FOR SALE GROUP BUY: Mercedes 500E Badge

[Markus-MD]

I have the same issues no comunication and further information. ist not funny .when ist not work its no problem tell send some money back and everthing is fine. I need no all money back .Was lot of work and time for ntriped .but all money blow away for nothing ........then can i spend the money my wife , its maybe the same .But better Feelings andVibrations
So too the end Please ntriped give us some info and when you need more time tell. i think we all understood this .
i need this not too crismas .but next spring i will have or my money back too. Regrads Markus

 

[500AMM]

Robert,
It's now been 4 months silence on the Group Buy, so I'll skip that black striping and take the chromed badge as is.

Per post #1 I ordered 1 chrome + 1 bare aluminium badge and I've paid for the badges, but not the shipping. Please pack and ship the badges and the SLS reservoir + labels I bought last year. The shipping will be domestic to a shipping forwarder, I'll PM you the shipping address and complete the payment for the shipping.

I didn't mean to trigger any cancellation campaign with my previous post #294 shown above. My intention was to probably make it simpler for Robert by skipping the painted black striping, but I should have taken that with him by PM.

I have no suspicions about Robert and his absence. Based on his decent communication during a longtime membership and the HUGE amount of effort put into particularly this group-buy, I have no belief in that he has backed out and ran away with our money. The badges are basically done and most if not all of the funds paid up-front are now put into the badges. There must be other reasons behind this, which may not be appropriate to reveal in a public forum, who knows.

As for group-buys:
People have to keep in mind that it is always a certain risk with group-buys, things may not go as planned. I have participated in the greater part of group-buys here over my 15++ years membership and all of them were ran by members. It takes a lot of effort spending a lot of free time and finding time slots during work as well, taking time off, driving around etc... A group-buy is a private initiative driven by enthusiasm, done at budget cost with no earnings left. As far as I recall only one group-buy has stranded halfway through, it was the ASR-defeat switch kit made by a Norwegian member back in 2016, where some members didn't receive the kit and lost their money. Besides from that has all group-buys gone well, and any unexpected hick-ups on the way, cost increase etc... has been explained with no hidden secrets.

So let's be patient now, it is not the right time to start burning bridges. And don't freak out over that missing black striping, the badges are made - we have all seen them here on the forum! Someone living close to Robert or knowing him personally should reach out to him and offer an helping hand on this, I think that's what's needed now.

 

[JAB12]

As the one that stands the most to loose in this group buy, I am 100% in line with Arnt and his sentiments noted above. Leading the charge on a group buy is a thankless job. Those of you that are closer to @Ntrepid can maybe go through the effort of finding out what may be happening that has led to radio silence and give the rest of the members an explanation that can apiece the masses. If the issue is too sensitive to disclose publicly then a simple PM should be fine. At least for me. Thanks all.

 

[JAB12]

^^^^Exactly that, +1 on @gerryvz comments about staying the course. That's all I needed to hear (read). These badges are part of my retirement plan anyway along with my 6.0L so I think of them as a long term investment. I mean, what's the going rate now on ebay like $900.00?. Be patient folks, otherwise where else are you going to go get an OEM quality, probably better quality, 500E badge? Thanks @gerryvz and most of all thank you @Ntrepid for taking this on. Best to all. JAB.

 

[breizh500]

Hello everyone, as far as I am concerned, I do not know Robert, on the other hand I would wait, if necessary, I am ready to take the badge as it is, but if Robert thinks to get results with the black stripe! I trust him to get a badge at the height of our passion, Thank you to him! Franck

 

[skikrazey]

Thanks Gerry for your support of Robert! I am not and never was worried. I would be happy to take another badge or two of those that want a refund to help out and show my support for Robert as well!

 

[Melville]

As someone else who knows Robert very well, I just want to second (or third) the recommendation not to worry about your badges or money disappearing. I fully believe the delays are just a function of life/work becoming much busier. Robert, 8899 and I used to be in very frequent contact with each other, but that's scaled back massively just because we've all become so busy with other things. Robert and I even work for the same employer (though in different fields), so communication would be easy. But when work is non-stop, it's hard to find time for other things. So you put off communication for a day or two, then it becomes a week, then before you know it, it's a month, then multiple months. It's not intentional. It's just that other things get in the way, and they don't stop getting in the way. I'm sure this is what's happening with Robert.

