FJOwners Club Shim Kit

[racerrad8]

Okay guys, the beginnings of the FJOwners Valve Shim Kit is now in my hands. I need to get some feedback on how we want to handle this kit. I want to thank moellear for making a great deal so this kit can be available to everyone.

I have some expense into this kit that I need to recoup and I also stated that I would add the valve shim tool and add to the shim count as there are several sizes either under or not represented. I am also going to laminate the instructions and adjusting chart that will be included with the kit.

So, with all of that said and done I am going to have $200.00 invested in this kit.

So, with that said and this being the groups kit, we need to work out a couple of things.

1) I need to get reimbursed for my expenditure to get this started.
2) How are we going to keep track of the kit. Is it going to come back to me after every use or is it going from club member to club member?
3) I am going to establish an inventory of the total number of shims how are we going to keep them from disappearing?
4) Is the kit going to come back to me on occasion to restock the shims that are being used the most?
5) Is this going to be a world wide kit?
6) Do we all ante a small fee every time we use the kit?

One thing that I am sure of with this kit is regarding the shipping. Since it will be shipped, possibly, all over the world, USPS Priority Service with a tracking number is going to be required. The tracking number should be posted to the member who is going to be receiving the kit so they can follow it's progress. If you are shipping from your country to another the shipping method must use tracking so that we never loose track of the kit.

I am looking for your thoughts on how we, as a group, are going to be good stewards of this kit and not let it just go to shit.

Randy - RPM

[giantkiller]

Randy I think that is really great. That you have done this. I won't be using it because my local Yamaha dealer will swap shims for free. At least for now.  But I would like to send you $5 just for doing it. How should I go about sending it to you?  
I think it should be sent back to you.  As soon as they get done with it. Unless someone has put in a request for it. And then they can ship it to the next person on the list. Updating the list with the tracking no. Let me know how to get the $5 to you
Thanks again for all you do for us
Dan McCoy

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Randy,
Thanks for getting this kick started. I think the kit ought to go back to you. I assume the cost of shims per service is not costly but having the kit at the time of service is valuable. How much does the kit weigh (shipping cost?)? Cost of set of a shims plus shipping? If by chance one did not need shims after all, just shipping plus some minimum rate. 5$? It could take a while for you to re-coop your $200, unless enough of us simply send a donation. It would interesting to see the demand for it. I have not checked in for awhile, so I could be behind the curve on this topic.
I am ready to use the kit. If that's possible I will coax FJMONKEY to my place with beer.
Mike

[keand3]

Randy
I too think the kit should be sent back to you. I don't miss trust any other member on this forum, but related experience similar to this tells me that the kit would be lost somewere down the way. And we all know that your shipping is reliable so to me it seems the most logical way to do it.

It could take a while for you to re-coop your $200, unless enough of us simply send a donation.
Mike

I agree with Mike here. All though more then enough members probably would pay per usage  etc. I do think a donation also would be a good idea. It would reimburse your expenses faster, and after all, we are all dependent on good quality parts for our FJ's and there are not many (in fact non to my knowledge) that supply the FJ with parts like you do. I would gladly donate, and I'm sure others would too.

Cheers Ken

[giantkiller]

If you have a request list posted on here and it gets updated with the tracking no. We can all keep track of where it is. And gently remind the last person if need be. I know I sometimes need reminding.

[Arnie]

Randy,

I think your action in getting this kit and looking to make it available to all is fantastic.

That said, I think that it should probably stay a North American rather than a worldwide kit.
This is due to the cost and time shipping takes as well as the possibility of some super-keen customs ape deciding that duty and taxes have to be paid before it can be released.  While I frequently get packages from US to Australia in 5-8 days, I have also waited over 3 weeks for some items, mainly due to customs hold-ups.  That means that it could take up to 6 weeks for the kit to get here and back IF I were to use it immediately when it arrived.  That's not fair to the other forum members or you.

Cheers,
Arnie

[Dan Filetti]

I have been toying with the idea of doing something similar with a carb sync tool I have: Morgan Carbtune II.  It is currently loaned to another member here.  The tool is being very under-utilized in my possession, so loaning it does not seem like a bad idea (famous last words...).  My biggest concern with loaning this out regularly, has been, obviously having it get lost, never to be seen (by me) again. 

So one of the ideas I had was to only consider loaning it to someone who has at least X number (50?) of posts here, and perhaps also be a forum contributor.  To me this demonstrates a certain level of forum citizenship, which, I speculate, lends itself towards a higher likelihood of getting it back in one piece.   

Perhaps these standards could also be applied to the shim kit?

Just a thought,

Dan     

[FJmonkey]

So one of the ideas I had was to only consider loaning it to someone who has at least X number (50?) of posts here, and perhaps also be a forum contributor.  To me this demonstrates a certain level of forum citizenship, which, I speculate, lends itself towards a higher likelihood of getting it back in one piece.   

