On Feb 19, 12:25*pm, Tim wrote:
Looks good to me, Chuck. *I'm no legalist, but it looks like a good
article. I'd run with it.

Maybe it will help others from sinking their hard earned dollars into
a bottomless bog.



Chuck Gould wrote:
A preview of my column for the March 19 issue. Thought I'd do my bit
to help spread the word about this guy.....

Rotten Apples

* *A "mirage" is something that appears very real, but upon closer
inspection proves to be only an optical illusion. Likewise, hunters or
nature photographers tracking down an elusive cat in an Asian jungle
might rely on "tiger tracks" to help locate a predatory animal laying
in ambush along a trail. The Hollywood version of a pirate flag,
(black with skull and crossbones), is often referred to as the "Jolly
Roger". What do these terms for a false impression, the sign left by a
deadly predator, and a reference to thievery on the high seas have in
common? *Mirage, Tiger Trax, and Jolly Roger are trademarks used by
boat manufacturing companies owned by Phillip Warnock.

Public records reveal that in 1985 Phillip Warnock entered into a
consent agreement with the Washington State Attorney General. The AG's
office accused Warnock of collecting money for boats he never intended
to deliver, and to avoid prosecution Warnock agreed to abstain from
such practices in the future. The Attorney General kept a watchful eye
on Warnock's subsequent non-compliance with the consent decree, and in
1993 filed a134-count indictment charging Phillip Warnock with
defrauding customers, suppliers, and employees. Warnock pled "guilty"
to at least some of the charges and was sentenced to prison.

By 2002, Warnock was out of prison and building "Tiger Trax" ski
boats. At least he appeared to building boats. An investigation by
Seattle television station KING 5 at that time alleged that Warnock
was once again promising deep discounts to any buyers willing to pay
for a boat before it was manufactured. Some of the unlucky would-be
purchasers expressed frustration with what appeared to be total non-
performance. One individual complained that he brought a boat to one
of Warnock's companies for repair, and was unable to get the boat
returned. This missing boat was eventually discovered abandoned in a
field, stripped of the engine, the outdrive, and everything else of
value that was removable from the hull. It has been alleged (but not
in the 2002 KING 5 broadcast) that this particular vessel was
originally built by another manufacturer, and illegally "splashed" by
Warnock to create a mold for a new model of Tiger Trax ski boat.

In the last several years, Warnock's manufacturing business has been
located for various intervals in Auburn, Union, and Tacoma.
Allegations of overdue rent, unmet payrolls, and unpaid suppliers seem
to follow Warnock's operations wherever he goes. Bankrupt marine
companies associated with Warnock include Gaelic Marine, Sunday's
Marine Corp, Fibertech, and New Jolly Roger Marine.

A KING 5 newscast early in 2008 revealed that Warnock's previously
admitted and recently alleged misdeeds may not be entirely behind him.
A former manager at Warnock's freshly shuttered Tacoma plant claimed
that the company "never finished a single boat." *A woman who paid
$25,000 for a Mirage boat at a charity auction has an almost-finished
boat, parked outside a Tacoma area upholstery shop. The shop claims
that Mirage owes $6000 in unpaid upholstery charges, and will not
release the boat until either Warnock or the customer clears the bill.
The customer also states she learned that the charity (Ronald McDonald
House) was slated to receive only $3000 of her winning bid- and that
to date the charity has not seen a dime.

Sad as this continuing drama may be, for everyone fortunate enough to
avoid being among Phillip Warnock's alleged victims there's a sterling
silver lining. The very few rotten apples in the boating business
absolutely have not spoiled the barrel. Well over 95% of the
individuals and firms with whom we are in regular contact are honest
and ethical. We do not knowingly accept advertising from any who are
not. It's an easy standard to uphold, due in part to the unique nature
of boating related businesses. "Get rich quick" schemers aren't
generally attracted to boat selling or the marine trades. Some
fortunate folks may indeed wind up relatively rich after a lifetime of
hard work- but it tends to be a long, slow, legitimate process based
upon delivering outstanding customer service rather than a short
interval of slick con jobs and broken promises. Others will never
accumulate incredible financial wealth, but are content to earn a
modest living in a "people business" career that dovetails with their
personal recreational interests.

I worked in the automobile business for about 15 years, beginning as a
salesman on "the line" and progressing until I was a partner in a new
car dealership and owner of an independent used car lot. The long
immersion in an industry with a checkered reputation clearly
demonstrated that in some dealerships and among some individual auto
salespeople the bad press is definitely deserved. Automobile dealers
are used to beginning every turn at the plate with two strikes already
called and a defensive, (likely even hostile), umpire looking for any
excuse to toss the batter entirely out of the game. (The secret to
success in the auto business is to disarm the customers by dealing
honestly.)

It would be a shame to see the antagonistic attitude of so many car
shoppers become commonplace in the boat business, and with alleged bad
actors like Phillip Warnock representing only a tiny minority of boat
builders and dealers there is no need to turn the purchase of a
pleasure boat into an unpleasant experience. Buyers are well advised
to exercise normal prudence, carefully consider any and all sales
claims, do at least a little comparison shopping, and bear in mind
that anything that sounds "too good to be true" likely is not. While
one should be wary of accidentally selecting a random rotten apple,
the very good news is that the barrel consists of an overwhelming
number of decently firm and delicious choices unwilling to compromise
integrity or be spoiled by the rare exceptions to the rule.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Like a Zimmerman like lobster boat?