[omaier]

Thanks for all of the support!! Several people have asked for the name of the shop. The name of the company is Arc-Tek Marine in Connecticut. I have also included a couple of choice emails I received from him explaining his position on constructing custom products and customer service. Many people have talked about the power of "word of mouth" ... I'll take one for the team, all I ask is that you share this experience with other boaters so that they don't have to go through the same nightmare. Also, if any of you happen to be at the boat show and see Arc-Tek selling a leaning post please make sure the customers hear this story ... thanks!!

Mike


Email #1: He was having trouble getting me a picture of the leaning post so I asked if I could get a local from THT to stop by and take a couple of pictures ... here is the response:

-----Original Message-----
From: James Tatler
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 10:16 PM
To: Maier, Michael A
Subject: RE: 23 Seacraft Leaning Post


mike, i am trying for pics......if you are trying to be funny.....dont work..this is 1 hell of a post...my computer is f....ed...which accepts my kodak program...wich doesnt work.......as far as tht....who cares??????noone in the northest caresabout thth.......tht is goin to flop...as far as the post..i am trying to send pics...my computer takes an hr to send a pic..i want this leaning post to you as i know you do....i will use it on my boat.........as far as bashing me.....do what ya need to....it works both ways...it really does...sorry ...i am a big mouth with a bigger following...f tht........have a great nite.....jim

Mike wrote:
Were you able to get pictures and dimensions? I was going to ask for help on THT ... ask if someone in the area could stop by your shop and take pictures and dimensions, when would be a good time?

Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Maier, Michael A
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 11:56 AM
To: 'James Tatler'
Subject: RE: 23 Seacraft Leaning Post


Do you have any pictures? I would also like a picture with the cover on the leaning post.

Mike
Email #2: String of emails (addresses removed) after I received pictures of the leaning post:
mike, heres how this works. i the builder. me. builds these custom items for many customers. maybe 200 posts a year. what a person draws on paper does not always work on pipe. everything works on paper . including stick figures. i spent enough time on this post. including. cushions/labor/ pipe/time. i have towers that dont require this much attention/time. the 500.00 deposit is non refundable...... ..... ... i put alot more than 500.00 into this project. sorry, but i am giving this till sep 25. 2005 then i will put it in the boat show for sale...i cannot entertain this no longer. i am a very busy shop. this is my last email. balance is 1150.00+ 6% ct sales tax. this includes the custom cover....thanks and have a great night......jim

Mike wrote:

Jim,
Unfortunately that is not what you told me in April based on the diagram I faxed to you. You indicated that you would make it per my diagram and if that if you ran into challenges that we would stop and discuss alternatives. I have some very specific dimensions I was trying to accommodate and by making it larger than requested it will not work correctly on my boat. At this point I think we need to figure out how to remedy this situation.

Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: James Tatler
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:04 AM
To: Maier, Michael A
Subject: RE: pix


mike, being a fabricator for 20 yrs your drawing would not have worked. your verticals would have been to narrow for the cushions. you also have folding footrests.. plus the storage trays are molded a certain size. the frame would have looked like an upsise down..wouldnt work..i also lost all my original emails...jim

Mike wrote:
Jim,
Thanks for the pictures, I did receive them both times (deleted them from this email to not blow up any email servers). In April, I provided a drawing with specific dimensions of the post I wanted built. I was extremely clear about how the down tubes were to be oriented (vertical) and the maximum front to back dimensions of the main post assembly (18-19 inches). I was also clear with my request to have smooth vinyl. We agreed that in the event you needed to deviate from the scale drawing I provided that you would call me to discuss the available options and agree on a solution. Appears that we are now beyond that point. How do you propose we resolve? Please call with questions (###) ###-####.

Mike