re: Where is Darren J. from ATD?
Hey everybody.... I live in Gulf Breeze Fl., it's just across the bridge from Pensacola, where Darren is supposed to have his shop. I can tell you this.... I have had him make t-shirts for me several years back and never had any problems. Again, that was several years ago.
I will try to see if I can contact him and/or find out what is up!
As far as everyone jumping on his sh_t..... well, I hate to say it but If the guy is not performing, has your money and not contacting his customers, RED FLAGS should go up.
As a business owner/homeowner that was heavily affected by both hurricanes Ivan and Dennis it did make for major problems. But let's face it. That's been two years ago for Ivan and just about a year for Dennis. Any business worth it's "salt" has recovered, had insurance to help with recovery, and if affected, contacted their customers as soon as communications were restored. We also pulled together and helped each other.
OK.... so you say he "lost" everything including guitars & customer information. Well, it's like $9.00 or less a month to host a web site and have an e-mail account. Even if you can't monitor it, getting help from your friends and the business community is always ava. Let's face it.... he could wait for customers to contact him if all client info was lost. And with your (the customers) canceled check, cash receipt, or credit card receipt, he could easily determine who was/was not his customers.
Both the state and the federal government offered assistance to businesses affected by either hurricane. So shy of DEATH there is NO good reason for his customers to be going through this much to either: get their money back, a communication regarding their purchase, or finished product. I read in one post, it took Herc over a year to get someone their guitar body and in another that Herc and Darren "knew" each other. If in fact they do know each other, then in Gods name and simple brotherhood why weren't they helping each other get out of a jamb if there's truly a problem for either one???
Personally, I wouldn't wait a year (or more) for a guitar body.... again that's bad business ethics on the business owners behalf. Businesses don't "grow" by taking on more work than you can handle and not expanding your work force to maintain your deadlines. So you say "they are artists".... true, they could do the swirling. But the prep work and the application of the clear coats and final sanding /buffing could easily be handed off!
You only piss off your customers otherwise and once your reputation is tarnished, I don't care if you're Michael Angelo and are painting the Sistine Chapel. When it comes to peoples hard earned money. Taking it, not performing your service/job, just won't get you much if any more work.
Yeah, ART does take time.... but if you made arrangements up front and time-line has been discussed. Shame on the artist/business owner for not performing.
One other option for those dissatisfied customers is to call the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida (850) 429-0002. They may be able to assist you in lodging a formal business complaint. If you feel you have exhausted all avenues and have been "ripped off" then you'd need to contact the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at (850) 436-9630 to file a criminal complaint.
I hope this just about kills this thread.... there is no NEED for everyone to pile on or defend this situation. Defending it is up to the business owner! But look at it this way.... don't perform, and you can see what "word of mouth" can do to a business!
Last edited by jemplayer55; 06-08-2006 at 01:29 PM.