357 is at it again!!!

[lerxstcat]

I guess those of you who are riding it out are ignoring that the president of 357 formerly bailed on his Nascar-based promotion company, leaving behind $3 million in debt. If you really think it's legit then why would you care at all about anything anyone has to say? IF it's legit, it's legit. If it's not, you're screwed. IF you're screwed, it's not because of anyone's opinion here or on HCAF or the Zakk forum or slickdeals; it's because they ran a scam on you.

[lerxstcat]

Its not a scam, its just a poorly executed promotion with no business model from a company that has no experience in selling merchandise (just building bikes I guess).

They don't actually build bikes either. And the president DOES have experience in exactly the same kind of promo setup as this. He left a company bankrupt and $3 million in debt, with investors and customers screwed. Why would you think he's legit now when his last venture, the same thing but aimed at Nascar fans, went belly up?

[sambencuda]

IF it's legit, it's legit. If it's not, you're screwed. IF you're screwed, it's not because of anyone's opinion here or on HCAF or the Zakk forum or slickdeals; it's because they ran a scam on you

This is what pisses me off. I'm staying in. I got my diecast, I got my merch that I purchased with my gift cert. How would I be screwed!? I got what I paid for which is what I expected out of this deal, nothing more.

I don't care if anyone bails or stays in, but you have to look at this for what it's worth, nothing more. I got what I paid for.

[zeegler]

Jim, the point is that most people probably wouldn't have bought anything, had it not been for the "free" guitar. I'm betting that when all is said and done, 357 will make huge profit off the crappy merchandise they sold. Let's not forget, they have only shipped out about 9 or 10 guitars right. Sure a lot of people are asking for refunds, but a lot are also hanging in. Eventually they will bail, and no more refunds will be given. So, you got your stuff (that you never really wanted) and you don't feel like you've been ripped off. I believe that was all part of the plan. 357 are crooks plain and simple.

[BTB007]

Here is choke's post over on SD from the conversation he had with Daniel last night.

chokeu2

Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 237
Reputation: 49

howdy!

Yes, I have a strange interpretation of COB [close of business]... And the people that work for me REALLY hate it.

Sorry for the delay, but life and work happens.

Okay, here is what I have thus far.

I spoke to Daniel, and he is willing to make an "official" statement. But here is where I'm stuck. I cannot get him to agree to make it on the 357 website. He wants me to put his statement up on line, and I honestly do not enjoy being the "messenger" because I am not interested in having my integrity questioned.

I want no question of the announcements authenticity, which is what will happen if it comes from him, through me. People can rightfully question the announcement if there is a "middle man", in the mix. I know that I would certainly question it.

I also said that no one wants to know anything from Chad, Tim, or even myself. They want it from him.

In this announcement, he said that he would commit to EVERYTHING being ordered, and sent out. Die casts, GC's, MP4's, guitars, everything. Most specifically, saying the MP4's should arrive "any time now".

He also emphatically stated that Gibson and Zakk have NOTHING to do with this deal, and that it is strictly a 357 proposition.

So, I am trying to stay out of the middle of this, and to place 357 in the middle by getting a statement from him, on his website.

Time permitting... I will have another conversation with him tomorrow...

I REALLY wish I had something to report to warrant the suspense.

[shreddermon]

He also emphatically stated that Gibson and Zakk have NOTHING to do with this deal, and that it is strictly a 357 proposition.

Major red flag there. Sounds like he's CYA'ing, to ensure that they don't sue and sink the deal too early. That also likely means that they didn't get any special pricing from Gibby on the guitars. And, if so, they're absolutely positively losing big bucks on each transaction. Which is further evidence that this is a pyramid scheme/scam.

Seriously folks, unless you're totally comfortable losing the $$$ that you paid, pull the ripcord and bail out.

[zeegler]

Seriously folks, unless you're totally comfortable losing the $$$ that you paid, pull the ripcord and bail out.

Wise advice. Do it now while you have a chance.

[BTB007]

Well, I am trying to get a refund right now. I'm still awaiting a response from my email I sent last week. If no response, I will initiate a chargeback with my cc.

[Carbuff]

This is what pisses me off. I'm staying in. I got my diecast, I got my merch that I purchased with my gift cert. How would I be screwed!? I got what I paid for which is what I expected out of this deal, nothing more.

I don't care if anyone bails or stays in, but you have to look at this for what it's worth, nothing more. I got what I paid for.

Actually you paid $32 for shipping on a guitar. So, if you dont get the guitar, you got screwed for $32. But I understand what youre saying.

