I am planning on building my 1st street rod. The StreetBeast kit's look interesting. Anyone have any experience/references with these? Thanks. Don
The Factory in miami has the capability to manufacture 25 kits a month , whole kits with no back orders, They were selling 50-60 a month for 6-7 years, not deposits , layaway plan etc. , if you went to the factory today, you'd see 10-20 kits stacked to the ceiling,The average person wouldn't know the financial turmoil by just taking a tour of the factory, it actually quite impressive to the naked eye, all they are are bodys and frames which are made there, they are collecting dust waiting for all the back ordered parts that may or not come in, Why do you think people wait 8-12 months to get their kit? The money they take in today for a deposit or someone pays off their kit , that money is used to pay the vendors for parts for a kit thats been sitting there for 6 months paid for? As Ripley Said "Believe it or not!!cboy said:So much so that personally, I would be cautious about the recent entry of SB Insider into the discussion. Some of his/her statements don't quite add up. For example, the claim that "100's" of SB workers were laid off.
If we take prior SB claims as accurate, SB was producing about 50 kits per month prior to these layoffs. After the layoffs, according to Insider, they are producing 5-7 kits per month. Doing some quick math, Insider is saying they can currently produce 7 kits a month with a total of 7 workers. If we apply that same worker-to-kit ratio, then prior to the layoffs SB would have had a total of 50 production workers. (Roughly on kit per month per worker.) So why would there have been "hundreds" of workers on the payroll to produce just 50 kits?
The other immediate problem is that one of our own member saw first hand the factory operation (seemed to be in full production) at the period in time Insider says all the cars were being made somewhere else. This needs some clarification.
These and other discrepancies might all have logical explanations. But until there is some clarity I would advise against repeating these claims or taking them as gospel. I hope Insider understands that even if he's on the up and up, due caution needs to shown here.
The sad thing is the company makes a pretty decent product, its the horror show that the unsuspecting customer is put though, that should be a really happy time, building your first hot rodStreetBeast Insider said:The Factory in miami has the capability to manufacture 25 kits a month , whole kits with no back orders, They were selling 50-60 a month for 6-7 years, not deposits , layaway plan etc. , if you went to the factory today, you'd see 10-20 kits stacked to the ceiling,The average person wouldn't know the financial turmoil by just taking a tour of the factory, it actually quite impressive to the naked eye, all they are are bodys and frames which are made there, they are collecting dust waiting for all the back ordered parts that may or not come in, Why do you think people wait 8-12 months to get their kit? The money they take in today for a deposit or someone pays off their kit , that money is used to pay the vendors for parts for a kit thats been sitting there for 6 months paid for? As Ripley Said "Believe it or not!!
StreetBeast Insider said:The sad thing is the company makes a pretty decent product, its the horror show that the unsuspecting customer is put though, that should be a really happy time, building your first hot rod
41willys said:And, on another note, when I was there, there was not 100's of employees even there. It was during the week. I am trying to figure out what year it was, when I was there.
I too am not saying insider is lying, but there were a stink load of kits being put together, bodies, frames, etc being crated. Not just 5 or 6.
Jason
P.S. I love my frickin car, she is wild and crazy, or is that who is actually behind the wheel. Again, I am not saying I did not have problems - by all means I had plenty. I do not believe ANY car is being built from the ground up is going to be easy for a novice, its not. I remember when my Dad first got me started when I was young.
By the way, even with all of the beautiful street rods that I and the car are around on Saturdays, sitting next to Outlaw cars, steel cars (street rods and muscle cars), etc, it really does get tons of compliments. Even the "is that a Street Beast, it looks great" - this coming from "REAL OLD" guys, (maybe in their 50's & 60's, but not real old) that have absolutely beautiful cars themselves. Anyways, just thought I would share that.
P.S.S. - the comment above, "old guys - 50's & 60's, just messing with you... Don't be grumpy, I do that to my Dad too...SMILE :thumbup:
Jason
Jon, I have not ever met you, I like you though, but you use some words that I have never heard before... Cracks me up!!!Jon said:41willys -- thanks for adding to the wiki article. Good point about how the customer is only locked into buying body parts from SB. I've integrated that point into the text that Centerline had originally inserted.
Also, you're right about how a small handful of eBay sales don't prove that SB's have lower resale value. It's what I call "anecdotal" evidence. I finally decided on this sentence: "Various eBay sales constitute anecdotal evidence, and can't be used to credibly demonstrate the lower resale value of StreetBeast vehicles."
Hit it with another edit or two if you think it needs work, I'll be watching the article today, and working with anyone who's editing it.
Absolutely, I am not saying I believe this guy is who he says he is. However, he has a lot of inside knowledge of SOME company. If he is making this up, he is damn creative!cboy said:So much so that personally, I would be cautious about the recent entry of SB Insider into the discussion. Some of his/her statements don't quite add up. For example, the claim that "100's" of SB workers were laid off.
If we take prior SB claims as accurate, SB was producing about 50 kits per month prior to these layoffs. After the layoffs, according to Insider, they are producing 5-7 kits per month. Doing some quick math, Insider is saying they can currently produce 7 kits a month with a total of 7 workers. If we apply that same worker-to-kit ratio, then prior to the layoffs SB would have had a total of 50 production workers. (Roughly on kit per month per worker.) So why would there have been "hundreds" of workers on the payroll to produce just 50 kits?
