Any one going to Richards Relics before June 2013?

[jpswift1]

Richard bashing? No, it's actually stating facts about the many people that have had bad experiences with him. If you're one of the group of people that has had good luck with him, keep doing business with him.....like people have said, you're going to pay top dollar. No problem guys, honesty is the best policy. But new members need to know the facts on where to get good quality parts at good prices so they don't get bearings that last less than 10 hours, axles that snap after a couple rides, or transmissions that were "rebuilt" but mysteriously not all the worn parts were replaced.

And yes, Bridget is absolutely right about shipping charges. Fuel surcharges, etc, etc. Everything seems to keep going up, up, up. I ship a lot of stuff, but I never tack on an extra ten or fifteen dollars on top of my shipping charges nor do I add a handling charge. I'm honest with people and try to help them out so they can get their parts quickly and at a good low rate. I always keep in mind the old saying, "What goes around, comes around".

[roblynn]

Richard bashing? No, it's actually stating facts about the many people that have had bad experiences with him. If you're one of the group of people that has had good luck with him, keep doing business with him.....like people have said, you're going to pay top dollar. No problem guys, honesty is the best policy. But new members need to know the facts on where to get good quality parts at good prices so they don't get bearings that last less than 10 hours, axles that snap after a couple rides, or transmissions that were "rebuilt" but mysteriously not all the worn parts were replaced.

And yes, Bridget is absolutely right about shipping charges. Fuel surcharges, etc, etc. Everything seems to keep going up, up, up. I ship a lot of stuff, but I never tack on an extra ten or fifteen dollars on top of my shipping charges nor do I add a handling charge. I'm honest with people and try to help them out so they can get their parts quickly and at a good low rate. I always keep in mind the old saying, "What goes around, comes around".

your right jp !

i agree with alot of whats being said from alot of ppl in this thread .
being a new guy my self i find ppls experience and choices with suppliers valuable.

that way i can make my own choices in who i should or shouldent hand my monie to .
allso, being a new guy here and not being good at navigating this site yet. this is the first thread iv seen where any body has stated mr. clarks wrong doings .

so thank you for giving resson other than he cost too much.

your the first person iv seen site direct reson. im the kind of person that if i want something price is secound if i can aford it. but an inferior product at a prime price is something every body can live without .

now this is only how i see it, im not bashing anybody that thinks he's a good guy or suppler. thats your choice and if it works for you than god bless.

[kghills]

Richard bashing? No.

The correct answer would be "yes". The first step to a cure would be to admit the problem. I believe you are in denial.

Keith.

[eddieb1965]

I have called him several times in the past,and for all the parts he's supposed to have he never has what I need.Only once did he have an exhaust manifold,and it absolutely floored me what he wanted for it.I didnt let him gouge me then, and probably wont in the future.You can find most things if you are patient and scour the internet.Just my personal experience

[blown84gt]

It does get old to see the Richard bashing as the first reply to every newbies introductory post, why not just make it a sticky, caveat emptor?

[jpswift1]

The correct answer would be "yes". The first step to a cure would be to admit the problem. I believe you are in denial.

Keith.

You're actually incorrect Keith, there's a difference between bashing and stating facts.

And blown84GT, making it a sticky would be a good idea. Maybe a FAQ section for the site for new members and it could be listed under there.

[kghills]

You're actually incorrect Keith, there's a difference between bashing and stating facts.

OK jp "in denial" swift1. Here is a reply from a post in a different thread when a person requested help locating a TT hood:

"NEVER EVER deal with Richard Clark/Route6x6. I can't imagine what kind of astrinomical amount of money he'd charge for it, plus rediculous shipping AND handling charges. He has burned soooooo many people in the hobby (horrible customer service, rediculously high prices, inferior quality parts, etc, etc) and the best thing to do is avoid him at all costs. I'm sure there's someone else out there that will have one."

This response is just full to the top with facts isn't it. (sarcasm)

Here is something to consider, Richard Clark owns the molds to make Hustler 980 upper and lowers. You own a 980. I own a 980. What do you think your chances are that he would make or loan the molds to someone to make more tubs knowing you might get one?

I can see you wanting to help people get deals on parts and I personally thank you for this but at some point you need take a step back and simply inform people of some past problems with Clark and suggest they use caution in their transactions WITHOUT ALL THE CAPITOLS! (see how inappropriate that can come across)

I know deep down you are a better person inside. At least someone saved a bunch of the old junk besides crazy Steve.

Keith.

[jpswift1]

In denial? That isn't part of my name so you should rethink the way you decide to address me. Thanks. Now let's dissect a few parts of my response that you quoted so I can explain the facts.

"He has burned soooooo many people in the hobby." Fact- I've had quite a few people that asked me to help them fix a T-20 that Richard Clark supposedly rebuilt. When these "rebuilt" transmissions were opened and inspected there were worn bands, one had a missing thrust washer, and others had seals that were leaking, all which were stated to have worn or defective parts replaced. And then there was the member that bought a soft top for his machine that was supposedly in excellent condition with no damage and it came in the mail and the windows were hazy and it was taped in spots to cover the rips. Then Richard Clark wouldn't take it back. These are just of the few of the many examples. You don't lie to someone or simply make a mistake and then not take something back that you made an error on. It's only money, you'll make more of it in the future, lots more actually if you're honest, helpful, and understanding with people.

"inferior quality parts" Fact. When you sell someone an axle or bearings that don't last more than just a few rides, these are inferior quality parts. Talk to members like Fmints, Amphibiousdrew, boncrshr, and many other members that learned that the hard way.

