Club Arnage

This is not yet the Full Story.  That will have to wait for:-
1) My liver to recover.
2) My Brain to catch up with my body.

As you all know I did't get the Lanyards to you.   Nor did I get them myself.   Anyway I rang the supplier this morning and ask what he planned to do about it.   For once he did phone me back and offered a full refund.  Naturally I took that. 

So now I have a choice of things to do.

1)  Just return the money to everyone and start over with the 2008 version.
2)  Hang on to the money and get some 2008 ones made.

I guess there is a chance that the 2007 ones will turn up one day.  If they do I'll find a way to get them to you.

I'm really sorry I couldn't make it happen.   

Best regards,
t,

Hi Tom,
Sorry you got let down, for us it could be put into the context of a minor issue that was out of anybodies control to rectify, I hope it didnt blight your weekend to much.
As for what to do with the refund you can take my vote and do as you feel approriate.
Cheers
Ian

No need for appologies on your part Tom, it was out of your control. I am with Ian, do as you feel appropriate

Tom,

First and foremost, thank you for your personal efforts in trying to produce them and process orders in such a short time, and then to sort out the problem with their delivery when that surfaced - that it didn't work out as intended is simply unfortunate - it was done with the best of intentions.  As I was only in for two of them, you can send my money to the server fund and I'll buy again in 2008.   

MG Mark

No problem Tom - thanks for the effort you put in.

Shame it didn't come off.

What to do with the funds? Well, '07 will be no use to me.

'08, probably no use as I don't think I'll be there next year.

I would be quite happy for my money to go to Big H or the DfH charity.

But to be honest, I'll go with the general consensus; it's not going to break the bank.

Ditto. As I said to Tom on the phone, it's always a pain in the a*se doing stuff like this for lots of people, even if it goes relatively smoothly ... but it can go off the rails so easily and you'll wish you'd never bothered.

I for one would be up for having them go ahead and produce the CA lanyards anyway (they weren't dated, were they?) so we can be sure they'll arrive in time for June 08  ;D

Have been looking for you (and the lanyards) and I apologize for not locating either of you this year.
The guys from DfH already told me that there was some kind of hickup.

Don't worry Tom, if you decide to have them delivered I'll gladly have the ones I ordered, if not count me in for 2008.
Thanks for the effort you put in.

Tom

Well done on all your efforts, don't worry about the dosh - do what ever with the fund, I'll go with the flow.

The only thing I would say, is put a bit of dosh away for next years lanyards backup plan.  ;D

(http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys301/lectures/age/ball_of_string.jpg)
Back up plan


 

I'm furious that we've all been ripped off and it completely ruinned our whole weekend. I'll be discussing the matter with my lawyers in the morning with a view to initiating proceedings against Tom to recover the £10.50 he did me over for.  ;)

Thanks for trying Tom, you didn't have to do it other than out of your own goodwill to support CA and I salute you Sir. In the meantime, my money can go to the server fund/charities or wherever and I'll buy some again in 08.

Tom, I'm really sorry it's caused you so much grief.   As said I'm happy for the money to go to the charity fund (I think the server fund is dealt with for this year isn't it?).

If they do turn up, I'd quite like the ones I ordered, I've got souvenier homes for them! 

Same for me Tom, bung the cash at the server, or big H, or the associated charities.

Put me down for a couple next year though.

same here tom,
stick the cash in the charities fund,
ill ave a couple on order for 08 thou please ;D

Thanks for trying Tom, sorry you had so much hassle. On a brighter note it was good to meet you and as for the money I'm sure Big H would welcome it !! See you next year.

I was going to post an "Angry from Camden" rant but Andy beat me to it.

I'm hoping the worry of waiting for the delivery man and the stress of explaining to everybody didn't spoil your weekend too much.

Sod the charities, please use my money to buy yourself a beer or two (if it will stretch to it). I'd be delighted to buy them again next year if the opportunity should arise.

It was good to meet you on Friday night.

Well, as far as I'm concerned you did all you could and as they say "5h1t happens".  I'm with the majority so far, that is I'll buy again next year and happy my cash goes to an appropriate place as you decide for 2007.

Nice to meet you by the way  :)

Tom,

As  Nobby Diesel says, I'm quite happy for the funds to be put to charity.

BTW, it was nice to meet you at St Saturnin.

Jerry

PS. put me down for 10x 08 lanyards for next year.

Hi Tom,

No problem, i understand how these things can fall apart when a supplier is involved. Use the money for the charities, i don't mind how it is split.

If they come through, let me know and i will get the relevant bits to you to send them out. Also let me know when you order 2008 and i will she how many confirmed we have and place a new order.

Andy

Tom use the wedge for goodly purposes and if you can be bothered try again next year. The box never turned up here before i left or while i was away or now i'm back.

You tried, they missed, stuff happens.

The general concencus seems to be "sh*t happens, do what you will with the money, I will buy again next year"

Would it not be a good idea to use the monies paid this year to buy next years lanyards. That way they could be ordered in plenty of time instead of a last minute fund raising exercise. No offence Tom, I think it was brave of you to take it on at such short notice. I am prepared to pay again next year and as the lanyards would already have been paid for the money fornext years  orders could go staight to charity or the server fund.

Just a thought.

bob

I believe it was CoD for the DfH order so I don't think that my opinion really is an issue :)

thanks for your idea and the time and effort you spend on it, hopefully we can enjoy the result next year

"it's always a pain in the a*se doing stuff like this for lots of people, even if it goes relatively smoothly"

Thanks for the efforts, if you're brave enough to do it next year, then start now is my advice

Tom, ....bugger, never mind. How about half to charities and half toward next year's order?

