Well, Well, Well. Must be nice to place a rant when YOU don't even have your OWN facts straight and make unsubstantiated statements. So before everyone reading this post makes judgment on this subject let me introduce myself and offer facts of "the other half of the story":

Fact #1. My name is Toby Grissom who is the President of the Titusville Corvette Club.

Fact #2 is that there is NO HOST CORVETTE CLUB. Eckler's Reunion is run by Ecklers.

Fact #3 the Titusville Corvette Club usually chairs and supports the Eckler's shows in providing the judges, parking of show vettes, handles the registration, tallying and scoring for the show. In times of larger attendance (which has been the case of the last few years) we will seek judges from other local clubs including CKCC, SCCC and CFCA.

Fact #4 You never talked to me! Next time get your facts straight about who say you talked to before labeling and criticizing such individuals in a public forum. In this case I did not have anything to do with your situation, yet I seem to be implied as some kind of moron.

Fact #5 I KNOW registration did not close at 9:30, but rather around 10-10:15. It was extended due to the volume of registrants for the show. over 130. I will clarify the registration time with those that were running registration.

Fact #6 Your situation became apparent to me around the time of the drivers meeting which was around 10:30 Maybe it was after the drivers meeting and during the judges meeting. You started an outburst-it became apparent you hadn't registered and it was made clear that time had passed.

Fact #7 If you are referring to the man you were yelling at and the man who helped you get out of the parking lot at 10:30 that was an Eckler's Manager and the one who runs the show.

Fact #8 There were cars that came in after you. The person from our club who was writing down the car numbers on the lot map said he came upon your car. You didn't have a number. He said he told you that you didn't have a number and needed to go register to get your number. He said you were busy cleaning your car and your response to him was 'you would go register when you were done cleaning'.

Fact #9 You requested to be "Let out of the parking lot". Which implies you were surrounded by vehicles. Somehow everyone else around you managed to register and get a number.

Fact #10 the Pre-registration forms and flyers for the show clearly state the times registration begins-ends. When stop clean is and when the drivers meeting is. Registration was supposed to end at 9:30am. It did not end then and was extended.

Fact #11 there were OVER 100 vettes many who have traveled some distance and many that have traveled a greater distance than you did that managed to get into the parking lot before you (which you said you arrived at 9:30) and managed to register and get a placard displaying the vehicle number. There were several vettes that parked after you (after 9:30) that managed to go up and register and get a vehicle number.

From what I understand of the situation, you were cleaning your vehicle, then when you made it up to the desk, yes, registration had been closed and the Eckler's manager running the show made the judgement that registration was over. I seem to recall registration ending at 10:15am. The member of our club that was making up the field map of where the vehicles were indicated to you to go register and get a number. If you say you arrived at 9:30 that means he came by after that time. If you chose to setup and clean your vehicle first thing after arriving..well that was your decision. Maybe since it was 9:30 and registration was supposed to end at 9:30 you should have made registering your #1 priority upon arrival.

I am sorry to hear about your sons passing. I recall you bringing that up during your frustration after the Eckler's person running the show said you could not register. But in reality that has nothing to do with situation. At 10:30 and over 130 vehicles that need to be judged twice, the show has to start at some point. Some judges were judging 14-16 vettes. I judged 14 in two different classes. If everyone shows up and registers when they want with that many vettes those of us judging would still be there at 5pm!

You made a choice to be late and the Eckler's person running the show made the decision not in your favor. Sorry it didn't work out for you, but I am not the one running the show.