"horrible customer service" Fact. When someone calls up and they get a response like "are you going to buy something or just waste my time asking me questions?" is that good customer service? No way. And again, going back to that issue with the soft top the member purchased that was taped up and he wouldn't accept a return on. That's not good customer service.

Search the forum and ask people about his shipping and handling charges. Compare those to what the actual shipping is and you'll see a gap. Fact.

I have problem with greedy, dishonest people that mislead people that are new to something. He can still make money selling parts, but he should be more upfront, helpful, and also do it to help promote the hobby as well as promote his business. You can catch a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar. If you're going to pay top dollar for something, fine. But you should get what you pay for, and that's not always the case with Clark. And customers should receive good service, even after the sale. I'm the type of guy that tries my best to help anyone that needs it. That's why I post here on the forum. I want to help Mike continue to build the biggest and best site 6 wheeler site on the Internet and help as many people so the hobby can grow. I've seen quite a few people leave the hobby because they thought it would be too expensive to pay for parts to restore or upkeep their machine because they were going through Richard Clark. Then 6X6World came about and now there are so many more people getting into AATVs (and able to do it at an affordable price) because of it. And going back to the Hustler molds, I see where you're coming from, but if it's something that he's not going to make a lot of money on, then it isn't something that he would usually do. But if he ever does do something like that to help promote the hobby, I can promise him that I won't put my name on the list for a body.

Now, we can bury the hatchet here, because we both are here because of the same reason, AATVs.

[Model Citizen]

Jeff, it's hard for people to understand when it hasn't happened to them. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened to people you know or might not happen to someone in the future, but it just hasn't happened to everyone that has dealt with R.R. & it might never happen. (BTW $10-$15.00 shipping & handling might not be that unreasonable depending on what you're shipping. )
How do I know this? We had a customer. We bent over backwards for this guy. While we're paying in 30 days for the mat'rl to make his stuff & the shipping charges coming out of our account the following week, it would take 4,6 sometimes 9 months to get paid. We were told checks were coming registered mail that never arrived. Shipping bills were sent to us for things that were drop shipped on more than one occasion. Had a check bounce real high. Then when we had about $942.00 of UPS charges charged back & taken out of OUR account 4 months after stuff was shipped, because he refused to pay his UPS account, we finally realized that the relationship was over after almost 3 years of this crap.. We had to kiss about $4K in axles & sprockets goodbye that still weren't paid for 4 months after they were shipped & the shipping charges, too. (I'm so glad that I document every thing) Would anyone believe us? Probably not, because it hasn't happened to them.
R.R. stuff may not be the best source/price for our hobbies needs, but I don't feel R.R. is intentionally out to take advantage of people, like some. Letting people know that they might want to research a little more before making a buying decision "might" be more helpful & the point is there are worst people to deal with out there.
BTW, there's still NO WAY we're buying a $10 - $15.00 bearing, no matter what.

Bridget

[jpswift1]

Jeff, it's hard for people to understand when it hasn't happened to them. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened to people you know or might not happen to someone in the future, but it just hasn't happened to everyone that has dealt with R.R. & it might never happen.
Bridget

That's a good point......it's hit or miss. I think that being aware of these inconsistencies will provide warning to people and they can just use their own judgement when dealing with Clark. I just hate to see someone burned or leave the hobby because of a bad experience.

And good work on documenting everything, you're a great person to be running that business. Always make sure there are tracks......not Adair tracks, or Camoplast, or Tru Trax........OK you know what I mean. What a headache that must have been. People just need to be honest and upfront. I think that's why things are going downhill in the world today. I found a wallet with a few hundred bucks and I tracked the guy down and gave it back to him with all the money still in it and it felt like a million bucks.

And BTW, out of curiosity, I'd say let's put a $10-$15 bearing on the bearing testing/torture machine at Recreatives and see how it does compared to a higher priced one (a Max IV frame with old Max gas tanks filled with grit mounted up against the bearing) but Mike (Hydromike) went and bought the frame and cut it up and made it into the Max 8x8. Damn you, Mike! I guess now we'll never know. Oh well.

[kghills]

I've always found Richard to be expensive but very helpful. ... I've never had anything but good experiences.

He's not cheap but I've always found him to be honest.

Same here, George; I've dealt with RC quite a few times over the years and he's always been square with me.

yeah the richard bashing is getting old . i have delt with Richard many times he is expensive but he has allways been helpful and he ussually has what im looking for

It does get old to see the Richard bashing as the first reply to every newbies introductory post, why not just make it a sticky, caveat emptor?

... I don't feel R.R. is intentionally out to take advantage of people, like some. Letting people know that they might want to research a little more before making a buying decision "might" be more helpful & the point is there are worst people to deal with out there.
BTW, there's still NO WAY we're buying a $10 - $15.00 bearing, no matter what.

Bridget

I have no axe to grind Jeff. As a newer member I am just trying to point out what other respected members appear to be trying to politely say also.

Keith

Oh, and I am still going to go with my original theory that you are trying to steer people clear of Richard Clark so you can have all of his parts to yourself.

[Model Citizen]

[jpswift1]

Hey, Hydromike still owes me for my extra "more better" bearing that we brought for the SS that we gave to him at Ashtabula 2009 so he could get back on the track. To my knowledge, it's still in tact. It should be. Mine are.

Bridget

Excellent! Now this sounds like we have a "who can drive their machine harder and blow their bearing out sooner" competition. Shall we take bets?