Jay--i honestly and totally agree with you. Yes, Dennis did rip off a lot of his "faithful" customers. Yet, like you said, he was trying to run a business in which he thought he should. Whether if I agree with it or not, it's pointless because we all now see what he really was all about. I am glad he is no longer in business.
The funny thing is that I am a big supporter of small businesses. When my wife told me to stop going to his shop because he was ripping us off, I was torn because honestly, he was the nearest LFS to Cruces. We never or hardly ever get to the east side. Now we make it a point to visit honest people that run a great outfit at TCR with Daniel and Leanor. Awesome people.
And deservedly so, this issue does need to be brought in the forum. Dredging Dennis' name through the mud won't accomplish anything, I agree. Nevertheless, the truth is that there are many members and non members that were taken by Dennis during this closure. STARS was not affiliated with Dennis and MSWW. Ok. However, as a club, it is very important to discuss these matters in order to rectify a situation for a member/non-members, just like this one. To let it get swept under the rug or individuals who had monies with Dennis should have communicated better with Dennis is kinda saying I told you so or not my problem.
That is what we are not about in this club. Many members or non-members look at our club on a daily basis without chiming in. And maybe they don't want to say a word for fear of embarrassment or not knowing how to express their thoughts. We as a club can be their voices.
Whether or not it will resolve anything, who knows? Maybe if the store that opens up and listens to the concerns of those that got taken by Dennis may do something to rectify the situation by actually going to Dennis rectify it for them. We can also be that voice. Will it ever get rectified with Dennis and the honest people he took monies from? I hope so, if he had an ounce of dignity and a spine he would do the right thing. But we also have to remember that proceeds from his "sham" of a tank raffle-give away were just that, a hoax to line his pockets with cash other than helping the club and helping out the police department--its how the monies "were supposed to be divided". So members of STARS and STARS was indirectly or directly affected by Dennis and MSWW who donated money to his "cause".
I have my own story but bottom line - thankfully I used a credit card. :sad1: I doubt we will ever see him again.....
