Justin (Porkchop) and the A'me unitron saga

[NORTY40]

I received this email from Justin this morning , seems to me as though he has been shat on tbh 

Just thought i would post it up as Justin has always been a top guy to deal with from my experiences , he has even refunded overpayments on shipping charges on more than one occasion without being asked .  He also supported MK last year with a load of stuff sent over for the raffle etc .  Might be nice if a few of us could back him up .

Yeah i know we can get them from Alans in the UK but im pretty sure if Alans hadn't got them we would be relying on Justin to get them in .


Dear valued Hambassador:

(NOTE: This is a bit long, but I want you to hear the WHOLE story and make an informed decision. Thank you in advance for taking the time!)

We have been selling A'ME products for over 7 years and have the LARGEST selection (in stock, ready to ship) of A'ME products in the world (over 90 different products). We are also the ONLY company in the U.S. that exclusively serves the old school BMX community - we don't just have some old school/retro products as an afterthought: Old school BMX is our sole business with over 1700 different products in stock, most of which are custom made for us.

However, we have some competitors who are unable to match our selection or our service. They have spent the last few years contacting John Svenson, the owner of A'ME and telling them how we are unfair competition. They tell Svenson that we are uncutting the price of A'ME grips. They tell Svenson that because we operate from a residential address we don't have the same overhead as they do. These are lies. Our price for A'ME's grips is higher than any of the companies complaining about us (mainly because it just costs more for us to provide such a large selection). Also, while the two buildings we operate Porkchop BMX out of are zoned residential (they are two houses next to my personal residence), Porkchop BMX pays a mortgage on them equal to or more than most bike shops pay for the space they rent. We have plenty of overhead including a $1 million of liability insurance, inventory insurance, pay a ridiculous amount of corporate income tax, unemployment tax, worker's comp insurance, property tax, local business license (which allows us to operate out of the residential property legally), 3 employees, etc. (And this is all before we buy any products or materials to package your orders with). If their overhead is more than ours, it is due to their own poor business decisions - not because we are getting any sort of breaks.

Now, A'ME has re-released the Unitron grips. And will not sell them to Porkchop BMX. They point to the complaints mentioned above. When pressed on whether he has looked at the Porkchop BMX website to verify these claims of undercutting prices, the owner of A'ME responded that he doesn't have time to keep up with all of his dealers prices - all he knows is he gets complaints about us. (Complaints not from those who buy A'ME grips... complaints from our COMPETITORS who want nothing more than for you to be forced to buy from them).

After 7 years of fighting to keep A'ME grips stocked at Porkchop BMX (Svenson has threatened numerous times to cut us off but has never told us why until today), I've had enough. If A'ME will not allow us to stock the Unitron grips, a grip that is only of interest to our customer base, the old school BMX community, we are dumping A'ME as a brand that we carry.  They obviously do not value our business and I do not think it right for them to continue to be rewarded for their arbitrary decisions that do nothing but hurt you, the end user of the grips.

If you agree that Porkchop BMX should have these grips and want to buy them from us, please let your voice be heard by e-mailing John Svenson at sales@griposusa.com or give him a call at 702-835-0681 (Nevada, USA number).  The only thing that might change his mind is hearing from the end users of his products and realizing that Porkchop BMX is where YOU want to buy A'ME products.


Thank you for your continued support - we are working hard to have the largest (and most interesting) selection of old school BMX parts in the world and we can't do it without you!


Justin Earl
President of www.PorkchopBMX.com

P.S. Send me a screenshot of the response you receive from A'ME and your address and I'll send you out of some free stickers!

