Dirtbox Venom Texas build!

[mysteryboy28]

out of gas and busted the tip on the welder, so the little thread-on copper tips won't stay on for more than a few seconds. trying to get rent caught up, then get more supplies and fix the welder. still been continuously running my ad for the buggies to try and get a reinfusion of $, but nothing. simply nothing.

i'm not happy about this, and i'm sure billy's not happy about the delay. but there isn't really anything i can do right at the moment. it'll get done, as soon as possible.

on a good note, my lungs finally feel human again.

 

[smack911]

what would you do in my position?

Come on Dave. Give this a little thought. Me the consumer or customer the (sucker) saw this ad on eBay with carts for sale. This sucker was in the market for a toy to get out and play in the pastures to get my mind off all the crap life deals. I see your not a large company like Kawasaki, Yamaha, etc. Maybe a small independent with a few employees so I bite. I rather spend money at the local hardware store to the guy that has been busting his hump to try to survive against the Walmart, Homedepot etc. I work for myself and respect others that do the same. Against better judgement I sent you the complete amount you quoted plus some as to hopefully build a good relationship and if all was what you said then that would have been more buggies for you. I thought 6 weeks at most would be ample time to complete the project since you had already sourced a sled engine. Man you sure played me for a sucker. Shame on me, I hope the money paid your rent maybe got you some new band equipment.

 

[smack911]

Money doesn't mean near as much to me than keeping my word and quality standards to a client or customer. I had to mortgage my home and sell my cars to keep employees paid for their family's. Although new equipment was bought for a large million dollar contract . We were tapped out financially to acquire the equipment and ready for our production for that big defense contract. Well the company filed bankruptcy and opened another company not missing a beat. That didn't help my employees or the 300k pick and place smt machinery. I pleaded to banks and investors still my people had to be paid. I drained savings, mortgaged my home sold everything to keep my people paid and the lights on at the company. I lost a lot that year due to Shylocks and empty promises but I never ever took advantage of my people or quit with a ez bankruptcy. I gave my inheritance to my fathers new wife so she and her kids wouldn't be home less after his sudden passing. She took the home without so much as a thanks sold it and split. My childhood home sold while I was dieing in a hospital. I have gotten the short end of the deal many times in my life but I sleep with a clean conscience and never taken advantage of anyone or broken my word or made excuses when things didn't go as planned. I'm a fool for thinking people have honor, integrity, will and perseverance when all seems to be against them. Yes I'm a foolish for those beliefs that there is more good in people than bad. Despite my losses and the times I have been blindsided and seen the evils of people I'm sure I will continue to give a person a chance at a terrible heart wrentching cost, disappointments, and pain that out ways any amount of money.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Gentlemen- If you don't mind:

If you have a dispute, I certainly hope you can work it out. I would urge you both to remain civil, and it would be a really good idea to take this to email or PM until you're sorted out. To all other readers: Please everyone be aware that DIYGK is in no way affiliated with, or endorses this build, the builder, any company involved, etc. These are merely two members, like everyone else.

 

[smack911]

I mean no-disrespect to the forum or ANY PERSONS!

Starting a new thread for my latest customer, Billy (smack911) from Texas.

This will be a black and yellow buggy, with an Arctic Cat Cougar 550cc 80hp 2-stroke liquid-cooled motor, with electric start, reverse, swingarm rear suspension, digital speedo/tachometer, 12+ inches of ground clearance, front mud/spash guards, a quick-release steering wheel, and a custom driver's side "door" latch.

The overall design will be very similar to previous Venoms, with focus on an improved rear rack/tank area.

This member chose this forum and set up my account to get to it.

 

[smack911]

would like to make my statement and my opinions CLEAR.

I do not want to cause any trouble or slander this Fun forum for the Moderators or any of it's members. This is a hobbyist Forum for FUN Toys for us all. A excellent place for people who bust their knuckles and try to get the oil stains out of their cloths. I totally agree with a civil and harbor no malice or disrespect to anyone here. We are all here for the toys we love and the common brotherhood of Speeddy things. Since MAY I have been waiting on this project and was assured it would be done to completion. I have paid the amount quoted and will happily post the amount and receipt. I feel the amount does not matter. I did not choose this hobbiest Forum to conduct business the builder did. My intentions are not to offend or sway anyone, I am thankful these people have built a place for all to gather, share ideas, build projects, make friends, and have fun. I hope you all see my sincerity of having a great place to talk about your projects. However! I am voicing (texting) my personal loss of significant value in hopes that no one else gets blindsided... My apologies to the board moderators and members.
Sincerely,
Billy---- PS: Have fun do burnouts, tire smoking donuts, and hair raising wheelies to you all....

