your own personal belief and confidence in the source. In short, I’m shocked at the lack of personal responsibility by those who are looking to the forum for suggestions, actions, sympathy -or anything for that matter.
[SIZE=18pt]Shame 2.1[/SIZE]
To those without blood in game who poke, prod, patronize and offer holy suggestions. What many of you cease to understand: Those of us with blood in the game lost a chunk of cash.
But, what is worse than all that: We got butt-fucked in public –in front of you and everyone else. While were slow to admit it, we’re embarrassed. I’d encourage you be ever-present of that fact when hitting the submit button.
[SIZE=18pt]Shame 3[/SIZE]
Ian: What a clusterfuck deal this is. Your lack of performance, lies and blatant disregard for all things regarding this are only outdone by the fact that you continue to sell and communicate on other products.
Un-fucking-believable.
[SIZE=18pt]Kumbaya, Karma, ‘Intent’, Love and fairness[/SIZE]
I don’t know everyone on this fuel cell buy –but I know of two folks with entirely different thoughts/actions on this.
They were opposite, but IMO both came away with winning outcomes:
-One fellow pushed Ian hard and got a refund. That was some time ago. He was self-sufficient, didn’t whine to the forum or follow others' advice. He followed his own agenda and made things happen.
-Another fellow has purposely put this whole thing behind him (and did so early on).
He chalked it up to “bad shit sometimes happens”. Like watching your 401K go down, like a few bad hands on the blackjack table etc. He put it behind him and moved on.
I have no doubt that the positive energy he’s put into other things has more than made up for what he lost here …not to mention the cost of bitterness etc that is still going on with many folks here -is not on his plate.
I applaud both of these guys.
While many of us may not like the way the forum handled this, let’s remember to keep people’s ‘intent’ ever-present. No way did anyone wish this on anyone. No way are personal attacks justified or warranted.
[SIZE=14pt]---My ramble---[/SIZE]
Many have seen the cell on my FJR and I’ve got numerous pings about it ….all kinds of questions and many assumptions that aren’t true. I’m not about to go into all the details here/now (shit,it would take a month), but the bullet points are this:
• I bought a fuel cell from Ian, just as everyone else here did.
• I *soon* became frustrated when the first delivery promise was not made, this was very early on.
• I canceled my order, told Ian that I was going another direction –as I had another source already lined up and they were prepared to overnight it to me. I did not ask for a refund, but told Ian that the next request for a fuel cell, let that person have the one slated for me and they could pay me directly. (obviously this never happened)
• Ian, in an attempt to keep everyone happy asked me to come to Sonora and borrow the mock up fuel cell. (not the nice finished product we were all promised). I took the bait and took time from work and went to Sonora
• From here the story becomes too crazy but let me just say this: If anyone out there thinks that renojohn is a bastard because he got ‘His’ fuel cell. Well, you’re certainly free to think that, but the truth is that I went through many hoops with Ian for the next many months. Hoops that I did on my own accord. I still never got the finished product.
• Truth is I’m into this fuel cell way deeper than I ever imagined. Not just the money, but the days off work, the trips to Sonora, the hoops I went through for Ian and countless other hoops that won't be shared here. Trust me, I’ve paid my dues tenfold.
• Yes, I still I came out better than most. Part luck, but partly because from the early get-go I took responsibility to make it go or not …I walked away not once, but twice. Sure, I sometimes wonder if I should have kept walking the first time …but really no good comes from dwelling on past mistakes.
I very much feel for all of those on this buy who got nothing ….and how about those who got nothing then sent their self-bought fuel cells in for a refund -that never came. Man-0-Man, nothing X2
I think of Ian on occasion and know that he’s got some tough stuff going on. I believe that he’s in pain over this …but his lack of accountability here doesn’t reflect this. Hence, I don’t get too upset. Still, I wish him the best.
I really hate to see the hurt feelings by folks involved here -and the drama and frustration are likely contributing factors. While I don’t have the answers, I very much believe that each of us must make our own choice(s) and go forward accordingly.
RenoJohn