 

[sheward]

It's easy to understand the doubts and frustrations from folks who may be somewhat new to the forum or who participate from another country. Have faith. Good things come to those with patience.

 

[maw1124]

Thanks Gerry for your support of Robert! I am not and never was worried. I would be happy to take another badge or two of those that want a refund to help out and show my support for Robert as well!

This! I've only talked to him a couple times but that money may as well be in a vault. I'll take an extra badge as well if someone's feeling insecure. And I still have my original badge (from the factory debadged car). As @gerryvz implies, I can sell the original badge for Porsche air cooled money, maybe even to @breakers, and keep the replica with the rest of the spares I have for the car (wheels, amber corners, tail lights, rebuilt LH modules, RENNtech chips, etc) ... all that near 30yr old stuff that isn't worth what the market clearly thinks it is.

maw

 

[TimL]

This! I've only talked to him a couple times but that money may as well be in a vault. I'll take an extra badge as well if someone's feeling insecure. And I still have my original badge (from the factory debadged car). As @gerryvz implies, I can sell the original badge for Porsche air cooled money, maybe even to @breakers, and keep the replica with the rest of the spares I have for the car (wheels, amber corners, tail lights, rebuilt LH modules, RENNtech chips, etc) ... all that near 30yr old stuff that isn't worth what the market clearly thinks it is.

maw

@maw1124 for president!

 

[gerryvz]

@maw1124 for president!

@breakers for replacement Honcho!

 

[gsxr]

If there are extra badges available, I'm sure they will get snapped up quickly. I might get one if there are leftovers...

 

[nocfn]

Who is Robert?

 

[nocfn]

 

[JC220]

2022 Bump - it's been so long I nearly forgot about this. I paid for my badge and shipping yonks ago, happy to wait until whenever just would be good to have an update from Robert. I know work can be busy saying as I'm doing 16 hour days myself but any update would be good for all members.

 

[JCM1]

Has anyone heard from Robert? I, like many others, am awaiting an update. I have not had any reply from him from personal messages or previous posts on this thread.
.

 

[TimL]

I have to agree. This is getting somewhat silly. I don’t care as much about the money as I do about the principle. I get it, life gets busy, but a year of going radio silent when you are organizing a group buy is just not very considerate. Even if the news is that these badges can’t be done, shouldn’t be done and certainly won’t be done, at least that’s a status and we can all move on. Anyway, it is what it is and we’ll all survive. Maybe it was too ambitious in the first place

 

[Matin]

I have to agree. This is getting somewhat silly. I don’t care as much about the money as I do about the principle. I get it, life gets busy, but a year of going radio silent when you are organizing a group buy is just not very considerate. Even if the news is that these badges can’t be done, shouldn’t be done and certainly won’t be done, at least that’s a status and we can all move on. Anyway, it is what it is and we’ll all survive. Maybe it was too ambitious in the first place

Absolutely agree with you. It’s not about the money for me either, however the extreme unprofessionalism is quite bad. 0 communication from the organiser is not good and I know people know him here personally and I’m sure he is a great person, but there’s many of us who don’t know him and we have put our trust in him and to be honest, I feel like I made a huge mistake as we’ve had nothing back.

If anyone wants to buy my badge from me, I’ll be willing to give my spot if anyone seriously wants it, I have personally given up hope of any communication from the organiser and I don’t feel like waiting another year for an update.

Thanks

 

[skikrazey]

Could someone that knows Robert reach out to him and get an update and report back?

 

[nocfn]

All badges were sent out last month on trains running thru Los Angeles

 

[JC220]

Given the passage of time and total lack of communication from the organiser I would say there is a strong chance we won't hear from him again.

Good luck to him - he must be very good at ignoring messages. I know how people go on - on ebay etc when they think you owe them 10 bucks never mind the collective sum he has collected here.

There is no excuse for months of radio silence when so many people trusted him with their money including myself.

 

[sheward]

The only logical explanation to me is that something happened to him, health wise. It's illogical to think He is avoiding responsibility for monetary gain. Apparently, He has plenty. If anyone knows where he resides and his full name, look into the obituaries there.

 

[JC220]

The only logical explanation to me is that something happened to him, health wise. It's illogical to think He is avoiding responsibility for monetary gain. Apparently, He has plenty. If anyone knows where he resides and his full name, look into the obituaries there.

We were there before a couple of times earlier in this thread. Then when he did report back he further offered weekly updates hence forth. Then vanished again.