 

[RobertD]

Agree with Doc. I dont' want to lock this thread because I hope there will be a final "everything turned out great" post, but it's getting close to locking / deleting.

Use PM's or email to finish the grievances.

Thanks everyone.

 

[itsid]

hmmm
I have been on both sides of a "on hold" deal so I fully understand that you're getting angry about the time it takes.
But I also do know that life can kick your ***** hard enough, that you cannot even talk about it, especially not to costumers!
And from what I've read on the last few pages, it seems like that's what happened to Dave last month.

I do not know any of you in person of course, so I can only make assumptions here,
but I honestly think that Dave didn't intend to let you wait.

I keep my fingers crossed for you, that Dave will finish your buggy soon,
I am quite certain he would like to have that off his chest too.

Dave, maybe it's a good idea to post a todo-list of what still needs to be done on the buggy and what schedule you have to do so.

'sid
(throwing two cents in the theater)

 

[OzFab]

with Sid here; sometimes, stuff just happens, whether by our own hand or outside influence.

A few years ago, a friend of a friend was having a job done by a workshop I was working for (I did all the bodywork, he did the mechanical) but the job was held up by the procractinating electrician (outside source) for six months!

I was in a position to see both sides of the story but, could do nothing but stand back & watch...

The customer eventually got his truck but it cost the mechanic a good customer & a friend & also created tension with the electrician (who was next door). By the time the customer got his truck, he'd lost interest in it & sold it within months...

The moral of that story is, outside influence can & will cause the biggest problems.

Billy, you will eventually get your buggy; I realise it's frustrating but, look at it this way: You haven't had it until now & it's being custom built to your specs. When you get it, you will enjoy it immensly...

Mysteryboy: Without trying to sound like I'm telling you what to do (& without knowing what steps you have already taken to correct the situation), keep in touch & do your best to get the job done (no one can ask more than that); if the customer knows what's happening, he's more inclined to be patient with you.

I hope you two can resolve this situation peacefully & promptly...

 

[mysteryboy28]

billy, i love you man. gripe all you gotta, if it makes you feel better. money is screwed right now. the buggy WILL get done. when? not sure, when i can afford to finish it. best realistic guess? spring. i'd love to go into details about the crap that's going on in my personal life due to the poopy money situation, but i'm not gonna. it just sucks. 1 year anniversary: "we're broke honey, and waaaay behind on bills. yay". luckily i'm still married, for now. but it WILL get better, just not as fast as you'd like it to.

luckily i already decided to get out of the buggy business, so your slander doesn't harm me. just makes you look grumpy. lol. i understand the impatience. nothing i can do about it. i still love you.

meanwhile, for all of you out there thinking about trying to build karts and buggies for a living: don't do it. lol.

 

[fowler]

way too much of this happening lately

lucky enough to never have experience it

but seeing it way too much lately

good luck to all involved is about all i can say

 

[OzFab]

Whatever happened to this build?

 

[machinist@large]

Whatever happened to this build?

Hole-in-wallet syndrome.....

 

[OzFab]

I'm aware of that but, that was months ago...

 

[machinist@large]

I'm aware of that but, that was months ago...

As of my last PM with him, it's still looking bleak; I don't have the right to say any more than that.

 

[RickLBZ]

That sucks. I was in communication with him to get my own built but got delayed on my end, guess it was for the best. Hopefully he gets this one finished for the buyer.

 

[itsid]

Well.. Dave said spring... it's not spring yet

But I guess it'd be nice to have an update on this,
if spring is still a realistic guess, or not
if Bill will get his Venom Dirtbox at all etc.

'sid

 

[mysteryboy28]

hi guys, yeah the goal is spring. winter sucks. lol. it's embarrassing that it's taking so long, but i can only do what i can do. welder is busted, and money is crap. i really can't wait to be done with it all. had a guy offer me a nice chunk of change to build him one, but i don't wanna. lol. i had my buggy building run. i'm done. maybe someday i'll build myself a super buggy that'll put the Venoms to shame.

meanwhile, for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR_CC3BYtZ4

 

[itsid]

...almost spring around here

So Dave, how's it going?
I'm sure Billy would really like to burn some rubber soon

'sid

 

[mysteryboy28]

still need a new welder. still broke. it's below freezing out. thanks for bringing it up though.

currently 25 degrees F outside (-3.88 C) and snowing. how's the weather there?