Removing @@ss%% Guns From GTA Mall

[r1derbike]

Chris, perhaps they could hire another person to deal strictly with internet sales and service, as well as basic product information? A knowledgeable office manager?

Internet business is huge! So huge, that major brick-n-mortar retailers have setup automated online browsing, and bill paying options.

It would seem they are short-stafffed, and can't do it all.

I work for a company whose mantra has been, "do more with less", and that business philosophy doesn't work.

I hate to see them lose forum exposure, but the decision has been made.

It is just a wakeup call...I'm sure they will take steps to correct it.

Charles

[The Knot]

Chris, perhaps they could hire another person to deal strictly with internet sales and service, as well as basic product information? A knowledgeable office manager?

Internet business is huge! So huge, that major brick-n-mortar retailers have setup automated online browsing, and bill paying options.

It would seem they are short-stafffed, and can't do it all.

I work for a company whose mantra has been, "do more with less", and that business philosophy doesn't work.

I hate to see them lose forum exposure, but the decision has been made.

It is just a wakeup call...I'm sure they will take steps to correct it.

Charles

I agree but it's up to the owner to make the changes i'am just there for products and service and demand little i also enjoy hanging with cobra's crew

[airhammer1]

Well it seems to me as if Gene (GTA owners/operators) Is out to cause a bad name for cobra..

I really dont see the need to post this on the announcement board (to make sure all visitors are aware)..The respectable thing to do would have been to just take them off your forum..Not announce to the world they didnt pick up phone calls or other complaints from only a few forum members..I have delt with cobra for years, spent thousands of dollars and have never had an issue..Not Once...

I am very surprised to see a forum owners on a somewhat personal vendetta to try and ruin a company because he wasnt treated like the princess he feels he is...At least thats what I gather from these posts)..

Over my many years in the hobby of airguns and firearms I have dealt with many bad dealers who dont really care about what they sell..Or they are a big box store only based on numbers..I thought it was nice to see a small shop like cobra that stll knew what they were talking about..I have received used guns from AOA that were stated in new condition, I have waited for over 6 weeks for a refund from pyramid air with no return phone calls..Crosman can take up to 5 weeks to send out one $9 part..Even DAQ sent me a rifle that obviously had repair work done to the stock..And try to get someone on the phone who knows what they are talking about at many of the other airgun dealers..GOOD LUCK..

When I dont like a business I stop going there...I dont act like a 12 year old girl and post it on face-book (or my own forum)..I deal with it like a man and realize there are other people in the world than just me..I dont expect great service, I hope for it.

Cobra is popular and in business for a reason..Its not like they are running a forum from their mothers basement or anything..Its a store and an online company with way more traffic then they can probably handle at times..Something a business owner such as myself can understand..

And as a side not the forum owners should be worried about getting a lawsuit..If cobra loses business do to the owner of the GTA forums comments and actions in STARTING this posting, they would have the right to sue him for punitive damages as a public advertised forum (hence another business) ..Since hes not just a regular member he should keep his mouth shut..Asking for donations for sponsorship is just a sneaky way to say "pay me or I dont help you"..

And by the way Gene...I have been trying to access your forum for 2 days since I found this post...I keep getting cache errors and no verification emails...Should I start a GTA ban page elsewhere? There is just no GTA customer service on here and the moderators wont respond to my emails..

Im assuming Gene or one of his cadwicks will take down this post..But we will see right..

[Tpatner412]

This post was not intended to give Cobra a bad name.  The post was intended to inform the members of this forum why Cobra was being removed.  It was a matter of informing the forum to keep everyone from wondering where it went.  Now you say that he will cause them to lose business but in reality we all know that anyone who has had good dealings with them will most likely return to purchase again as well as tell their friends about their positive experience.  And most people are not going to @@ss%% as their first search for AG stuff.  Clearly you will continue to use cobra and that is fine.  No one here is stopping anyone from going to their website and buying something.  

It is clear to me that you gained access to this site to answer this post and not to contribute to this great forum.  And if you have ever met Gene you would not be saying any of the things that you have said.  

If you are going to rant and rave on the GTA about this then why not go on "some other forums" and rant and rave about their antics with regards to whose links they advertise?  That would only be fair.  and if you don't expect great service than I don't know what kind of consumer you are.  I expect top notch service whether I am dealing with a man on our classifieds or PA.  Good service should be a given and if it is not happening companies need to know that.  

And like I said threatening Gene by saying a lawsuit may be imminent is childish and just another reason why this overly litigious society that we live in is heading in the wrong direction.  Also the burden of proof would be on Cobra to show that this action from the GTA caused them to lose business and like I said before those who have had good experiences will go back and those who are looking for somewhere to buy can still find Cobra outside of here.  

