Why we asked for locked threads

Shelby American Inc · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2001, 10:56 PM

Bill,

I hope you will take the time to go back and read SAI's post in the "Turk and Shelby Peace Treaty" thread (started by Dan Semko) which triggered all of this. Hopefully that will explain what is happening. I find myself non-plussed that in trying to help eliminate controversy I have apparently caused more confusion. We are definitely not trying to stifle communication, in fact we have done the following to our little corner of the manufacturers forum to improve communication:

1) Separated out our input from that of one of our dealers so that it will be clear that responses are from the SAI and not from the dealer body - hence the recent change in the name of our section.

2) Announced our intention to monitor the site regularly once the old material was cleared out.

3) Appointed several within the SAI to answer questions that arise, based on their varied areas of expertise.
4) Expressed our opinion elsewhere that negative items should not be deleted as some suggested, because all should have a voice and there should be no censure.
5) Agreed with the suggestion of another that some of the negative threads that had been thoroughly talked out be locked to let the dialog move on with a more positive note. (We chose this approach rather than deletion, specifically so the items in question could always be retrieved and not become permanently lost).
6) Finally, I asked for deletion of both positive and negative old threads because I was sure that if we asked only that the negative be deleted someone would surely cry foul. I was trying to be even handed by asking for a fresh start on all threads rather than retain only that which promoted the company in a positive light. I can see that I just don't have the knack of getting it right!

I will say this - we are not interested in continuing when the structure is such, in a forum that is designed to allow the manufactures to promote their product (remember we have been asked to restrict the promotion to the manufacturers site rather than the general forum), that old dead issues continue to get in the way. We have tried everything in our power as a Company to respond to the negative threads, and have succeeded in mending fences with those that raised the issues, but I will not waste time going over them time after time after time, which is what happens if they are not allowed to slip away into the archives after being answered.

I hope this helps you see what we are trying to accomplish. We are looking for new, open and better communication. Any suggestions you have will, of course, be thoughtfully considered by us.

Thank you for your time in reading through this.

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2001, 04:58 AM

Wayne,

As always, you are a gentleman. Reading your posting above, I now understand why you did what you did.

Sincerely,

Bill S.

Dan Semko · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2001, 10:02 PM

That damn Semko character is always somewhere in the middle of a controversy! It's like one of those ego/id functions that's always there but rarely understood completely. Glad to see that a baseline peace has been established. The ONLY mistake that SAI has made is in not hiring both Turk and me to boost your popularity. You need some serious caffeine there guys!!

DDS/The First Edition

Dan Semko · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2001, 06:50 AM

Boy, when you guys go into hibernation, you really know how to disappear. What's the matter, afraid of some "spirited discourse"?

DDS/The First Edition

We WILL be looking for your display next week in Auburn and for that autographed t-shirt, so fair warning!

CobraDan · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2001, 07:48 AM

Do not give Dan Semko any signed T- Shirt, he will be making it into a Thong Thingy to give away at the next Spring Fling.

Dan

Dan Semko · #6 (**permalink**) 08-24-2001, 11:55 AM

CobraDan,
You must be psychic, now I have to find another method to get an officially autographed Carroll Shelby shirt. I thought that maybe I could get Wayne Stoker, Guy Childers alias The Deacon or Bob Marsh to jump in, but these guys are really getting tough to motivate! I thought that a t-shirt would be significantly more palatable than an expense paid tour of their facilities! So much for detente'.

DDS/The First Edition

Shelby American Inc. · #7 (**permalink**) 08-29-2001, 08:26 PM

Dan:
Some of the Team Shelby members will be at Indy over the last weekend in September.

If you are going to attend, stop by and introduce yourself.

No plans for free tee shirts, but we do have a free tour every weekday here in Las Vegas.

Bob

Dan Semko · #8 (**permalink**) 09-03-2001, 06:58 PM

Bob,
We looked for the Shelby display and trailer while in Auburn on Friday, but to no avail. What happened? David Kirkham was noticeably absent also, which certainly makes one wonder the logic in missing the opportunity to have 100k spectators and potential, future buyers view your products.

Shelby American Inc · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2001, 05:16 PM

Dan,

It's that schedule thing again - need to calendar out a year in advance (generally). Also, past appearances at Auburn have netted a lot of tire kicking, no real interest on the part of buyers.

Dan Semko · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2001, 09:11 PM

Wayne,
Sorry to see that you didn't display at the Auburn Auction, but come on, tell the truth, the thought of the Semko Brothers with their west coast contingency, alias Turk, was just too much of a challenge wasn't it? Even "Stone Cold" Evan Harris got cold feet, along with David Kirkham. It just adds more creedence to the old adage that they just "don't make them like they used to"

Shelby American Inc. · #11 (**permalink**) 09-07-2001, 05:52 PM

The fact of the matter is there is only so many events that we can attend.
We attend those meets that we think make sense, and of course those that the owners want us there.

We can not attend them all.

Dan Semko · #12 (**permalink**) 09-07-2001, 07:10 PM

Bob,
Sorry that Auburn wasn't on your agenda. We were looking forward to meeting everyone and having you join us for dinner at our usual Auburn weekend restaurant in Decatur. Had you attended, I would have introduced you to Ron and Dean Rosen from Snakebite Performance, who are not only a very pleasant gentlemen but absolutely hilarious when they share experiences from the past. The weather on Friday and Saturday were near perfect and the crowds were attentive, inquisitive and most definitely in a purchasing mode. The vendor area has nearly tripled in size and the car corral was packed!