Post by Bri on Apr 20, 2008 9:22:39 GMT -5
I have had dozens of members here ask what actions, if any, were going to be taken over the current situation with DMTW.
I have discussed the situation with both Mark and Jim, and we are all in agreement that steps needed to be taken to help protect the membership here form any further questionable dealings.
I don't normally do this, but, due to the fact there are so many people here who have been affected by Dan's dealings, or lack thereof, I feel it is appropriate to post publicly what The Truckstop's OFFICIAL response is to Dan and DMTW. What follows is the EXACT pm I sent to Dan this morning. I sincerely hope the actions taken will help ease the anxiety of our membership here and will reinforce the fact that we are here for the good of the hobby as a whole and will do everything that is within our power to ensure everyone here enjoys the hobby to the utmost of their abilities.
I also want to publicly apologize to everyone here who has had to endure this past week.It has not been fun for any of us, that's for sure. But, rest assured we will weather this storm and we will be stronger as a forum family because of it.
Now, on the PM:
Dan,
I am sending you this PM to inform you of some decisions that have been made regarding your status here at The Truckstop.
First of all, as you are aware, there are several members here who are far less than satisfied with your ability to provide good, quality customer service. We both know this isn't the first time this situation has reared it's ugly head here.
As you have been following, you can see the thread regarding your inability to deliver your goods as promised has upset the balance of civility here on this forum. This is simply unacceptable and can no longer be tolerated.
I am going to say a few things to you, but please understand they are not meant with malice or ill will. I am only trying to help you see why we are handling this situation the way we are here.
First of all, I am not going to judge you and question the validity of your claims and reasons for not fulfilling your orders on time. Only you know what the truth is and in the end, I only hope you can divulge your honesty with your customers.
I am upset over the fact you have been frequenting this forum for the past week and seeing everything that is posted here regarding your inability to fulfill orders, yet you have only posted once in the thread addressing the situation. Your concept that it's noone's business what happens in your personal life is a crock, Dan. When people pay you for a product or service and you fail to deliver and fail to communicate, it becomes their business, whether you like it or not. These guys here have every right to know why their money has been taken and they have gotten nothing in return from you. To think otherwise is just not rational thinking and will ultimately be your downfall in this hobby.
I am also upset over the fact there were members of this forum who are also friends of yours that did know what was going on, yet they made a conscious decision not to inform anyone of your issues. I realize a couple of the moderators on your forums are also members here, but that does not entitle them to dictate what should and should not be said here regarding your business ethics and tactics. It's also pretty damned unfair of you to expect them to defend you when you don't even respect them enough to let them know what's going on. I've been in their exact same shoes and in the end, it only leads to trouble, broken friendships, and a tarnished reputation. I sincerely hope in the future you treat your friends with a bit more respect than you have been over the past several months.
The sad fact is Dan, the guys who have supported you by buying from you did so to help a fellow modeler. The quality of your work was never in question, only your constant inability to provide timely service, and your lack of communication.
I could go on about this situation, but at this point, what good would it do? The bottom line is, Dan, your communication skills suck and your constant excuses and outrageous stories about U.S. Customs not allowing the prompt delivery of your items simply no longer hold water. Everyone is tired of the excuses and the lies, Dan, and as the owner of this forum, I have been asked to act upon all that's happened, and as such, that is what I am doing.
So basically, this is where we are at in our relationship and with you, as a member of this forum.
1. Effective immediately, the link and banner to your site has been removed from this forum and will not go back up. It is permanantly removed for the reasons listed above.
2. The promotion of ANYTHING to do with Dan's Model Truck World, DMTW, or any other affiliation with your website is strictly forbidden. In a nutshell, your site and cottage industry has been put on the Black List here at The Truckstop.
3. Effective immediately your account has been suspended for 180 days, or a period of 6 months. At the end of that time frame, your status as a member will be re-evaluated by the moderating staff as well as the general membership here, and the decision will be made at that time as to whether you will be allowed to become an active member here once again.
I take no pleasure whatsoever in taking these actions, Dan, and neither does Mark or Jim. But, we are all in total agreement that these actions are both appropriate and just considering the circumstances. I sincerely hope that you will be able to redeem yourself not only on this forum, but more importantly with your loyal customers and with the hobby itself in the coming days and months. We all become overwhelmed at times and as I stated publicly, I sincerely believe that is what happened to you. I simply cannot see how you have time to run your website, work a full-time job, spend time with your family, and still be able to run a cottage business and be successful at all of these things. I trust you will take the time to re-evaulate your priorities and work diligently at making amends with those that you have taken advantage of.
In closing I simply want to reiterate I take no pleasure in taking these actions whatsoever. In fact, it pains me greatly and I did not sleep last night at all as I contemplated the best course of action to take regarding this escalting situation. If it was only 1 or 2 customers that had complaints about your business practices, I would be a bit more tolerable. However, as of this morning, there are 21 members of this forum who have contacted me privately, who are victims of your questionable business practices, and I'm sure there are probably more. I implore you to make right with each and every one of these members, and anyone else you have not treated fairly and do so expeditiously. Failing to do so will only further tarnish your reputation as an ethical businessman.