This post was not a personal vendetta but it is clear that yours is.  So since you do not know Gene, this forum, or its membership I suggest you either leave or apologize for the personal attacks you have made.  Dissing this post is one thing but dissing someone you don't know is completely another.  I do not know which moderators you have been emailing because it is surely not me.  

Again clean up your act or leave

[bart the fart]

"I'm assuming Gene or one of his cadwicks will take down this post"


i wouldn't dream of removing or altering this post.....it gives the world the opportunity to see what a horse's @@@ you are. If you knew anything about the people who run this site or what a great community we have here you wouldn't be saying such nonsense. Tyler summed it up very well....he doesn't speak for all of us, but he does speak for me on this issue............BTW it's MR. Cadwick to you....later troll

[gene_sc]

Why are you making a big stink out of this buddy. Looks to me like you are one big troll with one post. Individuals have complained for years about the poor services Cobra has via the internet. email and phones. This is nothing new. The links for vendors were put there and approved initially by me and many have been replaced due to poor feedback from many members here and other forums with service performance by them. Vendors earn the right to be in the GTA mall and there are no fees charged. If you have a problem with the GTA then go back to the rock you crawled out from under.

Don't come here with your smart arsh remarks and think you will last more than one post.  

Well it seems to me as if Gene (GTA owners/operators) Is out to cause a bad name for cobra..

I really don't see the need to post this on the announcement board (to make sure all visitors are aware)..The respectable thing to do would have been to just take them off your forum..Not announce to the world they didn't pick up phone calls or other complaints from only a few forum members..I have dealt with cobra for years, spent thousands of dollars and have never had an issue..Not Once...

I am very surprised to see a forum owners on a somewhat personal vendetta to try and ruin a company because he wasn't treated like the princess he feels he is...At least that's what I gather from these posts)..

Over my many years in the hobby of airguns and firearms I have dealt with many bad dealers who don't really care about what they sell..Or they are a big box store only based on numbers..I thought it was nice to see a small shop like cobra that stll knew what they were talking about..I have received used guns from AOA that were stated in new condition, I have waited for over 6 weeks for a refund from pyramid air with no return phone calls..Crosman can take up to 5 weeks to send out one $9 part..Even DAQ sent me a rifle that obviously had repair work done to the stock..And try to get someone on the phone who knows what they are talking about at many of the other airgun dealers..GOOD LUCK..

When I dont like a business I stop going there...I don't act like a 12 year old girl and post it on face-book (or my own forum)..I deal with it like a man and realize there are other people in the world than just me..I dont expect great service, I hope for it.

Cobra is popular and in business for a reason..Its not like they are running a forum from their mothers basement or anything..Its a store and an online company with way more traffic then they can probably handle at times..Something a business owner such as myself can understand..

And as a side not the forum owners should be worried about getting a lawsuit..If cobra loses business do to the owner of the GTA forums comments and actions in STARTING this posting, they would have the right to sue him for punitive damages as a public advertised forum (hence another business) ..Since hes not just a regular member he should keep his mouth shut..Asking for donations for sponsorship is just a sneaky way to say "pay me or I dont help you"..

And by the way Gene...I have been trying to access your forum for 2 days since I found this post...I keep getting cache errors and no verification emails...Should I start a GTA ban page elsewhere? There is just no GTA customer service on here and the moderators wont respond to my emails..

Im assuming Gene or one of his cadwicks will take down this post..But we will see right..

[r1derbike]

Quite the first post, airhammer1.

Rife with ad hominem, and blatantly bellicose bravado.

Saw right through it.  Others will too.

Charles

[farrlarr]

Maybe it's just me but I was unable to find the word "cadwick" in any print or online dictionary.

[larspawn]

Well no hearsay here.  I had first hand bad experience with Martin Paredes.  He sold a bunch of guns over on the Yellow last year.  I personally wondered if I would ever get my two rifles and a Nikko scope.  He was fast with the response when he wanted my money and then fell of the face of the earth.  I emailed him about a dozen times with no answer over a several week period.  Then several people emailed saying they had the same experience. 

One particularly perturbed buyer finally figured out some email tracking or something and does a gps like thing and zeros in on Cobra Airguns on a map.  He then plays coy and calls Cobra and asks for Martin.  Bingo we find him.  Of course when he starts into him about all the guys he's stiffing he hangs up.  Buyer then waits a day and calls back and gets someone else.  I'm assuming it is Dave.  Dave is a bit miffed and after hearing the story says he'll take care of it.  A week later we all got our stuff with a return address in the corner that said Cobra Airguns.

