WTF Audette?

[Fosterjoejr]

What happened to John Audette? No ones' talking about the email he sent out to his customers yesterday?

Just asking.

[mepstein]

AC has Closed
Dear Customers and Friends...

Due to a convergence of two negative developments I'm sad to announce that the AC Shop by Audette Collection is ceasing operations immediately. The first of the two negative developments is that business has decreased sharply since the new administration took office. I don't know if it has to do with the uncertainty in tariffs and the disruption in the supply chain but business has more or less stopped. It's shocking to me that after six years of business that it could just stop but stop it has.

The second development is my failing health. I have a long history of back problems with six surgeries and I also have severe arthritis. There are times when things flare up so badly that I'm unable to walk and the pain is hard to bear.

This inhibits my ability to fill open orders and there are a number of projects outstanding. I am resolved to fill all of those orders but realistically it may not be possible. And unfortunately my financial situation makes me unable to issue refunds. I will be communicating individually with each person who has an open order to discuss your personal situation.

After 30+ years in the air-cooled Porsche community striving to be a positive contributor this is a rough way for things to end. I've poured my heart and soul into this and fell short. My heartfelt thanks to the many friends, customers and supporters I have had over the years. And my heartfelt apologies to those with unfilled orders.

Sincerely,
John Audette

[Larmo63]

Wow, poor guy.

I hope everyone can be made whole.

[toniwonkanobi]

Just made an order for new H4 units from him. I really hope he can fulfill this order :/

[toniwonkanobi]

Update: John just emailed me. He said he will be able to fulfill my order, as another customer is sending back a set of headlights which are exactly what I ordered. We'll see how it works out. I hope everyone is made whole here! Seems like a nice guy.

[cjannelli]

I’ve been waiting 2 months for my H 4s. I wish you luck

[Matt Monson]

Oh man. That sucks for John. I know chronic pain. It’s brutal.i couldn’t sit and do what he does.

[techweenie]

Discussion over on Early S:

https://www.early911sregistry.org/forums/showthread.php?177488-Audette-Collection

[PorscheCanuck]

Had me up until, "And unfortunately my financial situation makes me unable to issue refunds."

Look, I have no dog in this hunt. And I definitely appreciate John's contribution to our community—I, too, have dealt with excruciating back pain. I can also sympathize with the strain medical and/or life expenses can place on a person but...

What about the people who've worked hard and saved up enough to buy his products? The very people that supported his business in the first place? While outsiders may think we're all made of money because we own these cars, for many of us, this is a hobby driven by passion, determination and, sometimes, our own financial sacrifice. What about the person who saved up for his products because they wanted to buy the "best"? While I feel for John and his unenviable situation, the ONLY fair resolution is to honor the orders or refund the money. I certainly hope he can do that.

[toniwonkanobi]

Originally Posted by cjannelli

I’ve been waiting 2 months for my H 4s. I wish you luck

:/

[H-viken]

Originally Posted by toniwonkanobi

Just made an order for new H4 units from him. I really hope he can fulfill this order :/

He should not be taking new orders, that’s fraudulent

[toniwonkanobi]

Originally Posted by H-viken

He should not be taking new orders, that’s fraudulent

Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking. We had a lot of back and forth emails about which particular kit and bulbs and lenses I wanted, so to get this email like 2 weeks later seems kind of funky. (Like, did you not know two weeks ago you were going bankrupt?) Are there any other vendors who are offering new-ish complete H4 kits like John was?

[H-viken]

You can’t on one hand say you stop due to health issues and then on the other claim dwindling sales. Doesn’t add up.

[dg567]

He said he was using new orders to fund old orders/restoration projects, theres only so long until that stops working...

[toniwonkanobi]

Originally Posted by dg567

He said he was using new orders to fund old orders/restoration projects, theres only so long until that stops working...

Sigh.

[pmax]

Wrong forum.

[toniwonkanobi]

Originally Posted by pmax

Wrong forum.

Yeah that's true. Why *are* we in this forum? Lol Can the mods move it?

[kt911rs]

I sold him some New hood mounted lights like 8 years ago.
Said he changed his mind and sent me back some used ones.
I mark all my sold parts with a secret marking. He denied, the
Switch a roo. Never talked with him since. He tried to buy other parts I was selling.
Just ignored him as a stand up member!

[shoooo32]

As a person who has Porsche related side hustles, I'd crawl in a hole and die if I thought for one second I did not live up to my end of the bargain.

The aircooled community is made up of some of the best folks on the planet. Taking money for goods/services and not delivering faces one with the prospect of being ostracized. For me, the camaraderie lost would pale in comparison to any financial gain. For John, let's just say he's no longer in the circle of trust.

[toniwonkanobi]

Originally Posted by kt911rs

I sold him some New hood mounted lights like 8 years ago.
Said he changed his mind and sent me back some used ones.
I mark all my sold parts with a secret marking. He denied, the
Switch a roo. Never talked with him since. He tried to buy other parts I was selling.
Just ignored him as a stand up member!

That's not good :/

Originally Posted by shoooo32

As a person who has Porsche related side hustles, I'd crawl in a hole and die if I thought for one second I did not live up to my end of the bargain.

The aircooled community is made up of some of the best folks on the planet. Taking money for goods/services and not delivering faces one with the prospect of being ostracized. For me, the camaraderie lost would pale in comparison to any financial gain. For John, let's just say he's no longer in the circle of trust.

Yeah. I'm hoping he can make us all whole, but I'm not sure that's possible.