Hopefully nothing happened to him of course!! But it's a reccuring pattern in this thread just reminding all of that.

I'm sure alot of us have good jobs and wealth. But I wouldn't apply that as a gauge of someone's honour or intent to supply a product. Some people just don't give a crap for a variety of reasons.

For clarity, even when he was active on the board, Robert never replied to a single one of my PMs. I did also send him an email to his Paypal email address buried in this thread on Sunday 16th Jan requeting any update on the board for the benefit of all members.

I sure hope Robert is very well and he reports back here with updates on what is happening with the many badges people purchased globally.

 

[JC220]

If there are extra badges available, I'm sure they will get snapped up quickly. I might get one if there are leftovers...

If anyone wants to buy my badge from me, I’ll be willing to give my spot if anyone seriously wants it, I have personally given up hope of any communication from the organiser and I don’t feel like waiting another year for an update.

Guys - sit tight. And do not be offering your badge or expressing interest in any one elses badge.

The sad thing is I'm quite sure given the lack of updates here a few global members who paid at the time have not logged in and have forgotton about this. If this is the case then extensive efforts should be made by Robert to contact each individual and if no response but he knows their address, post the badge to them at this cost.

Poeple should not buy or accept badges that we all already paid for.

JC220 Rant over. This has pissed me off no end I'll be honest and I'm quite sure alot of you are exactly the same.

 

[breizh500]

Guys - sit tight. And do not be offering your badge or expressing interest in any one elses badge.

The sad thing is I'm quite sure given the lack of updates here a few global members who paid at the time have not logged in and have forgotton about this. If this is the case then extensive efforts should be made by Robert to contact each individual and if no response but he knows their address, post the badge to them at this cost.

Poeple should not buy or accept badges that we all already paid for.

JC220 Rant over. This has pissed me off no end I'll be honest and I'm quite sure alot of you are exactly the same.

You are absolutely right!

 

[Jlaa]

Hi gang,

Robert is my friend - I used to text back and forth with him almost weekly on various car projects and stuff. He was showing me some videos on freevalve technology on a Miata, I was helping him modify some relays he bought from Latvia, and he was also reconditioning some wheels that he was buying from Japan……

Anyways, this all stopped around mid 2021. He has not really replied to any of my personal texts either, which I found distressing and worrisome.

I did a search around his area for obituaries as well as a search for obituaries for his father who lives near me (2000 miles across the country from him) but I was not successful in finding information.

I hope he had his family and all of his children are okay.

I think sometimes things run away from us when we find ourselves in a situation which is bigger and more complex than we initially had imagined. I don’t know if this happened here and I am not intending to spread any rumors, but I might remind folks that we are still in a global pandemic, and that there are members of Robert’s family who may not have even qualified for a vaccine until recently, and that there are also members of his family which would be categorized as high risk.

Anyways, Robert is definitely not a professional scammer and I am 100% sure he is not intending to fleece people.

I look at this situation as a situation where a friend was offering to do me a big big favor - he was willing to invest tons of time and effort to research and test and develop a manufacturing process ….. all for free …… and that the output of that process (a badge) could be mine for the mere pittance of cost of goods sold with 0 value ascribed to his time. My friend has now run into all kinds of roadblocks in this research and / or life, and that’s okay. Sometime I lose contact with friends for years at a time (unintentionally) until we get back together again.

Yes I agree it is not professional to not give any updates for nearly a year. I agree. Robert though is not a professional businessman or manufacturing expert - in this sense he is just our collective friend doing us a favor and probably life or the complexity of this favor got in the way.

Anyways I hope Robert is ok and that if he is ok, that he is able to surface for air.

 

[JC220]

Hi gang,

Robert is my friend - I used to text back and forth with him almost weekly on various car projects and stuff. He was showing me some videos on freevalve technology on a Miata, I was helping him modify some relays he bought from Latvia, and he was also reconditioning some wheels that he was buying from Japan……

Anyways, this all stopped around mid 2021. He has not really replied to any of my personal texts either, which I found distressing and worrisome.

I did a search around his area for obituaries as well as a search for obituaries for his father who lives near me (2000 miles across the country from him) but I was not successful in finding information.

I hope he had his family and all of his children are okay.

I think sometimes things run away from us when we find ourselves in a situation which is bigger and more complex than we initially had imagined. I don’t know if this happened here and I am not intending to spread any rumors, but I might remind folks that we are still in a global pandemic, and that there are members of Robert’s family who may not have even qualified for a vaccine until recently, and that there are also members of his family which would be categorized as high risk.

