simonr Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 My handbrake - that is! Had a chat with a representative from one of the mags who was going to write a review of it - who says they are reviewing a new one from Scrapiron instead! - and it's due for launch in two weeks. Although it was inevitable, it does show what a liar Colin is. He went on about how despicable it is when someone (he quoted Padocks as being the main culpret) copies a good idea. Don't know what I can do about it - not much I guess. Just hope I bump in to him in a dark alley one day! (for a nice hoppey skippy jumpy friendly chat) Never know, maybe it will prove to be as good as their rear trailing arms ! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Hi Simon, sorry to hear that. AFAIC the boss is not going to copy it on these shores at least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark90 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Didn't take long, is it orange? Simon have a chat with Jez you should start marketing his cranked rear arms under the X-Eng banner, X-arms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJL Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Didn't take long, is it orange? Simon have a chat with Jez you should start marketing his cranked rear arms under the X-Eng banner, X-arms? Sorry to hear that! Very Poor Indeed Simon!! Pitty it wasnt patented I hope he doesnt go for a patent otherwise you'll be stuffed I for one will continue to buy from you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHAVED_GORILLA Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Don't worry to much Simon, I know its not a good thing but atleast you know this... 1. Yours are superior quality. 2. Yours aren't overpriced. 3. I am sure, even though I have never spoken to you, that your customer service is a thousand times better than Scrapiron. SG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon W Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Just out of interest what sort of mark up do scorpion make on products. As i know he was selling the X eng hand brakes and wondered what he had them retailing at. I bet you for the extra price brought from scorpion you wouldn't get the same sort of after service that you get from Simon. When i have the money or hand brake needa attention i will definately buy from Simon. I doubt scorpion give free gifts either other than stickers. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I think that is just plain nasty, all about money and nothing about honesty or decency But what do you expect from a company as disgracefull in its ethics as Scrapion ? I have had the misfortune to meet the "short a&re" (but big) "attitude" litle Sh&t, ....... ......and everything I had heard about him was confirmed as true, and I was truly "Underwelmed" by the experience. Probably why he and the company has such an appalling reputation within the 4x4 world, apart from a few "PR Mates" who think the sun shines out of his "economy height ar$e".. Perhaps you should change your advert Simon so it says "X Eng..... the genuine original not a nasty orange copy ?" Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboy Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Simon, At the end of the day, I hope you can take some consolation from the amount of support that has been shown on here rapid style. However, it does not compensate for the potential loss of earnings and you have my sympathy too. As also reflected by many others above, I too am a very happy customer who will "buy again" from X-Eng due to the quality and assistance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark90 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Simon how about some nice big X-Eng stickers for those forum members who are competing in the AWDC challenge events Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hiatt Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Don't let it get you down. Simon, I don't know you but I can assure you that your reputation is growing by word of mouth and good experience, whilst at the same time you wouldn't need to book a very large hall for the scrapiron satisfied customers annual bash. All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Hi Simon Sorry to hear that m8............ Unfortunately, Colin seems to have gone to the same school of company ethics as Eddie, whose company reptile lives on an island..... these guys seem to operate with a short sightedness that bewilders me at least we have these forums to spread the news of the exceptional companies, and the less reputable. We of LR4x4, all know how good your products and service are Simon and I for one will continue to spread the word As annoying as it is as the moment, try to use that energy inside of you to further your company and show these others, how ever big they are, how it should be done. Keep up your good work Si, it's exceptional Kindest Regards with the utmost respect, gary B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Sorry to hear they finally copied it Si. Also sorry to say that they appear to have copied your overlapping sidebars too... B*****ds Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Si - take some comfort in the fact they will be crappy copies, will fail when they encounter anything remotely nasty and you will still get the discerning punters heading your way. If anyones remotely curious I have X brakes on the swamp buggies and wouldnt fit anything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresh Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 To be honest, that's business. You wouldn't be able to patent it, a slight deviation would be a whole new product. All that said, I wouldn't buy from ScrapIron, having tried in the past, and not being contacted again by them. Then there is the parts I've seen used and failed. I would much sooner use a smaller company who are in touch with the people it supplies to. Whilst your reputation grows, ScrapIrons continues to diminish, the only thing they have going for them is the sad-bling-crowd. Best of luck, and don't forget my discount when i can afford one Regards Gresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Sorry to hear that Simon, But it doesn't surprise me, having tried to deal with ScrapIron in the past, and failed horribly, I will not ever deal with them ever in the future, also i think their (Colin's) ethics are so very low. perhaps you should email Equipe and let them know you've suffered as well as them, or maybe email LRS and see if they'd like to stock Original X-Eng disk hand brakes. Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_T Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I have bought from Scrapiron in the past, and thats the way it will stay...in the past. I detest this kind of behaviour. I have a couple of Scrapiron stickers on my truck...they will removed as soon as I get home! Long live small business and X-eng! Do you do any stickers I can replace my Scrapiron ones?...willing to pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSG Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 It just sums up my opinion of them really. A shame - but whilst some of the mags suck up to them for their freebies they'll still get +ve publicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MogLite Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 That sucks big time Feel free to use an avatar/logo I designed a long time ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I have now visions of a SR4X4.com forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Well that's a real shame Si. I remember you talking about this at the last wales meet. What a shame you can't take legal action against them. At least you have a better reputation, and word of mouth is in your favour. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Les you've hit the nail on the head mate............ a good word of mouth reputation is worth more than commercial advertising.............. it can't be bought, it can only be earnt g B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 14, 2006 Author Share Posted March 14, 2006 Thanks All! John_T - PM me your address - and I'll stick some in the post! Would you like small (5"x5") or big (10" x 10")? Mog - I would like to use your graphic if that's OK! I looked at patenting - but as has been stated, you barely need to change anything to avoid infringement (Pull Pal being a good example - they hold a patent, tried to defend it in court and lost). European community registered designs are possibly a better way to go - and one is in progress for something else which could be as popular as waffles, but would be everso easy to copy. I registered X-Eng as a trade-mark as well. A little bird told me that Scrapiron are in financial difficulty at the moment. Don't know if it's true - but perhaps they will dissappear on their own! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhunter Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Simon Sorry to hear about this underhand but typical Scrapiron tactic. I remember you saying that SR had approached your caliper manufacturer to make for them. Is it possible in future through a contract, to restrict your suppliers when making bespoke items for you from making for others. At least this way plagirists have to pick up their own development costs rather than piggy backing on your expertise. I agree that it would be worth clearly using the words "original" and or "designed by" XEng or even "genuine" which is a familiar expression amongst the LR fraternity, in all literature and sales promotion media. Also speak to the editorial departments of the magazines and insist that they give you credit for the original design when writing up the SR new product editorial, suggesting that there is an infringement of copywrite and that the SR version is a copy. They won't want to spend £000 checking with the lawyers and may decide not to give the SR version any profile. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 14, 2006 Author Share Posted March 14, 2006 Good Idea - John. Do any of you have a copy of the new LRO? Apparently there is a write up on page 26? Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Just hope I bump in to him in a dark alley one day Now that is something I would pay good money to see!!!! How about 3 rounds in the ring ant Billing....? As for your products Simon, as an engineer I fully appreciate the thought, effort and skill that you have put in to all your products - even down to the seemingly simple half shaft extractor. Who else would have thought of using the storage tube as the guide too? A real sign of a craftsman at work. Keep your chin up and let us know when the Si vs Colin match is on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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