 

i too am truly sorry about your loss. Let me say, judging by the first few pics in the first page, your Vette is very nice looking! a LOT of custom parts that i want to do on my vert as well... I am sorry that Ecklers didn't let you in, that does suck. i too have ordered from them and recieved in time, so i can't complain, but what they did to you is rude! Im sure they had a time frame, which most shows do. Heck, i've missed deadlines, but hey, its all in fun right? you shouldn't get mad over it. There will always be more shows. And good luck in the future, keep that Vette shining for your son, im sure he is looking down proud as heck for ya!
Aj

 

9:30a.m.....10a.m....
First you said you went to register 5 minutes after you arrived. Which means 9:25. But here you said "after 10". Which in reality was well after 10am.
Did someone not say to you "you don't have a vehicle number and you needed to go register"? I'm not sure WHEN that conversation took place between you two, but the fact is that person was writing the car numbers on a map and the vehicles around you all had numbers displayed in their dash.
Again, there is not necessarily a host club. Eckler's Reunion seems to imply that the event is probably run by Eckler's (a company, a business). Therefore, you being an business owner probably understand that relationship-a company holding an event. I'm unclear how you derived "president" and "host club" out of a company hosted and sponsored event.

Yes, there have to be rules to govern events. If I am not mistaken registration was stated to end at 9:30. It was around 10:15am or 10:30 I recall seeing on my watch when your "outburst" occurred with the Eckler's Manager. Many if not all of the judges witnessed the event.

Being a business owner we can agree that things have to be planned, scheduled and carried out. There were 138 Corvettes that needed to be judged. Each of those vehicles would be judged twice. 138 vehicles being judged twice yields 276 score sheets. Someone needed to sit there and add up each one of those score sheets. Another person would verify the accuracy of the first persons count. A third person would classify the scores with the vehicle number into it's class. Some judges were scheduled to judge 14 and 16 vehicles. Maps were drawn up of where each vehicle number was on the field. Add to that that all morning people were coming up inquiry to change classes. Then after things were settled, we knew how many vehicles were in each class, we already had the judges assigned to the classes before the day of the show, the judges were getting car numbers...then someone comes up wanting to register. By that time the line had already been drawn by the Eckler's Manager running the show and registration had already been extended....

I will also point out that announcements were being made throughout the morning announcing when registration was closing, when stop clean was, when the drivers meeting was. Those aren't always heard...

 

In this case registration was from X time to Y time extended.
At least there is SOMEONE on this forum that understands the obvious reality of facts.
SADANGEL also makes another point of reality: What does Eckler's rep for customer service have to do with this incident???

I have been a member of these forums for a long time. I rarely participate. One reason is because so many on these forums are like sheep. They jump on the bangwagon without clearly understanding the reality of the facts or knowing any facts. One is there are two sides to every story. The second is the distortion of the real facts. How many people in this thread jumped on saying "because of this I won't buy from them" or the like or "they need to get a clue on customer service" and then go on about orders. What does an Apple have to do with an Orange? All of this revolves around the "forum need" to make a statement, something anything, a smily face or nod, a "me too"...just to obtain an increased number of posts. Someone with 40,000 posts on this forum does NOT necessarily mean that individual is a knowledgeable corvette enthusiast.

Eckler's lack of concern for Corvette enthusiast? I will state this:
The Eckler's manager in Jay's situation has been involved with and probably knows more about corvettes than many on this forum. He has been with Eckler's since it's beginning. He's been an active member of one local club for over 30 years and is actually a charter member. He's held various offices for years including president-which he and his wife have held at one time or another. He has also been involved with the other local clubs as well. He taught seminars, trained, been trained and collaborated with the best in the corvette hobby. Furthermore, if you don't think he's good friends with Mike Yeager (Mid-America), think again.
Those who don't have a clue can state "probably not a Corvette enthusiast"...the reality is the opposite.
When it's time to get the show on the road, it's time.

 

You must not attend car shows. Here is a suggestion for you when you do attend your first car show: there is a cut-off time for registration. If in doubt, read the registration slip or show flyer.
Since you are in Naples, you probably have heard of the Corvette Club of Naples. You've probably even seen or heard about their annual two day show. Guess what? the registration cutoff is two weeks before the event.
There are several cruise in events there in Naples, which are open and don't require registration which are probably more suiteable for you.

And just what does a statement about not buying there again have to do with Jay's oversight on the show?

 

If nothing else, this forum owes Eckler's a sincere apology for what has just taken place here. I am a satisfied customer and will continue to do business with them. Moderator.....it's time!

