HET club, ClassicCars.com, and other stuff....

Unknown

This post got me thinking, and still deserves an answer....





Hudsonkid, you sound like one of those whiners who think the price of parts should be as quoted in the year parts book.



Why don't you back off with your negativisim. I've been in this HET club for over 35 years and a better bunch of people you will NOT find anywhere. I, for one, am sick of your whining and bad mouthing everybody and everything. Maybe you need to get rid of your Hudson material (charge what you think YOU should pay) and go somewhere else.



I consider this HET club and it's members my "other" family - and I have no reason to think otherwise. It's obvious you have issues and need to address them.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

(Note that I'm not afraid to post my name)





please let it known, I am not a whiner, or do I think that I should be able to buy prices for what they appear to be in the original price books. I have spent a lot of money on parts for my hudson. Some of the parts were quite expensive, while others were reasonable. What I do want, is when I do spend money on a part, I want it to be as represented, for a fair market price, and I prefer not to pay for anymore learning lessons.



Perhaps you don't like what I post, that's fine. Quite frankly, what it comes down to is the fact that it is not necessarily what I post, rather how you feel about what I post. It seems if it is a different point of view from yours, then it is the wrong one.



I agree with you, in the fact that there is a great bunch of people in the hudson club, in fact a great many of them are fantastic people, but can you honestly say, for one second, that every one of them are great? There are always a few apples that spoil the bunch, unfortunately. I think that instead of you guys trying to cover for your own, that you should recognize this fact. I have no problems with the actual HET club organization, but do have issue with a few here or there. In fact, if you review my recent body of work, you will see that even though I will not join in the fun, I often, (and still do) recommend new people to check it out for theirself.



I don't understand where you get the idea that I should just get rid of my hudson stuff, and sell it for what I think I should pay, that seems like such an irrational and odd statement. Perhaps I should start with my CD's I got from you? hmmm... what would I want to pay for them? How about I just offer the information for free to anyone that wants it, instead of anyone paying to get it from you?



Quite frankly, your whole point of view illustrates what is wrong with the HET club. Let me say that again, what you wrote is "What is wrong with the HET club" I know a lot of you will find this hard to believe that anything can be wrong with an organization that so many of you have found so beneficial, and that's fine, but that is the first part of the problem when you cannot find fault in an entity. Kind of like thinking the government is perfect, when in fact, we all know that regardless who is running the show, there are always problems.



Those that are truly great, are the ones that listen to the masses, those that are not part of the majority demographic (in this case, perhaps a 65 year old male, in terms of the HET club demographic) and try to represent an ideal happy medium for everyone, not just the old boys club.



Like it or not, my voice is the voice many of the old timers don't want to hear. They are set in their ways, and no longer open for new ideas. Did you ever stop and look at any of the event pictures in the HET? The average age is somewhere around 70. Where are the young people? What have you done to support younger members? Do you listen to what they say? or does it all sound like a bunch of whining.... (mainly because you don't agree with it, it comes out as a bunch of whining... how original...)



Last time I checked, this forum is not a springboard for the HET club, so as I figure it, my point of view, good or bad on the matter, is relevant. I believe that I still have the right to criticize a specific eBayer offering goods or services that I personally do not feel confident in, as well as pointing out inconsistencies with an organization that does not make effort to represent my age demographic (and the only way for it to ever happen is to age into the demographic, rather than expecting change)



So, unless someone tells me different, this is what I thought was the purpose of the forum. Maybe someone should answer these questions for me if in fact I am wrong.



If the hudson club wants an official forum, I think they need to fund one, and start their own. This is ClassicCar.com. The HET club needs to spend the money, and start their own message board, if they want a board that speaks all positive about the hudson club, and no one is allowed to post a less than popular (with the consensus) opinion in regards to the club.



Oh well, I figure the moderators will take this work of art down soon, so I'll just save it again for a rainy day. Seems the moderators monitor with the HET club in mind rather than the ClassicCars.com interests, anyway.



Really though, I am not sure why it would be taken down, except for the basic reason it would be something that one of them would not agree with, but I criticized no one, only pointed out my opinion. Let's see what happens!



I'll host it elsewhere so everyone can read it.....



If it comes down.



One more thing, who cares if you post your name, not afraid to say who you are? Big deal. we all know who is anyway on this board, not like it takes a genius to figure it out. I've posted my name many times, and my e-mail.



I don't know where you have a problem with me Alex Burr, but seems a while back you were so kind to use a bunch of my photos for your purposes, and your tone was different then. Perhaps we have grown apart?



