Attempt to make things right
 

Well hello MitsuStyle. I understand that I'm already a bit of a "Star" here. I guess I'm here because I feel that if you're going to bash on someone you don't even know, you could at least invite them to beating......right? I mean, you found me on MNSC, and you found my "Ricer Board" so why not contact the site creator and owner (myself) and let me know that there is a lynching and I am involved?

I'm not here to start any more problems because I can clearly see that Jake has started plenty. I also see that he has fessed up to most of them and apologized as well. I personally, just found out about all this sh!t goin down and I have taken ownership of Vogel Performance since the 1st of January. Am I bit pissed off.....uh, yeah. Am I thinking about pulling the plug all together on the whole project.....fuckin right. I too was lied to and kept in the dark.

Basically, the money that was collected was used to keep the rent paid and what-not until the SBA loan came through. I had NO idea where the money came from that was paying the rent. I was told that it was obtained legitimately.

Jake needed me for my credit, obviously, to help get the loan. But, because the loan is 100% in my name, I also have a contract done up by a lawyer to protect myself. I have a lot invested in this "project" and won't get left with my dick out in the wind, I assure you. I will also see what I can do to make previous engagements "right" once again. I understand that there is money owed, or engines owed and I will do what I can to see those promises fulfilled. I won't lie, the SBA loan has not come through yet, so we are idle at this time. Anyone who has dealt with the government knows it can take forever to get things done.

Once the loan comes through we are planning on getting an AWD dyno, mandrel pipe bender, welder, trailer, jet-wash, and various other equipment to help us on our way. I will tell the 2 guys that made the trek to Winona (whom I don't know, BTW) that your situation will be taken care of before any other purchases will be made with that money. What happened to you guys was bullshit, and I can understand why you're pissed. I would be too. Cali to Winona is quite a drive (I should know, I drive truck for a living) so I can clearly gauge how pissed you were/are.

I hope that clears things up a bit. After reading all the threads on different DSM sites, I'm not sure how much business I'll actually have, but it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I used to wrench for a shop after 2 years of tech school and they didn't pay squat. So I got into truckin to make some good money. I told myself that I would never wrench again unless it was for myself. Now I have the opportunity and it's blemished by this. Consider me equally annoyed. If Jake were an equal partner in this, I would have already backed out. But currently, I am the owner of Vogel Performance. I am going to attempt to ride this out and hope that I can help heal the proverbial scarring that Jake has left with the name.

Lastly, I would ask that since Vassil, Brian, or any of you guys don't even fuckin know me, in all my "douche-ness," I would appreciate keeping me out of your little conversations. I work hard to keep my name out of the mud, and I don't need a bunch of e-thugs on a forum trashing my name and my website for something Jake did to you. If you're all butt-hurt over what Jake did, take it up with Jake. But hoping that I go down with him, and threatening to print fliers so that MY business fails, or showing up to MY dyno day to attempt to ruin me is not appreciated, in the least bit. I hope you can understand my frustration here. I just caught wind of this, and I am doing what I can to make it right. And please don't think that I am some 18 year old street-punk that doesn't know jack shit about the world and how to operate. Again, I see maybe three names on this site of people that would know a little about me, but none of you here KNOW me. So if you're going to attack me, and or my "Ricer Board" then at least invite me to the fight.

Sorry we had to meet this way.

Neil Chittendon
Owner: Vogel Performance
www.autotechniques.org/forums
neil@vogelperformance.com

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Welcome to the forums, and I would suggest talking to the admins if you are going to advertise or even mention your shop.

FYI we have an awd chassis dyno for sale as well :).

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Hello Neil. I have no idea what happened but hey, good luck with your new undertaking.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Im confused, where is the original link?

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Welcome, and good luck with turning your companies image around.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

My bad, I was just mentioning the fact that I am the new owner and not Jake. Admins, do what you will to clear up any problems with the post.

The original thread is HERE

Otherwise, thank you for the welcome. I don't have a DSM of my own, but will take this opportunity to get know the inner workings of DSM's and the like because it will only help me improve and gain knowledge. That, and I just felt like I needed to defend myself a little bit.....i'm sure you can understand that.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Anyone else find that line to be a little humurous!

