Re: Destroying the DeLorean image.

["Dan RC30" <Danrc30@xxxx>]

[MODERATOR'S NOTE: This thread has run it's course again. I'd be happy
to post messages that focus on positive experiences with various
suppliers. Please note Dan's call for tolerance.]


I really don't want to start a war on this issue as it has gotten ugly in 
the past. But I too have a "first-hand" experience that supports this claim. 
I feel that this needs to be said. This happened to me.

When I was in the market for a DeLorean almost 3 years ago, I was 
considering a specific car (which I did buy by the way). Well, I wrote down 
the problems I saw with he car, and then I called D1. At that time, I knew 
almost nothing about the car and the vendors. I was not on any list, nor was 
I a member of any club. In a sense, I was virgin to the DeLorean community 
:-). I needed some guidance and some advice on what to do. I saw D1's ad in 
Hemmings and the 800 number was something like dmc-help. So, I figured, 
great... "help"! Someone will "help" me. So I called. A man answered and I 
asked for some prices on parts. He then asked me for a Vin number. I said I 
didn't have it because I didn't buy the car yet. He asked me to get it for 
him and call him back. I said the car was over 40 minutes away from me and I 
couldn't get there anytime soon. I also questioned why a vin number was 
necessary since all DeLoreans were basically the same... "aren't they?" He 
said they weren't and he needed a vin to help me. I replied saying that some 
parts I needed must've been standard; for example, the louvers. He yelled at 
me saying to call him back when I had a vin#. Then he hung up on me. I was 
mortified. I called back immediately asking for his supervisor. He replied 
yelling, "I'M ED BERNSTEIN AND I'M THE OWNER OF THIS COMPANY!" A few other 
unpleasant words were exchanged and then he hung up again. At that point I 
seriously considered not getting into the DeLorean community. Slightly 
shaken, I next phoned Bob Miller, who was also was listed in Hemmings. We 
spoke of my unfortunate phone encounter and he insisted that not all 
DeLorean vendors were like that. He gave me the number to PJ Grady up in NY. 
Again, scared out of my witts, I phoned Grady's. A friendly female voice 
answered... Debbie. I asked the same questions as I asked D1, and all of my 
questions were answered by Rob himself. I was relieved. Since then, I have 
continued purchasing my parts from Grady's. I'm sure if I were closer, and 
was pointed to DMC Houston, I would have had a similar relationship with 
them as well. But I just happened to fall where I did.

Did the experience with D1 almost cause me to not buy my DeLorean? 
Absolutely. So, in essence, it's not the DML, Vixen, or anything else 
that's dropping the D's value, it's the attitude from D1. I'm convinced of 
that. I also think that D1 is the first place many people call because of 
the advertising and easy phone number to remember. Unfortunately, the first 
experience will most likely be a bad one.

Am I angry? Not really. I'm more sad that any DeLorean enthusiast would 
treat another DeLorean Owner, regardless of their intentions with their car, 
in a disrespectful manner. Everyone should respect each others decisions on 
how they want to treat their cars, even if they don't agree with it. I have 
customizations I performed on my car, and I've received mean mail about how 
I'm ruining the mark. I know of others who have received similar e-mails. 
Personally, I think it's ridiculous to have a car just sit in a garage and 
be trailered to shows. But that's my "OPINION". It's not for me. But if it 
floats someone else's boat to have that kind of car, fine! I can respect 
that. Again, it's just not for ME! Just like customizing a DeLorean isn't 
for THEM! We need diversity in any car community. That's what keeps it from 
being boring.

Anyway, I'll conclude with this. Any business that treats any customer, or 
potential customer with no respect, will eventually lose enough of it's 
customers to no longer make a profit. What else do I need to say...

Enjoy your DeLorean. Hope to see you at the Fall Foliage tour!!!

---Dan
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