I've been RIPPED OFF! Don't you be fooled too!

[SID297]

Ray hit the nail on the head when he described the real problem being that it appears LFP is using his photos without his consent to sell a product that is not displayed in those photos. This would actually be two separate problems. First was the misappropriation of the photos. That in and of itself is a serious legal issue, and this is not the first time that LFP has done that. The second issue is the bait and switch that is being pulled on the customers who may see the photos and believe the product they are ordering is the one produced by Ray.

Over the years there have been many complaints about problems with LFP. Often they would make the problems right or offer an explanation about what happened. In my opinion most of the issues they have been experience stem from being undermanned in the customer service department. I know an issue really exists when I, someone that does a lot of business in this industry, have trouble getting a call or email answered.

That all brings us to where we are currently. A few weeks ago Ray came to me seeking help/advice with the details of what you have read in this thread. I gave him my opinion on the situation and it appears that he has taken some of the advice that was given. We have removed LFP as an SVTP vendor. Though LFP has fixed many of its issues in the past you really get tired of hearing about the same thing over and over again. You can only hear “sorry” so many times. LFP’s vendor fees had come due during this latest situation and Mark had stated that they wish to continue on as vendors on the site. However, as more information came to light I though it would be in everyone’s best interest if we did not allow them to renew their contract with SVTP. I hope everyone can learn from this and that LFP can use this experience to improve its business practices.

 

[kezell]

Sorry to hear about this.
I ordered mine straight from you Ray, glad I did!

 

[SIr RicCuS]

I've had MAJOR problems with their products and their customer service so this really doesn't come as a surprise unfortunately.

Sorry to hear about that.

 

[Loco03Snake]

well I am glad I didn't order anything from them, I was ready to place a good order but they lost my business due to this...

 

[jm@ReischePerf]

Honestly Ray if you choose to pursue this legally I would be happy to kick in $100 toward your attorney fees. I understand that you don't make a lot of money off the overlays but we need to stand up for what is right and maybe it's time for the alliance to take action here. It seems there are also plenty of dissatisfied customers that may also be willing to pitch in. Anyone interested?

 

[Ray Hilton]

I appreciate the show of support but before this goes to that extent I'd like to see if my other actions have any effect. As I stated earlier I have filed a couple of complaints and sent a registed letter demamnding that LFP stop using my photos on their site and instructions.
I really wouldn't feel right about accepting anyone else's money to fight this Joel. Although your offer is very generous and I thank you for the gesture.
I'll be in touch and thanks again.

Ray H.

 

[jm@ReischePerf]

Although your offer is very generous and I thank you for the gesture.

No problem Ray, I just want you to know that you are not alone in this and I would be happy to help in any way I can. You never know it could be my or CobraBob's products that they choose to rip off next :nonono:

 

[JymBart]

This thread should become a sticky and remain at the top of the page.

 

[ib_604]

This thread should become a sticky and remain at the top of the page.

:thumbsup:

 

[Ray Hilton]

I was thinking the same thing. I may give it a few more days and then request that a moderator post it as a sticky. People need to be warned of this.

I especially feel bad for the guys who bought the LFP overlay thinking it was mine. I replied to an email from someone who had done just that. That really sucks. Maybe I ought to work out some kind of special "trade in your LFP POS overlay for the original Hilton Boost Overlay sale" or something like that. If there is enough interest I would consider it.

Ray H.

 

[p3pete]

definitely not Scottish... Ray's overlay is one of the original 'home-grown' great products for the Terminator... <marks LFP off the list of parts vendors forever>

 

[Jpjr]

I feel bad about this and do think the LFP needs to take corrective measures if they are using photos that aren't theirs to use.

That said, I have been using LFP for years, despite what a lot of people here (who may or may not have ever *actually* used them) have said. Mark always takes time to answer my questions, always has the lowest price, and ships faster than any vendor I have used.

So I'm not posting to defend LFP in this specific situation, as was mentioned they may very well be short staffed on the customer front, but lets be real a lot of guys have LFP parts under their hoods whether they care to admit it or not.

 

[chappeja]

i hope you have some kind of patent on this, or at least pending. my brother works up at the patent office in D.C., and says even if you have a patent pending, and someone else uses ur work, or similar like this, that its copyright infringement. dude, u SERIOUSLY need to take them to court...make them an example, to not let other places do stuff like this.:fm::cuss::mj:

 

[CobraBob]

Patents are very expensive and in many cases it is too easy to modify the design to get around the patent.

 

[Posi]

i hope you have some kind of patent on this, or at least pending. my brother works up at the patent office in D.C., and says even if you have a patent pending, and someone else uses ur work, or similar like this, that its copyright infringement. dude, u SERIOUSLY need to take them to court...make them an example, to not let other places do stuff like this.:fm::cuss::mj:

To go after someone in another State is very costly. Let alone if you're going to persue this you need to find the best Lawyer for what has been done. In the end it's going to cost way to much money. Or if you're going to do it you need to pretty much go for putting them out of business. So for someone small it's really hard to convince yourself it's worth it.

Boy, have I weighed the good and bad many times.

 

[JymBart]

I trust the "community" of Mustang & Cobra owners can make a difference. Threads like this one should be posted on all the Mustang, Cobras, SVT, web sites & forums. Not only can threads like this be spread out into our community, but most us of know when a vendor is screwing with us and when in this case LFP is ripping off one of the known "Good Guys" Ray Hilton. Perhaps it is not cost effective to take someone like Mark, owner of LFP to court, but "our community" can sure make a difference on how much money LFP will make down the road.

JymBart

 

[JymBart]

TTT just to make sure everyone gets to see this thread.

 

[dougwg]

I love you JymBart

 

[Ray Hilton]

Thank you JymBart,Doug,Bob, Joel and the dozens and dozens of others who have voiced their support. At the risk of sounding redundant I'm going to repeat a reply I just posted under another thread about trusting LFP.

LFP was not just lazy or exibiting poor customer service here when they stole, obtained illegally, ripped off, or what ever other descriptive words may come to mind for this action, my pictures of my Boost Overlays for their web site and instructions. That in and of itself was bad enough.

After doing that they send the unsuspecting buyer, and I have heard from several since this whole thing started, an inferior looking counterfeit overlay. Baiting a consumer with one thing and delivering another. That is one of the oldest scams in the book.

So they are not only ripping me off, but ripping off all the guys out there who have purchased an overlay from them based on the photos they see on LFP's site thinking they were going to get the genuine article.

This is not just bad customer service. This is a matter of principle. Right and wrong. Good and bad. Pure and simple.

I do not presume to have the influence here to tell anyone what to buy or who to buy from. That is totally up to you. What I am saying is this:
Do you want to continue doing business with a company that treats others in the SVT community in this manner? Would you be supportive of them if YOU were the one that had been ripped off?

My story has been posted the beginning of this thread. If you jumped in recently I highly encourage you to read the entire thread.

I'm just throwing it out there guys. You be the judge.

Ray H.

 

[ib_604]

...what i am saying is this:
Do you want to continue doing business with a company that treats others in the svt community in this manner? Would you be supportive of them if you were the one that had been ripped off?...

hell no!