I do not think that any of this is old news. The details posted above by Jon Brobst, to my knowledge, have never been all put together in one place. It is particularly interesting to me that if the 36K Jon is referring to above, that Jon says was the approximate amount paid to Chrysler for the heritage parts and equipment, came out of the 50K initial VCA investment into VPA, that it then means that it only cost the VCA, 14 K to start VPA outside of the purchase. Jon states above that the puchase was a bargain and that what was purchased was worth far more.
So doesn't this mean that all of the allegations thrown around about Chris allegedly misleading the National Board and somehow scamming the Board into investing the 50K in VPA are false? Because it sure looks that way from the data disclosed by Jon above. Jon also has indicated that he thinks Chrysler's management did something wrong in doing the very favorable deal with VPA and that MOPAR's managment did not know what it was doing when MOPAR authorized VPA as a MOPAR dealer. But the VCA and its more than 3000 members clearly benefitted from both decisions.
Jon, in another thread a couple months ago, made it clear that he has been a supplier to Chrysler on a number of occasions. So tell me, who is biting the hand of who?
Everyone can read the above detail and decide for themselves. I hope that the posts are left intact and not removed or altered.
Here is the most salient one for ease of reference:
Hi Jon. I hope all is well. I do not think that what I posted is inconsistent with the above. To my knowledge, and please correct me if I am wrong, you were the only vendor who chose to go the "insult" route - particularly on the other Forum.
CORRECTION: Bob, my telling the truth of the club's problems may indeed have been insulting to some. But true nonetheless, as for the most part now proven. I posted them, and factual backup, the only places that free speech were allowed (at that time.) ............................
Jon. Are you saying that you did not buy the assets of the business that preceded the role of Prefix that went out of business and that the VCA did not have any interest in participating in that with you? Are you also saying that you did not want the opportunity that Chrysler gave to VPA when it transferred all the legacy parts, etc.? Please clarify.
CLARIFICATIONS: PartsRack successfully acquired the surplus parts inventories of TWO of the vendors prior to Prefix. The VCA had ZERO financial interest in any of that, just a misplaced pipe-dream-wish. The full story of ASC was posted on this site, visible here for almost THREE YEARS. It was also published in several Regional newsletters. It was titled "Now It Can Be Told- PartsRack's ASC Acquisition." Try and SEARCH IT!
Perhaps as an insider, someone will let you see it. It was mysteriously censored just TWO DAYS after VPA debuted here. ****! [Note to VCA's Don Boston. I have the censored link. And Don recently found and saw the censored story.]
When the VCA told PartRack that 'the club has an exclusive on the ASC parts' we foolishly believed the officers. After the buy went nowhere, SRT told us that there was NO club exclusive, and to give one would violate Chrysler policy. Why?
In order to protect stockholder asset value, Chrysler policy is to liquidate surplus items by sealed, secret bid. At a time when assets were protected by bankruptcy, Chrysler did NOT do a bid.....but gave the assets to the VPA for ~$36k, far below what a bidder (including PartRack) would have paid Chrysler (and creditors.)
PartsRack bid competitively with the ASC Bankruptcy Court, with ZERO interest or participation from the club. My unimpeachable witness: VCA VP George Farris. Ask him. He was pushed aside (retired) due to his truthfulness.
PartsRack within 2 weeks offered a commission to VCA on these parts in exchange for advertising "a portion of the profit to the VCA." But 2 VCA top officers refused, saying "PartsRack just wants to market themselves." They would accept the donation only if it was not dislocosed to the buyers. They wanted a 'war chest' of (secret) funds!
I am also a bit surprised at your attack on MOPAR's judgment. "Additional perspective: This letter was sent BEFORE Mopar ill-advisedly granted a contract to VPA, THEREBY ALLOWING VPA TO ALSO COMPETE WITH CHRYSLER-SRT-DODGE DEALERS. Some of them are now concerned, as well they should be.
Hardly an attack. Especially since I also told Chrysler in writing almost 2 years ago. Don't we all agree? Mopar and SRT almost certainly rue the day that an insider parts deal was granted to this conflicted non-profit? That generous and ill-conceived act is a textbook example "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished."
Also, I am a bit confused about the vendor VPA issue........
Are'nt we all......... Years ago I told the VCA how to engage and enroll its sponsors-vendors-members in a 'joint venture' for member benefit and sponsor profit. Using Sponsor money! However, another trait of the past bozos you now defend: They micro-managed everything for personal glory, perks and entertainment. If an idea was not THEIR idea, it was dismissed-censored-ignored.