posted 07-31-2002 09:05 PM         

I am not doing this to spoil Jay’s (YellerCat) 2003 POA “Prowlin’ the Seas” National event in February. Jay Harris is a great guy who gives great customer service and plans wonderful Prowler events. I do not despise Jay in any way.

Since I posted my comments on the 2003 “Prowlin’ the Seas” National event post I have gotten some feed back. Some positive and some negative.

If I have to be the person to break the ice then so be it. I know I am not alone in when I say this…

The 2003 POA cruise is too expensive for most of us. The idea is great, but in order to get a large turn out for a National Event the price needs to be a little more affordable.

At best (cheapest) I would pay:

$989 x 2 = $1978
Airfare to Miami = $250 (approx) x 2 = $500
Room Steward tip for the week = $70 (approx)
Waiter & Baggage tips for the week = $ 120 (approx)
Activity fees when in ports = $100

Grand Total = $2768.00

** This does NOT include any Alcoholic Drinks, Shopping on and off the boat, specialty restaurants and gambling.

Therefore it would cost me at least $3300 to attend the 2003 POA “Prowlin’ the Seas” National Event.

How many people feel the same way I do? I would like to have a 2003 POA National Event in a tropical location, but if the event was more affordable I think there would be a better turnout.

Ideas and Thoughts?

posted 07-31-2002 09:30 PM         

Many of the owners are older, own their own business, have the vacation time or are retired and I think this is a great opportunity for them to get together in the winter months.

To the ones that are still working we must make our choices as to where to spend our hard earned money, for those that have worked all their life and succeded GO ENJOY THE HIGH SEAS.

We will see you at an event that is more affordable for all

Brian, I know where you are coming from but we have a few years to go to be able to enjoy all the events in life. Wish we were going but not this time.

------------------
Larry & Sue Mayes

posted 07-31-2002 10:37 PM         

JUST KIDDING...

posted 07-31-2002 10:39 PM         

And this is something for us in the far west. Please post your ideas/thoughts on Lake Tahoe.

Thank You

posted 07-31-2002 10:39 PM         

Kinda reminds me of a seagull. Fly around s**t and fly away... If you goin to stir the pot, why don't you plan a low cost alternative...

posted 07-31-2002 10:57 PM         

Stay some place that is nice and will give us ALL a good rate.

posted 07-31-2002 11:47 PM         

If you don't feel it's worth the price,,,don't go!
It's as simple as that.
Not every event is for everybody.

Unless you have a better option or are planning on taking on the challenge of organizing an event,,,just SHUT THE H3LL UP!

Either you are part of the solution or you are part of the problem. Seems you've already made your choice.

Sorry if I seem insensitive to your plight but after being one of the major organizers for POA events for the last three years, I have little patience for those who complain about what someone else has taken untold hours to plan and organize.
You have no idea how much work goes on behind the scenes for a large event. Even a local event that my attendees enjoy has always been pre-run by myself and/or others at least once and usually twice. That means we go through the complete event 2 to 3 times for every one that you or the other owners attend. A large event takes months of work and endless hours of phone calls to coordinate with the other helpers, restaurants, tour stops, discounted tickets, meeting places, lodging, car washes, conference rooms, gas stations, tour routes and pre runs,,,the list is endless and that doesn't even include the upfront money that we as organizers have to put out of our own pockets. We (the organizers) do it for the 99% of the people who thanks us and tell us how much they enjoyed what we planned. We spend many, many of our own dollars to make sure that eveything goes well and everyone has a good time.

To the 1% who give me nothing but grief and constant complaints I can only tell them, they got what they paid for and good luck in their future car club endeavors. I also tell them to be sure let me know just where and when to send my money for the next event that they are planning and I'll put the word out and make plans to help promote it and attend.

When people pay money they expect (and rightly so) that they have a right to complain. This is the main reason I've always tried very hard to keep my events free or very low cost. I can just tell a whiner or a complainer,,,you got your moneys worth, thanks for attending!

As for people like you trying to sabotage an event planned by someone else, I can only say. If you don't like it, keep your mouth shut! Nobody is forcing you to attend and most will be happier if you stay home if you have a bad attitude about the event. Why ruin the fun for everyone else?.

To be honest, a cruise on the ocean isn't my style either and I feel that anything billed as a POA National Event should have something to do with the cars but I have found that I've formed many friendships that I now enjoy even without my car. Maybe if you participate in some of the events you too will find friendships make even the most boring event or tour a lot of fun and then possibly you will realize that we're all in this for a good time.
If you can't say something nice, just don't say anything at all.

Gee, I guess maybe I'm the one with the bad attitude and I'm not being considerate of the time and hard work you've put into this association. Maybe not.

Thanks for letting me blow off some steam.

By the way,,,I don't recall seeing you at CAAP 2, Woodward 1999, Power Tour 1999, CAAP 3, Woodward 2000, Grand Canyon, Crazy Horse, Skyline Drive, Crater Lake, Boyd's, Cruisin' the Coast, Foose's, Texas Speed Week, Death Valley, Louisville or any other less expensive event that others have planned for our group.

I'm sure you will be at ProwLancaster with Mike and Kim and I'm sure you have already offered to help.
I wish them well and hope they enjoy your company.

posted 08-01-2002 06:20 PM         

All I am trying to say is if the pricing was more reasonable there would be a better turn out... thats all.

I am not tring to rain on anyone parade. Sorry for voicing an opinion ... which I know is shared by many.

PS - I'm a good dancer

posted 08-02-2002 11:10 AM         

A cruise..any cruise..on a ship..tends to be pricy. I checked over fourteen different sources for a better price. I don't like paying anymore than what the market will bear at the time. The "best" was $105.00 dollars different per (1st and 2nd pass.), but wasn't sure of all the "hidden" charges - port fees,etc.

