Hi All,
I must say that my plan and intent for the calipers got out of control. The auction has been deleted. I must say that I am disappointed in the forum members in the behavior that was surrounded by it, mostly.

Everyone here went as far as sending the high bidder, who never was named, threatening emails telling him his credit would be ruined and sending him shots of his house from Google Earth letting him know they knew where he lived!

This is all over brake calipers. I spoke to the high bidder the other day and I must say that I was shocked to hear what he had to say. I let him know what my intentions of doings with the extra money received from the auction were. From here the messages gets a little long, probably, so if you're not interested now's a good time to close it!

My intent of the calipers stems from Fred Beans, the owner of the dealership, and Hurricane Katrina.

Mr. Beans has flown to Bay-Waveland Mississippi several times since Katrina taking people from our area there to see the real devastation and problems. He has been trying to figure out what the best thing to do for the victims is. Most people send food, clothing, etc. What he said was most interesting, that there are stacks of clothing literally all over the place because that's not what they need anymore. They need schools for the children and most of the parents are having a hard time getting back to work because they have nowhere to place their children during the day. The daycares and schools are all gone.

Mr. Beans, and the Local Builders Group, have come up with the solution. The local builders group is going to build a 10,000 square-foot day care center in Bay-Waveland Mississippi.

Mr. Beans has given all of us employees a task of raising 100,000 to furnish the day care center. He has come up with the plan that if we have 100% participation from our employees @ 67.00 each we would reach that goal. Individual dealerships of our organization have our own goals. My hopes were that I could use the excess caliper money to help us obtain our goal and the goal of helping the victims. Here are some details to follow. These are taken right from the pamphlet.

When the Bay-Waveland Daycare Center opens this summer it will be filled immediately, serving 124 children, infants to four years.

Where Fred Beans employees come in is right here. All items must be institutional quality to last and be safe for dozens of kids to use day after day.

Here's a breakdown

18,000 for four infant classrooms serving 16 children.
16,000 for four toddler classrooms serving 24 children.
16,000 for four two year old classrooms serving 28 children
16,000 for four three year old classrooms serving 36 children
10,000 for two four year old classrooms serving 20 children
15,000 for playground area
9,000 to outfit kitchen, laundry, library and conference/training room.

At this point I'm going to start picking a couple of customers who I know were from the beginning, but not certain which order, to sell the calipers to. After those three or four people I will start on the list that was after those people.

We look to be getting another 3 sets next week. Hopefully we'll be able to start getting in major quantities to fill forum members' needs.

I'm sorry the auction didn't work out as planned. If any of you do want to give your hard earned money to our efforts of the daycare center feel free to email me.

Merry Christmas,
Gene :flag

 

Would have been nice to be included in this earlier, Many here would have saluted you and bid, but things being as they are, you were hated.
Our bad.

 

Please understand a couple of things...

I wanted to clear it with the auction winner first.

If I was really as greedy as I was portrayed, I would have sold them on eBay already under a false name and had the money in hand already.

Last but not least, all people are not greedy and have others in mind.

Thanks,
Gene

 

Gene as far as I know the calipers are not available and no ETA. Lansing is bone dry. I got a set and promptly sold them within ten minutes on the forum.

As far as the efforts on Katrina, kudos. But you should have made this known from the start. Would have kept the a-hole factor down.

 

Harrassing the bidders was flat wrong. Dont like the concept, dont participate. I didnt, and didnt participate. I have to ask. Why were you not up front from the begining? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. I would have thought well of you instead of being left wondering why you would want to do something that practically begs people to remember to shop elsewhere.

 

As I said before Gene, Shame on You! Things like this need to be diclosed up front and there are better ways to solicite Katrina donations. P.S Where's my parts order that you were going to send on 12-6?

 

While it may have been better for Gene to disclose what he had planned that is no excuse for the behavior Gene mentioned. In fact it may have even been criminal. It is not our business to understand his motives. I say get off his back.

Kudos Gene. Everyone wins with what you are doing.