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

hey man. i don't know what happened in the past so your all good with me. hope to see you posting often and hopefully your shop will grow.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Oh yeah, understandable!

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

I explained that I wan't making good enough money wrenching fresh out of school and I have been driving trucks ever since. Getting this shop up and running is my ticket out of the truck and as far away from this lifestyle as possible. I have an awesome wife and 15 month old at home that I miss dearly every day, so I'm doing everything I can to get out of the truck and be home more.

I guess I don't see the humor.......

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

I believe he was talking about your grammar, not the fact that you drive a truck.

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Yea the grammar made it borat-like. Thats why I chuckled too.

Welcome.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

MMM I drive Truck, I sling poo at you, mmm you want fuck my truck? I like the way you talk MM

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

BTW, Spain just owned my soberness, no offense, you just sounded like a monkey man and I'm drunk so it was pretty humorous.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

^its funny, welcome.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Nothing wrong with being a truck driver, someone needs to move goods around the country.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Hmmmm..........I guess I'm retarded or something. Still don't see it.

Was I supposed to say I drive trucks? I lick truck? I hump truck? Perhaps I need to consume some beverage before reading it again.

My apologies for having bad grammar. I am only a trucker, after all. haha

Oh, and it's "HUMOROUS".....not humurous. (touche).

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

welcome.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Thank you much.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

I have nothing against truckers. I just simply found it funny how it sounded like broken English "I drive Truck". That's all. Easy mistake. I was a bit drunk last night too, that's my excuse! Again, welcome and best of luck!

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

No offense taken, I took it as drunken banter. This ain't my first BBQ. lol

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Welcome neil

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Thanks Twack.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

I have never heard of you, just the rumor of this new shop. You guys have a lot of making up to do before you're going to be welcome here. Also, I'm sorry but I would not consider you a 'star' here or elsewhere for that matter. I feel like a pretty well-informed individual, and I have never heard of you.

Since this is an intro thread, may I suggest something a little more on-subject like, 'Hi, my name is jimbo, and I drive a truck for a living. I am borrowing a crap-load of money into a name that everyone here might not think too fondly of, but we are here to change that.'

With that being said, please be sure to read ALL of the rules of the forum, and contact me if there is any question about outside vendor posting.


Any bets anyone, will this be the next slowboy thread?

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

No, I don't think Neil is here for that.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

If Neil were smart he would change the name of the shop to get as far away from "Vogel Performance" as possible. Time will tell and if they deliver on all the owed money, engines, parts, etc. I will be very impressed.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Mustgofaster is right. I'm not here to advertise, and I'm not here representing Jake. I was pointed towards the thread that is the link that I posted up and noticed that my name, posts, and club website were being trashed and thought it only fair that I at least be in attendance for you to beat on over what someone else did.
To say you never heard of me might be a personal dilemma. Those who participated in the "where's Jake" thread and threatened to ruin ME and run MY name through the mud without knowing anything about me, know me quite well I assume. Otherwise, why would they want to harm me?
I'm not here to fight, or attack, or cause any more problems than all those that have been caused. But I'm also not here to be blatantly attacked for no reason either. Again, if you have problems with Jake, perhaps you should take them up with him. If you have anything due to you by my business, then that would involve me. And considering my posts from other sites, and my club's website were dragged into the issues here, that would mean that I am involved.
I have realized in the recent past that I've taken on an eye soar, and it will take me a long time to put that in the business' past. But that is my dilemma, and I am willing to attempt it.


So, I thank those who welcome me and I hope that we might get to know one another better one day. I don't feel I should be shunned or looked down upon for only trying to do right.

