WTF Audette?

[maninblack]

https://911bestinclass.com/password

Blaming our "government" (quotes are his, not mine). Bad, bad government iinterrupting his Ponzi scheme!

I know John better than most and I'd had multiple experiences over the years that caused me to question his ethics/morals. And I'd heard stories as well. I chose to ignore all of them because I wanted to believe that he was a good guy and part of our little brotherhood. Shame on both of us.

[toniwonkanobi]

Originally Posted by maninblack

https://911bestinclass.com/password

Blaming our "government" (quotes are his, not mine). Bad, bad government iinterrupting his Ponzi scheme!

I know John better than most and I'd had multiple experiences over the years that caused me to question his ethics/morals. And I'd heard stories as well. I choose to ignore all of them because I wanted to believe that he was a good guy and part of our little brotherhood. Shame on both of us.

Yeah I assumed it was all made in America stuff, but if he's getting things from China, well, yeah, I guess the tariffs would for sure affect him.

[maninblack]

Originally Posted by toniwonkanobi

Yeah I assumed it was all made in America stuff, but if he's getting things from China, well, yeah, I guess the tariffs would for sure affect him.

For sure. Nothing worse for what appears to be a years-long criminal enterprise than a few months of tarrifs, most of which haven't yet been implemented.

He's always been full of s**t, just never imagined he was also a crook but here we are.

[Jonny042]

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.

Very well said. Same for me.

[prs]

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Once I sensed that there was something fishy going on (John didn’t answer any of my emails, texts or PMs), I filed a claim with PayPal and got all of my money back ($1500+). Thank goodness I used PayPal’s service for the purchase of goods and not Friends and Family. For those of you who have paid JA using PP, you have 180 days within which to file a claim.

Sadly, JA’s promises are not to be trusted. Or, as Tonto would say to the Lone Ranger when encountering a person of questionable character, “He speak with forked tongue.”

[maninblack]

Please tell me that John doesn't still own an early 911? I know he had at least one very nice car, does he still? This whole fiasco is shaping up to be a much bigger number than many realize - not CPR huge - but far from small. I would have assumed if John still owned a car he would have sold it to make hs customers whole. I hope that's the case.

[sebastianroher]

Originally Posted by maninblack

https://911bestinclass.com/password

Blaming our "government" (quotes are his, not mine). Bad, bad government iinterrupting his Ponzi scheme!

I know John better than most and I'd had multiple experiences over the years that caused me to question his ethics/morals. And I'd heard stories as well. I chose to ignore all of them because I wanted to believe that he was a good guy and part of our little brotherhood. Shame on both of us.

Not meaning to be derogatory, but it seemed as if he has some mental issues going on? If you read his email blasts it made literally no sense. Closing one minute and the next day back open. Did that several times. All of it was just very odd...

[Matt Monson]

I didn’t see the part about him not issuing refunds on my first read. That’s no good. Too many businesses in this industry have failed by making the mistake of using customer deposits to pay their bills. It’s death.

[robblr]

I was 'fired' as a customer by John a year or two ago. Placed an order for some Cibie Bi-Iodes, paid in full to the tune of almost $3k. After four months, I started asking for updates, never got them, and noticed his site was offline so I assumed he went under. I initiated a chargeback and got an angry email from him within minutes.

Up until this point, 6/10 of my orders were incorrect, i.e. two left rear lenses, and home depot hardware looking and functioning nothing like OEM. His response to these were 'I don't have stock but as soon as I get a return I'll ship to you.' Still never got my parts. Money down the drain.




Still, I'm sympathetic. Nobody knows more about aircooled Porsche lighting than John. I don't think it was his intention to rip anyone off, but this type of business was doomed to fail if run as a hobby for one man.

I truly hope everyone is made whole.

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I didn’t see the part about him not issuing refunds on my first read. That’s no good. Too many businesses in this industry have failed by making the mistake of using customer deposits to pay their bills. It’s death.

I agree. We use the money to buy the customer’s parts, put them on the shelf and then usually charge labor when the job is done.
If I was to overspend out of the business account, I sell some parts or dip into my own bank account to cover it. Our customers are never at risk.

[maninblack]

Originally Posted by robblr

IStill, I'm sympathetic. Nobody knows more about aircooled Porsche lighting than John.

Eric Linden.

Last year John sold me a set of "NOS" 128 fog lights. What I received was a set of Eric's reproductions (indistinguishable from NOS to most of us but, still, I'd paid up for NOS). When I politely emailed John about the issue I got a one word response "Great". No apology. No refund offer. Nothing. Just "Great" as if I was somehow inconveniencing him.

I did eventually get a refund but the moral of the story is we still have Eric who knows so much about Porsche lighting that he could fool John.

[robblr]

Originally Posted by mepstein

I agree. We use the money to buy the customer’s parts, put them on the shelf and then usually charge labor when the job is done.
If I was to overspend out of the business account, I sell some parts or dip into my own bank account to cover it. Our customers are never at risk.

Mark built an engine for me in the recent past and is the epitome of excellent small business owner. Give him all your money. You won't regret it.

[robblr]

Originally Posted by maninblack

Eric Linden.

Last year John sold me a set of "NOS" 128 fog lights. What I received was a set of Eric's reproductions (indistinguishable from NOS to most of us but, still, I'd paid up for NOS). When I politely emailed John about the issue I got a one word response "Great". No apology. No refund offer. Nothing. Just "Great" as if I was somehow inconveniencing him.

I did eventually get a refund but the moral of the story is we still have Eric who knows so much about Porsche lighting that he could fool John.

Actually, you're 100% right. I eventually found a pair of NOS Bi-Iodes in Europe, and Eric sold me the housings which are a work of art in their own right. All in, I think I came out $1500 under what AC was charging for the same setup.

[ssupman]

My experience with John was nothing but positive. I ordered his A3 headlights and they arrived within a reasonable amount of time. Communication with John was easy and timely. I had an issue with one headlight and he provided a replacement with return shipping label without any issues. I also ordered his LED exterior bulb kit which also arrived quickly. Sorry to hear others can't say the same.

[kupcar]

I guess I’m not up to speed on the status of John’s business. Last one I received said that he was closing his store and liquidating LED bulbs that he had at a discounted rate. Basically free plus flat rate shipping of $8. Thought it was a nice gesture on his part. Anyone else get that?

[kupcar]

Sorry, anyone else get that email?

[andino]

I have mixed experience with John. I have a set of his AC gold headlights and the fit has never been too great. The light output has been pretty subpar as well but since they're just off the shelf 7" seal beams, I can at least replace the fixture part. Overall kind of expensive for what's equipped with ebay special 7" seal beams. Can't say I'm surprised his business collapsed because it seemed like he was just reselling LED bulbs purchased in bulk at huge markup.

[Frog76S]

I previously purchased LED dash bulbs from Car MAgic, but thought I’d try John’s since he’s also in Oregon and wanted them quickly. John’s LED bulbs weren’t much better than the stock 37 year old bulbs. I went back to Car Magic LED dash bulbs. I wasn’t impressed with John’s products.

[70tangerine]

Anyone who ordered a part should get part or a refund.
If not better call your credit card Co and file for claim or paypal etc.
Good luck to anyone involved not a fun situation.

[Ed911S]

Just goes to show no one should be trusted, NO "friends and family", definitely NO checks.