Is Finishline finished?

[Alfa02]

Has anyone ever been to "Finishline's" Store/warehouse since Trevor took over? I would like to know, since Brent (EM-0785) & I still would like to buy the remaining stock, for a reasonable "price", and pass the saving onto the customer, then see where it goes from there. I have the time and ability to answer a phone/email and ship items out. It would be a "Hobby Business" as long as we don't lose money, I'd be fine to run it. Saying this I know (Tony, ) we wouldn't make million, that's not a goal, but to help out other Cobra owners. Cheers Tom. As most of you know I can talk Cobras all day

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

Has anyone ever been to "Finishline's" Store/warehouse since Trevor took over? I would like to know, since Brent (EM-0785) & I still would like to buy the remaining stock, for a reasonable "price", and pass the saving onto the customer, then see where it goes from there. I have the time and ability to answer a phone/email and ship items out. It would be a "Hobby Business" as long as we don't lose money, I'd be fine to run it. Saying this I know (Tony, ) we wouldn't make million, that's not a goal, but to help out other Cobra owners. Cheers Tom. As most of you know I can talk Cobras all day

I have a nagging feeling that the warehouse is full of vaporware and that he's selling stuff that isn't in inventory and when it comes time to get it to pass through it's either not available or priced higher than his price...

It's a huge ego that he won't let go since my guess is the little business he does get comes from here where his reputation is known. That can't amount to one or two orders a quarter. Even if he's kiting he's still not moving enough cash to keep it up.

Too bad credit card companies don't share data for problem orders. I do know that companies will cut off vendors if there are too many problems.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I have a nagging feeling that the warehouse is full of vaporware and that he's selling stuff that isn't in inventory and when it comes time to get it to pass through, it's either not available or priced higher than his price...

It's a huge ego that he won't let go since my guess is the little business he does get comes from here where his reputation is known. That can't amount to one or two orders a quarter. Even if he's kiting he's still not moving enough cash to keep it up.

Too bad credit card companies don't share data for problem orders. I do know that companies will cut off vendors if there are too many problems.

+1 on what Tony said.

The good news is the walls are closing in on this guy. Reduced sales provide reduced revenue, and at some point, the cash flow goes negative. You can bet that Trevor (if that is his name) will not pony up the additional monies necessary to get the business up and running again. At that point, it folds.

Once the business is defunct, continued advertising of goods for sale and taking people's monies for unavailable products begins to look like a fraud. The sad part is someone will need to take the step (spend the money) to prosecute him for this, and the outcome of that event usually does not compensate them for their efforts.

The best course of action is to steer a wide path around this guy, buy elsewhere, and warn others so they do not become victims of his mischief. In time, the natural dynamics of the free market system will erase Finishline from everyone's radar screens. Those who have been victimized have little practical recourse other than to lick their wounds and remember what happened so they can avoid future fraudsters as they appear — and they will.

What a sad ending for the great business that Enzo built.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by eschaider

What a sad ending for the great business that Enzo built.

That is so true. I bought a few things when Enzo had the store. Everything was wonderful. Then someone buys the business - and the name and associated "good will" which actually has value - and for whatever reason destroys the business but also the reputation of the previous owner.

The same has happened to other businesses that came highly recommended on this forum only to collapse under new ownership. Craft was a victim as I recall.

The other aspect is that he's pretty much burned the bridges with the community that has been around for a while. What's left are the newbies that either don't know about the feedback here, who don't read the feedback here, or simply feel it's worth one last shot. The size of that population is quickly diminishing.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by Alfa02

Has anyone ever been to “Finishline’s” Store/warehouse since Trevor took over? I would like to know, since Brent (EM-0785) & I still would like to buy the remaining stock, for a reasonable “price”, and pass the saving onto the customer, then see where it goes from there. I have the time and ability to answer a phone/email and ship items out. It would be a “Hobby Business” as long as we don’t lose money, I’d be fine to run it. Saying this I know (Tony, ) we wouldn’t make million, that’s not a goal, but to help out other Cobra owners. Cheers Tom. As most of you know I can talk Cobras all day

I would wait a bit more, Tom.

People who so badly mismanage a good business with a great name and significant reputational (is there such a word?) goodwill are usually reluctant to sell until their business’s financial walls collapse. That usually happens in Bankruptcy court. Suddenly, they have a lower price point that looks good because it gets them out of the hot water they find themselves in, and that is their first order of business.

Attempts to buy before the pain is sufficiently high can result in you paying a higher (sometimes significantly higher) price than the business is worth. When the current miscreant owner finds himself in financial hot water that threatens his wealth, you will find the most cooperative seller.

At the Battle of New Orleans, Old Hickory said, ‘Hold your fire ‘till you see the whites of their eyes.’ That is still good advice today for an acquisition like this ...