FALL CLASSIC 2013 RIP OFF

Brothers and Sisters,

I have to start by saying I really thought good and hard before posting this on the board. I primarily joined NCKA to meet new friends, relax and experience the incredible beauty of nature. Fishing has reduced my level of stress tremendously, and in a way no other activity can compete with. But most of all this website has unexpectedly become a sort of family to me, once I witnessed how much this group takes care of it's own. Who would have though that I'd be making some friends that I believe I will keep for a lifetime. It's awesome to belong to something so special.

But, to the point: Has anyone gotten their Fall Classic shirts, hoodies, other apparel, etc? I paid for the tournament entry, a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie. I also won the raffle and scored some sweet sportfishing charter tickets to the Channel Islands! Spike made it clear that he fumbled the order and put it in too late- but that he would be shipping the shirts(and the raffle prize) out to us the following week. Well, that never happened. So, I sent a friendly email to Spike asking what was up, who then told me the unfortunate news that his Mom was ill from an infection, and it sounded serious. Not to worry though- I'd be receiving my stuff by the end of the week. I of course was empathetic to Spike. What horrible news! We've fished together many times, so my response to this was "Bro! I understand! Thank you!". I mean, obviously my shirt and prize aren't nearly as important as a serious family emergency. Another couple weeks went by. I sent another friendly email, and was told "Sorry, they should go out Wednesday. Thursday at the latest!". Weeks go by. Another email sent, and I continued to get the same sort of BS a couple more times. At this point it was obvious I was being deceived and I started to get frustrated. I spoke with another well known NCKA brother who mentioned that he knew of someone else who hadn't received any of their stuff either. In fact, it's possible NOBODY has their stuff yet. True?

Two months went by, so a week ago I decided to politely change my strategy:
I sent:
Spike,

Dude! We're bro's, comrades, family, etc. and I very empathetic to your family situation. I hope your Mom is okay. That being said, I still don't have any of my stuff and you keep telling me it's going out "this day", but clearly nothing has been shipped yet. Am I the only one? Does anyone in NCKA have the items the paid for and/or won yet? I hope to at least get an honest reply with a real shipping deadline.

Thanks Dennis,
Justin

A week went by and this time he did not reply, so yesterday I sent this email:

Hey Spike,

So I've been asking you for two months and I keep getting the run around. I made sure the last email I sent was kind and understanding to your situation. It's important to me as a club member to always extend the benefit of the doubt. NCKA is a special brotherhood, a rare group of really fantastic, generous, and loyal friends. We've fished and crabbed together many times too. However, I am feeling like I have been ripped off/scammed as I still don't have my shirt/hoodie, and worse, the sportfishing tickets I won in the raffle. Family emergency or not, you repeatedly lied to me when you promised pending shipment.

Since I haven't heard back from you, my next task will be creating a public post on the forum to see how many others there are in the same situation. Out of respect, I thought I'd try one more time to resolve this privately before I cause drama on the board. It's really the last thing I want to do, and not my style- but neither is being stolen from.

Thanks,
Justin

There has been no response to this email, either. So, my hand is forced. If anything, I know that I won't be signing up for this event again(i'll still show up and fish that day). Also, there is no way I would ever consider buying an RTM kayak when the primary vendor is so untrustworthy and sheisty. Lastly, I'll make sure I spread the word about this bad deal in hope to prevent anyone else from being deceived. I travel all over the Bay Area for work and I am always talking about kayak fishing (wife is going nuts). Maybe any of you others out there could share your experience on this post and help to put the pressure on.

Sorry to stink up the place, but this will be my only complaint post of 2013.

Thanks,
napajustin

I didn't make it to this event but I Will be watching this to see what's happening. Sorry this is going on... Phone # anyone so he can call Spike Direct?

Something tells me ...

 

That does suck.  Hope you get your goods!

 

Sorry this happened to you Justin I had a similar experience which was resolved after this posting.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=32624.msg347217#msg347217

WTF, no tickee no shirt, no shirt refund tickee money.

