There is a Fox in the Hen House

I don’t like posting this and probably wouldn’t if I was the only one it happened to and I wouldn’t feel right if it happened to any other NCKA members. About a year and a half ago Dennis SPIKE  posted some  Kokatat  Jackets in Classified at a good price so I contacted him sent him some money and never received the goods. At first he told me I should receive the jacket in the mail and later told me that the deal with Kokatat fell through and he would send me a refund.  I never really pressed him for the money as I have found anyone connected with NCKA to be very trustworthy. A couple of times he has called me apologized and said I should receive a check in the next week or so and it never happened.  After hearing that it happened to another I felt it as my responsibility to let you guys know as I know you would do the same for me.

Wow...

  Not knowing both sides, all I can say is I know Spike to be a very generous, honest and helpful man who has always been of the most quality as anyone on this site,

as well as a pioneer of this sport...

  I think calling him a "Fox in the Henhouse" is a little harsh... "  even though I can understand your frustration with this...

 I will follow up with Spike and find out what the problem is....

   Danglin....

Don, I don't think it is your business to follow up with Spike.  Spike needs to take care of his own business.

FWIW, I am in a similar situation with him, although for a shark shield (hundreds of dollars).  I am very hesitant to even say that much, but by the same token, feel obligated to speak up, since others have similar issues and have spoken up.

-Allen

Well FWIW...

 I consider Spike a friend, so it is my business....

 and can truly appreciate your guys situation...

it sounds Very Sucky....

 But, I Will be talking to Spike about this and find out what HE has to say about it and hopefully, He will clear this up...

  and again,  if it is what you guys say,

then all I can say is that this is very sad and I'm shocked...   

 just does not add up for me for what I know about the man,

 and for myself, I want to know what he to says about it...

I think it would be best if he were approached re: these situations by someone he is friends with. If I were in a position I'd prefer it if a friend unconnected to the unfortunate business let me know there were serious rumblings about my character.

It is very cool of you to go the extra mile for him Don. Spike has been around long enough I'll give him the benefit of doubt. We all need a chance once in a while, but this is the time for him to step up one way or the other, either with product or $.

Paying attention to this........

That blows!  We need the rest of the story, and I'm sure many are watching this.

Thanks for stepping up and offering to talk to him about it, Don - that's what a true friend would do.

I totally understand where mick and allen are frustrated, and I guess a few others, I would be too...

 and I'm not trying be a busy body here,

 I know Spike to be a very stand up guy, not very detailed oriented at times, kinda like myself...., but a good guy,

and it is my hope that he has just put this on the back burner as he is always trying to catch a 1/2 dozen chickens at a time...    ( no pun intended.... )...

 I've got my lines out to him,  and I know Allen has just as much communication with him as I, and I am a neutral party as far as the business at hand, so we will see....

I didn't post up with any thoughts of using this as an avenue to get things resolved, as I certainly don't believe internet postings of this nature are the way to get things resolved.  It's more of an FYI for other potential buyers, kind of like EBay ratings.  So please don't try to get anything resolved on my behalf.

-Allen

FWIW Dennis sold me a shark shield a couple years ago and the transaction was smooth.  I'd be surprised if this wasn't worked out shortly, Mike.

I've heard from Spike...

 He's out of town right now and can't even respond to this thread and overall

 "He is very sorry...."   

 It seems it was just the perfect storm on a few things and he will be getting to Mick and Allen when he gets back on Thursday...

  Again, as he said, " He has to take his licks on this one..." and he will be making things right with both of ya when he gets back and thanks ya for your patience...

  Hope that helps....

Man, that sucks. I have bought both a shark-shield and dry-suit from spike with no problems. He even sent my drysuit back and got it repaired for free after i put a hole in it. In addition to having fished with him dozens of times, I have also done work on his house and found him to be very honest and generous. I know he has a lot going on in both his business and personal life including the recent death of his girlfriends father. I am sure that spike will make things right. Spike is a solid dude.

  

including the recent death of his girlfriends father

Jack I believe that when you lose a loved one you should honor that person by doing things right not wrong.

including the recent death of his girlfriends father

Jack I believe that when you lose a loved one you should honor that person by doing things right not wrong.

           I totally  agree Mike.  I  believe he will make this right.

It’s been a lot of years since I had a fire on a forum.  Unfortunately, it’s the first time I’ve had to hang my head because I really screwed up big.  The result of a challenging period, my handling of these guys’ refunds was seedy and shameful, doesn’t represent how I generally conduct business and is totally inexcusable.  Worse, I acted exactly the way I hate being treated by a few who’ve owed me.  Given my position, publicly or privately, what I did is a lot worse and I’d feel jacked and ripped off too. 

Both refunds have been posted.

I’m not aware of any other consumer debts as Mcfish alluded to but after a few years in retail 10 years ago, I could have a few skeletons lurking.  Contacted by anglers daily, I am easy to reach, not a rogue entity and no calls for refunds have come beyond these 2.  In the kayak fishing business longer than anyone, I don’t sell more than a dozen items a year direct to anglers.  Hundreds of dealers and thousands of anglers have purchased my media and accessory offerings, nationwide for a decade, without a single issue.  I hope this thread doesn’t create an aversion to the occasional good deal I can extend to NCKAers in the future.

I’m grateful to my friends and a few strangers who’ve done business with me and posted here.  I’m pretty convinced the majority of forum readership knows a rat when they see one and I ain’t no rat.  I also hope that posting this issue here won’t shape a negative opinion of my career or accomplishments for too many readers.  In the 4 years I’ve been in West County, my sales to NCKA readers of kayaks, electronics and gear have approached $10,000.00.  Readers will determine if my transgressions with Mick and Allen warranted posting that I’m a thief with a warning to NCKA.

I’d like to apologize to all for my sloppy behavior on this matter, your time and for generating this stink at NCKA. I am humbled and strive to conduct my business credibly and responsibly to regain your confidence.
Continued Good Fishing,
Spike