Anyways, Robert is definitely not a professional scammer and I am 100% sure he is not intending to fleece people.

I look at this situation as a situation where a friend was offering to do me a big big favor - he was willing to invest tons of time and effort to research and test and develop a manufacturing process ….. all for free …… and that the output of that process (a badge) could be mine for the mere pittance of cost of goods sold with 0 value ascribed to his time. My friend has now run into all kinds of roadblocks in this research and / or life, and that’s okay. Sometime I lose contact with friends for years at a time (unintentionally) until we get back together again.

Anyways I hope Robert is ok and that if he is ok, that he is able to surface for air.

All fair points.

What about facebook or other social media sites? I presume you may know his full name so does anything show up activity wise? Would he be on other forums too?

 

[Jlaa]

All fair points.

What about facebook or other social media sites? I presume you may know his full name so does anything show up activity wise? Would he be on other forums too?

I try to stay away from anything Zuck related, but yes I know his full name and I know he had a big big build-thread on another forum and that thread has been dormant as well. .

 

[gerryvz]

I know that both @8899 and @Melville are both quite close friends with Robert, and at least in the past have seen him with regularity. Perhaps one of them can chime in, if Robert cannot be found.

I am not aware of any obituaries about him, and have searched. I do believe that Robert and @Melville have the same employer.

The last time I physically saw/met with him was March of 2021, when my wife and I had lunch with him near his home in Northern Virginia (in the same place where they hold Katie's Cars and Coffee). That was when he gave me the unfinished badge that I currently have.

At this point in time, I have come to the conclusion that it is not looking good that this Group Buy will be successfully concluded. My belief is that Robert should just return folks' money to them, provide a final status on the project, and wrap it up, sadly. There was a lot of trust placed (as there is with anyone) with Robert with this group buy, and the lack of communication has eroded pretty much all of it for many people. I have to concur, particularly with the folks overseas.

In reality, I feel significantly responsible for this situation, because I own and run the forum on which it happened. Thus, as a good-will measure for forum members, and so that the forum as an entity does not lose face or standing or trust in the eyes of members who have paid into this Group Buy, I am 100% willing, if people want to PM me, to reimburse anyone who feels they need immediate reimbursement. I will take up the matter of any reimbursements I provide to folks, up personally with Robert in the future, if and when I catch up with him. In order to receive reimbursement, you would also need to officially relinquish any right to receiving a trunk badge from Robert, if and when the project is ever completed.

Again, this reimbursement+relinquishment of goods can be completed quietly and privately with me, and I will only communicate with Robert about it, if and when able in the future.

This should at least make folks whole again, and hopefully preserve peoples' opinions of the forum as a solid place to do business, and preserve trust and integrity of the 500Eboard Forum for any future Group Buys which may arise (speaking as a veteran who has orchestrated a number of successful GBs over the years).

Cheers,
Gerry

P.S. In no way whatsoever does this message, or my offer to personally reimburse anyone desiring it, mean that my personal opinion of Robert or his original motives/intentions with the Group Buy are diminished. I continue to consider Robert a friend, and of the utmost level of integrity (personal and financial), and I believe that circumstances that none of us know about are the most likely reason that Robert has not been able to respond.

Although messages of concern are welcomed, as well as the ongoing "freedom of speech" concept of peoples' opinons expressed not being edited or censored, any personal attacks against Robert or his motives will not be tolerated.

 

[Jlaa]

I know that both @8899 and @Melville are both quite close friends with Robert, and at least in the past have seen him with regularity. Perhaps one of them can chime in, if Robert cannot be found.

I am not aware of any obituaries about him, and have searched. I do believe that Robert and @Melville have the same employer.

The last time I physically saw/met with him was March of 2021, when my wife and I had lunch with him near his home in Northern Virginia (in the same place where they hold Katie's Cars and Coffee). That was when he gave me the unfinished badge that I currently have.

At this point in time, I have come to the conclusion that it is not looking good that this Group Buy will be successfully concluded. My belief is that Robert should just return folks' money to them, provide a final status on the project, and wrap it up, sadly. There was a lot of trust placed (as there is with anyone) with Robert with this group buy, and the lack of communication has eroded pretty much all of it for many people. I have to concur, particularly with the folks overseas.

