Be careful of Mr.FOMOCO
da...@epix.net
To all doing Mustang/Shelby/Cougar/or any other Ford restorations. Mr
Fomoco(aka Allen Cross) is very expensive to deal with AND doesn't pay his
bills! Mr Cross has been in business for a number of years now and has
relocated his business a number of times. Why he has relocated as often
as he has is a mystery, but what I can tell you is be VERY careful dealing
with him. He has not paid a lousy $20 debt for over 5 months now and he
has been reminded at least 4 times. He doesn't commit fraud, but BE
CAREFUL dealing with him! Too other Mustang/Ford suppliers make sure he
pays up front before you give him anything!!!
-------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====-----------------------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
David J. Hammar
In article <8713462...@dejanews.com>, da...@epix.net wrote:
>To all doing Mustang/Shelby/Cougar/or any other Ford restorations. Mr
>Fomoco(aka Allen Cross) is very expensive to deal with AND doesn't pay his
>bills!
Well, in spite of your personal feelings about Allen, I can personally state
that I've found him to be a very honest and reliable person. Yes, some of his
prices may be considered by some to be a bit high -- but then consider the
rarity of much of what he's selling, and the fact that he's trying to run a
business based on selling N.O.S. Ford parts -- a pretty tough proposition
considering the customer base is limited, and finding parts and literature to
resell is largely based on luck. If you want to see even *higher* prices, get
a few quotes on some rare pieces from Bob Perkins! (This is *no* reflection on
Mr. Perkins' honesty either -- rather a statement on the rarity and high
quality of what he's offering!)
True, if you go to Carlisle or one of the other huge Ford parts swaps, you'll
find some of these same rare parts for much less -- but not all of us can
afford to wait, or pay $1000 in Air Fare on the off chance that we *might*
find what we're looking for. When you buy from *any* N.O.S parts vendor,
much of what you're paying for is for *their* time spent searching, rather
than yours.
To be sure, Allen is only human -- and *very* busy with maintaining and
updating his extensive (and still "not for profit") website (which can be
found at http://www.voicenet.com/~fomoco/ for those who'd like to check it
out) -- and your payment or parts could have easily "fallen through the
cracks". However, if you remember he's just a person, and not a
faceless, insensitive Multinational Corporation -- I'm sure he'll take care of
your situation, even if he might have to be reminded.
The most important thing I can say about Allen -- he's *never* disappointed me
by misrepresenting the parts he sells, which is something I *can't* say for
some other vendors I've dealt with! -- I'd certainly never hesitate to do
business with him again.
Just my $3.80...
-- Dave H.
http://www.aloha.net/~djhamma
keller (Michael Keller)
David J. Hammar wrote:
>
> In article <8713462...@dejanews.com>, da...@epix.net wrote:
> >To all doing Mustang/Shelby/Cougar/or any other Ford restorations. Mr
> >Fomoco(aka Allen Cross) is very expensive to deal with AND doesn't pay his
> >bills!
> <etc, etc, snipped>
>
> Well, in spite of your personal feelings about Allen, I can personally state
> that I've found him to be a very honest and reliable person. Yes, some of his
> prices may be considered by some to be a bit high -- but then consider the
> rarity of much of what he's selling, and the fact that he's trying to run a
> business based on selling N.O.S. Ford parts -- a pretty tough proposition
> considering the customer base is limited, and finding parts and literature to
> resell is largely based on luck.
>>SNIP>>
David,
I agree. The people that whine about NOS parts prices have no idea what
it takes to find, research and catalogue NOS parts and information.
Don't forget that these parts are not cheap imports that 'fit' or parts
store replacements, they are THE parts that could/should have been on
your car the day it rolled off the dealers lot. These parts do not grow
on trees and are not cheap when found. Put it this way, If you have a
'67 Shelby that you've done a concours restoration on (or even if its
not perfect but you want everything correct) and the ONLY thing your
missing is a few clips and the distributor, its foolish not to pay the
shot to get *the* RIGHT parts. If you've got 20 or 30 grand into a
concours restoration project, doesn't it seem foolish to hessitate on
that correctly date coded, ready to go, slap it in and forget about it
distributor for 300-400 bucks?