This cruise will be like "others" that you and I might have missed...woulda, coulda, shoulda. Yes, I'll have to cut back on "mods", this is "Christmas", eat out less often, etc., between now and then.

posted 08-02-2002 11:47 AM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by Larry Lord:

To be honest, a cruise on the ocean isn't my style either and I feel that anything billed as a POA National Event should have something to do with the cars

---

posted 08-02-2002 11:47 AM         

Yep...I'll be driving from MD.

posted 08-02-2002 02:09 PM         

I guess the best way to look at this trip is if you want to go and money does'nt matter or the time it's on then go.
If not why rock the boat just look for another event to go to that's more in your price range or time frame available.
Because no matter which one a person goes to they are the BEST TIME most of us have ever experienced.

There are over 1600 members in the POA what's the largest number of Kat's that have been at the biggest event. 70? these events are relatively fair priced still you don't see that many there so why is that?? are they too expensive for most also,there should be 100 plus at the least, only the people who stay home know why, and this is the first time anyone has brought up a topic like this. How does it feel to be in "the arena" without a sword and the Gladiator's are coming out of the gates :o

PK

posted 08-03-2002 07:50 AM         

I'm sure some will think it's a little strange to go on a Prowler event without the car, but keep in mind that the Prowler is what brought us all together. The car and FRIENDSHIP is what keeps us together. For those people in this group who cannot drive their vehicle during this time of year because of weather might just find this event a cure for the "winter blues". There will be people who just aren't interested in a cruise ship vacation and those who simply can't afford it. Not every event will be able to accommodate everyone's wishes. That is why we have choices!

I applaud Jay for taking on this event and the hard work that goes into planning something like this. Having planned many events in my lifetime, including Prowler events, I can assure you that it is a lot of hard work. It is great to see more people stepping up and taking on the task of planning activities for this group. It's okay for everyone to have their own opinions on these events. Perhaps Spoons could have given his topic a different title and worded his concerns in a way that people wouldn't have felt he was "bashing". We should all be cognizant of that when we post or reply.

I try not to lose my perspective during life and remember that I am lucky to be able to be part of this group, that I have my cats, that I am able to make some of the events. Not everyone is. I'm sure John Davies would rather be planning on attending an event and cruisin' in his cat than lying in a hospital bed with broken ribs, wondering WHEN he will be able to do that again!

This group continues to grow by leaps and bounds and I am hoping that more people will take on the task of planning events around all parts of this great country. Not everyone will be able to make all of them. However, it is better to have a lot of choices so that you can attend some of them, rather than have one or two you can't make and not be able to get together with the Prowler people at all!

As usual.........thanks for listening! Prowl on......everybody!

As for the Cruise I think out of the 1600 members the POA will fill the 40 cabins blocked for the event.

If you are not interested in Cruising the high seas that is fine. We enjoy a cruise every once and a while and it sounds to us an opportunity to go cruising and meet our POA friends in person rather than going it alone.

posted 08-03-2002 07:17 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by CA Phil:

And Spoons where is YOUR support for the POA!

---

I have no interest in this post whatsoever.

I do have an interest that this seems to be the first instance of a member "with a star" taking a shot at a member "without a star".

That was not supposed to happen.

Just an observation.

I spend a fair amount of money to try to have events in Northern California for people who like their cars and want to meet other owners. With that I use the POA Web site and feel I get value and should therefore support the website. With 1,600 members, just think if everyone sent in just $25.00 the POA would have $40,000.00 enough for 3 servers plus change.

And if I was out-of-line about supporting or lack of supporting the POA site then so be it. Just my opinion.

posted 08-04-2002 12:37 AM         

Thank you for the information. I will follow the events page and plan on being part of you next gathering at Lake Tahoe.

Thanks Again

Kimo

posted 08-04-2002 06:30 AM         

Like most everyone in the POA, Spoons is a very intelligent and outgoing individual - one that has a high level of passion & devotion to the Prowler experience. I envy him & his girl friend. They have taken the time & have ventured to places that I have only dreamed about - with their Prowler.

I, for one, do not believe that anyone deserves to be verbally bashed by some of you for simply stating a basic opinion. He did not slander Jay for his efforts. He only (clearly) stated that some (or most) of us may not be able to afford this type of adventure.

We have all witnessed verbal harassment by others on this site. We have also voted certain individuals off this site. And - we have watched the member count grow. But, how many of the 1600+ members have simply faded away due to pompous rivalries amongst the "classes?" I know previous members that refuse to get on this site because of the petty bickering and the "snobbish" attitudes.

To witness the "average" be shunned by the "high & mighty" is bogus. This "Rich Man / Poor Man" BS should stop.

I feel fortunate to have my Prowler. I've never loved a possession more; but, over the past year my enthusiasm has began to diminish because of some of the "I'm better than you are" attitudes that are showing up.

posted 08-04-2002 03:53 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by SPCL-T:
During the luncheon, he gave out prizes - POA window banners, T-shirts, business cards, etc. This was done to help the New England Club members learn about the POA. Most of the locals started out with PPC, and had not heard of the POA (except in conversation with people like Spoons & myself that have recently moved up to New England). As far as I know, the cost of these "prizes" came out of Spoons' pocket. If there was outside assistance /or donations of these gifts from the POA, I'm not aware of it. If there was - Thanks.

---

Steve, not trying to "stir the pot here", just want to set the record straight - Brian emailed me asking how to improve awareness for the POA in his area and at his event. I suggested that the POA would donate some T-shirts, hats and windshield banners to give out as prizes which he did.