 

Two more facts:
I wanted to confirm my thought that THIS incident happened AFTER the driver's meeting. I recall the judges being up front and people asking questions and couldn't remember if the incident happened BEFORE or AFTER the drivers meeting. After speaking with two people involved with registration and one of the judges thus far more detail of the incident came back.

Fact #1 Near the end of the drivers meeting someone came running up saying "he didn't know, he didn't know". Thus the start of this incident.
I thought his speaking of "talking" with someone had occurred before this incident-which is what I witnessed and first became aware of what was going on. So I am not certain he talked to anyone at registration or the Eckler's manager up till this point-which was the end of the drivers meeting.
The drivers meeting was somewhere around 10:30 if I remember correctly or ended at 10:30. The Eckler's Manager told him he was too late. I also recall we were handing out judges assignments at the time of the incident. This guy kept trying to interrupt and the Eckler's Manager asked him to wait so he could finish with the judges. Instead this person continued with a open broadcast about various things, something about his son passing and said...
Fact #2 "the same thing happened to me last year".
The man requested that he wanted to leave and wanted out of there and wanted to be let out (since he was blocked in by other vettes-which I state again had all registered).
So the Eckler's Manager went to go help him get out so he can leave. I KNOW it was after 10:30 at this point because I grabbed his radio to make the request for an announcement to make it clear Stop Clean was in effect. In fact I think the judges had already started to disperse.

I don't know what to say. I do know the member of our club at some point in time in drawing the field map saw you didn't have a number and mentioned to you going and registering and your reply was "when you get done cleaning". I don't know if his words included a time or what...perhaps the conversation happened after time had expired. The other vehicles around you had numbers.

In regards to Fact #2 you stated in front of many "the same thing happened to you last year"? Seeing the situation unfold and then you made that statement I recall seeing the time on my watch and I wasn't the only one who was thinking it, but you didn't learn last year? I don't have any recollection of last year's reunion or what happened or if anyone was turned away because they didn't register before the whistle. So the only thing I know is what you said and if what you said was fact, then you would have KNOWN this year that there was some sort of deadline to register. If you arrived at 9:30 it was probably in your best interest to make sure you registered so it didn't happen again.

Now on the other hand, if it didn't happen last year as you openly stated to the crowd present, then your statement is just as meaningless as many others you have made regarding this incident.

Again, sorry to hear about your son. I don't know and I don't think anybody at the registration/judging area really knew anything about what had transpired with your son except what was broadcast to us when you were told it was too late to register. I know several of us weren't sure what he had to do with the situation of you coming up when you did (late) which was about an hour after you arrived.....

 

Me three

 

You Agree??
You agree based upon what facts?
What are you agreeing to?
Just saying "I Agree" without reading the entire contents of the thread?

What was the purpose of your post???
What are you adding to this thread?

 

Thank you for posting the other side of the story.

 

 

You've never run an event, have you?

 

I felt I needed to say something on the matter when a misconception and uncertainty of the facts indirectly labeled me with terms of "president" and "host club" when there is no host club and the event was run by Eckler's and the man running the show made the decision.

I wish I could have joined in earlier in the conversation to set the record straight with realistic facts since those presented don't tell the whole story about what is known to have happened. At this point this thread has been viewed 1,700 times. Looking at the responses posted many based their statements on not knowing what really happened. Hopefully, those 1,700 will understand what happened and the next 1,700 will see the whole story and not just one sided misconception. Some of the responses are just plain incomprehensible. A few actually came close to hitting some "nails on their head" when trying to predict what the other side of the story may have been.

This person states he was there a 9:30. He later stated he didn't know the cutoff was 10. So he was there for at least 30 minutes. Someone did advise him to register and get a number, his response was "he would finish cleaning first". The DJ was making announcements. All the drivers gather for the drivers meeting and if I am not mistaken this was when he decided he wanted to register-an hour after arriving. Then makes a statement that "the same thing happened last year". Which implies knowledge of a cut-off time.