In reality, I feel significantly responsible for this situation, because I own and run the forum on which it happened. Thus, as a good-will measure for forum members, and so that the forum as an entity does not lose face or standing or trust in the eyes of members who have paid into this Group Buy, I am 100% willing, if people want to PM me, to reimburse anyone who feels they need immediate reimbursement. I will take up the matter of any reimbursements I provide to folks, up personally with Robert in the future, if and when I catch up with him. In order to receive reimbursement, you would also need to officially relinquish any right to receiving a trunk badge from Robert, if and when the project is ever completed.

Again, this reimbursement+relinquishment of goods can be completed quietly and privately with me, and I will only communicate with Robert about it, if and when able in the future.

This should at least make folks whole again, and hopefully preserve peoples' opinions of the forum as a solid place to do business, and preserve trust and integrity of the 500Eboard Forum for any future Group Buys which may arise (speaking as a veteran who has orchestrated a number of successful GBs over the years).

Cheers,
Gerry

P.S. In no way whatsoever does this message, or my offer to personally reimburse anyone desiring it, mean that my personal opinion of Robert or his original motives/intentions with the Group Buy are diminished. I continue to consider Robert a friend, and of the utmost level of integrity (personal and financial), and I believe that circumstances that none of us know about are the most likely reason that Robert has not been able to respond.

Although messages of concern are welcomed, as well as the ongoing "freedom of speech" concept of peoples' opinons expressed not being edited or censored, any personal attacks against Robert or his motives will not be tolerated.

This is extraordinarily generous, and I think everyone here has already received advice worth at least several hundred dollars, for free, from this board.

 

[Bogeyman]

I'm not involved but it looks like the hold up is on the black underline.
Maybe some would take them as is rather than wait longer?
The product pictured looks great. If I was involved, I would take it as is and try to work out the black line myself.

 

[Jlaa]

I'm not involved but it looks like the hold up is on the black underline.
Maybe some would take them as is rather than wait longer?
The product pictured looks great. If I was involved, I would take it as is and try to work out the black line myself.

 

[Markus-MD]

Shit Happens guys.We spend how much many 50 -100---200 Euro Dollars ??.I think nobody of us must go to earn Foodstamps or such other thinks. is our OWN HOBBY. When the money is blowing away ok is bad but nobody dies over this, We drove great cars have great forum and other big Problems??, yeah everytime i refueled my E320 CDI W210 with actuallity 158,9 Euro cent per Liter ==102,00Euro for Full thats really shit and Robery.Why? The staat do nothing for this and us .Only hihger tax and Fes.No one must work for this. But back for the Badges. Robert has do a lot for this and have my Respekt .I work on my own PWM Controller and have maybe the same Problems. Extern Companys make an offer for Spezial Works and then cant delivery and corona bla bla bla. And i must do soo many stepps and when you think you have the right solution and go turn the next corner ,Bump next shit happens.Development ist an realy shit Bussines and such of days i will say in understand Robert alitte and i feel with him when his Hands bound behind his Body,
My way is i must do an proper device or thing have leigh on my workbech tested my self and when ist works in my opinion great .i can show as and then i can i hope my money ear back.
Gerry you are an honnor Guy and have my deep respekt, but i can wait. and when i die over this .so is the real live .no allways sunshine.Last week I saw last time a movie with Tom Hanks .Bridge of spies .my mind the best from him. The story remember me on my time during the last years of the 90. I was groun up in EAST GERMANY and arrest too .1989 for political law breaks. HA HA .Hey i was twenty and want to go too the west for drive yes sir an MERCEDES BENZ and go too Maoiri beach for surfing and so and so other things.Drive an and repair Mercedes Check!!!! the other things fifty fhifty. Maori beach never seen.i will say .Take care guys.the sun goes ever going up in the east of my not more exist Homeland. And i alive.thats the only thing was intressed and my Famaliy goes good.
So enough from my terribble bad English guys and sorry for that.
Now i must doo and East German Tradition fired up my grill .Take some steaks and sousuage on it drink i hope not too much Good German Beer and somoke with a frind a big realy shit Havana Cigar.yeah good live and vibrations
hoppfoly my my wife came not too early .so next morning nothing shine the sun.
Wish all a good nice weekend Markus

 

[JC220]

I'm not involved but it looks like the hold up is on the black underline.
Maybe some would take them as is rather than wait longer?
The product pictured looks great. If I was involved, I would take it as is and try to work out the black line myself.

