Well you guys might have noticed that Pirate Lab is no longer an advertiser or sponsor of DezertDimes.
The Pirate Lab is also no longer recommended by DezertDimes due to the following events.
You may have read Evan's recent truck build thread
(located here:
http://dezertdimes.com/forum/index.php/topic,2811.0.html)
And wondered what happened.
Here is the story:
(Note: After my little introduction, I'm going to do my best to tell this story just the facts. I'll leave out my pissed off commentary, I'm just posting this here to relay what happened. This is not intended to turn into a shit-talking show, but rather an explanation of recent events).
I'm Evan. I run DezertDimes. I like to think I'm a nice guy, and that I have done a good thing creating and running DezertDimes for the last 4 years.
Sure I've made mistakes in the past (remember the Desertboard split?) and I'm certainly not perfect. Any of you who know me, know that I don't make a "Dime" running this site, especially from advertising. Most of the advertisers on the site have been with me for years, and if an advertiser doesn't have money (which many companies in the off-road industry don't have extra cash for an advertising budget in this tough economy), I'm more than happy to keep running their ads until they can pay. I feel that I've gone out of my way to support, promote, and help out companies and people building parts for, or willing to support the S10/Sonoma Off-Road enthusiasts.
Most people seem to appreciate that. Some don't.
Anyways, many of you know of The Pirate Lab (TPL), and owner/fabricator Mike Cox. Mike built the back half on my 02 Sonoma about a year ago in exchange for advertising & sponsorship on DezertDimes.com, and for me to build The Pirate Lab website (I do web design as well). That has nothing to do with current events, just history. Since then, Pirate Lab has been advertised on DezertDimes, TPL products sold in the DD store, and has been highly recommended.
In April, Mike asked to install a TPL front bumper on my truck, and use my truck for display/advertising purposes at their display booth at the Dirt Alliance SXS Stadium Series at Perris Raceway on May 9th.
I consented, wanting to advertise for DezertDimes there as well. Mike happened to be in San Diego on Saturday 5/2/09, and picked up my truck, driving it back to Pirate Lab in Chino, CA.
(Of note here, the agreed upon work at the time was a front bumper installed so the truck could be shown on the 9th.
Damage of note to the truck at the time:
-NO windshield damage whatsoever.
-Transmission was in good driving shape. I believe the throw out bearing or possibly synchro was beginning to go out, as evident by noise when letting the clutch out and truck is in gear.
Trans went into/out of all gears easily and smoothly, no other symptoms other than noise noted above.
-I knew of ALL scratches/body damage to truck
-Interior was clean, no dog hair in the truck
To make a long story short, the bumper was not finished by May 9th. It was agreed to leave the truck at Pirate Lab, the bumper would be finished soon, and I would have new tires/rims, and fiberglass to the shop in time to have it installed & painted to have the truck ready for the next SXS Stadium Series 6/20/09. This is agreed upon and crucial due to I now have my work (Electrosport Industries) set up with an advertising booth at the SXS race on the 20th, and need my truck ready for the 20th to display lighting products.
I received few updates on the truck, assuming the bumper and prep work for tires/glass was being completed on schedule.
Saturday 5/23/09: The Lucerne Valley M.O.R.E. Race
I receive a phone call around 3-4PM from a friend (non-DD member) who was at the Lucerne Valley race. He asked what I was doing at the race, as he didn't think I was going.
I reply I wasn't at the race, I was in my garage working on my motorcycle. He asks why my truck just pulled up at the race.
I now realize Mike has driven my truck from The Pirate Lab in Chino to the Lucerne desert race, without my permission or knowledge.
It is confirmed the bumper is installed but unpainted and rusted.
I check my phone and have a text message I did not notice from a couple hours earlier from Mike saying he was driving my truck to the race.
I had not read or replied to this message when my truck was seen at the race. I did not in any way give my consent to driving my truck in any event, and especially not that distance or off-road.
I call Mike and talk with him, informing him that it is not OK to have driven my truck to the race, and not to drive it again without my permission.