Those of you that don't understand a cut-off time for registering for a show...how do you survive in a world of car payments, waking up in the morning, getting to work, leaving work? they are all governed by timelines. In this case the time line had already been extended, everyone around him registered and the organizers of the event were ready to get started.

138 Corvettes, HOT SUNNY DAY, little to no BREEZE. Each Corvette is judged twice. Some judges standing out in the hot sun BAKING (no more like FRYING in the sun) judging the entrants vettes while their relaxing in their chairs under tents and shade of the big building. But instead of getting the judging started in the morning around 10:30am should be thrown out the window because participants (and people on this forum) don't want deadlines the want to come and register as they please....so then those organizing the event can never get organized and can stand out there all day judging and tallying scores whenever someone decides to show up. That makes much more logical sense now doesn't it?

 

This happend over 15 days ago(first post 10/21)--it was good of you to inform us how the other side saw it but in certain posts you also felt you had the right to insult a persons point of view---whether you like it or not---it is still their god given and ammendment given right to have an opinion and voice it. You were given that right as well and from what I saw you were the one that felt we are morons by your statements (Someone with 40,000 posts on this forum does NOT necessarily mean that individual is a knowledgeable corvette enthusiast, You must not attend car shows. Here is a suggestion for you when you do attend your first car show, There are several cruise in events there in Naples, which are open and don't require registration which are probably more suiteable for you, Just saying "I Agree" without reading the entire contents of the thread, Those of you that don't understand a cut-off time for registering for a show...how do you survive in a world of car payments, waking up in the morning, getting to work, leaving work?) I assure you judging by the stables alot of these people have---they are far from stupid as you seem to think with some of your comments. If people that made comments feel that they owe Ecklers and apology--then so be it. This incident obviously did not affect your event in any way either--I did not see anyone say they would not attend again. It seems you have made your point (5 posts and 2 insulting posts later) now let the horse die already like it did 14 days ago (last post until today 10/22). My .02 whether you like it or not.


EDIT: I also forgot to mention that at least you sent your condolences---that was nice--really.

 

I see you are part of a club in Jersey---any events near PA? I really have never been to a show other than Carlisle and I am looking for places for my husband and I to take our cars to next year..

Thanks
Lori

 

Thank you Vette8t7. I was at the show and had a great time. Eckler's ALWAYs puts on a good show. And vendors serving breakfast this year was a plus. Keep up the good work.

 

Well stated, so why then are you questioning what I state and how I state it then?? If I want to make a realistic statement and you or someone else considers it insulting..I have a right to an opinion and to voice it.
Point of context The statements I made were relevant to rules and regulations which are everywhere. If people don't want to follow the rules then what happens happens. Furthermore, the relation I made about number postings was in statement I made about WHY I don't participate much in these forums. It seems things constantly have to be spelled out with the true facts revealed. How many people made a judgement statement in this thread without really understanding or knowing what happened? Count the number of "Me Toos" and "thumbs up" and "I Agrees" in this thread and any other thread. However you want to look at it someone with 40,000 or 4,000 posts the statement I made was in regards to why I have better things to do with my time. I have been a member of this forum since December of 2000. You have been a member since August of this year...going on 3 months. You've posted 710 post compared to my measly 32 postings. You offered nothing of substantual value in regards to the initial posting which was an incident nor did you offer any facts. Instead you questioned what I posted, how I posted it and suggesting me to let the horse die-when in fact it may have died if you did not respond. So now you see the relevance of number of posts vs. realistic, meaningful content.
As I said someone with 40,000 posts is not necessarily a source of knowledge-especially if 90% of their posts are or implying to posters how and what they should post.
You see misconception of the facts. So let me say it again. This is NOT MY event. This is Eckler's event. I am in a club. I apologize to you that I did not get onto this thread 14 days ago, until some members of the club mentioned it to me yesterday that they didn't recall me talking to him and he probably had a lot of things mixed up.

If you wanted the horse to die why did you bother posting and not just let it go? Instead, you imply to me to "now let the horse die already like it did.." infringing on my as you said "god given and ammendment given right to have an opinion and voice it." So what gives?