Yes absolutely

I for one won't be taking Gerry up on his offer. No money should come out of his pocket.

I am just interested in the group buy badges being released to those who took part originally. I don't want my money back I would like the badge: underlined or not underlined doesn't matter at this stage.

 

[Matin]

Again, it's not about the money (thank you btw Gerry for the offer) but I will not be taking Gerry on the offer either.

It's the principle that we have had literally 0 communication from the organiser. I do hope he is okay and one day we will find out what happened and can have some communication.

This is the last comment I will make on this situation.

Thanks
Matin

 

[gerryvz]

Again — my offer stands to all who require a refund. No strings attached. No questions asked. Transaction discreetly done in full confidence.

If your name is on the buyer’s list, you are technically eligible for a full refund if desired.

 

[breizh500]

I know that both @8899 and @Melville are both quite close friends with Robert, and at least in the past have seen him with regularity. Perhaps one of them can chime in, if Robert cannot be found.

I am not aware of any obituaries about him, and have searched. I do believe that Robert and @Melville have the same employer.

The last time I physically saw/met with him was March of 2021, when my wife and I had lunch with him near his home in Northern Virginia (in the same place where they hold Katie's Cars and Coffee). That was when he gave me the unfinished badge that I currently have.

At this point in time, I have come to the conclusion that it is not looking good that this Group Buy will be successfully concluded. My belief is that Robert should just return folks' money to them, provide a final status on the project, and wrap it up, sadly. There was a lot of trust placed (as there is with anyone) with Robert with this group buy, and the lack of communication has eroded pretty much all of it for many people. I have to concur, particularly with the folks overseas.

In reality, I feel significantly responsible for this situation, because I own and run the forum on which it happened. Thus, as a good-will measure for forum members, and so that the forum as an entity does not lose face or standing or trust in the eyes of members who have paid into this Group Buy, I am 100% willing, if people want to PM me, to reimburse anyone who feels they need immediate reimbursement. I will take up the matter of any reimbursements I provide to folks, up personally with Robert in the future, if and when I catch up with him. In order to receive reimbursement, you would also need to officially relinquish any right to receiving a trunk badge from Robert, if and when the project is ever completed.

Again, this reimbursement+relinquishment of goods can be completed quietly and privately with me, and I will only communicate with Robert about it, if and when able in the future.

This should at least make folks whole again, and hopefully preserve peoples' opinions of the forum as a solid place to do business, and preserve trust and integrity of the 500Eboard Forum for any future Group Buys which may arise (speaking as a veteran who has orchestrated a number of successful GBs over the years).

Cheers,
Gerry

P.S. In no way whatsoever does this message, or my offer to personally reimburse anyone desiring it, mean that my personal opinion of Robert or his original motives/intentions with the Group Buy are diminished. I continue to consider Robert a friend, and of the utmost level of integrity (personal and financial), and I believe that circumstances that none of us know about are the most likely reason that Robert has not been able to respond.

Although messages of concern are welcomed, as well as the ongoing "freedom of speech" concept of peoples' opinons expressed not being edited or censored, any personal attacks against Robert or his motives will not be tolerated.

hello G
erry, it's very generous of you and very professional! I consider that you are not responsible for this situation that escapes all of us, Churchill said "it is not men who decide but events". For my part, I will consider that the money lost, does not really have it, your information and your competence on this forum has a price! I don't regret it! and thank you again for your work! Franck

 

[mercepor]

my 2c, but maybe someone could call Robert's family or employer?
just to know what happened to him...

 

[JC220]

I did a bit of googling and spotted several updates in his business profile listings. Looks like he may have changed job mid 2021(?) These could be general things but looks like he is still active. It is not my place to share any personal details of his. But again, seeing nothing out of the ordinary which is good. Surely some person on this board who knows him, can phone him and speak to him to see all is OK?

 

[JC220]

Just a reminder on where we were last year and when he last came back with an update:

Curious, has anyone heard from @Ntrepid recently? Once again, I hope he’s ok.

@Ntrepid hasn't visited the forum since June-13. I also hope he is ok...

I last heard from him mid-May and he was very close to shipping. Unfortunately since then I have not heard from him.

I hope he is okay as well. @Ntrepid is generous in spirit and a kind soul —— I hope he is okay.

