And here comes my lengthy reply,
I have been on this board for a LONG time. At first, just as your typical member driving a 91 NA MR2, then upgraded to the turbo model. Even after blowing the engine and selling the car, i found myself lurking on the board, answering to threads and keeping my eyes peeled for another mr2 when the time was right.
i stumbled across a 1991 SMG turbo with a "bad turbo" on ebay. i inquired about more pictures and recieved them, and boy, was it a beauty. i bought a good turbo from a fellow board member and was awaiting the shipment of my 3rd MR2 from Kansas. When it arrived, i diagnosed it with a blown #3 cyl, and the engine bay was in pieces. I soon lost hope in restoring its original motor and began to look for JDM clips. While in my quest to find the right clip, a good friend of mine (who also owned an MR2 turbo) wrecked his pristine 92 and totalled it on the highway. It was at this point that i realized i could buy his car back from the insurance company, give him a little cash, part his car out and use his car's engine as the donor engine for my SMG. This was accomplished and i was so happy when i heard my car start up after my first swap. In the following days, i pieced her back together and got the car off jackstands and in my driveway. I called my insurance company to add the car to my policy, and with the 8 points i have on my MD drivers liscence, the price was too much for me to own it\drive it. It broke my heart to sell it out of the paper, but i had to.
Some points dropped off in the upcoming months and i began the quest yet again. I found first, the parts car in NH and bought it off of ebay. towed it home in my ford bronco II in the middle of january with no heat and parked it in my garage. I parted this one out, this time making sure i pull as much as possible off to sell, and keep my new found "customer base" happy with quick shipping, and parts in the condition i had promised.
I then found a 1991 AMP shell with NO interior and no engine right here in MD for only 300 bucks, i couldn't pass it up. Bought, swapped it, and this time, i wasnt too keen on the blue interior, so i sold it.
This trend continued, and what i began to realize, was that i was throwing myself into a small business and didnt even realize it. i kept the parts cars coming, and the donor shells in the driveway being swapped with nearly 2 parts cars per month these past 8 months.
Recently, (these past 3 weeks), i decided to "take a stab" at opening a small business, getting LLC'd and recieving my tax ID number to get things off the ground. I thought it would be a good idea to start with parts cars, that way i could purchase the first two cars, part them out, and get cash lined up for my donor vehicles. Things went great for the first week-10 days. Then Ebay auctions started to end, Board orders piled up, and i became overwhelmed with nearly 100 orders in just the last 2 weeks. My methods i was using for my one little parts car in my personal garage weren't working anymore, and i needed to design new ways to keep things organized and most importantly, keep the customers happy.
I realize that many of you have been waiting on your parts for some time now, and i apologize greatly for that. I understand your frustration in instant payment through paypal, only to not yet recieved your parts, but understand that I am NOT out to rip you guys off. Firstly, if you have met me (which many local members have) you know that I am not out to get anyone, and only out to help you piece your MR2s back together. I have driven great distances to deliver parts and pick up parts cars. If i was truly out to take your money, i would do so on a group buy on 94 tails, or outrageously cheap 98 wings. Im taking your small orders of obscure parts. I realize that i have fallen into a somewhat slump of upset customers and i hope to retain many of you when you do recieve your parts in the condition as promised. Secondly, i sell parts to board members at almost nothing to what i get on ebay for them, solely for the satisfaction of knowing and hearing about how you got your car back together, or up and running, or cleared that CEL that has been bugging you for the last 2 years.
something should be done about this member!!!
