SAAC and CSL

PANAVIA · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 02:17 AM

Amy,

I am a long time fan of the CS/Ford cars, be they Cobras, Mustangs Etc.
Additionally , I have been a member of SAAC off and on since 1988.
My family has financially supported the CS /SAAC based businesses (and its peripheral units ) with hard earned dollars for over 25 years. ( and I am not even 40 yet ) .

I am really having a hard time just letting this most recent suit --just go. this SAAC/CS suit went on way tooo long.

I really think that CSL and SAAC management owe the fan base a huge, heart felt apology and both entities need to REALLY make an effort to make it up to the fans. (I really mean this...)

This was the Automotive equivalent to the MLB Baseball player strike of a few years back.

There needs to be clear communication going forward on several things;

1. Where is the 2007 registry, when will it be delivered. (I have seen posts that they are shipping, but has anyone QA'd the data >?)

2. what constitutes a Shelby car that shall be tracked in the registry (my Superformance MkIII roadster has a CS license--why shouldn't it be tracked)

3. why did it take a consumer credit crisis and a oil crisis for Ford dealers to come to their senses and stop trying to get 10K over sticker for a GT500.(not really related but feeling ripped off just the same)

The financial portion of CSL and SAAC needs to be looked at and reviewed ---I urge a top-to-bottom combing / review of what license fees are charged and to whom, for what.

Most of all; I think the fans deserve an apology from SAAC and SA/CSL.

With Best Regards,

Steve

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

1. Where is the 2007 registry, when will it be delivered. (I have seen posts that they are shipping, but has anyone QA'd the data >?)

1: Amy has nothing to do with the 2008 Registry being shipped....Although, I can tell you that they were all shipped out this week, at least volume #1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

2. what constitutes a Shelby car that shall be tracked in the registry (my Superformance MkIII roadster has a CS license--why shouldn't it be tracked)

2: Your SPF was only licensed by Shelby, not produced by Shelby. Shelby lends (sells) his license for many marks (guitars included), should we have to track them all (how about a registry for the deodorant he used to license and sell)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

3. why did it take a consumer credit crisis and a oil crisis for Ford dealers to come to their senses and stop trying to get 10K over sticker for a GT500.(not really related but feeling ripped off just the same)

3: Some dealers still have those wonderful "market surcharges" on their cars. Ford Motor Co does not regulate what an independently owned dealership does with their cars once they have been alloted and shipped out. Each Ford dealership owner/operator controls those things. If you have an issue with a particular dealerships pricing structure, you should search out a friendlier owner/operator.

Hope you find this helpful.

Bill S.

Mark IV · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

3. why did it take a consumer credit crisis and a oil crisis for Ford dealers to come to their senses and stop trying to get 10K over sticker for a GT500.(not really related but feeling ripped off just the same)

Why?

Because some people will pay it! Over list sales are based upon demand and when the demand causes an "auction", the market responds. It is ECON 101 in action. Are some dealers greedy? Sure! But if some people didn't have to have the newest, biggest, baddest first and weren't willing to pay a premium to get it, the cars would sell at list or even a discount. The "it's a Shelby and collectable" mentality is at work here...and I don't understand it as the GT500 never sees the SAI facility! It is all done at AutoAlliance. Yes, the KRs do go to Vegas (and some lose a substatial sum at the tables) but the 500 never makes the trip.

I don't see anyone crying because people are paying a premium and waiting two years for the high demand Ferraris.......................

Dan Stryffeler · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 05:09 AM

I don't know when we turned into such a wimpy society that everyone always has to apologize anytime somebody says or does something that offends somebody else - I guess around the time the term "politically correct" was invented?

At the risk of sounding rude - nobody owes you an apology. Almost all the mud that was flying was between SAAC and Shelby and they have managed to come to terms, so get over it.

"this SAAC/CS suit went on way tooo long." - Maybe some of the attorneys can chime in here, but I would guess that in terms of the length of a typical lawsuit, this one was actually pretty short (maybe 7 months?).

"The financial portion of CSL and SAAC needs to be looked at and reviewed ---I urge a top-to-bottom combing / review of what license fees are charged and to whom, for what." - You are kidding right?

Dan

PANAVIA · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 10:59 AM

Dan, I am not kidding, --on the SAAC/Shelby thing;

So lets get this straight, -- what I am hearing is you are *all* OK with CSL suing its fan base and SAACs retort antics >?

Are we not supposed to demand accountability for both parties of their actions >?
---this is not about Political correctness, it is asking for responsibility for both groups to pay attention to the people that feed them on a yearly basis.