Of course this scenario sounds all too familiar....

hudsontech

Ok, you have some valid points - and probably I was a bit hot under the collar at some of your comments. I was thinking back to some other posts you made, such as the survey.

I fully agree with you - there are a few bad apples in the barrel; as with any family there are a few skeletons in the closet. Anybody who knows me, and has known me for over 30 years in this HET club, will tell you my feelings.

Perhaps my comments were directed more at the "HOW" rather than the "WHY" of your post. If you have a beef with a seller, I don't think you should post something like "BUYER BEWARE" in 30 point (whatever) type. Outline your case, what you bought, what you paid (if you feel you want to), and what your complaint is/was. Post all relevant facts to your case - whether you contacted the seller, what he said/you said and what the resolution was, if any.

As for posting your name - you are not the only one who may have purchased my CD's, but how am I to remember hudsonkid, if you used that in correspondence. Now, John Smith I probably would remember.

Regards using your material - I sincerly hope I gave you credit where credit was due. Again, without a name I don't know. If I didn't my sincere apologies.

I am always looking for more info to post on my web site, where-ever. A recent case of looking for something (I will keep the name quiet for now) illustrates the way I handle things. I'm looking for some data to fill in gaps. I have contacted the person who may have that data twice - once in 2005 and again recently. I still am awaiting an answer, one way or the other - but I won't go putting the case on the forum in large type indicating the guy is a loser. Some people are just that way. even when they are in a position they are supposed to correspond. If I have, or don't have, something somebody needs, I will let them know as soon as I can. But that's the way I am.

That's the way I feel.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Park_W

hudsonkid, I think it's accurate to say that this forum was indeed started by the Hudson Club. Indirectly perhaps, by active club members rather than as an official club effort, but I believe the majority on the forum are club members. That said, the last thing we'd want to do is restrict it to members. The benefit comes from sharing info among all who are attracted to these great cars. Regarding criticism, the main thing that gets me worked up a bit is when someone badmouths "the club" when their gripe should be directed at whoever they have an issue with. And as for younger Hudson enthusiasts, I can assure you the club leadership is concerned about the need to attract younger folks, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we might better "support" the younger ones. What are we doing or not doing that needs to be changed?

Unknown

Alex, for the record, I'm not going to copy your CD's, believe me. You got a lot of hard work in them, and I respect that. It's not like it's a movie, or an album.



I think your a good guy, and could not figure out what I said that got under your skin, but I repect your reply, especially the one from above that seems to be of a more level demeanor.



Back to te "Caveat" I issued to potential buyers, I feel that the buyer can by all means, do whatever they please, but to approach the particular purchasing agreement with caution, if they pursue it with said seller.



As for all of the other folks on here that have had sucess with a certain eBay seller, terrific. Would I buy from said individual? Absolutely, just not via the mail, thru eBay. Unless I can have said part in hand, and deliver said payment, I would shy away from using that particular person as a vendor for my parts. I bet he's a great guy, but as far as a seller on eBay, he needs to work on his follow thru.



What would make it right? Here's what I suggest. Address each purchaser, that has felt miffed, done wrong, etc... ask what it would take to make the transaction right. If it is reimbursing shipping, then do it. If it is simply an apology, then issue an apology. I would have mountains of respect for this individual if this were to occur. I guess what it comes down to is sometimes the cost of an apology is too great for many people out there. I bet the shipping costs are minimal, compared to the price of other things. I bet even the few others that have been outspoken on this matter as well, would feel much the same, if they were offered a reasonable resolve.



Personally, I don't even know if the seller in question has ever been on here, but I woulld really like to hear their point of view in regards to a lot of this.



I sell vintage pens as a side hobby. I sell pens that range in value from maybe $20 to several thousands of dollars. I treat each customer the same regardless of their purchase price. Recently, I had the US post office lose a pen that I had delivery confirmation on, as well as insurance. I have just found out that insuring an item does not necessarily mean the PO will be there for you when it is lost. I have confirmation that the pen was "attempted" to be delivered, but the buyer did not recieve the item. So this turns out to be my problem. I offered my buyer several options; 1) complete refund 2) replacement with same item (which I told him it would take some time) 3) A like or similar pen as well as replacement



My buyer told me that replacement is fine, sometime sooner or later, but I told him that I wish to replace the item as well as get him a like or similar pen. The cost of the pen was marginal, but finding a same replacement is going to be a bit tough....