To get back "on-topic," my name is Neil. I live in LaCrosse and drive semi for Ashley furniture. I have been driving semi for apprx 10 years. Don't hate me, but I started life as a Chevy guy, then converted to a Honda guy. I know I'll burn in hell for posting that here, if anything. As fore mentioned by a pretty well informed individual, "I am borrowing a crap-load of money into a name that everyone here might not think too fondly of, but I AM here to ATTEMPT to change that." And to be perfectly honest, I don't really expect those who have dealt with the shop in the past to ever come back. I also don't expect those who have read the antics that have gone on to ever show up and do business with me. That's fine. I have come to the realization that I am already working at a loss because of my partner's prior dealings. I am confident in myself and my own skills that the business will fair just fine.

I got married in 05, and now have a 15 month old son. Because of my wife and son, I need to get out of trucking. I hate every minute of it. Being away from my family, I mean. It's a good living, but it's not worth that much. So, I'm hoping to fall back on my prior skills of wreching. I wrenched at a GM dealer for a while before I realized I couldn't make "enough" money working for a shop. I've driven single axle trucks for the Postal Service, driven tankers, vans, flats, just about everything.
My first car was a 64 Chevy Impala SS. I sold it to buy a house in LaCrosse........dumb. Really dumb. I've now got a Honda CRX which is a conversion to RHD with a glasstop. I have full access to importing cars, but wanted a conversion so I could keep it all legal and legit.
I started a car club apprx 2 years ago, and things have been going good. We will be attending a ton of shows this year including HIN Minneapolis, and HIN Chicago and most of the local ones to boot.

There ya go. That's all I got. lol

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Thank you for the nice introduction, but understand that associating yourself with Jake V puts people on the defensive immediately. Yes, it is only because of the name but if you are doing business with him, then it is logical to assume that if people have had issues doing business with him then they could almost certainly plan on having issues doing business with you.

Sorry you did not know about the issues he had with people around here, but coming clean like this is probably the best way forward. Take the advise of Kracka though, change the name of the shop. You guys are in Lacross right, why not something catchy like, 'Cross Performance' ?

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Welcome fellow Trucker "aka" Fellow road patron:cool:... Good luck with your rebuilding, and get yourself a DSM.:seeya:

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Yeah, if you own the company, why have it named after Jake? I like supporting local shops and all but as long as Jake's affiliate with that place, I can't/won't do anything to support that guy.

Good luck with the shop though I guess, it's probably a good feeling knowing you are atleast trying to start a business/shop and wrench for yourself, sounds fun!

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

those CRX's with the glass tops are pimp!

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

thanks guys.

Unfortunately a DSM isn't in my near future.

Thanks for the comment on the hooptie.

A name change is a thought now knowing what I know.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Neil, welcome to the forum. I don't think people will have a problem with you at all, or even the name of the business name, if you can't change it. If you have Jake working there though, that is going to be an issue. You know all about Jake now, and now we know why he FINALLY tried to clear things up and admitted to what he did. Notice that he didn't admit to any of it until very recently?

I say change the name of the shop if at all possible, ditch Jake all together and make a go of it on your own or find another partner. I wish you luck, it isn't an easy thing to jump into.

Are you getting a mandrel bender or a rotary bender? A real mandrel bender is going to be $60k+. When doing this, don't expect your business to make money for at least 2 years.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

I really have not kept up with the whole subject of Jake, just seen and skimmed over the subject on this board as well as on tuners and link. Its nice to see you face your problems rather than running away from them. That tells a lot about a person.

Maybe we'll do business sometime, good luck.

-Andy

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Thanks Dizmm.

I like to tackle things head on and I like to wear who I am "on my sleeve" per say. I have nothing to hide, and only treat people the way I want to be treated. I joke a lot, and am quite playful.....but at the same time, when it's time to get serious I put my best foot forward.

Thanks again for the nice welcome and the understanding. It really is better than I thought it would be showing up here.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

That'd be great if that was how you actually spelled "Lacrosse". :hah:

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

welcome and good luck with everything!

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

I would change the name and ditch jake then you might have a chance to start over. Is the crx is green right. Also in the end there is only room for 1 rhd car on he and that is mine :lol:

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

The CRX is actually a Jeep color. It's called bright cactus green.

Not tryin to step on your "RHD toes." haha

Thanks again for the welcome's.

Re: Attempt to make things right
 

Welcome bro!