[griff]

Justin is a good lad, I sent a polite email to a'me already and would urge anyone else to do the same.
Sounds like he's been on the receiving end of a bunch of crybaby shit stirrers

[NORTY40]

Justin is a good lad, I sent a polite email to a'me already and would urge anyone else to do the same.
Sounds like he's been on the receiving end of a bunch of crybaby shit stirrers

Nice one Griffster     It does seem to me as though he hasn't been treated in the right manner 

[bobbbbsy]

SENT hello -
         I have heard of your issue with porkchopbmx.
I hear a small number of people in the bmx community that have an unfounded negative view of porkchop site . these people are counterproductive / negative and offer the community nothing. they are mostly private bike builders who have something against reproduction parts or are associated with competitors.
 it is not uncommon for success to cause jealousy.

If you are going to listen to a voice you should listen to justin at porkchop bmx because he is not only a benefit to the community but very professional and personable. it is because of this that he has such a good reputation with his customers.
p.s. I am in the uk and porkchopbmx is the first place i look for A ME grips.
      Putting a negative spin on the A ME company name could disillusion established supporters.
Regards
Rob

[Glynnyboy]

I just fired one over too. I use them quite a bit for the small spare stuff that gets lost. I have actually had about 3 separate orders from them over the last few months.
Just ordered some extra thick washers for the hubs and some oldschool wheel nuts, stuff like that.
Not been able to bang a set of those to these little orders people try to build up a bit, could be not such a great move for ame.

[rodriguez]

Maybe if the whingers gave customers as good service they wouldn't need to do the shit on him.

As said PC is good for stuff not always available here, like the mini grips.

Worth an email I  reckon.

 

[NORTY40]

I don't know the full the story behind it all but i have a feeling some of the complaints have come from people who won't even consider shipping to the UK     ....... something which Justin has never had any issues with .


Thanks for your support lads 

[griff]

I wonder if A'ME will reply..?
Might take them a while to answer everyone 

[dancetothedrummersbeat]

No doubt an attack on Justin from a few sad individuals with their own agendas. I've never had anything other than excellent service from Justin. International orders have arrived quickly, and I have also been given a partial refund when shipping costs have been overestimated.

[BADDH]

Can't believe this one guys,  as we all know Justin is a top guy, and as Joff says he's done the same from me and I have also spent a few quid with him over the years and also been one of the Robinson fanatics pushing for a couloir range of early pad sets which he invested in and now there available.


Top man, I will be emailing A'me later too.

Dazzle

[chubby]

Mr angry from the UK email sent 

[Retrodan72]

Email sent. 

[griff]

posted something up on the FB group too (since I know Joffy's not going on there any time soon )

[Jt]

got to be more to this than meets the eye.

My view is let them sort it out amongst themselves.

[Retrodan72]

posted something up on the FB group too (since I know Joffy's not going on there any time soon ever )

I've edited that for you John. 

[NORTY40]

posted something up on the FB group too (since I know Joffy's not going on there any time soon )

No sh1t man !!     Only just got 'What's app' and im struggling with that !! 

[NORTY40]

posted something up on the FB group too (since I know Joffy's not going on there any time soon ever )

I've edited that for you John. 

       

[NORTY40]

got to be more to this than meets the eye.

My view is let them sort it out amongst themselves.

There possibly is John , always two sides to every story . I guess it's upto the RADsters to decide whether they want to send an email or not .  I posted it up because  Justin has always been a top lad with me and he didn't need asking twice when it came to supporting MK14 etc. From what i have read on various sites it does seem as though he has been stitched up . I also know from running my own business that this does happen from time to time no matter how good you feel your customer service or supplier relationship is

If any RADsters don't feel comfortable sending an email ..... don't 




Justin has emailed me this morning and he thanks you all for the support   

[griff]

posted something up on the FB group too (since I know Joffy's not going on there any time soon )

No sh1t man !!     Only just got 'What's app' and im struggling with that !! 

I couldn't get on with whatsapp so binned it off
Will probably do the same with Twitter too as I'm struggling to see the point of that either
Might give that ello a go but so far don't know anyone else on it

[MartyC]

I sent this but got no reply.

