Roe is the man...so I understand

VANILLA GUERILLA · Roe is the man...so I understand

I know probably everyone has had a problem with him at some point of another, and I should have known better. I was reluctant to purchase a deck from him after all I've heard. But after 10 unreturned e-mails and 10 unanswered calls I finally got a hold of him. He stated he had a few Mermaids going to be available in a "week". "Great", I said. I'll take one. Coming up on three weeks and no answer. No returns to my e-mails, no returns to my phone calls. Why does he do this? Why does James always get caught playing damage control for him? I know he's busy but why does he tell people this and know in his heart he's not telling the truth? So while I sit here I surf the fish and wish I would have read the stuff before ordering. It's like a bad movie. It'll be there in a week, months go by, it'll be there in a week and more months go by. Is this what I have to expect? I would ask for a refund but I guess that won't happen either. it's hard not to be bitter after being led down the same road so others have been led. I feel like buying a plane ticket and pitching a tent outside his shop. Maybe since I already paid for it weeks ago I can fly out and assist in my own board construction. Is there anyone that get in contact with him and expedite the process? Why would he say that and then cut off all communication with me? Agree with the stuff I read on the fish. We need a Gareth Garranty. If he said months I would say thank you for your time. Sorry for the ramble, but Chicago has a short summer and if I knew I wouldn't get my Mermaid until Winter I wouldn't have ordered it. the worst part is I don't know anything. I know he cashed my check July 24th. Is it shipped, is it done, did you give it to someone else? This is torture. Everyday I rush home from work to check my e-mails. Nothing. Is there anything I can do? I'd really just like to know what's going on that's all.

Parson Adams

It sounds cliche, but it is easiest to wait. It took 6 weeks for mine to come in. It sucks that the summer is coming to an end, too. I was lucky and had enough money--thanks to the eco. stimulus checks--to order mine on May 23. I received my board on July 2. Again, it was worth the wait, but, if one's money can be better allocated elsewhere, having 150 dollars just out there with nothing to show really blows, too. A few times my wife would ask whether I got ripped off or not. Luckily, she was the one who signed for the board when it was delivered and she saw the craftsmanship in it. I know this doesn't help, but it will be on its way. I'm waiting for my GALAC LDP. It should be in this week, given I was told about 5 weeks to build it. Hopefully it will be here before I have to get back to teaching.

pavedwave

Email me your real name, and the email that you used to communicate with Gareth. ( pavedwave@comcast.net ) Without that, I can't help you here. And I don't always keep everyone's pseudonyms associated with their proper names, unless I'm keeping in touch with them a lot.

10 unreturned emails and calls, yes, I know that one. Often he will not respond when there is something wrong with the press or process, so the news is usually not good anyway. If you didn't hear back for 3 weeks and wanted to go buy a Sector9 from Zumiez, I would support you. But you finally got a hold of him. Tell me the date you successfully heard back from him and the date you actually paid for an order.

He does get his boards cut out off the CNC machine in groups, usually on Mondays. If he said he'd have boards in a "week" that is probably what he meant.

Last week, he was out of town on business. I got an auto-reply when I emailed him at work. "Thank you for your e-mail. I am out of the office from Monday 8/04 through Friday 8/08, returning Monday 8/11. I will have limited access to email and phone during that period. " So he won't be responding to anyone until later tonight, at earliest.

To be clear, from what I read of this, you didn't commit to an order until a few weeks ago, is that right? It's been three weeks since you committed to an order?

barefootboarder

I had a good time ordering my Mermaid. I made e-mail contact with Gareth mid-May. He was very good at replying to my messages. This was important since it was an international order and I needed to pay extra shipping. I placed the order at the end of May, and waited and waited and waited, and I felt good that one day it would arrive. The waiting was actually very nice... the anticipation was good!!! ... anyway Gareth kindly e-mailed me to say that the deck was on its way, and after about 6 weeks from placing the order, finally the door bell rang. I think it's worth just waiting. I'm sorry that you're feeling frustrated VG, and I don't want to sound smug, but I do want to say that my order went well and was very satisfactory, to say the least. Anyone reading this who might want to dip a toe in the Roe waters, I'd say don't be put off, just allow a couple of months for your excitement and anticipation to build! This is probably cold comfort for you VG, sorry about that. I really hope you get your deck in time for the late summer glow.
All the best.
Jo

VANILLA GUERILLA

Thanks for replying guys, it sure helps. I'm not gonna be that guy. You know that guy. I knew exactly what I was getting into before I placed the order. Mainly I started second guessing myself thinking the reason was that I ordered camber only which in hindsight wasn't probably the batch he was pressing. so I was trying to get a hold of him to tell him concave would be rad as well. My other LDP has concave and my arches hurt after a good many miles. I just thought flat might help that. I know the concave is great, I hear, so I'm totally down for that as well, but I didn't want to miss my chance because I picked the wrong option. Gareth is the man and wouldn't be so backed up if he didn't make such amazing decks. I'll wait as long as it takes....it just would be nice to get an update as I do for everyone that has me build a custom vehicle for them. Scott told me 4-5 weeks and that's fine. I don't have to sit by the window then. I'm sorry if I came off crass. It was early in the morning when I posted and I hadn't had my coffee yet. And James, thanks for everything. I owe my reinvigorated love of skateboarding to you and you alone. As do so many of us. I don't want to drag you into this but do appreciate the offer. You're a god amongst men. I still have the Walkabout you designed to tide me over and it's a super fun ride so I have nothing to complain about. Oh yeah, my name is Justin at decayedyouth@hotmail.com . If you do get a chance to talk to him, let him know for me that I'm fine with concave if that expedites the process. Thanks again everyone....gonna go ride now. That always helps.

egret

Hang in there. This is a crazy time of year and Gareth's mailbox is likely full with requests from guys entering competition. He may be avoiding the computer altogether to be productive and pump some boards out.

barefootboarder

Hey Justin... you are COOL! Not many people would be able to come back so positive Very Happy

And remember coffee is your friend Laughing

pavedwave

Justin, thanks for hanging tight. I enjoy helping expedite communication wherever I can. I can check where your order is if he gets back to me.

As for the Fish, and all it's issues, I have an incredible amount to say, but I'm biting my tongue for now. Might write a novel later instead Wink

gldsndz

screw the novel, write the "how to" book. There really are not enough "how to's" for longboarding. I think you could take your knowledge and what you have collected on your website to a publisher and turn this into something. The thread you got going with the the LDP1, LDP2 into the Verticle Gears is a great read and start to something bigger.

cash in, man... you deserve it.