Dan     

Dan, it seems like I qualify based on your criteria (more than 50 posts, contributor, active member) and also the fact that I am the member currently in possesion of your sync tool. If you want to do this then I would be happy to follow any rules you establish for your loaner sync tool. As a bonus, when I ship from my work I get a killer discount from UPS. I recently shipped a 4lb package back East 3 day select, retail cost is about $57, my cost $13. It is your sync tool so it is your call. I am thankful for the loan, and will be using it shortly as I am rebuilding my carbs.

[Mark Olson]

Randy , how bout you put a place on your RPM fj parts site for shim kit donation.  That would make it easy for everyone to send you 10.00 to cover your cost.

After 20 people have donated you turn it into a 5.00 pay as you loan it deal.

The kit should be returned to you after each use and inventoried so it dosen't end up a bunch of big ass shims.

get your shipping costs up front before sending out, so when you ship it out ,you can  provide a return shipping label so the recipient can simply send it back all pre-paid .

let everyone know who has it so we can flip them shit if they sit on it for more than a week.

hold credit card info and charge the 200.00 if kit is lost by borrower .

perhaps , there will be valve adjust partys where fj' owners can gather when the kit is in their area.

Back in the yahoo days , there was a group shim kit that was" lost "by some asshole who kept it for himself  . the 200.00 penalty should prevent that.

Anyway , that's what I see as the best way to handle it.

[movenon]

So one of the ideas I had was to only consider loaning it to someone who has at least X number (50?) of posts here, and perhaps also be a forum contributor.  To me this demonstrates a certain level of forum citizenship, which, I speculate, lends itself towards a higher likelihood of getting it back in one piece.  

Dan    

My local dealer also exchanges shims one for one but that could change anytime. I agree with Dan and Mark. The borrower needs to be financially on the hook to replace the whole kit plus misc charges if not returned. I just don't see it working any other way in the long term. I am not opposed to putting a 250.00 temporary/deposit credit card charge on with a daily rental fee to be adjusted upon return of the kit. The 250.00 or what ever, would cover the kit cost plus the shipping and insurance out cost. Put a max time of 2 weeks after that they own it. .

My local plumbing dealer has about the same program "renting" there PEX crimping tool. You buy it for 120.00. If you return it with in 5 days they will refund you 110.00. After 5 days you bought the tool.

George

[markmartin]

What Mark O and George said makes sense to me. I'd be open to a higher loan fee to make it worth Randy's time to monitor, stock, receive and ship the kit.


Mark M

[Pat Conlon]

What Mark O and George said makes sense to me. I'd be open to a higher loan fee to make it worth Randy's time to monitor, stock, receive and ship the kit.
Mark M

Yep, I agree. I think $20 plus shipping...I agree with it staying in the US...no telling what customs will do...
Randy if you can come up with a flat fee for USA shipping, that would make it easy.

First, let's get Randy made whole...Randy give us your PayPal info and when you get $200 collected, the kit will become ready to ship....and not before.

Now, what to do about security...? I think a way to handle it is for the user to enter his credit card info on Randy's RPM site (as a security deposit) the amount should be $200 (or the replacement value of the kit) and then the transaction should go thru the credit card approval process and remain open and * not be charged* unless the kit is not returned. When the kit is returned to Randy (with no bent tools or missing shims) Randy then clears off the credit card charge.
No harm, no foul...
That way our new folks can use the kit....(not that we don't trust you... We just don't know you)
We should also consider a time limit so someone does not have the kit too long..30 days? 60 days?

Just my ideas...subject to change....yada  yada yada

[SlowOldGuy]

I like Pat's plan.  It's going to be a lot of work for Randy to keep track, etc.  He should make something for his effort.

$20 is basically 2 shims from the dealer.  And don't count on the dealers swapping shims forever.  They will eventually stop.

Another option, if you don't mind waiting, is to determine what shims you need and have Randy mail them to you and you mail your old ones back to him.  There need to be some nominal fee for this action (+ mail fees).

The only way for the above to work efficiently is if you have a list of your current installed shims.  You have that list, don't you?  Everyone has this information, of course. 
(Que for Dan response)

DavidR.

[Dads_FJ]

Security deposit - Yes.
Time Limit - Yes.
Charge per use - Yes.
Return to Randy - Yes but with possible exceptions.  Maybe ship to other trusted users?  what if three people on the East coast would like to use it?

What is the replacement value of each shim and or tool if damaged?

[markmartin]

Another option, if you don't mind waiting, is to determine what shims you need and have Randy mail them to you and you mail your old ones back to him.  There need to be some nominal fee for this action (+ mail fees).

That's a good option for those of us who have to park our bikes for 6 months and aren't trying to get it done on the weekend.