Ta for trying.

Doug

As others have said sh*t happens and it was out of your control so no worries. I'm OK if the cash goes to a CA nominated charity or charities and will re-order for 2008 (assuming you still want to organise it after this year).

If the 2007 ones ever turn up I'll still take a couple as my old (ACO) one has finally given up the ghost and, like Piglet, I'm a bit sad and collect everything used each year as a souvenir.

Tom

Its all been said earlier - I'll go with the flow, and meanwhile make sure my laminated bits of plastic with kitchen string round my neck lasts another year !.

Perhaps the most important thing is to make sure that the server fund is adequately covered to ensure CA continues as the No.1 Forum for all us wet / damp saddo's that got back safely.

Regards

BryanC

As promised here is the scoop on the Lanyards.  I think everyone knew it was all a bit last minute.
 
I Agreed the artwork and finalised the order paying £500.55 (Debited from my Credit card 16 May), The lead time of 2 to 3 weeks meant I might even get them for Pre Qual. Then on the Thursday before May Bank holiday I was asked for a higher resolution image for the Logo.  The following day I received the revised artwork but they have missed out the lower inner ring of Logo. I'd checked with them that we were still OK for 8th June latest.  Unfortunately I was not able to approve the corrected artwork before the holiday so it was Tues 29th by the time I'd approved the revised artwork.  I also checked again  that we would still be able to make the deadline of 8th June. But now it was in doubt as they would not get the shipment until the 8th.

So then he said "I can ship them to France for you" or "ship them direct to you" or "ship them direct to France".  So I said I OK go ahead I'll get an address in France for you to ship to.

I sorted a place to send the Lanyards to.  (Thanks Termie) 
Sent the Supplier the address and said ship direct from the Factory.
   
I then called on 7th of June asking for a tracking number. 
I received the Tracking number at 15:11 8th of June.  I checked the Fed Ex site and found that the item had missed the Fed Ex cutoff. But it was also bound for Glasgow.  I tracked it over the weekend Sat it was in Alaska, Sunday Memphis, Monday Stanstead and on Tues delivered to the Supplier at 09:46.

So as I set out for Le Sathe I called and asked if they had indeed got the Lanyards and they had.  He agreed to ship them over night to France he assured me that this would be no problem.

So Wednesday morning I checked no Sign of a delivery.  Phoned the supplier and they had not been shipped because I had not paid.
Not Paid for what?
How much?
You have my card details can you just charge it to that.
He replied "Nothing has been paid yet".
I told him that I was sure I had seen the item on my Statement.
He said he would talk to the lady in accounts and get back to me.
He Didn't.
When I phoned the back on Thursday he said they had been shipped Parcel Force overnight.
But No tracking number.
I phoned to see if it had arrived but still no sign.

By now it was wearing a bit thin.  Almost everyone I met had ordered Lanyards.  I was fed up telling the tail.

Friday still no sign So I called and he said he would get back to me.
He didn't.

Still no sign on Saturday.

So that was that.

Check with Termie on return to Blighty and still no sign of them.  That was Tue.

So I called again  and  ask that they give me a refund.  Which they did.

To be fair I think that the supplier did try their best.  I suspect they have more work than they can handle.

Earlier today I had a call from termies friend to say  letter had arrived for me.  Termie opened it and it's a letter to request an arrangement for delivery.

Reading the rest of this thread my current plan is.

I will split the money giving What would have been profit to the Server Fund as originally planned and the £500 refund to Big H for his valiant efforts on his Bike or 50/50 with Big H and the CA Fund.

Obviously anyone that wants a refund just say.

t.

Tom,

If they do arrive at Termies, what will your plans be?

Jerry

Good effort Tom, shame about the outcome. Split our money with the server fund and big H. Thanks

Well assuming that they really do refund the money.  I will have to return them unless of course they say "Oh it's OK Keep them for your trouble".
I'd guess most people would be happy to get them even though they are late.  I'll wait till I get them in my hands before I look at what the best plan is.

t,

Happy for my money to stay in the pot to be used towards next year's lanyards.

Well I for one want a refund.  >:(


Oh hang on, I never paid...

Sorry...

 ;D

Well they're here.  No doubt Tom will let you know the situation as to whether the supplier wants them back etc. and will keep you posted - I can't get hold of him at present.

Well I have been away all day.  So only just saw the post and Termies PM.    HAd to have dinner before I answered though.   ;) ;)

The reason they took so long to arrive.  They didn't put the Road on the address.    So it was effectively addressed to:-

My Name
House Name
Zip Code
Town
France.

The French Zip Code is not like a UK Post Code it cover a large area.


Anyway Termie sorted all that and now has the Lanyards sans Ticket holders.    She said the Lanyard look really good.   

I'll email the  supplier to see what they want to do with the Lanyards.  I not going to pay to return them.    But I really want to get a few so that everyone can see what we would have had.  I think I suggest he lest me have them as samples and go for a 2008 order with ticket holders.  I know many people ordered because I'd specified holders of a size siutable for  Le Mans tickets.


I guess more to follow next week.

t.

Tom, I hope you noticed I didnt pester you at the "races" ;)

I am happy to let you decide what to do with any bunce you get to hang on to, in fact I'll go further and suggest you take my mate Gary's advice, have a drink on mine and give any surplus to "H" 's charity

(Kidney probs close to home for me)

Blue with '08 for next year's?

Buggerit, I'll have a couple again please. ???

bill