Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
I just post Petition Request… Free Biker in the name of Justice! Support Now! on http://ping.fm/p21yV
I just post Petition Request… Free Biker in the name of Justice! Support Now! on http://ping.fm/HkaTm
Check out new post about Petition Request… Free Biker in the name of Justice! Support Now! http://ping.fm/BT5wV here
Check out new post about Petition Request… Free Biker in the name of Justice! Support Now! http://ping.fm/3JYaG here
I just post Petition Request… Free Biker in the name of Justice! Support Now! on http://ping.fm/HXDP2
I just post (Petition Request)… Free Biker in the name of Justice! (Petition Request) on http://ping.fm/97bD2
New blog post This goes out to all you young head bikers who think you know everything damn thing here: http://ping.fm/l50Ic
Friday, January 29, 2010
Is this the end for Harley-Davidson?
Harley-Davidson Incorporated, the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer is doomed. This is what was said on the Facebook Page of White Trash Networks; a forum for bikers. The original article was on a website called The Aging Rebel. You can read the article in its entirety by clicking the links.
Me, myself, I don't think this will be the case for Harley-Davidson if they reorganize their marketing to attract the major consumers today; who are women, African Americans and the Urban market as a whole, adjust their credit guidelines, take in less inventory and lower prices on motorcycles and Harley parts and accessories; then they will become more attractive to us.
As I read the article it confirmed my feelings about why all -white outlaw bikers and motorcycle clubs don't concern themselves with multiracial motorcycle clubs or black motorcycle clubs. They have felt for a long time that they were the only consumers of Harley-Davidson and with this being the case they feel Harley is doomed since they aren't purchasing as they used to. Harley has for so long relied only on their buying power to sustain their company and now things have seriously changed.
Last week Harley announced that it lost $218.7 million between Labor Day and New Year's Eve. Last year, when the economic meltdown had everybody in a panic, Harley made $77.8 million during the same three months. Sales were 40 percent lower this autumn than last year. Retail sales of "authentic Harley-Davidson" overpriced stuff fell 28 percent in the United States and 10 percent overseas. Twenty-eight Harley dealers closed in 2009. The company expects 15 more dealers to close in the next three months. Earlier this year the company dropped its Buell sport bike line and announced it was doing away with half the workers at its York, Pennsylvania plant.
Now Harley with all this in mind if you analyzed your business from the top to the bottom it is obvious to me; I don't know about you but I see demographics that you've continuously overlooked; who are at the top of the list of America's largest consumers today; women of all races, African Americans, Latinos and Asians.
Harley boss Keith Wandell told investors last week, "As we look at the year in front of us, we expect 2010 to continue to be challenging." This week Wandell very publically demonstrated his confidence in Harley's robust future by buying a thousand shares of his company's stock, which probably cost him something like one half of one percent of his annual salary. I guess that was a solid demonstration to him to show that he is buying into the company and others would see his faith in H-D becoming profitable again.
Harley has always been identified as the Outlaw's first choice in motorcycles. Back in the 1990s Brock Yates, the screenwriter who gave the world Cannonball Run, very memorably named Harley-Davidson motorcycles the Outlaw Machine. It was a brilliant and incisive turn of phrase that described both the motorcycle and the real subject of Yates' book which was actually "the long ride of the Harley-Davidson into the mainstream."
I am trying to write a new book for Harley, actually it's not a book it's a group of African American Women who will be riding all H-D bikes from Atlanta to Los Angeles; which will be called the Harley-Davidson "Urban Street Team".
I haven't heard of any war surplus Harleys being made available for purchase here lately. During WWII the article states those bikes were dirt cheap, easy to work on, went anywhere, ran pretty good and they were American. Just as the former vets did after the WWII more vets will be coming home from the Middle East interested in joining clubs with the same rebellious spirit of "freedom and doing things my way" and who will be the most cost effective choice in motorcycles? Not Harley-Davidson. Unfortunately for Harley they will have to adjust their prices and credit policies to be the number one choice. Jap bikes are still more cost effective and Harley should no longer allow them to acquire their share of the market anymore.
The rule for the first patch holders in outlaw motorcycle clubs was that prospects had to own a bike "manufactured by one of the allies in World War II." Beezers, manufactured by British Small Arms, Trumpets and Indians were all okay. The Pagans started as a Triumph club. Harleys were the cheapest. After the hated Japanese started selling cheap bikes in the United States in the 1960s the rule eventually became you had to ride an "American motorcycle." It was common in the sixties to hear, "I would rather see my brother dead than on a Jap bike." After Indian went out of business that more or less meant you had to own a Harley.
There's a term used in business called subcultural commodification. Harley hasn't approached this concept to reach its current overlooked market. Their initial approach should be to adapt their marketing focus toward what will attract or encourage long thoughtful visits from us as opposed to quick consumption of the lower valued items such as t-shirts. The atmosphere of the dealerships should be one that will entice the prospective customer to want to stay a while.
The question Harley-Davidson must ask itself is what exactly is biker subculture and who does it serve? Why are bikers always talking about having a certain lifestyle? What role does a biker play in the selling of merchandise in our dealerships? Is it tied to particular places, or is it placeless, a style and lifestyle engaged in the homogenizing of places? Humm…questions that need to be researched and answered.
One of the things that fell apart after Vietnam was Harley-Davidson's business. All those war surplus bikes got used up. The new bikes were no longer cheap or particularly good. Only the outlaw mystique endured and when Harley came back to life in the 1980s it was because the company was selling the idea of the outlaw as much as it was selling motorcycles. Harleys became the Outlaw Machine because that is what Harley-Davidson wanted you to think.
With this in mind about the condition of Harley-Davidson's business falling apart after Vietnam due to surplus army Harley-Davidson bikes not being available as they were after WWII; Harley should take a look at what they did to revive their business back then. They used magic and credit to come back last time. The mystic of being an Outlaw motorcycle company will not be enough today. New magic and new relaxed credit policies must be created.
Since they now consider Gangster Rap a close cousin to the biker lifestyle it would behoove H-D to research the demographics of the people who are comprised within this culture and go after them. This doesn't mean just the entertainers; it means marketing to those who listen to their music and the nationalities of the rappers.
I'll give you an example in California most people know that the largest population is Mexican and there is a vast majority of them who aren't legal citizens of the US; so Bank of America made it easy for them to get accounts without having the necessary papers to open an account. So guess what happened, their customer base increased exponentially. They relaxed their terms to get more of the share in the market of their competitors.
Hey Harley, research your competitors and learn what to do and what not to do in times of market share trouble. I guess you're wondering how I know so much, well I am a creative geek who just so happens to also be a business analyst and I too belong to the market Harley-Davidson has overlooked; black female motorcyclist.
Those days when at the drop of a hat you can instantly create an identity based on a subculture is waning. Harley you can no longer build solely on the backs of one culture you must reach out to all of us. This is now the twenty first century. Being able to make changes on the fly and I contribute this to the growing industry of interactive advertising and marketing.
The magic this article speaks of isn't the only magic H-D needs. Harley must be creative in their approach to the urban and female market. I want to help as best I can and I do hope they are listening.
The Easy Rider Generation has aged and this is why Harley has had a massive drop in sales. There is a prequel to this movie called, "The Ride Back". Harley if you take heed to the name of the prequel you too can take the ride back toward a stronger business. This will happen only if you listen to what your forgotten market is saying.
I wrote in a previous article that H-D's key Baby Boomer customer base, which are white males; are no longer beating down their doors to purchase motorcycles. Their new alternative to roaring down the road is on an electric golf cart and to not sound a bit sadistic an electric wheel chair; shifting those gears to the next hole at the golf course or the next bingo game at the Senior Living facility.
The best answer I have for Harley-Davidson is take heed from those of us who have our ear to the streets and know firsthand how to attract the market you so purposely overlooked over the years. I will always be a diehard Black Female Harley Rider.
Goldie~P.O.H.K
Iron sharpens Iron…especially on Steel!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Check out new post about Bad Ass Custom Motorcycles done with Leather & Gator http://ping.fm/Bwk2w here
Check out new post about Bad Ass Custom Motorcycles done with Leather & Gator http://ping.fm/xYvwu here
Check out new post about Bad Ass Custom Motorcycles done with Leather & Gator http://ping.fm/zhi0y here
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
New blog post #1 Stunnas on the Northside of Chicago...On two's to One, wheelies here: http://ping.fm/NFrX7
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Check out new post about An Alligator turned into a Custom Motorcycle in Spring Hill, Florida http://ping.fm/8jM7S here
Check out new post about Mahalia Jackson singing How I got over...Martin Luther King's favorite singer http://ping.fm/lCLFa here
Check out new post about An Alligator turned into a Custom Motorcycle in Spring Hill, Florida http://ping.fm/BIp3b here
Monday, January 25, 2010
Check out new post about An Alligator turned into a Custom Motorcycle in Spring Hill, Florida http://ping.fm/RUCmp here
Check out new post about Black Bikers, Black Motorcycle Clubs, Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs...Rip Off Reports on the Better Business Bureau http://ping.fm/YBK6Z here
New blog post Mahalia Jackson singing How I got over...Martin Luther King's favorite singer here: http://ping.fm/hTI26
Sunday, January 24, 2010
I just post When will the disrespect of female members in coed black motorcycle clubs stop? on http://ping.fm/N1kUl
Saturday, January 23, 2010
When will the disrespect of female members in coed black motorcycle clubs stop?
When will the disrespect of female members in coed black motorcycle clubs stop?
There has been very little research available on the subject of the disrespect and discrimination female members in co-ed black motorcycle clubs experience. There are hundreds of black female motorcycle clubs and many black female motorcyclists are full members of co-ed clubs however it tends to be an oxymoron when it comes to the input women have when it relates to important decisions within the club. I will say in some not all black co-ed motorcycle clubs because I don't want to be as small minded as the men who disrespect and discriminate against their female counterparts in these black co-ed clubs.
I first hand have experienced this behavior just a few days ago. Let me say it has been this way since I joined the club I immediately observed the double standards that were applied between male and female members. Now let me ask what's behind the exclusionary practices involved in oppressing women in the black motorcycle club community. In this male dominated arena, women are objects. Men, and even motorcycles, hold the subject position. What does the future hold for these clubs and their female member? A large part of the information comes from first-hand experience; like my very own personal experience.
Much of the black motorcycle club basic understanding and or knowledge are based on the politics in the area in which the club exist. I have spoken rather candidly with a few of my female sisters in my former club because of their lack of wisdom on handling the disrespect and discrimination during our club meetings. Since I've been around the biker world for a time now, I felt compelled to educate a bit. I asked a very simple question, "Are you here for the love of the patch or the politics?"
I find that if you are to exist, if you have the stomach for it within a co-ed black motorcycle club; you will have to have a certain mindset. A mindset that will allow you to be told, I quote," your place here is to only handle administrative things, make sure the men have what they need, keep your mouth shut, no opinion opposite of the men, pay your dues and you definitely are forbidden to express openly your opinion and let the men run the club."
I'll tell you the consequences to a female who knows her value and who has no fear of anyone but God. She will be labeled as a trouble maker. Yeah that was me.lol
My motivation for joining the club was that I thought they would be fair and equitable in their treatment of their members in all instances and I found out different. If they don't like you, equitable treatment won't apply to you. I will again say not all co-ed clubs treat their female member s in this way but there are far more that do than those that don't. My next question is what will be the future for the clubs and their female members?
Well I am no longer with the club as of this week. I was raised by the rule; if you don't stand for something, then you ain't about nothing. I refuse to allow male or female to disrespect me one too many times before it will be on and poppin. One gift my God has given me is a courageous spirit and through life it has at times felt like a curse and most days a blessing.
It tends to keep down bullshit for me as well as having me with a few select people in my life that can appreciate my honesty. I don't make threats; I make promises. This was taught to me by my mother and it has worked to eliminate the riff raff. I feel much more comfortable knowing where I stand with an individual then to have some fake shady person around me slithering like a snake.
A real man can appreciate my being direct, straight to the point, confident, assured and knowing my value as the great Queen my God has created. I learned all of this after several years of bumps and lots of bruises. My experience has shown me that when a woman arrives at this point she becomes a threat to little boys because of their uncertainty and disdain for themselves. Guess what, that ain't my damn problem. Get over it boys.
Some want to place this behavior on Black Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs. I beg to differ it seems the sport bike motorcycle clubs who are trying to find their way and place on the set are much more subject to this behavior. Property is what Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs consider their women and sport bike clubs who try this aren't sure who they are on the set.
The club I just left straddles the fence. They want to consider themselves a sport bike club with outlaw tendencies. Where they do that at? I believe if they were open to know better they would do better. (LMAO)
Antiquated egotistical thought processes have been the downfall of most dynasties, countries, relationships and yes black co-ed motorcycle clubs. The ones that survive are those who have female members who are willing to accept being treated less than equal. Why make a female be required to do the same things as a Prospect and a Patched member and not have the same rights as the male member.
Some females don't have enough self esteem to make a move toward something different or stick together to make a change within their clubs. It saddens me when I see women who are prime examples of this and they don't know it trickles down to their personal lives too. If you accept bullshit from the club you will accept bullshit in your relationships with a man or a woman. Abuse is no respecter of person, race or gender.
This goes a lot deeper than we would like to indulge ourselves. It's easier to see when there's white racism against blacks 'cause it's so common, but the reverse happens as well. Because we as black bikers it doesn't matter if we are Outlaw or Sport Bike our black motorcycle community is virtually invisible to most people. When they speak of a biker they normally are referring to a white biker and then they identify them as a biker or outlaw motorcycle gang.
The Chosen Few MC Los Angeles, Defiant Ones MC and the East Bay Dragons MC out of Oakland are few of the oldest remaining black and biracial motorcycle clubs in California. They were formed in mid and late 1950's. One thing most aren't familiar with is that there are Outlaw Black Female Motorcycle Clubs. Hogg Divas MC, Road Queens MC, Iron Essence MC and possibly a few others.
Like their white counterparts, African-American outlaw clubs claimed "outlaw" status, rode only Harleys, and were all-male. In addition, outlaw clubs in the African-American motorcycle community are the ones who sanction other motorcycle clubs based on their geographic location. The black outlaw clubs are those who through various means have carved out geographic territory that they govern. They are considered the majority club in an area and must have large numbers to maintain control of their territory.
In most co-ed black motorcycle clubs don't allow female members to serve as president, vice-president or sergeant-at-arms. They are likely to serve as business manager or secretary of the club; which is the biggest crock of bull I've seen. If a woman just happens to obtain a position within a co-ed club as President or Vice-President they will have to fight for respect from some of their male members.
The biggest controversy for me is that all of these men came from a woman and allowed their mothers to guide them instruct and teach but once they get to the motorcycle set that chauvinistic stench surfaces. "The men run the clubs". Straight up bullshit!
Women riders are faced with difficult decisions when seeking to become a member of a motorcycle club. If they do not wish to be property, then there are few choices available. They can join an all-female club that has been sanctioned by the outlaws, which would also allow them to hold high officer positions. Yet, these clubs are now becoming much more respected than before. They weren't considered valid a few years back because they were all-female.
The crap I've seen when women are in Officer positions they are directly or indirectly instructed to not speak unless spoken to. When they do they are told to shut up. I also saw firsthand the other day when a female Officer wanted to speak the male officers didn't acknowledge her hand up in the meeting. The sick part about it is they allow them to look down on them and still serve in these positions.
The sexism that permeates the black MC set is pitiful. You would think as a people who have experienced racism and oppression they would want to not subject each other to these diseases anymore.
I am not sure if men realize women ride motorcycles for the same reasons that men ride. It gives us the same audacious motivation and turns us on. Women also join motorcycle clubs for the same reasons as well: a sense of camaraderie with others who share a similar passion. Yet the hatred of female motorcycle riders in the black motorcycle club community is unavoidable. There are very few women who join co-ed black motorcycle clubs. Most co-ed clubs limit the numbers of female members based on the ratio of male-to-female membership. Most officer positions are reserved for male members.
Those who want to experience this without the hassle of sexism within the club join an all-female club. Women are subject to being in relationships with men in the black motorcycle club community that resemble one like a pimp to prostitute, instead of their professed relationship of club brother to club sister. Similarly, the female motorcycle club member is both mistreated and protected by her associations with male club members. When you hear an abuser say you made me do it, that's what this feels like to me. It's my fault and most women stay in those unhealthy relationships. Not me!
The club I just left treat their female counterparts in a bad version of what Outlaw clubs call Property Of. Some of my former female sisters conducted themselves with the belief that the motorcycle club is a masculine entity and accept their role as objects. They agree that the women's role as a full patched member is like Property to take care of the men's various needs in the club, and the men's role is to protect and provide for the women. The funny shit was the men didn't provide or protect the women they just used them. Now once again I will make it clear that not all of the men within my former club behaved like this but it was more than I could stand. How I see it is to accept the role as property when you're fully patched as your male member is like accepting the label as other.
The stupidity in this for me is that African Americans have for a long time taken the space of description of Other. That is why the omission of the black motorcycle club community from motorcycle culture is not surprising. However, the black motorcycle club community utilizes the same process to refute the visibility of female riders.
Here is where it gets a little deep. Although it can be noted that female motorcyclist in the black biker community as a whole are subject to inequalities, there is a distinctive thought process for this bias in the black motorcycle club community: If you didn't know motorcycle clubs are considered a black social institution that stands alongside the church, school, and family and it is a battleground where black men seem to think they can reclaim their manhood.
As I mentioned in the beginning of this article I questioned what the future will be of the black motorcycle community. Sexism within black motorcycle clubs, although it is much more crucial then we want to accept affects both male in female in adverse ways; so without a proposed solution I believe we will again destroy ourselves.
Like photos that degrade women, a number of black female riders are at a crossroad on how to present edifying support without compromising themselves in black motorcycle clubs. Racial strengthening will not happen with a divided effort. To exclude black from the black empowerment movements and banishment from social evolution in these organizations, such as motorcycle clubs, is detrimental to the very institutions that reject them.
We can no longer justify the gender politics of black motorcycle clubs as a way of strengthening the social system in which the father or eldest male is head of the household, having authority over women and children; today this is foolish. Barbara Ransby and Tracye Matthews argue against the same practice in other African-American patriarchal institutions. It "is not an assertion of Black manhood. It is a debasement of Black womanhood, and by extension Black personhood"
Black men in the United States still have higher unemployment and incarceration rates than black women (U.S. Census Bureau), which limits leisure time and spending. With black female riders increasing daily companies like Harley-Davidson is marketing to African Americans women and black motorcycle clubs will either progress and accept us or wither away as another lost treasure of African-American history.
In hopes to not really create a rise I 'm trying to not have the discussion about black male motorcycle clubs where I am making a comparison between them and their white male counterparts. These important enlightening issues must make their way into motorcycle our community as black bikers.
I will end with this with hope it will evoke a change a few black male motorcycle riders and black motorcycle clubs that are discriminatory. I don't know if you realize that white bikers don't give a damn about your black clubs. Why because it's that way. You really not until we do away with the ill practices we present to one another and unite will they feel they have a force to reckon with. The same racism and degradation black men experience from white bikers you are imposing upon your black sisters within the motorcycle community.
Now ask yourself does it feel good to you to be oppressed, dismissed, disrespected, set apart, discriminated, considered as other, unequal, unrated…I can continue with the adjectives. This is how you treat your sisters. Let's stop the shit and respect one another as fellow motorcyclists and our love of the throttle.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
NEW GENERATION MOTORCYCLES! Video by TOMSCORPION - MySpace Video
I spoke with him just a few minutes ago and he will custom my bike so all you haters in Atlanta get ready to see what's new in custom motorcycles from Benny the Leather King!
more about "NEW GENERATION MOTORCYCLES! Video by ...", posted with vodpod
Mahalia Jackson singing How I got over...Martin Luther King's favorite singer
I thought this would be something we need to see to maybe excite us to come together again and fight for our rights as a people. We have lost that fire and I am keeping hope alive that we get it back.
more about "Mahalia Jackson singing How I got ove...", posted with vodpod
Rip Off Reports on the Better Business Bureau
Let's take a look at the reports on the Better Business Bureau since they want to put a blemish on Yele Haiti; check out this link to see there aren't any complaints. So what in the hell was the Wise Giving Alliance talking about. I took time to research the business practices of the BBB and to search and find businesses and consumers who weren't pleased with them. Yes…Ah Ha I found a lot of dirt starting with the extensive list on Rip of Report. On Rip of Report I found search results of 394 reports of dirt on the better business bureau nationwide.
You will need to setup an account, it is free and you will have access to read all of the complaints. This site will help you see what people are saying about a product or a service of any company out there that are getting bad press and complaints due to poor business practices. I actually have written several comments on bad employers and businesses; you know we gotta keep each other informed about the scam artists out here. You can check out an employer before applying for a job or a business before buying from them. This can be helpful info in the long run; preventing you from experiencing a headache, misdemeanor or a felony.
Now let's compare the complaints on Yele Haiti Foundation and the BBB on Rip off Report. Yele Haiti doesn't have any reports of bad business practices. Humm, so what do you think the reason was for the BBB to suggest not using Yele Haiti to make your donations to aid Haiti in its devastation from the Earthquake?
This is a current complaint dated 1/15/2010 on the BBB:
Better Business Bureau of Eastern Missouri & Southern Illinois
15 Sunnen Dr., Ste. 107
St. Louis Missouri 63143-1400
United States of America
Phone:
Web Address: http://stlouis.bbb.org/
Category: BBB Better Business Bureau
Submitted: Friday, January 15, 2010
Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010
Think about the following quote from the better business bureau at http://www.bbb.org/business-reviews/ratings/ and let your blood come to a simmer:
"Ratings are determined by a proprietary formula that represents BBB's opinion as to (1) the importance of each category, and (2) the appropriate score given to the business for each category."
Now this is not Microsoft, Google, or The Skunk Works. This is the Better Business Bureau. How ludicrous that their formula is "proprietary!" What
good are these ratings if the public does not understand how they are calculated?
Judging by the outrageously generous ratings at this site, business ratings are proportional to membership fees paid to BBB.
One company I have personally dealt with has a general rating of 3 out of 10 on the open Internet. Here they have a rating of A+.
I'll let you be the judge of the credibility of the BBB in your states. I honestly feel with the internet being as robust as it is the BBB has outlived its usefulness.
There are other online businesses who feel the same as me. Click this link and see how they shake down online businesses by charging extra fees for us do show our approval by them since we don't have a store front to display their emblem in our business for our customers to see.
The Better Business Bureau it’s not what you think!
Here is another person's experience with the BBB that will give you a better view of who they are and also their business practices.
The Better Business Bureau:
It's not what you think!
Living a dream, I recently filed a "Fictitious Business Name" with Riverside County in California. This is public information, much like getting a mortgage and transfer of property title. In one sense, this simply means that you get a lot of telemarketing calls. This is all fine and dandy – in fact, the fact that there is a wealth of public information out there is somewhat comforting.
Enter The Better Business Bureau. Until last week, I thought that the BBB was a government-run organization, funded by my tax dollars. I thought that it was a neutral observer of business standards and practices, a place where one could get information on a legitimate business or where one could lodge a formal complaint against a shady one. Just about none of this is true.
The BBB is not run by the government, but they do a lot of business with the FTC — at least that's what I hear. They are a non-profit, charity organization known as a 501(c) (3). This means that whatever money you donate to their cause is tax-deductible. The money that you donate is supposed to go into programs and charitable causes. The organization is supposed to report their income, report their board of directors, and report about their programs, and so on. This information appears on IRS form 990.
990s are public information. So, with my wife's help, I got hold of the 990 for our local BBB. Turns out, they report no income, no board of directors, no contractors who earn over $50,000 per year, and they have no programs. All they appear to have is -$849 in assets. This is, to say the least, shady.
You might ask, "Why is he so interested in the BBB?"
They cold called me. Mind you; this was back when (last week) I thought that they were a legitimate organization. It went something like this:
The "Guy" called and said that he was from the Better Business Bureau. My ears perked up: I thought either I have already done something wrong (!), or that they are a really conscientious organization interested in how I conduct my affairs. He said that he wanted to set up an appointment to visit my business. When I balked, he said that he could just ask me some questions over the phone. So I assented.
He asked questions that were already answered on the county DBA filing, so I answered diligently, thinking that he was probably checking up on me to verify if I had been honest on the DBA application. He finished his simple questions (e.g., do you have employees? How long have you been in business? What is the nature of the business?), and told me:
It costs $465 a year and that will carry you through June 2006. We take credit cards or check by phone.
I was floored. The "Guy" cold-called me and thought that I'd start doling out credit card numbers? Insane. I asked him, "Excuse me, you can't bill?" He answered, "We do credit cards or check by phone." Wary of phishing schemes, I told him that I had no way to know that he was who he claimed to be and that he would have to give me his information and I would call back if I was interested.
He gave me the information, and there started the investigation.
There are a lot of problems, right from the start — even before you start reading the complaints against the BBB.
Most importantly, there is the obvious conflict-of-interest problem. They take "subscription" or "membership" donations from businesses. This means that businesses are the BBB's source of income (even though they don't report income). But businesses are their object of complaint. So, if I as a consumer complain to the BBB, I'm complaining about one of their sources of income. Obviously, this is a problem.
The problems run deeper. An hour or so after they talked to me, my business appeared on their web site (if you're interested, find the Southern California BBB site and look for "Bluewood Designs"; I resist linking to them). The information on the site is the information that I told them over the phone.
They never confirmed that information. Furthermore, they assigned me a "BB" rating. This means, paraphrased, that they have no reason to believe that anyone would have trouble doing business with me. This is true, to some extent — they have no reason to think much of anything about me because, well, they know virtually nothing about me.
What's curious is that many other local businesses, who are members of the BBB, have "A" or higher ratings. Hmmm, I wonder what my rating would be if I paid for a "membership".
More curious, and again I encourage anyone to look this stuff up, I checked out the local Wal-Mart: they are a "member" of the BBB. They have had one complaint against them, but it apparently was resolved. So, they have an "AA" rating. I checked out the local Lowe's. They have 14 unresolved complaints against them and have an "F" rating. They are not members of the BBB.
What makes this case curious, in my estimation, is the number of lodged complaints. These stores are no more than a couple of miles from each other and so have basically the same customer base. I find it impossible to believe that the BBB has only received one complaint against Wal-Mart and 14 against Lowe's. This makes me suspect that a) the BBB is not recording complaints against their members; b) the BBB is not recording responses from non-members; c) the BBB might be "creating" complaints against non-members. Or some combination of these or others.
That last point is one that I've now read about (check out badbusinessbureau.com for more). Somehow this doesn't seem unreasonable — I consider how much due diligence the BBB did to get my business information. I imagine that they do similar diligence on complaints that they receive.
Speaking of how complaints go, a friend of mine, let's call him "Scott", lodged a complaint with the BBB against a local car dealership. The dealership had tried to make him replace a $500 part on his car when it was really just a fuse that had blown. That complaint, on the BBB web site, is listed as resolved. This is probably because "Scott" grew tired of the paperwork and didn't pursue the complaint further. The BBB let it end. The car dealership is a member of the BBB. They have a "B" rating and 14 complaints.
But Scott felt that he had lodged a complaint with a reputable organization and that something might be done about their business practices. This is not the case, for the BBB have no authority over businesses and no significant legal influence with state or county authorities. Yet arguably, they market themselves as having that kind of authority.
This succeeds to dupe consumers into thinking that their complaints will actually be heard by someone who can or will do something about it. In the case of my friend, this stopped him from taking the complaint to an authority, such as the state Attorney General.
There are numerous other resources and anecdotes about the BBB out there on the web. This article aims only to raise a healthy suspicion about the organization and to encourage business owners and consumers to proceed with caution when doing business with the Better Business Bureau.
One final irony: if you have a complaint against the Better Business Bureau, you can't file it with the Better Business Bureau. And just as Groucho Marx once quipped that he would never join a club that would have him as a member, the Better Business Bureau is not a member of its own organization.
Maybe it's all a big joke?
Bikers you be the Judge of Yele Haiti Foundation…Not me
Bottom of Form
My responsibility to my viewers is to post the article that made the statement about Yele Haiti Foundation and allow you to be the judge of Wyclef Jean. I will continue to support him because with me starting a nonprofit, I too will possibly make a mistake along the way. At least he has a Servants heart and has a desire and passion to make a difference in the lives of his people in Haiti. It's unfortunate that I can't say that about all of us in this country.
I'd like to also add that if you, Mr. Art Taylor saw he was making some errors with his accounting why did you just disclose the information now. We need to stop stepping on each other and reach out to assist when we have the specialization to better someone. We see them trying to do something right and not take advantage of someone and we don't lend our assistance via education or referral, we just put bad press out about them and for what reason. Well I guess you know why you did this Mr. Art Taylor and your day will come when it will be your turn.
January 15, 2010
Update: Concerns Addressed at Press Conference... 'Yele's books are open and transparent'...
Yele Haiti has raised over $2 million, according to reports, but the goodwill was brought to an abrupt stop when TheSmokingGun.com unearthed documents claiming that the 12-year-old incorporated company only recently filed tax returns, for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Wclef emphatically denied any malicious wrongdoing, stating he had not profited as a result of his efforts. "Did we make mistakes, yes," Clef said, after the president of Yele Haiti briefed the audience first citing that the group was founded in 2005, not earlier as reported. "Did I ever use any of Yele's money for personal benefit, no. Yele's books are open and transparent, and we have been a clean bill of health by an external auditor every year since we started."
Previously: The Smoking Gun:
The Haiti earthquake has already triggered hundreds of thousands of donations to musician Wyclef Jean's charitable foundation, which expects to raise upwards of $1 million a day in the disaster's wake. However, Internal Revenue Service records show the group has a lackluster history of accounting for its finances, and that the organization has paid the performer and his business partner at least $410,000 for rent, production services, and Jean's appearance at a benefit concert. Though the Wyclef Jean Foundation, which does business as Yele Haiti Foundation, was incorporated 12 years ago—and has been active since that time—the group only first filed tax returns in August 2009. That month, the foundation provided the IRS with returns covering calendar years 2005, 2006, and 2007—the only periods for which it has publicly provided a glimpse at its financial affairs. In 2006, Jean's charity reported contributions of $1 million, the bulk of which came from People magazine in exchange for the first photos of a pregnant Angelina Jolie (the actress reportedly directed that the publication's payment go to Jean's charity, not her personally). As seen on the following pages from the foundation's 2006 tax return, the group paid $31,200 in rent to Platinum Sound, a Manhattan recording studio owned by Jean and Jerry Duplessis, who, like Jean, is a foundation board member. A $31,200 rent payment was also made in 2007 to Platinum Sound. The rent, tax returns assure, "is priced below market value." The recording studio also was paid $100,000 in 2006 for the "musical performance services of Wyclef Jean at a benefit concert." That six-figure payout, the tax return noted, "was substantially less than market value." The return, of course, does not address why Jean needed to be paid to perform at his own charity's fundraiser. But the largest 2006 payout—a whopping $250,000—went to Telemax, S.A., a for-profit Haiti company in which Jean and Duplessis were said to "own a controlling interest." The money covered "pre-purchased…TV airtime and production services" that were part of the foundation's "outreach efforts" in Haiti.
ABC News – Groups Raise Doubts About Wyclef Jean's Charity:
Groups that vet charities are raising doubts about the organization backed by Haitian-born rapper Wyclef Jean, questioning its accounting practices and ability to function in earthquake-hit Haiti.
Even as more than $2 million poured into The Wyclef Jean Foundation Inc. via text message after just two days, experts questioned how much of the money would help those in need.
"It's questionable. There's no way to get around that," said Art Taylor, president and chief executive of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, based in Arlington, Va.
Taylor reviewed Internal Revenue Service tax returns for the organization also known as Yele Haiti Foundation from 2005 through 2007. He said the first red flag of poor accounting practices was that three years of returns were filed on the same day — Aug. 10 of last year.
In 2007, the foundation's spending exceeded its revenues by $411,000. It brought in just $79,000 that year.
"Here's the bottom line: for an earthquake of catastrophic proportions, do people really believe that this organization is in a position to do anything right now?" he said.
The U.S. State Department has added a hotline for those trying to contact relatives in Haiti: 1–888-407–4747.
The powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday knocked out telephones and electricity in the capital, Port-au-Prince, adding to the fears of many Haitian expatriates and family members who could not contact t
The New York Times would like to connect people inside and outside Haiti who are searching for information about the situation on the ground. Readers outside Haiti, who have friends and relatives in the country, along with readers in Haiti who are still able to access the Internet, can use the comments section below as a forum to share updates. Some readers may be searching for the same family members.
Haiti needs your help text YELE to 501 501 and 5 dollars will go toward earthquake relief.
I am on my way to the D R to get to Haiti Please urge you council men governors etc we need a state of emergency for Haiti www.yele.org
MTV:
In the wake of the Tuesday's devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, singer Wyclef Jean has issued an urgent plea for help for his struggling homeland.
"Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced," Jean wrote on his Web site of the island nation, which is one of the most impoverished countries in the Western Hemisphere.
The massive earthquake, the largest the Caribbean island has seen in more than 200 years, struck around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter was around 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, which according to reports was largely destroyed by the initial quake and a series of aftershocks. While damage and casualty figures were not available at press time, they are expected to be high due to the poor construction of many of the island's buildings.
"I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse," Wyclef continued. "The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now. President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands 'ready to assist' the Haitian people. The U.S. military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible."
Jean established the non-profit Yele Haiti Foundation in 2004 to provide scholarships for the country's children, and he has worked with the United Nations World Food Program to send food assistance to the island. He is encouraging people to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund or visit Yele.org and click "donate" to help the island's people.
In the wake of the Tuesday's devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, singer Wyclef Jean has issued an urgent plea for help for his struggling homeland.
"Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced," Jean wrote on his Web site of the island nation, which is one of the most impoverished countries in the Western Hemisphere.
The massive earthquake, the largest the Caribbean island has seen in more than 200 years, struck around 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday. The epicenter was around 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, which according to reports was largely destroyed by the initial quake and a series of aftershocks. While damage and casualty figures were not available at press time, they are expected to be high due to the poor construction of many of the island's buildings.
"I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse," Wyclef continued. "The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now. President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands 'ready to assist' the Haitian people. The U.S. military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible."
Jean established the non-profit Yele Haiti Foundation in 2004 to provide scholarships for the country's children, and he has worked with the United Nations World Food Program to send food assistance to the island. He is encouraging people to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund or visit Yele.org and click "donate" to help the island's people.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Black Bikers & Black Motorcycle Clubs it’s going down…Great North Atlanta Motorcycle Show
Georgia's Biggest & Only Indoor Motorcycle Show
Is Cruising Into Town JANUARY 22-24, 2010!
We are back and bigger than ever!
Show Hours: |
3 ½ FOOTBALL FIELDS from Customs to Cruisers
All at Great Prices!
Since 1992, The Great American Motorcycle Show has been the place to buy a new motorcycle and the accessories you need. Join us for Georgia's ONLY indoor bike show January 22-24! The show is full of 2010 motorcycles brought to you by Georgia's leading dealers. | ||
See foreign and domestic motorcycles, one of a kind custom bikes, cruisers, sport bikes, choppers, and touring bikes. Get great deals on motorcycles, trailers, leathers, ATVs, scooters, LED lights, detail products, patches and sewers, riding glasses, helmets, resorts, seat cushions, accessories, custom chrome & paint, insurance, jewelry, cold weather wear, gloves, wheels, tires, boots, security, motorcycle rental, garage gear, seats, apparel and more to get you on the open road in style no matter what you ride.
Bring the entire family and come see over 120,000 s.f. of bikes and accessories. Park in the secure bike corral and check your helmet at the March of Dimes Coat Check. No matter what you ride, this is the show to see!
Directions: From downtown Atlanta, take I-85 North to Exit 101, Indian Trail. Go east on Indian Trail to Oakbrook Parkway; turn right on Oakbrook. Go 1/2 mile to Jeurgens Court, turn right, and follow directly into the facility parking lot. Click for more detailed directions. | ||
Sunday, January 17, 2010
PAID Extras Casting for Dallas, Texas FOX Studio Television Series TV Series “Code 58″
"This is for my biker fam in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area Only"
Posted By: Chris Weidner Category: Casting/Crew Calls, Dallas/Fort Worth
PAID Extras Casting for Dallas, Texas FOX Studio Television Series TV Series "Code 58″
Production Title: Code 58 (Jack and Dan)
Studio/Independent/Student: FOX Studio
Production Company: TVM Productions, Inc. / FOX Television
Union/Non-Union: Non-Union
Project Type: Television Series
Production Location: Dallas, Texas
Production Start Date: January 26, 2010
Shooting Schedule: 13 episodes
Synopsis:
FOX television series "Code 58" starring Colin Hanks.
Character Breakdowns:
We will soon be casting Paid EXTRAS for the FOX television series "Code 58″ starring Colin Hanks to be filmed in the DALLAS, TX area starting on 1/26/10 for approximately 13 episodes.
We will be looking for ALL types, ALL ages of local Dallas/Fort Worth area talent to work on this project. NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!!!
**If you are already registered with us (On Location Casting) – please DO NOT fill out another profile, you will automatically be considered for this project! However, please be sure that your OLC profile and contact information is up to date.
Extras we will need include:
- Uniform Police Officers: male and female, clean cut, athletic, prefer previous law enforcement experience
- CSI Agents: male and female, clean cut, professional types
- Detectives: male and female, professional types with suits
- Civilian Office Workers: secretarial types with business attire
- Airline Pilots
- Flight Attendants
- Extras with cars that are NOT red, white or black (please put your car year, make, model & color in your talent profile under special skills)
- PERUVIAN Men, Women and Children
- Bikers with tattooes and motorcycles
- Exotic Dancers/Strippers/Burlesque Dancers
- Drug Dealer and Criminal types
- Businessmen with suits
- Seedy Character types (extreme interesting character faces, all ages)
- "smoking hot" gorgeous MODELS
- Homeless types
- African American Men and Women
- Asian Men and Women
- EXPERIENCED Standins & Photos Doubles for several lead actors (please list Stand-in experience on online resume)
All Extra roles are PAID. NON-UNION Extras Rate of $64.00 for 8 hours ($8/hr) plus overtime. Stand-in rate is $120.00 for 12 hours ($10/hr) plus overtime.
We will NOT be handling the principal (speaking role) casting for this project.
Paid/Non-Paid: Paid
Other/Additional Compensation: None
Meals/Lodging/Transportation Provided: Meals, Snacks and Beverages
*Email Your Casting Submissions To:
If you have further questions please emailonlocationcasting@yahoo.com
Special Notes for Potential Cast/Crew:
In order to be considered for EXTRA work, you will need to visit our company website at www.onlocationcasting.net and complete a TALENT Application. Please make sure to upload 1-2 photos to your talent profile. It is FREE to be in our talent files. The optional upgrade offered to an Active Agency Pro account brings you many additional marketing benefits and website services, however please note that the optional upgrades are NOT REQUIRED in order to work on "Code 58″ or any other OLC project.
*TEXAS Residents ONLY! We will NOT pay for your travel/accomodations to/in Dallas and you MUST have valid proof of Texas residency (Drivers License, Voter Registration Card or Full-time College ID Card)
Friday, January 8, 2010
BIKERS HERE’S ANOTHER DEAL FROM GROUPON COLLECTIVE BUYING POWER
Daily Deals on the Best in
$10 for $20 Worth of Juicy Lunch Burgers at Grindhouse Killer Burgers
The Fine Print
- Expires 07/09/2010
- Limit 2 per person. Limit 1 per table.
- Read the Deal FAQ for the basics.
Highlights
- Beef, turkey, & veggie burgers
- Delicious hand-spun milkshakes
- Silent Grindhouse movies
- Validated parking
The Company
- Grindhouse Killer Burgers
- 209 Edgewood Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Chosen Few MC & East Bay Dragons
the few
chosen few los angeles | MySpace Video
more about "Chosen Few MC & East Bay Dragons", posted with vodpod
Chosen Few MC Los Angeles
One of the first black motorcycle clubs in Los Angeles that became the first to be muti-racial. "The first shall be last and the last shall be first
Many Are Called... Few Are Chosen"
more about "Chosen Few MC Los Angeles", posted with vodpod
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Jaime Sowers America's Next Sports Star
Alright today is the day; go to America’s Next Sports Star to place your vote.
Many of us want to give this young man, Jaime Sowers, a chance to make his family and friends proud.
Jaime Sowers
Height: 6′7
AKA: Jump in Jack
Position: Guard
Ten votes a per person, per computer.
more about "Jaime Sowers America's Next Sports Star", posted with vodpod
Monday, January 4, 2010
Bikers "Beyond The Law"
This is an all time outlaw motorcycle club classic movie with Charlie Sheen.
more about "Bikers "Beyond The Law"", posted with vodpod
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Sons of Anarchy
I was watching this episode and said. "hey share this with your blog family" and this is what I am doing.
I can't wait for next season to start.
more about "Sons of Anarchy ", posted with vodpod
To all my black bikers, white bikers, red bikers, yellow bikers, outlaw bikers and all motorcycle clubs; I want to take time to thank everyone for viewing my blog. My goal was to have the blog viewed 3000 times by the end of the year. This blog went live September 2009 and by December 31, 2009 the total views were 3020. This means that over 750 people viewed the blog each month. This is very important to me because I hoped to have touched at least one person out of ten and obviously I touched more; so too God be the Glory.
I owe everything to my Creator for empowering and encouraging me to use this medium to reach others with truth, knowledge, purpose and some fun. I have a tendency to be a bit wordy but not today. (LMAO)
Much love to everyone and I will continue posting what God puts on my heart and what you ask me to enlighten you with. Have a safe, prosperous and purposeful New Year.
Goldie~Regulator for Life!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