Sincerely,
Brian Batease & The Moderating Staff "The Truckstop"
I have discussed the situation with both Mark and Jim, and we are all in agreement that steps needed to be taken to help protect the membership here form any further questionable dealings.
I don't normally do this, but, due to the fact there are so many people here who have been affected by Dan's dealings, or lack thereof, I feel it is appropriate to post publicly what The Truckstop's OFFICIAL response is to Dan and DMTW. What follows is the EXACT pm I sent to Dan this morning. I sincerely hope the actions taken will help ease the anxiety of our membership here and will reinforce the fact that we are here for the good of the hobby as a whole and will do everything that is within our power to ensure everyone here enjoys the hobby to the utmost of their abilities.
I also want to publicly apologize to everyone here who has had to endure this past week.It has not been fun for any of us, that's for sure. But, rest assured we will weather this storm and we will be stronger as a forum family because of it.
Now, on the PM:
Dan,
I am sending you this PM to inform you of some decisions that have been made regarding your status here at The Truckstop.
First of all, as you are aware, there are several members here who are far less than satisfied with your ability to provide good, quality customer service. We both know this isn't the first time this situation has reared it's ugly head here.
As you have been following, you can see the thread regarding your inability to deliver your goods as promised has upset the balance of civility here on this forum. This is simply unacceptable and can no longer be tolerated.
I am going to say a few things to you, but please understand they are not meant with malice or ill will. I am only trying to help you see why we are handling this situation the way we are here.
First of all, I am not going to judge you and question the validity of your claims and reasons for not fulfilling your orders on time. Only you know what the truth is and in the end, I only hope you can divulge your honesty with your customers.
I am upset over the fact you have been frequenting this forum for the past week and seeing everything that is posted here regarding your inability to fulfill orders, yet you have only posted once in the thread addressing the situation. Your concept that it's noone's business what happens in your personal life is a crock, Dan. When people pay you for a product or service and you fail to deliver and fail to communicate, it becomes their business, whether you like it or not. These guys here have every right to know why their money has been taken and they have gotten nothing in return from you. To think otherwise is just not rational thinking and will ultimately be your downfall in this hobby.
I am also upset over the fact there were members of this forum who are also friends of yours that did know what was going on, yet they made a conscious decision not to inform anyone of your issues. I realize a couple of the moderators on your forums are also members here, but that does not entitle them to dictate what should and should not be said here regarding your business ethics and tactics. It's also pretty damned unfair of you to expect them to defend you when you don't even respect them enough to let them know what's going on. I've been in their exact same shoes and in the end, it only leads to trouble, broken friendships, and a tarnished reputation. I sincerely hope in the future you treat your friends with a bit more respect than you have been over the past several months.
The sad fact is Dan, the guys who have supported you by buying from you did so to help a fellow modeler. The quality of your work was never in question, only your constant inability to provide timely service, and your lack of communication.
I could go on about this situation, but at this point, what good would it do? The bottom line is, Dan, your communication skills suck and your constant excuses and outrageous stories about U.S. Customs not allowing the prompt delivery of your items simply no longer hold water. Everyone is tired of the excuses and the lies, Dan, and as the owner of this forum, I have been asked to act upon all that's happened, and as such, that is what I am doing.
So basically, this is where we are at in our relationship and with you, as a member of this forum.
1. Effective immediately, the link and banner to your site has been removed from this forum and will not go back up. It is permanantly removed for the reasons listed above.
2. The promotion of ANYTHING to do with Dan's Model Truck World, DMTW, or any other affiliation with your website is strictly forbidden. In a nutshell, your site and cottage industry has been put on the Black List here at The Truckstop.
3. Effective immediately your account has been suspended for 180 days, or a period of 6 months. At the end of that time frame, your status as a member will be re-evaluated by the moderating staff as well as the general membership here, and the decision will be made at that time as to whether you will be allowed to become an active member here once again.
I take no pleasure whatsoever in taking these actions, Dan, and neither does Mark or Jim. But, we are all in total agreement that these actions are both appropriate and just considering the circumstances. I sincerely hope that you will be able to redeem yourself not only on this forum, but more importantly with your loyal customers and with the hobby itself in the coming days and months. We all become overwhelmed at times and as I stated publicly, I sincerely believe that is what happened to you. I simply cannot see how you have time to run your website, work a full-time job, spend time with your family, and still be able to run a cottage business and be successful at all of these things. I trust you will take the time to re-evaulate your priorities and work diligently at making amends with those that you have taken advantage of.
In closing I simply want to reiterate I take no pleasure in taking these actions whatsoever. In fact, it pains me greatly and I did not sleep last night at all as I contemplated the best course of action to take regarding this escalting situation. If it was only 1 or 2 customers that had complaints about your business practices, I would be a bit more tolerable. However, as of this morning, there are 21 members of this forum who have contacted me privately, who are victims of your questionable business practices, and I'm sure there are probably more. I implore you to make right with each and every one of these members, and anyone else you have not treated fairly and do so expeditiously. Failing to do so will only further tarnish your reputation as an ethical businessman.
Sincerely,
Brian Batease & The Moderating Staff "The Truckstop"