The cheap, personal shot at Mr. Cross was also uncalled for. Airing
out dirty laudry in a public formum just shows the indecency, ignorance
and crassness of the individual spouting off at the mouth. I've been
playing with Fords for 20 years and in and around the restoration
business for the same amount of time, some of which in a FOMOCO/Mustangs
only restoration shop. Locating hard to find parts, let alone NOS
anything, is not easy or cheap. Data, details, and general information
is also many times harder to find than the parts and sometimes just as
expensive. The information and advise that Allen passes on to the people
in this NewsGroup and on the Internet has been very accurate,
informative....and do forget this -FREE. Mr. Cross is a true enthusiast
(yes, true enthusiasts can also be in it for the money - I have many
friends who are) and I hope that he continues to cruise this NewsGroup,
offer his information, and help others out despite a few bad apples.
-Mike.
TFrog93
In article <33F2FC6A...@aleis14.kodak.com>, "keller (Michael
Keller)" <kel...@aleis14.kodak.com> writes:
>The cheap, personal shot at Mr. Cross was also uncalled for. Airing
>out dirty laudry in a public formum just shows the indecency, ignorance
>and crassness of the individual spouting off at the mouth.
Thank you. I'm gettin' all warm and fuzzy now. The original post was
low, dirty, and mean. For the amount of money quoted as being in dispute,
that poster (poser?) was willing to tarnish a man's reputation and sought
to warn off potential customers. That was just WRONG.
My company, as I like to say, "will lose any amount of money to keep a
customer happy", but there are limits. Sometimes, I'd like to "fire" a
customer, but we always try to be fair and right. If the poster had a
problem with Mr. Cross, then this was not the place to try to resolve that
problem. That poster gets no respect or sympathy out of me!
I will echo the sentiment that Mr. FOMOCO has been unfailingly helpful,
has often provided obscure information and sound advice, and he has earned
my highest regard and respect. He is one of the bedrocks of this
newsgroup, and I will not accept any negative, unsubstantiated press about
him!
'Nuff said.
dwight
J or M Wilson
Just to add my two bits to this thread:
I kinda got off on the wrong foot with Allen by placing an inappropriate
post on here refering to him. I received a reply from him, realized I
was wrong and posted a public apology for doing so.I also sent a
personal apology to Allen. In that short time Allen and I have had
several very nice letters to each other back and forth. We have worked
out our differences like grown adults.
That said, I for one have recognized the fact that Allen hasn't lowered
himself to firing back publicly at the offending poster. Wether he has
sent an email reply to him or not is none of my (or the rest of the
NG's) business. I commend Allen for the public restraint he has shown.
Just my humble opinion!
--
John
**To reply via email, remove "spamless" **
from email address. (mop...@worldnet.att.net)
da...@epix.net
I'm not saying that Mr. Cross doesn't have what he says he has, nothing
of the sort. What I am saying, and not bad mouthing at all, is that he's
expensive and he doesn't pay all his bills. I restored a "R" code 70
Mach and have had some professional dealings with the man. He is a one
man show and cuts very few breaks to long time customers. All vendors in
this business have the same problems that he has, yet even Perogie Bros.
and others pay their fellow vendors when they buy merchandise from them.
I have received a number of emails from people who agree. My message was
only posted after many attempts to collect a miniscule bill($25), if
he's so great why does he not pay so little a bill which he has
acknowledge that he owes (by phone he has said, Oh you didn't get the
check well I'll send one right out.). This has happened on more than one
occasion. Instead of lambasting me, why don't you ask him why he doesn't
pay this bill and get it all over with.
TFrog93
> Instead of lambasting me, why don't you ask him why he doesn't
>pay this bill and get it all over with.
You just don't get it......(sigh). What we're all saying is, THIS IS NOT
THE PLACE for this discussion. It's rude and embarrassing of you to bring
it here. The internet is a powerful medium of information-exchange and
communication. It's biggest drawback (or best feature, depending upon your
viewpoint) is anonymity. You don't know me, and I don't know you.
You have no history with me, and I am not going to give any weight to what
you say. All I can go by on this damned computer is previous contacts and
the veracity of what you've said in the past. Every communication gives
"clues" to one's character, and much of our personal opinions are given on
faith. For you to come into this newsgroup and bitch about a $25.00
payment is, frankly, boorish. I don't care, Patrick and David and Jen and
EVERYBODY ELSE HERE don't care. Take it somewhere else.
The only thing you've accomplished is in having me put the name
da...@epix.net on my "bad list".
dwight
Chris Mauritz
da...@epix.net is rumoured to have written:
:) I'm not saying that Mr. Cross doesn't have what he says he has, nothing
:) of the sort. What I am saying, and not bad mouthing at all, is that he's
:) expensive and he doesn't pay all his bills. I restored a "R" code 70
:) Mach and have had some professional dealings with the man. He is a one
:) man show and cuts very few breaks to long time customers. All vendors in
:) this business have the same problems that he has, yet even Perogie Bros.
:) and others pay their fellow vendors when they buy merchandise from them.
:) I have received a number of emails from people who agree. My message was
:) only posted after many attempts to collect a miniscule bill($25), if
:) he's so great why does he not pay so little a bill which he has
:) acknowledge that he owes (by phone he has said, Oh you didn't get the
:) check well I'll send one right out.). This has happened on more than one
:) occasion. Instead of lambasting me, why don't you ask him why he doesn't
:) pay this bill and get it all over with.
I don't think anyone here gives a rat's ass. Alan has always been a
helpful contributor to the newsgroup. You should work this out with
him privately rather than bore us about it.
Now run along.
Chris
--
Christopher Mauritz
ri...@interactive.net
MutStang
:) I'm not saying that Mr. Cross doesn't have what he says he has, nothing
:) of the sort. What I am saying, and not bad mouthing at all, is that
he's
:) expensive and he doesn't pay all his bills. I restored a "R" code 70
:) Mach and have had some professional dealings with the man.
At least he doesn't try to sell cheap headlight aimers for $100+!!
Neil
Moc1Man
> What I am saying, and not bad mouthing at all, is that he's
> My message was
>only posted after many attempts to collect a miniscule bill($25), if
>he's so great why does he not pay so little a bill which he has
>acknowledge that he owes (by phone he has said, Oh you didn't get the
>check well I'll send one right out.). This has happened on more than one
>occasion. Instead of lambasting me, why don't you ask him why he doesn't
>pay this bill and get it all over with.
>
>
Danjo,
Expensive at $25? if the bill is so miniscule why all the fuss about
it? Why attempt to ruin an individuals reputation over a "miniscule" $25
debt? The circumstances and reactions of both parties to it in this
forum- definately shows which of the two of you is the better individual
and the bigger man............
Moc1Man
"A good cross thread beats a lockwasher any day......"
Tom Penny
In article <33F2FC6A...@aleis14.kodak.com>, kel...@aleis14.kodak.com
says...
> I agree. The people that whine about NOS parts prices have no idea what
>it takes to find, research and catalogue NOS parts and information.
>Don't forget that these parts are not cheap imports that 'fit' or parts
My brief experience watching a friend track down parts for an old car
(BTW, Carlisle is a must-see flea market) is that it's a true supply and
demand market. In his case, the right side fender was almost twice the
price as the left side, just due to the fact that you can't find them
anywhere.
--
Tom Penny
e-mail: tpe...@Net1Plus.com, Reply-to address is invalid!
'88 2.3 '97 4.6 Mustangs have pushrods??