I have to agree with Terry on this one.  I think a 100% payment up front
would deeply concern me - especially if I knew what I was ordering wasn't
even in the country yet.  I do charge 50% deposits on special orders,
non-stocked items or one of a kind orders.  On things that are regular
everyday items like my engine conversions, lights, knock sensor kits, etc
etc - stuff that should be in stock - I do not charge the customer anything
until the item is boxed up and ready to ship.  Even stuff that takes me a
little while to do, like wiring harnesses for customers - I charge them when
I am done and ready to ship and not before.  It would seem to me that if the
guy at TIICO is supposedly selling a pile of these conversions every month,
would it not make sense to pre order stuff like this in advance?  If he is
selling a few units a month it is not like he isn't going to be able to sell
it to someone else if the original customer backs out of the deal.  If it is
a cash flow problem, that's what a line of credit is for at the bank.
Paying a few percent on an investment of happy customers is cheap.  Perhaps
there are circumstances that I am not aware of here as I have never
personally dealt with the guys at TIICO, nor am I trying to 'bad mouth' them
in any way, just adding the commentary and the opinion of the way I see
things.

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
mailto:info@fastforward.ca      http://www.fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775           FAX: (250) 992 1160

. Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
. Transporter, Unimog and Iltis Sales
. European Lighting for most Audi and Volkswagen models

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Terry Kay
Sent: May 30, 2001 9:47 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Opinions from TIICO customers

Nicely put Rich.

If this madman is really and truely a buinessman, he should accept  a
down stroke, and the balance due upon delivery.

Sounds awful shakey to me.

Another Caveat Emptor type deal.

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Terry
74 Campmobile (Clementine)
85 GL
86 BMW 325 ES