I do not push this issue further or make a big deal about it as I assume it is a one-time occurrence.
Sunday 5/31/09:
I receive a phone call from Mike around 3pm Sunday afternoon. I am assuming this is an update about my truck.
Mike informs me he is just being released from jail, after having received a DUI the night before (Saturday), while DRIVING MY TRUCK.
He informs me my truck is currently in an impound lot in Anaheim.
I'm in a very tough spot at this point. I need my truck finished and ready for displaying product for work on the 20th.
I spend two hours getting in touch with and talking with the impound yard. The truck is released Sunday night to Mike so he can pay impound fees,
and he drives it back to his shop, instructed not to drive the truck again, and that I need the work finished so I can pick it up asap.
Friday 6/5/09:
Due to difficulties arranging the new fiberglass and the wait for the new rims to be built,
my friend (non-DD member) picks up new glass from Hanneman, and drops it off at PirateLab.
He notes nothing new has been done on truck.
Monday 6/8/09:
I call Mike to confirm everything will be done on truck by the next weekend (6/14) as planned so I can be ready for my work commitment at the SXS race on the 20th.
I am told that The Pirate Lab will be attending Dirt Tour that week, and that my truck was not a priority. I was told I should have provided parts earlier.
At this point I am fed up with the situation. After the past events it should have been made a priority to meet the commitment dates.
I tell Mike the truck will be picked up from his shop by the next weekend, extremely frustrated by now.
Friday 6/12/09:
Due to my commitments in San Diego I can't make it up to get my truck until Saturday.
DezertDimes members 95-S10, OO-Jimmy (AJ & Justin) do me a huge favor.
They pick up my truck from Pirate Lab, along with my new fiberglass, and have my new tires along (The tires were purchased through OO-Jimmy).
Having 2 new spares, my rear cage setup needs to be modified, and DD member Metul Munky offers to finish necessary work (as I do not possess the fabrication skills).
Immediately after leaving The Pirate Lab to drive to Metul Munkys house in Yucaipa to finish spares setup & swap tires, Justin (OO-Jimmy) calls me while driving my truck.
He informs me of windshield being broken (1" round gouge in lower passenger corner, cracking up windshield about 6-7"), and of poor transmission shape.
Transmission is very difficult to put into any gear, (5 speed manual) transmission pops OUT of gear while driving randomly in all gears, mostly in 4th.
Dog hair is noted in car on passenger side. Pictures are taken by AJ (95-S10) upon arriving at Metul Munkys for proof.
Metul Munky finishes spare setup, tires are swapped for new 33" tires.
AJ & Justin drive down truck and fiberglass Saturday (6/13/09) morning.
I verify all damage they noted upon pick up.
Pictures of noted damage:
(Note, these pictures are taken Saturday by me. I will post the pictures taken by AJ Friday night upon pickup from Pirate Lab.
Bottomline - the truck was damaged upon pickup!)
Windshield Damage:
Dog Hair on window seal (dog in passenger seat, hanging out of window)
(Dog hair on the seats didn't show up as well in pictures, but its there)
New scratches on cab paint:
Transmission damage can obviously not really be seen.
I can drive and take a video of it popping out of gear while driving if anybody is interested.
It shifts like shit, and the trans needs to be rebuilt immediately.
So, that should explain the situation.
I called Mike tonight.
The only way to make this right is the windshield replacement and transmission rebuild need to be covered in full by Pirate Lab.
He has denied all damage to the vehicle. He said he will pay for the repairs eventually, but cannot give me an estimate on when money will be available to do so.
This should give you a good idea of why The Pirate Lab is no longer endorsed by DezertDimes.
I've done my best in this post to leave out my commentary and just post the facts.
-Evan
New Addition to the story 6/22/09:
After posting this, I have received PM's from people on DD saying that Mike was spotted in Chino driving my truck multiple times.
He met people at his shop in my truck to show them parts, with his dog in the truck, then left driving it as well.
I am now posting this on other forums.
I'm absolutely pissed off my truck was treated like this, used as a daily driver, and then damaged.