I seem to recall my wife saying after hearing what was said during the incident that we shouldn't be at the show since her mother passed away from cancer two months ago. Two weeks after our first son was born. Her mother got to see her first grandchild for 4 days. We don't think her mothers passing has anything to do with the show... The reality is he'll never know her, but we were at the show at 7am VOLUNTEERING OUR time in the heat (90+) along with many others who don't get paid but are members of clubs who VOLUNTEER their time to help make shows like this happen. I am glad those who participate enjoy the shows. The reality is those of us who help put on these great shows don't necessarily get to enjoy them like everyone else!

 

I did post twice in the original thread, and I too appreciate hearing your version of the incident. And your version does indicate that there are some inconsistancies in what was originally presented.

And - for what it's worth - I happen to agree that the rules as well as the times were posted, and the originator was looking for an exception to be made, apparently there were exceptions made by extending the registration period. I am a firm believer in following the rules and I live by them, both in my daily life and when it comes to events in my personal life. I do understand what it takes to put on an event, and I have volunteered my time. I'm on your side here.

I admit that I was wrong about the Eckler's employee turning Jay away after reading your lengthy disertation, several times.

What I don't understand is that you seem to feel it necessary to insult most of the people on this forum, and to that I take exception. State your position (which you did) and leave it alone. Don't come back several times to reiterate the insults....once was sufficient. We all got the point - at least I did.

I think the time has come to drop the matter and move on for everyone, including me. I hope the originator learned from his mistake in judgement, and he will move on to the next opportunity to show his car, wiser.

 

Because being you brought it forward---I decided to exercise my right as well. How I make my posts (or anyone else here for that matter) is my business (or theirs). You made your points because you felt you had to clarify the situation and I felt I would make mine. None of the comments here had much regard for you at all---they were directed at Ecklers---you are the one that chose to clarify the situation which as I said---was a good thing. People need to hear both sides before making rash decisions. And I probably would have agreed with you had you not continued to insult the freedom of speech these people have a right to because again it was never actually directed at you or even the event. The number of posts a person has has nothing to do with the situation you spoke of and it has nothing to do with them being a vette enthusiast or not and the point is irrelevant unless you clarified that it was meant for those that continually post little things like "I Agree" and so on constantly--but I still do not know what the difference in that makes aside from making a thread much longer than it needs to be but for some that are ranting it does make a difference---like people are listening--for the same reason you wanted people to listen to your side.

I'm sure that volunteering is difficult to deal with and not always that much fun but it is your choice. I would love to find a club close by me that I could volunteer my time for and help out (and if I lived in FL or at least close enough I would be one of those people helping and not enjoying), that was the whole reason I got my vette in the first place.. To belong to something special, to be able to go places and do things for others like the Toys for Tots drives and any other events that help those in need---not just to have a fast car and have people google cause a chick is driving a vette. And it doesn't matter if I had a vette 20 years or 20 days an enthusiast is someone who cares and wants to learn--like me and many here.

And I'm sure alot of people here have other things to do with their time as well. I work a full time job, go to school at night, take car of my home and help my daughter with her homework---which includes prepaing for her Senior project--which by the way is rebuilding her 1976 vette. And I was giving you a compliment about sending your condolences. We all have personal losses. I have burried two Aunts in 3 months and sat as my father in law had surgery. I wanted to go to a show last weekend (damned if I can remember where it was) but the surgery prevented that. We all make choices and some of them are not easy to make. Anyway---I was not saying you were wrong for trying to explain the other side of the story and I am definitely not saying that spiraling out of control in public is appropriate either--I'm saying that in trying to make things right you don't have to put anyone else down in the process.

The only thing I have ever purchased from Ecklers was a leather vette coat for my husband and I do not remember any problms with them at all. People will do what they want to do--one persons bad experience will not change that. Like blacksedan said---the points have been made and we should move on.

 

One can only hope that one day they'll run their business equally as well.