He may be a swell guy and a good fisher dude, but its purdy obvious he cannot scale his purported customer service level to the desired volume.

wow, sorry Bro, but you know sometimes when you are running around and you forget to do things, I am not making excuses for him but I think He will feel like a fool and apologize.
2 years ago I won a 25.00 certificate from Hook1 and did not get it for over 6 months then he double my certificate for his lack of attention, those things do matter.
by any means I do not think you got scam. just someone not paying attention to the details that are important.
Hope everything turns out OK.
Maybe you will get a free entry for next year tournament

There is no doubt in my mind that Spike plans to make good on his promises.

That being said.... I had an issue after the 2012 kayakfishing.com classic. It took lots of prodding, but I eventually got the prize that I was promised.

Spike is a good guy. I wouldn't hesitate to go to one of his events, but I wouldn't count on getting any prize on time. 

Justin, I am sorry to hear of your dilemma but Spike is a vendor/member and not NCKA. He is independent of us and our form as most all tournaments are. Correct me if I am wrong but NCKA I believe only holds the AOTY which runs all year and is very straight.
However, in the past when this stuff happened these post brought pressure on the individual and they came forward.Or left.
Hope this gets straightened out, Spike. Once is enough.

I remember Spike asking for people's address so he can mail out the clothing order on this forum. I haven't sent him mine so I can't bitch. I hope those who have...received there goods.

Hey, thanks for those who shared their similar experience. One thing I did want to add is that I like Spike. I do not believe him to be a criminal; and when he makes good, I'll buy him a beer!

 I take back everything nice i said about spike. I used to think he was a solid guy but now i think he is a solid piece of shit. He has proven it to me time and time again over the years. Most recently he screwed my close friend Junior out of $1000.00 in wages. Go back to L.A. spike before your karma catches up to you .

Ouch!  Spike gets another black eye on NCKA...   

This is too bad, and I know you to be a great guy, Justin.  I hope that posting this here achieves your goal of getting your stuff - you deserve to be able to move on.

As for tournaments and NCKA affiliation,

Correct me if I am wrong but NCKA I believe only holds the AOTY which runs all year and is very straight.

I've known you here for a long time, Frank, but you haven't been to Gimme Shelter.  My tournament is purely NCKA.  Not put on by NCKA, but it consists of NCKA and I hope anyone who attends knows that it is my clear intent that the event reflects NCKA and NCKA values.  I've paid the postage to get people their gear when they couldn't attend, and I've never had a discrepancy, complaint or late delivery of gear or prizes.  I hope Spike gets it together and realizes that his actions can have effects on others who are trying to sincerely offer a top notch experience and interaction through this forum.

This is a community, and people should remember that when they participate in events.  Look at the event history and the person putting it on.  I had a good dealing with Spike when I used an RTM for the grand prize for GS6, and I sent him more money for that boat than I'd agreed to - I was glad to stoke him out.  Be sure to know who you're dealing with. 

I also want to say that Craig's Albion events, the FreshKats, Yakhopper's events, Rhyak's events, Cajun's Pacific Outfitters events, Ricci's BSS events, and I'm probably forgetting others - are all known for quality and honest transactions as far as I know, and even though they're not run by NCKA they embody the spirit of this community in how they honor the participants and the community.

Extremely serious topic for me.  Thanks for posting and thanks for caring.

Now I'm curious.  Did anyone get their tshirts and stuff?

Also, I run a couple derbies each year.  Not directly  NCKA sponsored, but without NCKA, there would be NO derbies LOL.  And, we always seem to have the prizes there at the derby...MBK- Kayak Connection

For our non-yak Perch Derby (March 8 BTW) we print tshirts.  Again all shirts are delivered on the "day of."  In fact, the rule is must collect in person on the day of the derby.  But, we'll hand off to friends, and I have also been known to send out 6-10 express mails that next week make sure long-time derbyers get this year's shirt.

Napajustin, I think you are quite considerate and reserved to have held off "going public" but sometimes that's what it takes.  All the promo for that derby was on this board, and the bragging rights are here as well.  Completely acceptable for this complaint/inquiry to be public also IMO.

Bushy

I'm sure if it was a matter of logistics, given a family crisis, I'm sure there is at least a small hand full of NCKA family members who would have stepped in to lend a hand.  Seems like we are a good family in that regards.

Bill