[zeegler]

Actually you paid $32 for shipping on a guitar. So, if you dont get the guitar, you got screwed for $32. But I understand what youre saying.

How many people got in on this deal? Around 3000? $32 X 3000 = $96,000. They shipped 9 guitars. $96,000 / 9 = $10,667 each. They certainly didn't lose any money on the guitars. :ROTF:

[MetalGrasshopper]

I'm bailin outa this...it's too shady.

[wulfe13]

Well, the more people that bail out, the faster I get mine... So yes, please do!

[BTB007]

Holy Crap!! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!!

All I have to say is... Uh, I don't know what to say or believe! UH!!!

357 Customs

Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Posts: 5

Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:56 pm Post subject: OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM 357 CUSTOMS! You'll want to read

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: 357 Customs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Concerning the promotions that 357 Customs has done in recent months that include the giving of the guitars. First, as it has always been from the beginning, there has never been any thought of ANYTHING but fufilling EVERY order we recieved in this promotion, and shipping EVERY product owed to EVERY customer. We have had a scheduled time for delivery of our items that HAS BEEN MISSED. This is primarily due to the entire company being relocated from Florida to Tennesse. We are not making an excuse, this is simply what happened. It has taken time to get systems back in place, and back online.

For the record: the only true blame for the items not being delivered yet is to be put on 357 Customs. We have dealt relentlessly with calls and emails to try and communicate this information OVER AND OVER again, only to have our words misconstrued, misrepresented, misquoted, and simply made us look untruthful. Again, we are SORRY the timeline that has been missed.

This promotion has never been a Zakk Wylde promotion. This promotion has never been a Gibson promotion. This has always been a 357 Customs promotion based on an item we were featuring. The accusation of a scam as orders are continuing to be fufilled is a completely untrue. 357 Customs appreciates very much our customers and in the end, everyone will have every item they've ordered.

These untruthful accusations and malicious intent which we have documented in certain cases is being addressed by our Atorneys and it will not be tollerated. The handful of individuals who have tried to discredit and hurt 357 with untrue statements stated and posted online are being looked into.

We are at the THRESHOLD of having a grip on having EVERYTHING at 357 Headquarters back to normal. The reality is these orders that were supposed to ship in March, we are 2 months. behind on. That being said, we are only DAYS away from getting SUBSTANTIAL orders filled! We will not continue to deal with emails and calls asking about what has or hasn't been said. We are close to having these guitars sent out and we apologize for the delay and have NO intent of NOT taking care of every single customer.


THE BOTTOM LINE IS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR CLIENTS

With this being said...we are at a point of not wanting to see all the people out there who continue to support 357, and have supported 357, having to watch a handfull of people try to rip apart our reputation and try to discredit us. We are going to fulfill EVERY order.
And to eliminate the thought of a "scam" we're going to do something UNPRESCIDENTED: We're going to refund the money to every customer for every item purchased for this promotion. If you purchased an mp4 player or a gift certificate to get an Epiphone guitar, we're not only going to make sure you get your items and your guitars, but we're going to refund your money as well. EVEN IF YOUR ORDER HAS BEEN CANCELLED, WE WILL STILL SEND YOU YOUR ITEMS AND YOUR GUITARS.

Over the coming weeks, we will continue to fufill orders as fast as we can, and we're also going to start working to refund everyone's money. We're doing this in an effort to show our customers and the world that our intentions are to be here for a LONG time, and we will be taken seriously and we want you, our customers and our supporters to be 100% happy.

In closing, once again, we are at the threshhold of getting substantial numbers of order out as well as starting the process for refunding everyone's money. The refunds will take a few weeks to complete, but please be patient, and everyone will be taken care of.


Thank you sincerely.

357 Customs

[RobRR]

we're going to do something UNPRESCIDENTED: We're going to refund the money to every customer for every item purchased for this promotion. If you purchased an mp4 player or a gift certificate to get an Epiphone guitar, we're not only going to make sure you get your items and your guitars, but we're going to refund your money as well. EVEN IF YOUR ORDER HAS BEEN CANCELLED, WE WILL STILL SEND YOU YOUR ITEMS AND YOUR GUITARS.

WHAAAT? Ok, thats a bit over the top. HOWEVER, not unbelievable. Think about it, they have had our money for 5 months now, just the origonal promotion. Combine that with the mp4 promotion, thats ALOT of cash. Now, we also know that just about none of the items were ordered by 357 until recently. So meanwhile, ALL that money sat in an interest bearing account(s).

[yabba]

Ron's gonna have fun with all the misspellings in that one...