| Buying a TECH-II (27 July Update: Tech-1A?) |
Subject: Buying a TECH-II (27 July Update: Tech-1A?) by bogus on 2011/7/24 21:58:03 Read thread, then go to Post #33. Much of this would change if we opt for Tech 1A. A couple of weeks ago, JrRifleCoach posted that he had gotten a hold of the tool needed to test the ABS systems on the early C4. This lead to a discussion about members buying a stake in a Tech II. So this leads to a few initial questions and discussions from others who know the tool best. First off, is a Tech II going to help ALL later model Corvette Owners, or only C4 guys? Will a Tech IV help a C4 guy? I would like us to buy one box and not have to screw with it anymore. We also need to discuss usage rules. 1. One must be a member in good standing of the site to participate. 2. All participants must fill out an application form that the site administrator will hold - me. The entry fee is $100.00. Purchase will be done once we have collected enough entries and find the right unit on eBay. So far, Tech-II units seem to be about $2500 each. This means 25 people will have to commit. The application form will require: Guru User ID, Name, address, SSN, home and/or cell phone, credit card number or signed check, made out for $2500 - yes - you are only spending $100 to use a $2500 tool, I am not going to be that forgiving. Oh, and yes, I will confirm this data. I am not doing that just to protect me, I am doing that to protect us all. Many of you I do know personally, many I don't. I must be firm but fair. We are dealing with a chunk of cash. These applications will be partially electronically filed (no CC #'s, SSNs or banking info) and stored on a spread sheet all members will share - not generally available only those in the Tech-II club. I will even set up a forum just for this group. The source documents, all mailed to me, will be stored in my locked gun safe. DO NOT EMAIL. I respect your privacy and will do my level best to protect it. I didn't work for the Delaware State Police, fixing identity theft victims for nothing. Proof of my prior employment is available upon request. 3. The unit will be returned to me, the caretaker after every use. 4. At all times, everyone will know who has it. It will be transparent. When that person is done, it is noted that the unit has been sent back to me. Once I get it, I will confirm content and function, and report same. Readying it for its next trip. 5. I will be responsible for coordinating all repairs and maintenance and enhancement. I will take all suggestions for any work we need to do. If we need a cable, we will raise the funds and get one. Hopefully, we will get more members of the club and that will be that. 6. It must never leave the sight of a member, EVER. If you want help in usage, that's fine, but don't leave it at someone else's house. You can also have someone come over that knows the unit, but don't loan it out. EVER. 7. You must be a member of the Tech-II group to use it. Period. All new members will pay the $100 which will be used to support and enhance the machine. If we collect more money, perhaps we can buy a newer machine or more options. 8. Any new member must be vetted by the group. If someone wants in, I will post their info in our secured forum, and they will be voted on. If someone knows that person as a potential rip-off artist, we will address that and decline their membership. 9. You must be over 21 to participate. If under 21, you must have a parent or guardian join the site and join the club on your behalf. They will be the ones filling out the membership forms for the minor member. 10. You must have over 100 posts to participate. This does not count for the parent/guardian, but it does for the minor member. 11. Usage is restricted to one week - 7 days - at a time. I advise that we use USPS Flat Rate Boxes to ship it about. The last user will pay shipping both ways... what this means is that you will toss a $20.00 bill into the package so I don't have to pay out the ass every time it gets sent out! It must be insured for $2500 and with tracking, signature required. If you need it for more than one week, it will be dependent on group vote and other members needs. If there isn't someone clambering for it, I am sure we can work something out for exceptionally complex issues. I have the distinct sensation that this machine will save our asses in a matter of one use! 12. All instructions will be archived in the club forum. Any CDs that come with will be copied and the originals will be stored in my gun safe. Any tricks we learn should be stored there, too. This could become a hugely valuable source of information over time. Insanely valuable. As always, technical questions are to be asked in their specific generation forum. 13. All members must be US or Canadian residents. I suggest for Canadian members to figure out a way past customs. I will check the forms and see if there is anyway to send something "on loan." At this time, international isn't big enough and I don't want to deal with trying to ship internationally. We will cross that bridge when it becomes a big enough issue, but right now, I can't validate anything overseas. For Canadian shipment, please use FedEx or UPS for tracking; once a USPS package leaves the USA, we lose that ability. Tommy - USPS question - is that true for USPS and RCM? These are my initial thoughts... Once we hammer them out, I will document and post. Some need to be consolidated, I know, I was kinda pouring out ideas more than anything else. These rules I see as being constantly enhanced as we learn our way through this. Please, DISCUSS!!! I want input! Lots of input! What have I missed? A lot of this is depending on trusting me... And if you do, I thank you. I will do my very best to keep engendering the type of trust needed to manage this. If you don't feel that kind of love, share a better solution. We cannot afford a pseudo escrow service, so that's out of the question. If a safe-deposit box is better than my gun safe, I will get one. No problems there. Again, I will only confirm data and then lock it up. If we go safe-deposit box, I will secure the info within 48 hours of receipt (remember, banks are closed on Sunday). No electronic copies of checks, CC#s or SSN's will be kept - EVER. Again... I will sort this out once we have had some discussion. |