So now I've figured out that Martin Paredes must be one of the owners and not just some schmuck who works there.   I was giving Cobra the benefit of the doubt thinking they just needed to hire better people but based on lillysdad's comment I now know that Martin is actually the owner.  Now I have no sympathy for Cobra.  Perhaps that's why Joe Lamonica had a falling out with them?

[The Knot]

Cobra is going through some changes and some sour situations will be smooth out and with time all will be right i also have had no problems and enjoy every minute i spend at cobra . I also think there was no malice in anything done by the GTA, people have bad streaches in life and any buissness . For a first post it's a tad rough but everyone is entitled to there opinion and nobody can please everyone . Rest asure cobra will do it's best and if thats not enough for everyone theres lots of other suiters where you can spend your money. I have spent alot of time here and there and the guys on both ends are first class and don't need anyone to stand up for them so i belive a ^*%$#@ match is foolish  PS martin isn't the owner and a good guy dave took care of it that should be enough that he stood behind his word and don't put words in lillysdad's mouth he knows the owner well and didn't say martin was he . And i saw Joe there about a month ago ease up boys .

[amb5500c]

To those with issues over the decision to remove Cobra from our Mall.
Understand this: Cobra nor any other vendor has paid one red cent to advertise here. Their little banner was placed here by our administration  with the intention of giving the membership some ideas of different places to shop that they may not have known of otherwise. If there had been more positive feedback than negative, this issue wouldnt have even come up. No money has changed hands, nor have contracts been breeched. The issue was discussed, and a decision was made. Nothing personal  or devious about it. Believe what you want, and shop where you want. But know this: The owners and staff of this forum have nothing but the most honorable of intentions. To provide the membership with a place to have fun and meet others with similar interests and learn more about AGs.
Richard

[Rocker1]

Well good sir if I may call you that, I  have received no emails from you in any way shape or form, and for you to join this fine forum and post a comment like that I suggest you find else where to do that, as far as payment  from vendors have you noticed this forum is add free???   We have no bad intentions toward @@ss%%  our intentions are for the members here to get quality service online, I am sure if you walked into the establishment you would get great service but  to be truthful there online or email responses are something to be desired, perhaps when they get that all worked out there link will be put back regardless of what you think or know. AND YOUR POST WILL REMAIN!!!  Its good  for people to see who have been long time members here  who know the administration to know just what kind of attitude you have.   David

[AirScopes]

If someone were to tell me my service was getting complaints, I would consider the warning a service and would make the effort to respond and fix it. If not, I would expect the complaints to continue and the effect to ripple out, and finally for the business to suffer.

First, Gene is no rash fellow, and he is a fine businessman (he's done tunes and other work for me). I haven't had the pleasure of exchanging much with CDT, but if he associates with Gene, I don't see how he could be anything but well-intended and honorable. It is their business, they have a model and moral. I have no doubt that they have gone above and beyond before taking this direction.

Second, being in business, I would expect to be treated the same way. GTA is effectively making recommendations by promoting vendors... in a way they are attached to that. If members are not getting what they pay for from a vendor, GTA is best not to support promotion to its members. This is a powerful tool to help GTA members. I know for a fact that being on GTA has helped me iron out a transaction or few. Sellers should want to be here and should want to satisfy members for the privilege of serving them.

Third, if Cobra is experiencing growing pains, they need to learn to deal with that. I look forward to having that problem myself! I hope I address it sensibly when the time comes and that I don't let issues linger till they become larger problems as appears has happened with Cobra.

Richard

PS - I can't say precisely how much I admire Gene and Charlie's efforts with GTA. It isn't like you pay to become a member, and so they are not making money from the operation of the site. It has to be a huge effort with little return but that they know they are doing something right. I think it is great.

[oldpink]

Boy!
Some jerk (yes, I call a spade a spade when I see one) hops on here, spews some lunatic fringe threats, then whines because his buddy's company, whose banner was placed here 100% free of charge, got taken down due to repeated instances of shoddy customer service.
Then, threats of lawsuits?
Dude, get a life, and hang out over on one of those other forums, you know, the ones that have paid advertising and (largely because of having to please said advertisers) control all that is posted to the point that even mentioning certain people or products can get your post deleted at minimum or the poster himself outright banned.
Go away.

[ezman604]

Okay, even though I appreciate a good stimulating conversation, I think we have beat this one into the ground. It's time to close it and move on. We all know this was not done with any malice and was not stimmed from hearsay. No money EVER exchanged hands here and no contracts were broken. I did make a reply last night to which I apologize to those that saw it. The post from a new member riled me enough that I broke the GTA rules by responding to a troll. I removed it.
Thanks for all that responded to this thread and those that truely understood the reason. I hope Cobra makes the necessary changes, which I'm sure they will, and we can once again boast of their customer service. Until then, let's enjoy some air gunning!!!!
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave