03-30-2010, 05:15 AM
This is my inaugural post here folks. I felt a need to chime in here as the content of this string pertains to me on more than one level.
Through our mutual membership in the GGACC, my girlfriend and I joined a fishing trip michaelnel organized to Baum Lake in Northern California.
I have always waded. After researching Baum, I realized that we needed "floatage." I attended the said FF show in Pleasanton (I had yet to meet michaelnel in person, so we didn't attend together) and noticed the NFO booth, with my eye particularly on the Outlaw Escape. I had heard of these pontoon/float tube craft on the NAFFF, I think through a post by flygoddess.
I talked with the couple that was working the booth with Dave and they were both delightful and helpful. Dave was busy (really busy). When I came back I bought the Escape from Dave.
He assured me I would have my Escape by the next Thursday as I told him of an impending fishing expedition.
I informed michaelnel of my purchase through our message board. He responded to say (paraphrase) you better stay on top of these guys (NFO) if you want your boat for the trip.
I called NFO and Dave answered, told him I was calling to confirm my order and that my card had not been charged yet. He had my order info and assured me everything was on the way. I had him confirm my email and asked for a shipping confirmation. Afterward I emailed NFO to confirm my email addy as per our conversation. No reply.
A day or so later my card was charged, yet no shipping info via email. I called NFO and Derek picks up. Derek deserves a huge raise btw Dave.
Seems the S-Carabiners and Tote are back ordered. Derek tells me the ship date on the gear, considering the back orders, will be after my trip, which I fudged by a week btw - I am an old sales dog! When I politely pleaded, Derek scrambled and totally made it happen. Shipped my boat out with substitute carabiners from old stock and in a rather kick-ass fashion. Again, raise Dave. Still the delivery date was two days before departure and incomplete. Far from the assurances I was given at the show.
We get to Baum, spot michaelnel on the lake. He rows in and proceeds to unselfishly educate and set me up and help me with my Escape and the old float tube my friend loaned us. He coulda been catching fish folks. He also shared everything about the place he could. Great advice and great company.
He and I witnesses my gal catch her first fish, which was super special - and cheered her from shore as she caught her second the next day while he and I were setting up his pram - for me to fish upon.
Bottom line. Anybody who would assassinate michaelnel's character is mistaken and rather tans my hide. He is a complete champ.
NFO makes great products but needs to iron out the wrinkles. My gal and I had a blast on the Escape - I'd buy another if there wasn't a time crunch. I don't want to speak for michaelnel, but I am pretty sure that he enjoys his craft aside from his difficulties. Well designed stuff. I received my S-Carabiners and Duffel about a week after the trip. They are great!
Mr. Scadden. Give Derek a raise. He prevented me from canceling my order. Make promises that you can keep - I realize NFO is a small company that is scrapping to survive in this type of economy, but if you don't do what you say you will continue to have pr problems such as these. Awesome move to apologize and make good.
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Through our mutual membership in the GGACC, my girlfriend and I joined a fishing trip michaelnel organized to Baum Lake in Northern California.
I have always waded. After researching Baum, I realized that we needed "floatage." I attended the said FF show in Pleasanton (I had yet to meet michaelnel in person, so we didn't attend together) and noticed the NFO booth, with my eye particularly on the Outlaw Escape. I had heard of these pontoon/float tube craft on the NAFFF, I think through a post by flygoddess.
I talked with the couple that was working the booth with Dave and they were both delightful and helpful. Dave was busy (really busy). When I came back I bought the Escape from Dave.
He assured me I would have my Escape by the next Thursday as I told him of an impending fishing expedition.
I informed michaelnel of my purchase through our message board. He responded to say (paraphrase) you better stay on top of these guys (NFO) if you want your boat for the trip.
I called NFO and Dave answered, told him I was calling to confirm my order and that my card had not been charged yet. He had my order info and assured me everything was on the way. I had him confirm my email and asked for a shipping confirmation. Afterward I emailed NFO to confirm my email addy as per our conversation. No reply.
A day or so later my card was charged, yet no shipping info via email. I called NFO and Derek picks up. Derek deserves a huge raise btw Dave.
Seems the S-Carabiners and Tote are back ordered. Derek tells me the ship date on the gear, considering the back orders, will be after my trip, which I fudged by a week btw - I am an old sales dog! When I politely pleaded, Derek scrambled and totally made it happen. Shipped my boat out with substitute carabiners from old stock and in a rather kick-ass fashion. Again, raise Dave. Still the delivery date was two days before departure and incomplete. Far from the assurances I was given at the show.
We get to Baum, spot michaelnel on the lake. He rows in and proceeds to unselfishly educate and set me up and help me with my Escape and the old float tube my friend loaned us. He coulda been catching fish folks. He also shared everything about the place he could. Great advice and great company.
He and I witnesses my gal catch her first fish, which was super special - and cheered her from shore as she caught her second the next day while he and I were setting up his pram - for me to fish upon.
Bottom line. Anybody who would assassinate michaelnel's character is mistaken and rather tans my hide. He is a complete champ.
NFO makes great products but needs to iron out the wrinkles. My gal and I had a blast on the Escape - I'd buy another if there wasn't a time crunch. I don't want to speak for michaelnel, but I am pretty sure that he enjoys his craft aside from his difficulties. Well designed stuff. I received my S-Carabiners and Duffel about a week after the trip. They are great!
Mr. Scadden. Give Derek a raise. He prevented me from canceling my order. Make promises that you can keep - I realize NFO is a small company that is scrapping to survive in this type of economy, but if you don't do what you say you will continue to have pr problems such as these. Awesome move to apologize and make good.
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