Kopec and Eber are not Angels either, but businesses that permit this type of thing to go on has some issues and SERIOUS PR work to do.
(in our business, keep in mind we are not religious, but we call it a "Come to Jesus" meeting..)

I talk to people on a daily basis and many I talk to are disgusted with the behaviors exhibited by SAAC and CSL during this last 9 months.

What is next from CSL / SAAC , per year seat licenses?? This way they have a recurring revenue >? not soo crazy, --it worked for Al Davis and the Raiders to a point.

What I am urging is for SAAC and CSL to make an open commitment to the fan base and work on being the organization(s) they can be, and not just another patent farm.

Bottom line; I still think they owe all of us an apology, as they lost sight of the people.

Steve

Dan Stryffeler · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 12:19 PM

SAAC already has recurring revenue - it's called your annual dues. Shelby's revenue, or at least part of it, comes from licensing his name/trademarks/etc. to companies for placement on their products - can't fault that.

If you want financial accountability from Shelby, buy some stock and get the annual reports.

As I understand it, SAAC is a 'club' only in the loosest of terms, it is owned by a few individuals, not by the members so there is no required accountability, other than if you as a member don't think you are getting value - don't renew. ( For disclosure -I am a member).

SAAC has already posted that they will be providing more details shortly, so be patient and maybe some of your questions might get answered then instead of fanning the flames now by making demands.

For an apology one has to show harm, what did this whole thing do that harmed you other than to make you disgusted and/or change your opinions of a few people?

I just think some of us have an over-developed sense of entitlement.

Dan

powerslide · #7 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 02:15 PM

....this one should be fun
Ron, this one got some legs...give her at least three pages!

PANAVIA · #8 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 07:33 PM

Dan,

No Flame wars intended.
No sense of entitlement here.

Just feel like they both orgs need to come clean with the fans/supporters, and as of yet I have not seen it.

BTW: whatever happened with Unique Performance cars --will the GT500Es be in the registry >?

Steve

Stentor · #9 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 08:17 PM

Suggestions:

Get over it, and move on.

Be glad that the debacle between CS and SAAC is over.

Drive your car and enjoy it.

Excaliber · #10 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 09:54 PM

Oh PUHLEASE, heard enough, it's OVER, let it go...

Jamo · #11 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 10:19 PM

Steve, I think everyone understands and feels the same frustrations you do. We've seen many such pieces of drama on these pages over the years.

The legal dispute was rather short-lived by legal standards.

Apologies...naw, not called for. You want some blood...use (or rather, don't use) your pocketbook.

You know what I came away with from what went on? In the final analysis, it didn't really affect 99% of the hobby. Some extremely vile morons came to light, and a few bar fights broke out...but folks went forward with their interests in these little cars. Tell ya the truth, I don't recall anybody much giving a good golly damn at the Bash...people just drove at the track and through the mountains and enjoyed each other's company.

Seems to me maybe...just maybe...the majority of us all sent a message back to the two organizations: "Frankly, my dears...we really don't give a damn."

PANAVIA · #12 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 11:21 PM

Jamo - Excellent point. -I like your suggestion.

Vote with your Dollar.

--Steve

amy B · #13 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 10:21 AM

All, I can not post info, but I will say this, on financials, the agreement stays at a buck, no money changes hand in this deal except the buck a year. It was nevr about the $$$ I stated that many times.

Hope that helps

Amy

xlr8or · #14 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 01:54 PM

Amy I think we are all glad it got worked out. Shebly and SAAC don't owe anybody anything other than getting back to the business at hand.

amy B · #15 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlr8or

Amy I think we are all glad it got worked out. Shebly and SAAC don't owe anybody anything other than getting back to the business at hand.

thanks!

Got the Bug · #16 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlr8or

Amy I think we are all glad it got worked out. Shebly and SAAC don't owe anybody anything other than getting back to the business at hand.

What is the business at hand?

computerworks · #17 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 09:32 PM

They make cars...and we enjoy them....simple.

xlr8or · #18 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

What is the business at hand?

Yup. Building and delivering cars so we can enjoy them. For SAAC its back to maintaining the registry.

PANAVIA · #19 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 04:04 AM

Just as long as CSL doesnt throw a suit at anyone else.

You cant go opening lawsuits against your supporters, fans, customers, without some serious (long term revenue impeading) AKA hard feelings from your fan base.

Steve

amy B · #20 (**permalink**) 08-20-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

Just as long as CSL doesnt throw a suit at anyone else.

You cant go opening lawsuits against your supporters, fans, customers, without some serious (long term revenue impeading) AKA hard feelings from your fan base.

Steve

so much for the Kumbayah................