We've contacted Tom again (and spoke with him last weekend as well). I've even offered to complete the remaining tails myself here in the CA workshop, and give him all of the earnings. At this point our only goal is to finalize the remaining orders, and close the GB.

After it's closed, either Tom takes this over 100% or SBG takes it over 100% and pays him accordingly... but right now we have little to no control over the progress of the GB, which from a business standpoint is not working at all.



Tom: No hard feelings, but we are responsible to make sure this runs smoothly as it is underwritten by SBG, and it is not being carried out in a manner that I feel represents how we operate. Again, I am more than happy to take on any remaining orders myself, and not take a single cent for building them. My only goal at the moment is to finish off the rest of the orders immediately.

(Please also contact me to discuss what you would like to do regarding a future GB. I need a final decision one way or another.)

-Heath

 

Alright so apparently some of the customers haven't been getting my emails.

I just sent out an email not days ago updating everyone on where were at and what's going on with the schedule. I used my master list of email addresses based on the emails used when people sent paypal deposits. I understand a couple of people sold their spots to other people so perhaps that is why a couple of people have not received my emails.

If you have not been getting my emails PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM BOX and if you still don't see an email from me then PM me with your correct email address and spot number.

I posted before that I wanted to communicate via email for the remainder of this GB, and I thought everyone was getting my emails - that's why I haven't been posting in this thread as often as before.

I've been in communication with just about everyone remaining in the GB, so if any customers who are on the GB list have not been getting my emails please contact me directly.

If you are not on the original GB list please do not contact me asking if/when the next round of GB will begin.

 

Tom, the GB thread should not be closed until the last order has been fulfilled, and updates via the GB thread in a public forum do make sense. Dealing with customers individually is definitely a good thing, but I don't feel comfortable taking the rest of the orders to something as nebulous as individual emails.

I need to see the rest of the GB progress publicly in a timely manner, instead of drop off the face of the earth with no resolution.... if not for your reputation, for ours.

Please email/IM/PM/call me so we can discuss the resolution of the GB and what you would like to do for the next half. Prospective customers have the right to know what will happen next, and at the moment I can't field the daily questions I get regarding tail lights.

-Heath

 

Unfortunately a forum thread is not a very good method for communication with customers:
#1, not all the customers regularly check the thread.
#2, it becomes difficult as individual conversations gets lost in previous pages, and
#3, people who aren't even customers are constantly chiming in with questions or demands.
#4, it is too confusing to constantly match forum usernames with real names with email addresses - using email i am able to keep direct record of back & forth communication between each individual customers, in a threaded format that is not subject to A) the forum shutting down or moderators closing/moving the thread and B) the PM box that is limited to a certain number of messages
#5, direct communication is always going to be necessary, especially when dealing with things regarding personal information (shipping addresses, phone numbers, etc.)

For these reasons I am going to continue using email as my primary means for communication regarding the status of individual customer orders and I will continue to forward/cc Dan on important updates.

Also, at this point in time I have no plans on doing a second round of the group buy, however if I do offer another round I will not announce it until after the first GB is 100% complete. If you are not in the 1st GB, don't even bother asking. I will definitely continue to do conversions on a single-order basis if there is not a second GB. I was considering giving my design to SBG however after recent ill-treatment/harassment from a certain member of SBG I am now thinking that I have changed my mind. Whether or not I allow SBG to use my design in the future (with or without me producing them) depends on how said SBG member plays his cards.

I appreciate the customers who have had patience with the various delays in this GB, and I have always been willing to work out any problems with customers who are unsatisfied with the wait, all they have to do is contact me directly (I always reply to PM's and eMails). I know most of you understand that I am a full time grad student who also works a day job and volunteers as part of my education - so again I thank you for waiting while I churn these conversions out.

I would like to get this GB finished up as soon as possible and I will continue to maintain direct conversation with the remaining customers via email. If there is an issue that pertains to the GB as a whole or all the remaining customers I will, of course, post it in this thread. As mentioned before, individual customer communication is best suited for direct-messaging and will be done exclusively via PM or email.

Thanks everyone.

 

PM replied, email address updated in the system, and your lights ship out today.

I've mentioned numerous times that a DIY kit is not available at this time. The build process is very complicated and I would have to make video instructions just to show people every step of the process.

Also, please reserve the conversation in this thread for people who are actually part of the GB. Feel free to chime in with your suggestions once (and if) a 2nd GB opens in the future.

Thanks.

 

Even though I wasn't asked to, I'm going to clean up the thread a little bit to help out

 

got the email, pm and tracking number =0

says lights should arrive friday!!! cant wait.

 

Black Hearts, what spot did you have?

 

i have #20

 

I've changed plans and am putting my GB spot (#31) up for sale. PM me if interested.

 

I started getting replies last night, and have a half-dozen now. Will respond in order I was contacted and update this thread and SB/Theorie when I've confirmed receipt of payment. Thanks.

 

My spot #31 is sold to caredden. Thank you to the others that expressed interest. Theorie/SB, I'm sending appropriate info to put you in direct contact with caredden.

 

got my lights in today.

haven't opened up the box, but im loving the sushi tape on the box

thanks again =)

 

Yes yes yes! So close!

 

Azrae1 & KKMpunkrock2011 - your lights have shipped. you should both get an email w/ the tracking number within 24hr

MSTHTD1 & Callsign_Vega - your lights go out this week...

 

It's worth the wait for such uber high quality lights guys, and Tom constructs these in boxers and boat shoes. Doesn't get much sexier than that

 

I really hope this happens again! I'd love to have a set.

Great work.

 

Tom and I have discussed the possibility and we're working together to make it happen... looks like it will be a go, but we have a number of things to work out. In short, yes another GB on these should happen, but no we don't know about timing so far as we have yet to work out the details. After this GB has concluded, we'll repost the interest list that we have in a new thread.
-Heath

 

Got the email while I was down in Houston and this is the first chance I've had to reply, thanks Tom, I look forward to getting these on my car.

 

Anyone wanna buy my place at #34?

 

Azrae1 & KKMpunkrock2011,

just wanted to let you guys know that there was a problem with fedex. apparently they couldnt scan the barcodes so i had to go back to fedex today to re-label them...effing morons over there...they claim they couldnt print out a new label themselves, so i had to do it. wtf???

anyway they are definitely shipped out and on their way.

 

no worries, I know how stupid they can be sometime.

 

pm'd

 

Thanks for keeping us updated Tom, I too received my tracking email so everything seems well now.

 

will you guys be using the brighter LEDs i read in some other post?