Airgun's worst decesion in a long time

[agdjon]

For most of you who don't know me, my name is Jon and I am one of the Factory Techs here at Airgun Designs. Ok I need to put in 2 more cents to this thread. All of you (well most of you) talk like Jeff is Airgun Designs. Jeff definitely was an asset to the company but remember, Airgun Designs is mostly the customers. Sure Tom may have started the company but without you guys, Airgun Designs would not exist. And you all talk (or so it may seem that way) that Jeff is the only tech here and is also the only one who works on his own time at event. This is not true, Tom Vale, who used to be the senior tech but is now Quality Assurance, also goes to events on his free time during the weekends helping anyone he can. I also do the same during CPSA events last year and now when I go Rec-Balling. If you are going to start bashing me saying "but you never been to a NPPL event" you are wrong. I played a couple of NPPL events but that goes back to 95 when I was on Team Fox (even though I was not a tech but I always helped others if I knew what to do). And BTW, there are TRUE AIRGUN DESIGNS satellite techs who knows just as much as we do at the factory. Techs like Kayle M, Rod D, Rob H, Brad N, and Ron F are all very knowledgable and treat customers the same way Jeff or anyone who has worked at AGD when they are at events. The reason for this is because we pride ourselves on customer service. Ask anyone out there. Ask the people whose markers I have worked on. Heck even ask those who I have driven out to just to help them out. I remember I had a practice sometime last year and I told the guy whose marker was down that I would be there. Practice ended up being cancelled but I showed up anyway because I keep my promises. I know that if I were to help this guy out it would come back to the company 2 fold because of the word of mouth he would spread about us.

I like Jeff and I hate seeing him leave but Tom has to make decisions for the company. Jeff and I hung out every once in a while. We had fun talks, drank beers, all the good stuff. It may have sucked that 3 people had to leave but there is nothing you, me, or anyone out there (unless someone donated several million dollars to us :) )can do about it and it does suck. The recession has hit everyone hard. It just became worse when we were attacked.

OK I seem to be digressing and thanks for reading.

BTW Please stop the bashing. It is not going to change the past and it certainly cannot help the future.

[cphilip]

[Arturus]

Originally posted by Grendel


You can't imply that Jeff was a snake oil salesman when he cut down those bulky mags and made the best shooting mags out there. That is a a cheap flame Tom.

Infamous G

What are you smoking? Sorry mods, had to say that.

Read Tom's post again, he never called or even remotely implied that Jeff was a 'snake oil salesman'. He was referring to the fact that you directly pointed to Tom's decisions, that you believed to be the cause of the downturn in AGD's business. Tom responded by saying that if he was not a 'snake oil salesman', like some of the other business owners in the industry; who simply provide whatever the customers demand, without a thought to if it actually benefits them - for the reasons of PROFIT alone - then he wouldn't be in the current position he is in.

He never once referred to Jeff as being a 'snake oil salesman'. Before you keep jumping to conclusions, read what's written. Listen to both sides. Most of all, leave this between Jeff and Tom.

[Dubstar112]

Heh, will jeff ever join AO?

[jas142]

Ugh...

This really upsets me. AIRGUN DESIGNS IS A PRIVATE BUSSINESS. Pleeeeaaaaaasssssee, let tom do what he feels is best for his company, and don't criticise him! He was nice enough to respond to these things! How would you feel if you owned a bussiness, had to let an employee go, only to be yelled at by every customer! Jeez...

[Hasty8]

What more can be said?

I think everything that could be said has been said.

The one thing that I would like to point out is how well Tom has handled this. He reopened the thread and willingly stood naked in front of us all.

How many othe business owners have that kind of dedication to the buyer? And I do not just mean in the industry. I mean anywhere.

Tom does what he can to make the best markers for the price. He is not a BE or even a Tippman. He sells top of the line markers. That means he will be catering his wares to a smaller group of the demographic then other companies will. His are not Talons, Phantoms, Spyders or the like. The Yugos of the paintball world.

His are the Corvettes and the Mustangs.

I would say that the Angel and the Cocker are more like the Ferrari and Lamborghini. They perform a tad better then the American version but they are really just high priced European fluff pieces. (Sorry but I had to take that stab).

That being said, I think we all need to step back a let Tom have the reins. It is his company but he doesn't act that way. And he also fces up to his mistakes, another big win for him in my book.

He has also stated, several times, that the break up was amicable and that there was no animosity between him and Jeff. I say good. Jeff was in a rut and wanted his career to go in a direction that was not compatible with AGD. And you get upset over that.

IT's something to be proud of. So many people today allow themelves to get stuck in a rut so that they die old and unhappy.

I wish Jeff all the joy in the world, and I am willing to bet vital parts of my anatomy that if he decided that he wanted to come back to AGD that Tom would do what he could to make it happen.

[irbodden]

Never talked with Jeff, but let me say Jon is a great tech, I have called him a bunch. Thanks brotha

No one here knows all the facts, and I doubt any 12 year old on the internet is smarter than Tom, so lets stop the stupidity.

[AGD]

And with all of this said I believe everyone has had their say on the topic. I will now lock this thread so we can go on to other business.

Thanks

AGD