The other immediate problem is that one of our own member saw first hand the factory operation (seemed to be in full production) at the period in time Insider says all the cars were being made somewhere else. This needs some clarification.
These and other discrepancies might all have logical explanations. But until there is some clarity I would advise against repeating these claims or taking them as gospel. I hope Insider understands that even if he's on the up and up, due caution needs to shown here.
Street Beast's business and sales tactics not withstanding, I think that those of us who have a problem with Street Breasts designs, that problem is centered around their 33-34 and Vicky, along with the one piece body concept. The Willys and Cobra aesthetically aren't bad at all (the Cobra is stretched a little but that doesn't distract from its lines much). The one piece body works well for Cobras and the like but when your talking street rods with fenders that "hang out there" in the wind and can easily be damaged beyond repair it quite frankly doesn't make sense. I would also point out that at least from what I have seen all their chassis are pretty much the same which in the case of the Cobra really hurts the finished product. There is just no way it will handle like an original Cobra with that suspension. On the other hand, their Willys is quite probably their best product overall.41willys said:........Anyone following this thread, PLEASE understand I do not support Street Beast's ways, I have and will only post on my experiences. I do really like my car, and will admit to having problems with it, and could give a rats hairy little rear if others think it is crap. To all: there is not a car out there that you will not have problems with, there is not a car out there that is absolutely perfect.........
Jason
By all means, I understand what you are saying, meaning. I have seen them first hand, just like many here at hotrodders.Centerline said:problem is centered around their 33-34 and Vicky, along with the one piece body concept.
Off subject, but if you want to give them my personal information, they can sue me for all the bills they want.Jon said:Here's the Wikipedia page on anecdotal evidence: Anecdotal evidence. Anecdotes are fine for the forum, and for the Company Reviews section too. However, we want the wiki article to be more even-handed.
My concern isn't really with StreetBeast cars, it's with StreetBeasts as a company. Specifically, their history of fraud, their current use of fraud on this forum (for example, impersonating Curt Scott in an attempt to threaten me), their aggressive use of spin techniques, and their use of fear tactics to attempt to create a chilling effect, such that we won't speak up about them. The court docs demonstrate very clearly that they have a history consistent with such behavior.
Very similar situation with the Eaton Compressor lawsuit threat. It's no surprise at all to me that their parts are Chinese-manufactured. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're low-quality, and it's a very minor issue for me. What's troublesome is that same pattern of trying to spin the facts (ie: 60% "Made in the USA"), and then threatening us with frivolous lawsuits or financial ruin if we tell people the truth.
It's truly unethical, and I'm glad that we're documenting it permanently in our wiki.
"unethical" seems to be running rampent these days. The "engine builder" across the parking lot from me, is charging $15.00's a day storage, on engines he has built, untill they are picked up. :nono: :nono:Jon said:Here's the Wikipedia page on anecdotal evidence: Anecdotal evidence. Anecdotes are fine for the forum, and for the Company Reviews section too. However, we want the wiki article to be more even-handed.
My concern isn't really with StreetBeast cars, it's with StreetBeasts as a company. Specifically, their history of fraud, their current use of fraud on this forum (for example, impersonating Curt Scott in an attempt to threaten me), their aggressive use of spin techniques, and their use of fear tactics to attempt to create a chilling effect, such that we won't speak up about them. The court docs demonstrate very clearly that they have a history consistent with such behavior.
Very similar situation with the Eaton Compressor lawsuit threat. It's no surprise at all to me that their parts are Chinese-manufactured. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're low-quality, and it's a very minor issue for me. What's troublesome is that same pattern of trying to spin the facts (ie: 60% "Made in the USA"), and then threatening us with frivolous lawsuits or financial ruin if we tell people the truth.
It's truly unethical, and I'm glad that we're documenting it permanently in our wiki.
"If a person has repaired, furnished supplies or materials, towed or stored a vehicle AND has not been paid for the services rendered, that person has a lien against the vehicle. The lien arises at the time the registered owner is presented with a written statement of charges for completed work or services."carsavvycook said:The engine builder across the parking lot from me is charging $15.00 a day storage on engines he has built until they are picked up.
This is a little off subject of what is being discussed here, but you are speaking of mechanic's liens, the original subject concerns storage fees, and the fact that some people/companies will tell you one estimate, but always seem to snowball the deal.Roadsters said:"If a person has repaired, furnished supplies or materials, towed or stored a vehicle AND has not been paid for the services rendered, that person has a lien against the vehicle. The lien arises at the time the registered owner is presented with a written statement of charges for completed work or services."
Source:
Mechanic's lien
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanics_lien
The Art of the Street beast Sale: How it WorksStreetBeast Insider said:The sad thing is the company makes a pretty decent product, its the horror show that the unsuspecting customer is put though, that should be a really happy time, building your first hot rod
Jason,41willys said:...this coming from "REAL OLD" guys, (maybe in their 50's & 60's)...
Now that is funny!!!cboy said:Jason,
You better be on red alert...Henry Highrise and I might just have to sneak up and whack you with our shuffleboard sticks!!!!!!! That is if we can break away from our Metamucil Margaritas.
God how disingenuous the "one time deal" is. When I was in sales I NEVER, EVER used it, it is such BULL CHIT.StreetBeast Insider said:but we say this is actually $2000 below his price, A one time One shot deal !! .