First, I owe all of you a sincere apology for being out of touch. While I could go into what has been happening in my life professionally, I’m sure it is of no consequence to you. Long story short is things are a bit out of balance with me. I’ve immensely missed being on the Board interacting with others and running the Price Is Right game based on BaT auctions for 036s. Thanks to @Jlaa, @Melville, and @vatc5637 for reaching out to me outside the Board as my absence from this thread and the Board was noticed and of concern. I truly appreciate that.

Bottom line is that I have failed to communicate with you on the status of the badges. The lack of communication has been due to a lack of progress (not activity) in the project which I’ll provide some details below. Looking back, this project has been a journey of reverse engineering that I have enjoyed immensely except when issues like this one which seemed straightforward but clearly have some nuance that could not be appreciated or planned for prior to undertaking.

For the backers of this, I can assure you that your investment is still sitting in my PayPal account. I purposely have done this to keep my focus on completion of the project and my bank account will not be reimbursed until the project has completed.



So here is where things stand. From the last update, the badges were having the stripe under the 500E being painted using lettering paint. This paint was recommended as it is supposed to adhere (without any prep) to smooth surfaces like glass. It did (until it didn’t). I had all of the badges completed and brought back to begin packaging them in the individual bubble wrap sleeves. Upon packing them up, one of the badges I noticed had an incomplete stripe. Upon closer examination, the paint had peeled back most likely from just being handled. I then went back to look at others and they all exhibited the same behavior which meant that the badges would not stand up to normal handling let alone washing or the environment. The last thing I want is to deliver a badge which does not make it past the first washing.

I returned to the painter (who had already been paid) and this was definitely new territory for him. He had pinstriped a lot of things but never had an issue with adherence once dry. We decided to have some sacrificial badges (which also came at a cost since the badges made had all been spoken for) where we could test a couple of options for chemical surface preparation where before the lettering paint was applied we would also pinstripe:

• Muriatic Acid which is used to remove chrome plating. The issue here is we found it compromised the chrome finish which currently envelopes the entire badge. The concern is that compromising the chrome in one area may lead to a product which degrades in the elements over time.
• Zinc Chromate which is used in etching aluminum. While we found this did etch the chrome, it did not provide consistent adherence even when baked in an oven

So what’s next?

I’ve brought in a new resource and we are working on a way to systematically create surface abrasion which does not compromise the chroming. This is essentially a middle ground between 1 & 2 above and cannot be achieved through chemical means. What is being done now is building a jig to prepare the surface which is 3/64” wide to accept the paint while protecting chrome on the rest of the badge.

There is no doubt in my mind that this project will successfully complete and the investment made by people will be realized with a quality aluminum badge with a black stripe. I just need a little more time to find the solution which delivers this as a product you expect for this investment.

If you have any questions/comments/recommendations, please feel free to let me know.

Robert

It also makes sense that I commit to each of you weekly updates on this so you are in the know with the latest developments on this project.


Robert

As someone else who knows Robert very well, I just want to second (or third) the recommendation not to worry about your badges or money disappearing. I fully believe the delays are just a function of life/work becoming much busier. Robert, 8899 and I used to be in very frequent contact with each other, but that's scaled back massively just because we've all become so busy with other things. Robert and I even work for the same employer (though in different fields), so communication would be easy. But when work is non-stop, it's hard to find time for other things. So you put off communication for a day or two, then it becomes a week, then before you know it, it's a month, then multiple months. It's not intentional. It's just that other things get in the way, and they don't stop getting in the way. I'm sure this is what's happening with Robert.

Again, the absenses have occured before so it is not unusal behaviour for Robert.

Be good if we knew he was OK at least.

Not about the money - many people are invested in this Group Buy from 2020 awaiting a prized reproduction badge that he did very well with and every one appreciated - but dropped off the map.

 

[8899]

I texted Robert last night and suggested that he chime in here. He did not reply to my message.

 

[skikrazey]

Gerry, that is a most gracious offer and exemplifies the integrity of this forum! I stand by my previous post and intend to wait and will buy extra badges from those that wish to bail out. All good things take time. Sometimes longer than expected. I still believe life got in the way for Robert and my trust in his completing the group buy has not waivered. Granted quick updates should have happened. I hope he is well and we receive an update soon from him or through one of his close friends.

 

[JC220]

Thanks to those who have contacted me about refunds. As soon as I have your PayPal information, and a written confirmation from you via PM that you officially relinquish your badge, I will issue refunds within 48 hours.

