Threat from Fiat USA

[Sunracer]

It is not realistic to expect a gigantic billion dollar company to act any differently. There will be a lot of mods, some will be via factory channels, some will be by independents. The idea that FIAT needs the support of the eccentric crackpots (us haha) that have kept their old machines running while they were gone is like GM taking a bunch of advice from a group of Italian 55 Chevy owners. : ) You want to feel the corporate love and think going to the CEO here will be it?? Really, corporate love is just for money baby, not fervent hobbyists. Anyone else making money on their product does not thrill them, just incites their envy.

Look at how thinks worked with Mini and the new Cooper S. They will sell their own stuff and compete against anyone else. It is how these things work. Mark, I think you do a lot of cool stuff, but doubt that will get you anything other than corporate love (love of their profit only) from the mother ship.

Expecting any other outcome reflects a naive view of large corporations, sadly. PB

[spiderverde]

I understand your point, as insignificant as we all are, we are still what kept the heart beating.. ... I know they don't really give a crap about us but still, It would be good PR in any economy let alone one that's headed down the pooper again..
Every sale counts when your starting from zero..
Still...Bit of a stretch comparing Fiat to GM though even with Italian 55 shoebox owners..

Ray

[So Cal Mark]

while I don't expect Fiat USA to endorse products that compete with the parts they offer through dealers, I'm surprised they see me as that much of a threat. After all, there are some very large companies starting to produce performance parts for the 500. It's more the hypocrisy of the situation that caught me off guard. Fiat recently gave away 2 500s to customizers to alter for SEMA. Part of the deal is that Fiat gets to use the 2 cars for promotional tours for a year, in an effort to showcase possible mods for the car. They're encouraging aftermarket companies to develop products, but then don't want to acknowledge that they exist.
I get the impression that Fiat USA feels they offered a thank you to the existing Fiat community by creating the Prima Edizione and now they're done with it, moving on to new customers. Sort of like going to your 25 year reunion, greeting your ex with a peck on the cheek and moving on

[redauto]

after the way your forum and all the other forums like mira have treated the vendors over the years i can only see this a justice. and extremely funny

[So Cal Mark]

how has this forum treated vendors?

[narfire]

I'll second Mark's question.
Some members might have had issues with vendors in the past,but seems most have had a satisfactory outcome.
Some vendors have offered parts and helpfull information here and their posts are still available I believe. To be honest I have not seen any posting from IAP but all know they are there and are refered to on a regular basis.
I must have a weird sence of humor as I see nothing funny in being censored about what Mark was trying to do. Perhaps I'm missing something.

[spiderverde]

I'll second Mark's question.
Some members might have had issues with vendors in the past,but seems most have had a satisfactory outcome.
Some vendors have offered parts and helpfull information here and their posts are still available I believe. To be honest I have not seen any posting from IAP but all know they are there and are refered to on a regular basis.
I must have a weird sence of humor as I see nothing funny in being censored about what Mark was trying to do. Perhaps I'm missing something.

I'll triple Marks and and second above.....what's funny about it ..???

[beachboy]

SpiderVerde, this all happened before you got here and goes back many years, no use rehashing any more. But Mark, how can you seriously ask that question with a straight face?
But Karma does come back around.

[So Cal Mark]

I have no clue what you are referring to, and what happened, did they kick you off fss?

[tartan18]

after the way your forum and all the other forums like mira have treated the vendors over the years i can only see this a justice. and extremely funny

Clearly I have no idea what "redauto" means and it is frustrating to hear what sounds like an insult made publicly but no context to back up the claim. What did Mark do that is objectionable? Specifics please. In the absence of facts I am going to trust Mark because I have talked to him, bought his products and I trust him as a person. Nuff said .. (stepping off the soap box).

[spiderverde]

SpiderVerde, this all happened before you got here and goes back many years, no use rehashing any more. But Mark, how can you seriously ask that question with a straight face?
But Karma does come back around.

I've been around here since summer of 2007 when I bought the spider....and....I didn't bring up an issue...

But It seems redauto and you have one..?? ..

Instead of you 2 throwing out comments like above and expecting everyone to remember in a public forum just say what happened ....If it was personal then you should have kept it that way and pm'd Mark....

[redauto]

wait a minute...

your forum rules are "Individuals Only. Commercial or Dealer postings will be removed"

so you block the vendors. and somestimes trash them. and it is not just your forum, but all the fiat forums.

so the owner of a forum that blocks vendors acts like a vendor on another forum and gets stopped.

that's not funny? that's not ironic? that's not justice ?

yes it is. and i post it on the forum because the forum blocks vendors.

when the rest of the vendors come back to work monday, and happen to have time to visit the forums,
they will laugh their asses off too.

[spiderrey]

I find it amusing how a new member signs up here and goes about bashing the place. Who are you, stop hiding and come out. I would have to guess you were banned and came back with a different name. Just a guess. Spiderverde, Ive been here a long time and never seen this. A long time.....
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. If yours is so negative , you can always leave and not spoil it for the rest of us. If you reallly feel the drama is necessary, you can always sign up at drama.co, and vent there. This is a site for a hobby that most of us love. Its a way to get away from all of lifes bullshit. So it would be nice if you didnt bring it.
It would be nice to just get back to the cars people.

[spiderverde]

I find it amusing how a new member signs up here and goes about bashing the place. Who are you, stop hiding and come out. I would have to guess you were banned and came back with a different name. Just a guess. Spiderverde, Ive been here a long time and never seen this. A long time.....
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. If yours is so negative , you can always leave and not spoil it for the rest of us. If you reallly feel the drama is necessary, you can always sign up at drama.co, and vent there. This is a site for a hobby that most of us love. Its a way to get away from all of lifes bullshit. So it would be nice if you didnt bring it.
It would be nice to just get back to the cars people.

Hope you don't think I'm causing any of this and that you just got the posters names mixed up....... I'm not new here....and been a member at FLU since 06...I'm pretty passionate about the cars and the sport.. I just don't like what happened to Mark and was just responding to what Mark posted and was defending him. It's redauto and beachboy that seem to have some problem with Mark not me....

I agree..I come here for a break from life, but pretty passionate about stuff like that also......

[Exit98]

Mark, thank you for all you do to keep this place up and running.

And thanks for your professional efforts to provide quality parts and service and accessories for our Spiders.