Originally Posted by Nismo_Peddler

Now that everyone has slammed Trophy Nissan for "Pulling out" of Maxus 2006, I think it's time that we told our side of the story since there seems to be so much "Bad Blood" about the issue. I'm the Internet Parts Manager for mynissanparts.com (Trophy Nissan's Internet Parts dept.), and I handle all of the arrangements for Trophy's involvement in car shows. I was not involved in the 05 Maxus show, but I do know that Trophy Nissan was very generous in supplying a location, food, drinks, prizes, banners, trophys and doing all the leg work for the show as well as paying employees from the Parts Dept to work that day, which cost the dealership a couple of thousand dollars...minimum. The so called "promoter" of the show had some T-shirts made up, got to promote his own business, and sit back and take credit for the events success.
All Trophy asked for in return was a little recognition and a banner on a couple of web sites directly involved with Maxima's and Maxus, which is a small price for all the work they did...it never happend. Enter 2006 and a request from the "promoter" for Trophy's "sponsorship" of Maxus 2006, which we cautiously agreed to participate in, but not organize. We attempted to get the same location as last year at Town East Mall, but could not secure the date that the "promoter" requested. At this point in February of 2006 the "promoter" was notified that he would have to find a location; around 120 days prior to the show; and we asked what if we could purchase a "sponsor booth" at the show, in order to give the "promoter" the needed revenue to purchase the essentials for the event. A location of Breckenridge Park in Richardson was located and booked by the "promoter" and a Maxus 06 update "Stickie" posted on Maxima.org. in February 06, when we inquired about the lack of a banner (or other recognition) we were told that we could purchase a Sponsor Banner on the site and given contact info. During the next few months prior to the show the "promoter" and I talked occasionally due to our work scedules and the fact that due to my job I am not the easiest person to get ahold of, and for that I apologize. The "promoter" then informed us in May that "vendors" could not sell merchandise at Breckinridge Park without the City of Richardsons permission; having dealt with Richardson on occassion I informed him that they just wanted to be "Aware" that there were going to be vendors there and that all they had to do was to confirm this with the City. I got a call 5 days before the show by the "promoter" saying that Richardson had OK'd vendors, and wanting artwork from us with our logo for the t-shirts, instead of money for a Sponsor Booth I agreed to try to get the trophy's made, but this late in the game would require approval from my managers...which was denied because they felt that the "promoter" was poorly prepared and waited until the last minute...like the year before and expected us to bail him out...again. Trophy Nissan did not get a "bunch of business" from last years show, most of the participants only buy from the Dealer as a last resort, choosing aftermarket sources first, so why not slam them for their lack of participation? mynissanparts and Trophy Nissan have always...and will continue to sponsor Nissan enthusiast clubs and events. If anyone has any comments...positive or negative, or would like to discuss club sponsorship or an event, feel free to contact me.
Mark Budenhagen
Internet Parts Manager
mynissanparts.com/Trophy Nissan
mbudenhagen@vtaig.com
888.209.7942

Originally Posted by Loren

Sorry Mark, you are not going to win any points here.

The first thing is regardless of what happened last year, you committed in writing to sponsor the event this year. If you were upset about last year, you should of brought it up then. You gave no notification that there were ANY issues until the week of the event this year. You made no effort to contact any representative of the event to notify them of a change in your committed intents. It was the "promotor" who contacted you to coordinate the week before the event and was told at that time you pulled out. Only at that time was this whole story of your brought to light.

Second, it was only a month before the event that you notified the "promotor" that you would not have a location to host the car show. Given that we needed a facility with ample covering for the Texas heat and room for up to 200 cars, Breckinridge Park was an ideal location and free for reserved use by citizens of Richardson. I was the one who picked up on short notice the ball you dropped and booked Breckinridge Park. Once again, had you made your concerns known we could have made special arrangements with Gary Zimmerman, the director over Richardson Parks and Recreation.

Third, there was never an intent to "sell booths" at the event. Promotion has been for this, and every proceeding event, free for sponsors. It was you who volunteered providing food and trophies and made the commitment to do so. It was also you who made the negative decision to not uphold these commitments. Before you had made this final intent know, our organization did provide your logo on the event T-shirts without any requirement for compensation to show appreciation and promote your business. This free promotion has obviously meant nothing to you.

Last, I personally take offense to you and your dealership. I have personally purchased a car and parts from your dealership. I contacted the dealership the week following the event to discuss the situation with you. At that time they said you were unavailable and I left my contact information for a return call. I am still waiting for that call. Your personal choice not to contact me was your personal choice to tell me as a customer that you don't care for my business and in fact you have permanently lost it. I can't condone your intent to do harm by your continual deceptive, lying and fraudulent business practices. I think it is best to avoid any continual issues by simply avoiding any contact between our organization and your business entity.

Regards,

Loren Rapoport, PMP