I will also make a private note in my personal records against Robert's public Group Buy list, to eventually reconcile with Robert. The forteited trunk badges will be received in trust and officially become the property of the 500Eboard Forum, and when eventually recieved (and likely resold in the future when needed), will be used to fund ongoing Forum operations in the future.

If you have not replied to me with your PayPal account information, so I can remit a refund to you, please do so ASAP on your original PM thread.

Thanks and regards,
Gerry

Gerry, your offer is most gracious and shows the level of honour on this forum. That not only do you host the site, pay for it yourself but now offer your own money to refund on a member's group buy.

As I said before I would not ask you to pay a refund - it is very kind but it is not you how set up the group buy and took the payments.

So this is out of your pocket with no guarantee whatsoever of a return.

Folks, whilst many of us are out of pocket I think we should hold tight and accept the small monetary loss if that's how it goes. It is what it is, no one else should pay for the mistakes made here. I'm sure if Robert is OK and just busy, he may return back at some point. Maybe on future group buys a rule might be that no full payment until the product is actually ready to ship and buyer pays the paypal fees on top so any problem can be resolved.

 

[JAB12]

@gerryvz it is very honorable on your part to offer to refund those who wish their money returned. As the one that stands more to loose on this group buy, I choose to ride this out 'til the end while reserving the right to ask for a refund in the future, in case the end result is that the orders cannot be fulfilled at all. I hope that is OK with you. Like others, I'm sure that there is an explanation as to why Robert has been M.I.A. for so long, I hope he is well and nothing has happened to him. I'm sure there will be an update soon enough.

Best to all.

JAB

 

[Melville]

I last messaged with Robert in early December. At that time, everything seemed fine, though we were disappoined we were both so busy we hadn't had time to catch up properly in ages. My guess is that he has simply stayed very busy. I'm sure we all know how it is. Work, kids, house stuff, etc. etc. You only have time to do 2 of the 5 things you need/want to do, so some things unfortunately don't get attention (like my 500E for example which doesn't get as much driving as I'd like!).

 

[JC220]

I last messaged with Robert in early December. At that time, everything seemed fine, though we were disappoined we were both so busy we hadn't had time to catch up properly in ages. My guess is that he has simply stayed very busy. I'm sure we all know how it is. Work, kids, house stuff, etc. etc. You only have time to do 2 of the 5 things you need/want to do, so some things unfortunately don't get attention (like my 500E for example which doesn't get as much driving as I'd like!).

Ntrepid has re-appeared online again on this forum for the past couple of hours FWIW

 

[gerryvz]

I choose to ride this out 'til the end while reserving the right to ask for a refund in the future, in case the end result is that the orders cannot be fulfilled at all.

I publicly committed that all requested refunds, no matter how much, will be paid for by me. That includes folks who ordered greater numbers of trunk badges, such as yourself. All reimbursements will come through PayPal (or check, if requested) from my bank account. There is no expiration date on this reimbursement offer.

 

[TimL]

Thanks to those who have contacted me about refunds. As soon as I have your PayPal information, and a written confirmation from you via PM that you officially relinquish your badge, I will issue refunds within 48 hours.

I will also make a private note in my personal records against Robert's public Group Buy list, to eventually reconcile with Robert. The forteited trunk badges will be received in trust and officially become the property of the 500Eboard Forum, and when eventually recieved (and likely resold in the future when needed), will be used to fund ongoing Forum operations in the future.

If you have not replied to me with your PayPal account information, so I can remit a refund to you, please do so ASAP on your original PM thread.

Thanks and regards,
Gerry

Holy Moly, people, just let it go. You spent money on something that ended up falling through. So what? It shouldn’t be for the owner of this forum to reimburse all the folks who think they got burned. Just take your individual loss and move on instead of putting the financial burden on the guy running the forum we all have gotten invaluable information from.

 

[Markus-MD]

Holy Moly, people, just let it go. You spent money on something that ended up falling through. So what? It shouldn’t be for the owner of this forum to reimburse all the folks who think they got burned. Just take your individual loss and move on instead of putting the financial burden on the guy running the forum we all have gotten invaluable information from.

We must take a litte mit more relaxing and wait. Live is too short too listen Bad Music.For me i react of this post here only from new good news from Robert.Nice Day all of us.

 

[gerryvz]

The first round of refunds have been processed and have been provided to those requesting.

Thanks,
Gerry