Dear John

Disappointing to read that you won't sell the new release of Unitron grips to Porkchop BMX.  I have been an avid fan of A'ME grips since starting to ride BMX bikes in 1979 and switched from Oakley to A'ME in 1980 or thereabouts.  I still have two pairs of og, bought in the 80s, A'ME grips; one pair new in their box and one used pair from one of my bikes.

Today I still ride BMX both my bikes, a race bike and a park bike run your grips plus I collect vintage BMX bikes, 10 of them and 6 run A'ME grips all of which were bought from Porkchop.  These are guys who are not the cheapest but they offer unrivalled knowledge, customer service and a fantastic range of parts to the BMX Community.  They have been fantastic ambassadors for A'ME products and it's disappointing that they are being treated this way and excluded from selling the Unitrons, a grip that they know their customers will and do want to buy from them.

Justin says that you won't check out their website to see that they are a real business and to see what they put into the sport and community but you will listen to folks, heck you must listen to folks if you are refusing to supply Porkchop because some of your other customers don't like competition and complain to you about it.   If those customers of yours treated their customers better, contributed to the community and valued their customers as much as Justin and his team do they wouldn't need to complain about competition.

Hopefully you will do the right thing; get A'ME products sold through retailers that value the brand and who are true ambassadors for your products, retailers like Porkchop.

Yours sincerely

Marty Coughlin
Perth, Australia

[rodriguez]

got to be more to this than meets the eye.

My view is let them sort it out amongst themselves.

Whilst I agree with the first part as PC has certainly rubbed a hell of a lot of people up the wrong way.

However I reckon it's in our own best interest to help him out.

Based on when Alan doesn't have the stock you can get it from PC, other US retailers either won't ship to you like BMXGURU, charge exorbitant shipping or people buy direct from AME and then wack them on the bay for you to pay through the nose.

[factory pilot]

I think Justin and PC are another invaluable spoke to our hobby called old school BMX. I've bought many bits and bobs and repop parts over the years .... ( Think both types of viscount seats and Kenda freestyle tyres especially in my case ) and always had an A1 service.
It seems illogical for A'me to avoid them?
I'll send an email off now! 

[BMX1973]

I emailed AME saying I was disappointed that Porkchop do not stock the Unitron, if I get a response I'll post it up.

I do try and use local specialists but have ordered the odd pair of Grips along with other small parts from Porkchop.


Good Luck Porkchop 

[factory pilot]

Politely but seriously sent with a heart felt and logical plea for reason and sense to prevail. 
Good luck Justin and good luck PCBMX! 
Thanks for always keeping it 

[factory pilot]

I just got this reply... From A'me

We now  have an exclusive distributor in the UK for all A'ME Grips
including the Unitrons.

If you would like we'd be happy to supply you with their contact information.



On Thu, Feb 5, 2015 at 8:00 AM, 'antony frascina' via Sales
<sales@griposusa.com> wrote:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have just heard the sad news from Justin at Porkchop BMX that he will not
be able to stock the latest re-issue of A'me Unitron grips. I am actually
quite shocked to hear this as his website has long been the number one stop
for us enthusiasts who have been restoring and bringing back to life old
school bmx bikes for several years now. Justin and his shop have always been
invaluable to many of us here in the UK who are part of an ever expanding
and thriving scene. He has always stocked A'me grips and has always been my
first port of call when I have required to purchase some for my latest build
or to replace worn out ones on bikes that I ride. Obviously I was very
excited to hear about the re-release of the Unitrons and naturally assumed
Porkchop would be my stockist of choice due to my history with the shop and
his competitive pricing and willingness to ship to the UK.
I hope that you can see sense and listen to the many loyal Porkchop customers
who are hopefully getting in touch with you over this issue.

Kind regards, Antony Frascina,
A'me and Porkchop fan and supporter.
Liverpool, England, UK


--
John A. Svenson
Gripos LLC
6155 Sage Brush Street
Las Vegas, Nevada  89120
Tel. (702) 835-0681
Direct (702) 690-2993
Fax (702) 924-2582

**PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS & DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER