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Post by 90GTVert on Apr 19, 2013 15:58:21 GMT -5
I've had a couple of people ask me recently if I really use money donated for projects and to help the site. I had to rearrange some things to make room today, so I thought perhaps a few pics would allow you to be the judge. To begin with, to date this year, I have received a total of $90 in donations. I'm very grateful to everyone that has ever donated. Please don't take this post as a plea for donations. Just merely answering a question for anyone who may doubt where their money has gone, goes, or will go if you use the donation button. Now, here is the pile of stuff I have for the project I hope to be doing this year. More on the way, some is back-ordered, etc... but this is the majority of it. The large box/crate is included in this pile, and the center of the project. It's actually much more expensive (and seemingly infinitely more time consuming) to do a project like this vs building a scooter just to ride or go fast.   Oh, and this was dropped off while I was trying to fit all of that stuff in a container.  Also still have to pay title/reg fees, insurance, and gas to be able to do anything with it. Plus all of the stuff I'm sure to break that I have not been able to be prepared for. I wasn't going to be able to do the project, but I've been parting out my Mustang and putting money into 4T parts. So again, don't take this as me asking anyone to do anything. This is simply my attempt to relieve any doubts you may have. Look for Project TaoTao this summer if all goes well. |
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Post by Fox on Apr 19, 2013 16:03:48 GMT -5
Do you get parts from dealers for testing and/or review? You should.
Is there a scooter in that big box?
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Post by 90GTVert on Apr 19, 2013 16:17:53 GMT -5
I do not. I get a little discount from Parts For Scooters for being an advertiser. That's about it. I don't like to ask anyone for anything. A very large distributor did offer to send me boxes of parts to test and I could keep whatever I want. The problem is, I'm honest. I told them that I MUST be able to disclose where I get the parts and that they are being provided for free. While not a big deal I suppose, I don't want to have to tell anyone I'm buying parts if I'm not. They would not allow me to tell anyone where the parts came from, so I said no to the deal. And yes, that's a TaoTao ATM50A1. |
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Post by Fox on Apr 19, 2013 16:29:06 GMT -5
I say so what if you can't tell where they came from. You can still review the parts can't you?
"I tested a ___________ today and I got ___________ results."
Free stuff is free stuff. I think you deserve to get some perks after all you've done here.
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Post by teddy554 on Apr 19, 2013 16:45:14 GMT -5
Cant wait for the build, but i always forget about the donate button, i never make it that far down.I am glad to get a reminder sometime nothing wrong with saying hey hit the donate button, for me i forget. They scooter are expensive lol...and i do enjoy the forum and have learned a lot rather donate some cash here for good info then take it to a shop
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Post by Fox on Apr 19, 2013 17:10:35 GMT -5
The donate button is something we regulars should all visit once in a while in my opinion. Even if it's only $5 a month if everybody did it it would add up to more contests/prize giveaways, t-shirts and different stickers etc..
This is the best scooter forum on the web by far and it needs regular member support to grow.
Hell, I remember back in the day when we had about ten basic smileys to choose from, there were no advertisers and not much tech library. Brent worked his brain and fingers for many a day to make the improvements you see now. He's a truly altruistic individual. He enjoys helping others even if it costs him some time and a little bit of cash. That's why we should donate. I'm donating $5 right now.
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Post by teddy554 on Apr 19, 2013 17:30:52 GMT -5
Yeah I agree totally
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Post by 90GTVert on Apr 19, 2013 18:40:17 GMT -5
I promise you I did not post this as any sort of reminder for anyone to donate. Just so anyone wondering knows I'm definitely not scooting off to the yacht club for brunch... or whatever they do at yacht clubs? lol I say so what if you can't tell where they came from. You can still review the parts can't you? "I tested a ___________ today and I got ___________ results." Free stuff is free stuff. I think you deserve to get some perks after all you've done here. I guess I just felt dishonest not being able to say the parts were donated. I prefer that everyone understands that I will tell you how I feel, and if anyone found out the parts were given to me by a company, maybe they'd think I didn't mention it because it was an advertisement and not a review? I dunno. I overthink things. |
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Post by Fox on Apr 19, 2013 18:41:18 GMT -5
Yeah but watch how this topic fades into oblivion with zero acknowledgment. We may be surprised but I doubt it. |
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Post by Fox on Apr 19, 2013 18:56:18 GMT -5
I promise you I did not post this as any sort of reminder for anyone to donate. Just so anyone wondering knows I'm definitely not scooting off to the yacht club for brunch... or whatever they do at yacht clubs? lol I say so what if you can't tell where they came from. You can still review the parts can't you? "I tested a ___________ today and I got ___________ results." Free stuff is free stuff. I think you deserve to get some perks after all you've done here. I guess I just felt dishonest not being able to say the parts were donated. I prefer that everyone understands that I will tell you how I feel, and if anyone found out the parts were given to me by a company, maybe they'd think I didn't mention it because it was an advertisement and not a review? I dunno. I overthink things. I hear you loud and clear. People might think you are biased toward one thing or another but since you cannot divulge the seller you have nothing to worry about. It's a product and a pro tested it. End of story. |
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Post by aeroxbud on Apr 20, 2013 3:25:09 GMT -5
Cant wait for the build, but i always forget about the donate button, i never make it that far down.I am glad to get a reminder sometime nothing wrong with saying hey hit the donate button, for me i forget. They scooter are expensive lol...and i do enjoy the forum and have learned a lot rather donate some cash here for good info then take it to a shop Me too, so just clicked the button now! A lot of the stuff you test does not really fit in with the bike i have. I guess im lucky living here, loads of tuining parts just waiting to be ordered  I love your projects and always look forward to the next one. Looks like some good stuff to come from your parts stash |
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Post by 90GTVert on Apr 20, 2013 7:06:53 GMT -5
Thank you Fox and aeroxbud!
I wish I did have an Aerox to play with. The stuff I do kinda has to be "low budget" though. It's hard for me to swing the cheaper parts. When you start getting into multiple 2T pipes and name brand BBKs and things like that, there's just no way I can do it. When you consider how much I have to have the engine apart, even gaskets add up big time. I have 5 belts, and I prob should have more, because I've always tried to keep belts very close to spec so belt width isn't influencing performance. Stuff you'd never have to consider if you just put a BBK on and rode it.
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Post by ʇwiƨtɘdburnout on Apr 20, 2013 7:58:25 GMT -5
How dare you ask for money!!  (Totally joking!) As a matter of fact I am just waking up and looking for my VISA as I make coffee. I have always wanted to donate, but it slips my mind I am sorry for that. I agree, this site saves me a lot of money and time with the great info, and that's priceless to me. You're a good guy Brent, who provides a great service running this site and I think anyone who ever hit the joined button should pony up. And Teddy.... I am shipping that other piece out today, I have been sick as a dog and the rain kept me inside yesterday. I will have the tracking # for you today  |
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Post by ʇwiƨtɘdburnout on Apr 20, 2013 8:06:15 GMT -5
Okay I just tried to donate but it's the paypal thing, and if I ever have Paypal cash it gets blown immediately in goodies and parts etc.. so I had to sent some money to my account there. It takes about 3 days for my bank transfer to clear, but consider it done |
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Post by ʇwiƨtɘdburnout on Apr 20, 2013 8:24:25 GMT -5
By the way... That is the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever seen. I can only dream of waking up to all that stuff under my tree! |
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