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TCB California is out of business. I started this company after seeing a product that I thought would be good for the motorcycle industry. I have over 40 years of riding experience both on and off road. After purchasing the product and doing some testing I contacted the owner and we worked out a verbal deal (looking back it should have been in writing) on becoming the Southwest Distributor. The agreement was made with pricing and a free hand given on how to promote the product.
I proceeded to buy product, contact magazines and go to various biker hang-outs. Once the article came out in a well known biker magazine, sales started happening. The word of mouth started also and product began to move. Product began to move in all of the western United States. After a few weeks of this, things began to change; the owner would not take or return calls, and someone else whom I don’t know began to handle the inquiries. I tried many times to talk with that person and the owner but they would not communicate one to one, they only sent e-mails. I inquired to the owner as to this mysterious person and their position with the company; the replies I received were “we do not disclose company business or policy”.
In the e-mails on each of the last exchanges they raised my prices to where there was negative profit. I had a dealer that was going to take over the entire business, the owner tried calling to get the details worked out also and no one would return the call. There was just one fax that reflected the higher price. That price put the profit margin at less than 10% which is not worth handling the product.
So it seems to me and the dealer, that once I got the ball rolling and product began selling, and the word of mouth started they didn’t need me any longer. Since the owner or the companies mysterious other individual will not communicate with either me or the dealer that would have taken the business over, I am forced to close the company.
I am sorry to have to do this, but the situation dictates that I must. So to close, when going into business with someone, or purchasing a product, please do your homework, get things in writing and look the warranties over thoroughly.
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