I've visited Apogee and talked to Tim firsthand. He was a gracious host and took the time to talk to us (my wife and daughter as well). He is very technically minded, and sometimes folks that are technically minded aren't the best at social interaction... I know I'm not, and that comes across sometimes. I think maybe that is part of the issue-- Tim says things in his writings that don't come across well, or maybe he doesn't realize how they come across when others read it. Or, maybe he does and just doesn't care-- lay all the cards on the table and take it or leave it. I don't know which. But he HAS said things that made my shake my head and cringe when I read it, on SEVERAL occasions...

I read that comment about "looking for the best price" you mentioned-- that jogged my memory. I think that might have been in the same article about people being "freeloaders" for reading POF newsletter or watching his "how to" vids (which are great advertising for his products, BTW, so not ENTIRELY done with no expectation of reward) without buying stuff from him, even if his price IS higher. Yeah, he has the right to charge whatever he wants, run his business by whatever methods or ideas that he wants, have whatever attitude he wants... but then customers have the right to choose to support him and buy from him or not. For most folks, the lowest price IS a BIG determinant of who they buy from-- probably not the SOLE determinant, but a BIG consideration... Tim DOES have VERY GOOD customer service, and that costs, so yes that will be reflected in his prices. There's plenty of other vendors who ALSO have VERY GOOD customer service, and who will BEAT his prices... and I'm sure they get a lot of business as a result. That's American, that's free enterprise. If folks want to pay more to Tim for whatever perceived reason, and feel like they should support his efforts with respect to the newsletter and videos by paying more, more power to them. For those for whom the lower price is more important, MORE POWER TO THEM TOO...

These vendor discussions always get interesting, because INEVITABLY *anytime* a particular vendor is mentioned, doesn't really matter who the vendor is, whenever someone posts *anything* they don't like or disagree with, they will INSTANTLY "rush to their defense" despite the fact that other people are relaying experiences they've had THEMSELVES with said vendor, or quoting writings or actions from the vendor themselves. Oh well, human nature.

Didn't intend for this discussion to get derailed onto Apogee... Like I said, Tim and Apogee are good vendors... I'd rank them probably SECOND behind SEMROC. But, they're not as "perfect" as they tell everybody they are... Where Semroc didn't toot their own horn, they just "got it done and done right". I'm not trying to impugn Apogee or Tim, just saying that my experience with them hasn't been as "stellar" as they commonly tout, and their attitude toward *SOME* customers is NOT what I think it should be... but that's an individual opinion or call... Don't expect everybody to agree; but saying *I* am incorrect for thinking that is just communistic tripe.

Anyway, back on topic-- Red Arrow had terrific prices, but WELL KNOWN problems with their order filling, shipping, and communication parts of their business. It's a shame, because they had a good selection and GREAT prices, and if you ordered what he had in stock, you were golden. If you ordered something he didn't have, you got it at some point after he got it, and if that was a few months later, oh well. He didn't trouble himself (and said as much) to communicate that your order had items on backorder or not currently in stock, but if you made some attempts he would usually work it out, again, most likely in a lackadaisical manner. I was very sad to see that SO MANY folks were saying that they were getting outright STIFFED with the orders not being filled and not getting refunds either... that to me is IMHO totally unacceptable... Similar to how unacceptable it was when Sheri's Hot Rockets was doing the same sort of thing...

Later! OL J R

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