FALL CLASSIC 2013 RIP OFF

I've run into, and hung out with spike a bunch at Doran this season. I can say that he has mentioned to me that he dropped the ball on the merch from the fall classic andwas trying to get everything sent out, I did not fish the fall classic this year so I didn't pay much mind to it, thought it was only a couple people that hadn't recieved swag. I do know that his mom is sick and his dad took a digger several weeks ago and broke his hip and he has been traviling to and from LA a lot in the past few weeks. Not making excuses forr him just passing on information, Cameron

I say until we hear from Spike we just lock this one up! Let it go till we know what has happened.

I disagree on locking the post. It's not much about dumping on Spike...yet...as it is for people who have not yet received what was promised their chance to make it known.

I crabbed with Dennis at Doran on 11/6 and spent quite a bit of time talking to him. He mentioned his mother had recently passed away. He may dealing with those issues which can go on for months. Not saying it's OK sell something and not deliver, but maybe we should give him a little more time.

I'm a postal carrier and I know people get pissed off when delivery is not made as promised. 

I'm not anybody here 

Yes you ARE!!

I'm not anybody here 

Yes you ARE!!

thank you Bushy you guys have really made us new people feel welcomed and sorry for being so mad about this but to me all he had to do is post something up here about what was going on most to all of the members are very understanding it is the fact that he tells us all next week then nothing then you talk to him again same thing next week he says then that's right nothing. I am a very carrying person and if he did lose his mom i am sorry for his loss but that is no excuse for leading us on to buy time it feels like  i have lost people close to me as well the last couple months its tough but you still have responsibility's and life moves on. The sad thing is i did really like the guy until i was lied to

I'm not anybody here 

Yes you ARE!!

+1000

I'm not here to bash Spike - he is no doubt going through tough times.  I'm not excusing him either.

My focus is on how the good works of others can be tarnished by someone who takes advantage of good will that was created by the community.  Also, those who contribute and who want to be part of this awesome club need to know that this is an anomaly, and they need to be reassured that their contributions and energy are valued.

This:

This was our first tourney me and my friends ever did since we are newbies to the sport and knew to this site and to be honest until we figured out he wasn't really apart of this site and community spike almost cost you guys 3 members

I have known Spike for a while now, and he has never done me dirty. I did not fish the tourney, and did not order a shirt. I agree, lets give him some time to come through, dealing with a parent's death can take time, furthermore, if his father is having hip replacement, at the same time, comforting his father over the death of his life partner, and nursing him through a major operation, HAS to be priority. Not condoning letting things slip by in other areas of his life, but he really may be overwhelmed. If it proves to be otherwise, well, we all learn hard lessons about trust and people through tributes and trials of life, and if that is the case, and the cost of the T-shirts put you or your family in financial ruin, let me know I will refund your money if it is THAT big of a deal. I think some patience and understanding may be in order, being nobody has heard or seen from him in a while, and if it materializes that he did do people dirty, well, buyer beware, and make note to not participate in future events, financially, with people with that track record. Buy shirts at the event, instead of ordering them in advance, and pay entry fee after SEEING the prizes on hand is how I would proceed and let the person right a wrong and earn trust back if that person was intent on building a solid reputation.

I guess I will pile on.  I does not matter how good a guy you are,  if you make a commitment, your reputation is on the line until you fulfill the commitment.   

Last year I registered for the fall classic.  I was unable to attend.   I won't post the dialog,  but it he was going to send a refund but he never did.

I let it go as I felt that with theses tournaments,  you snooze you loose.   But maybe at this time, it adds more information to this situation.   

It is my opinion that if you are unable to follow through on promises made,  don't put yourself in a situation where you need to make promises.

I hope this all works out.

I must reply to this,
Having gone through a loss of a family member recently, it can consume your time just dealing with family and financial needs.
Many times I have heard the comment ... Take care of family first.
Spike has contributed quite a bit not only to this site, but to kayak fishing as a whole. I see no reason to bash him during this trying time in his life. I'm sure he will make it good, but may take him a bit to gather himself.
I am positive Spike will prove to be the person we know him to be, just give the man a little time to take care of family first.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Spike is a true pioneer and a generally likable good-natured person.  He is also a terrible business person.  BTDT.  Hope this gets straightened out and he is doing ok.

I've been in business for myself for 37 years and there is still one truth I rely on everyday.  Your word is your honor--whether oral or electronic.  I've been to the last two fall classics run by Dennis and have no problems with the way he conducts them.  But, I have thought several times about the missing shirt.  Next year, if he has one, I will probably go, but not buy any memorablia.   If Spike reads this, I wish he would take the time and explain why he has not followed through and left many people hanging that care about him and Michele.   IMHP it is better to tell the truth,  take the consequences,  than tryi to placate your friends and associates.   We have all been in money jams and  have had to ask for more time and understanding.  It's only human.

I ran into a neighbor at the beach this am who gave me a heads up that I'm taking heat here and I'm typing this before I read the thread. 

I need to apologize too everyone waiting for their tournament tees and a few sweatshirts from The Fall Classic and to anyone I offended, I am swamped.   Also for not returning a handful of calls and living up to my word on getting the shirts out as promised in my last post here. 

Most folks know they are not going to get ripped off.  Anyone who is sick of waiting can contact me for a refund ($12 on the Tee shirt) at 818-970-2392 or email me and I will confirm I got it.  I will have the shirts delivered by Christmas, a few weeks away.

Somebody mentioned on the beach that with the tournament fees, this should have been done.  From a good business position, it should have been done, not from the tourney fees though.  The Fall Classic has yet to see a profit (we pay for the majority of prizes including the kayaks) and while we fully expected to take a hit producing the event this year, a wave of cancellations before the event made that a big hit that I'm still paying off (the shirts).  Personal stuff not related to the event put me in a deep $ jam and has made it tougher to take care of this timely.
 
Again, sorry for the long wait and shitty communication on my part, the former couldn't be avoided.

If anybody needs to reach me fast, please contact me by phone.
Thanks All,
Spike

I made it as far as Kayak Jack's post on the first page.  Wow, I never knew he hated me.
 
Thanks for the positive feedback and frankly, I gotta take it on the chin about Justin and others with equal frustration and for this shirt thing turning into such a fiasco.  Everyone will get their shirts. 

The only things I owe from the event are the tournament tees and 5 hoodies.  Except for Justin's boat passes he won in the raffle (sorry man, I'm still many days of and a few thousand emails behind), there are no prizes outstanding.  Others trying to reach me have been getting a full mailbox on my voicemail, I got an issue there too. Voicemail should be working, the emails will be resolved by morning. 

ALL the prizes were awarded at the event this year. The issue Adam had getting his boat from the 2012 event was due to me mistakenly awarding his 4th place prize to Raydon..  I think Adam got a better prize.  He placed fourth and since I couldn't snatch the prize out of Raydon's arms, the issue was getting it to Adam.  There was no dispute over the prize and I thought I made good by all.

Lastly, I don't owe Junior a thousand bucks, never did (owe him that much!).  Junior is a friend, a great guy and part of our family.  We are working towards working together and just got off the phone with lots of love and a clear understanding.

Sorry to be the root of stinking up these boards.  Best to All.

Way to own up like a man Spike. Make good on your word and I believe your rep will be repaired with most. A Tshirt is just a Tshirt. A promise is much more than that.

We miss you guys. I hope business is well.