One more example, from recent, is I have a buyer that purchased a pen, did not like the way it filled, I told him to send it back, I'll fix it no problem. He asked if I would look at another one, and I said sure. He then asked me what it would cost to have these pens fixed, and I told him nothing, except his shipping to me. I told him I would cover the shipping bck, even.



(uhhh... maybe I'm a poor businessman.... lemme rethink this one, hehe)



Anyhow, if you see my point (and others out there...) THIS IS HOW YOU DEAL WITH CUSTOMERS. You cannot leave anyone unhappy, think you left someone unhappy, or give up before that person is satisfied. That is the golden rule of selling, customer satisfaction, period. I approach my selling this way, regardless of what I sell. My worst trait when I sell, might be shipping, sometimes (the kids make it tough...) arranging trips to the PO are kinda difficult, but I make it happen.



I think that due to the effort I put into customer satisfaction I expect a level close to the same that I deliver.



Oh as far as the poll, that thread is done, in the past, and needs to be buried. I think I made a thoughtful effort to apologize for it, correct my wrong, and move on. I don't think that it was handled well on many levels, and quite frankly, there are times you always wish you could undo something. Now it's Time for everyone else to move on. If anyone out there needs additional closure, please contact me via PM, and I will offer you a custom, personal apology.



Alex, are you going to Doc's Meet? maybe you can introduce yourself to me. Look for the giantly tall kid walking around, with a camea or two, maybe hudsondad will be with me, maybe not. He seems to shy away from me here or there, perhaps I'm too outspoken. I'm truly a nice guy.



Heck even Jon B has chatted with me here or there, and he probably hates to see everytime I post on this forum. I feel bad for him sometimes, having to probably spend 90% of his time as a moderator, watching over me. I'm gonna try and get a picture of me and him together paling around, and use it as my avatar!

Park_W

hudsonkid, look me up at Doc's meet. I'll be driving a cream-colored Hornet convertible. Would love to chat.

Unknown

Park, you have been one of the few people that have consistently asked for my opinion, and point of view. I really have a great deal of respect for that.



I still don't have the answer as to what could be done to fix this or do that. I honestly don't know. Everytime I post something like this I get PM and e-mails with support from every faction, from customizers, to street rodders, to people in my general demographic (meaning within a decade or so of my age)



Perhaps what we need is to use the forum as an idea board, to figure out what people think, without being chastised, or bashed by the rest of the group.



Maybe if people feel they could offer suggestions or sound off, and see that it is being received by someone that could make a difference, then it might be a productive venture. I can imagine the post now, "What do you feel needs changed with the HET club, What do you feel is wrong?" I bet there will be those that are so blind, and will post that there is nothing wrong with it, and it is perfect in every respect.



Even myself, I know there are problems, and things that need to change, but I still recognize it as a functional organization that is trying to make it work. But i'm not blind to think that there is no room for improvement. Someone needs to do something.



I don't know if anyone that is creeping up there in age realizes that the direction of the club is going to change, the makeup of the club is going to change, rather than evolve, like it should, at this point, mainly due to the consistent and lengthy holdout, and resistance to change, or acceptance of new ideas. These are not limited to the modifiers, the customizers, street rodders, the younger members, etc...



A lot of these passing members might not like the sad reality, but they had a chance to evolve the club, and they didn't. I don't want to grow into the demographic represented by the club, to fit in, I want the club to accept me, and have enough room for me, as well as everyone else.



And I know that there are those that might readily think that they have embraced these factions, but hey, who are we kidding? seriously, none of these groups have been accepted. they are all sorta bastard stepchildren.



With the exception of a few members, for the most part, I go to a club function, I feel like an outsider, like I don't belong, and I have been around hudsons for over 20 years, sometimes longer that those that make me feel like an outsider.



Not to mention that most of the times, I'm the youngest person there by 15-20 years. but hey, I like old people!!!

Unknown

Park W wrote:

hudsonkid, look me up at Doc's meet. I'll be driving a cream-colored Hornet convertible. Would love to chat.

sounds nice....



we've chatted before, you'll remember me.

Unknown

I want to see a picture of Hudsonkid, Jon B. and Lew M. "Pal-ing" around at Doc's. I'll even take it!

Unknown

Ok, everyone has had their say here...this post is closed. Lets move on to the car stuff and the less of pissing in each others wheaties the better. This is a forum for fellowship and information swapping. It's about the cars we love and what we do with them.....now - play ball!