Charlie stolded.....my version

[Charlie ny]

Scott Sobkowwicz sent me 2 very nice 97's. Both were the factory after market design with the additional air passages, a design improvement. Both 97's had the factory translucent gold tone lacquer finish with lots of patina.
After many phone calls from Scott dating to this past summer I relented
and accepted the carbs and 2 fuel pumps to set up for 2x2's. Scott
admonished me numerous times to absolutely not switch parts....what he sent me is what he wanted back. The 97's especially were carbs he and his
departed son had gone together on so were more than just 2 97's. I get
that, I think we all get it. He was firm that he did not want the pumps or carbs to be refinished.
On 1 97 the 3 round portions on the lower face of the carb , where the
emulsion tubes and ck valve live interfered with the iron base. I always check to be sure the bottom face of the bowl fits nice and solid against the base. Prime area for vacuum leaks.

A lot of daylight showed thru....this occurs from time to time. I gently
relieved the interference taking some off the bowl and some off the base.
At no time did anything get stolen, Scott's original bowl did receive a
slight amount of surgery so it would be a good functioning carb. I will say here that the slight surgery I performed was not visible unless the carb

was disassembled. He was bound to find 'something'.

Here in my opinion is a person filled with venom and is quite happy to 'bite the hand'.
Scott called on Wed 3/3 and kind of knocked me off my ear drum.
I fruitlessly tried to get a word in but the screaming emanating from my cell phone was causing the others in the waiting room to take notice,
I hung up. A call later from Scott was about as productive.
I rest my case.
Charlie ny

[Kube]

Charlie, I think nearly (99.9999%) of everyone that has ever dealt with you, knows for fact you are one heck of a good guy worthy of trust.
There are a few folks that regardless of how they are treated will never be happy. Anyone that owns a business and deals with the public knows this.
I'd recently had a lady come in to my store demanding a refund for a product that we have NEVER carried / NEVER sold. Fruitlessly I'd attempted (nicely) to explain this to her. I got the old "the customer is always right" from her.
Um, nope, the customer is not always right.
She was ultimately shown the door and invited to NEVER return.
So, Charlie, rest well... you are not alone with this type of dealing.
I'm confident to speak for others in this instance : 99.999999% of us stand strong behind you.

[mrlaser]

The following is an email that I sent to Charlie after he restored my previously "restored 94" which had been done by another very large early Ford parts supplier but never functioned properly.


You probably don't need any more positive feedback, but I must tell you that my engine ran perfectly (right out of the box) with the carburetor that you recently rebuilt for me, with no additional adjustments. The idle is spot on and there is no more stalling when coming to a stop. As I mentioned previously, I had sent my original carburetor to ......... for a rebuild. While it looked amazing when it was returned, no amount of "adjusting" resulted in a smooth idle or correction of the stalling issues. If it isn't too much trouble, would you let me know what was required to restore the proper function? Thank you for your excellent service.

[scicala]

Charlie,

Some people are a little clueless and maybe a little stupid at the same time. You are the best, and don't let one jerk bother you.

Sal

[Tim Ayers]

Charlie,

Thanks for coming on to give your side of the story, but I don't think is was necessary. We all know who you are and already know your high level of character and professionalism. I understand the need to air out your side, though.

Sadly, there are some folks you can give $100 to and they'll get all pissed off because it wasn't $101. This gentleman seems like one of those types.

[Tim Ayers]

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Originally Posted by Kube

Charlie, I think nearly (99.9999%) of everyone that has ever dealt with you, knows for fact you are one heck of a good guy worthy of trust.
There are a few folks that regardless of how they are treated will never be happy. Anyone that owns a business and deals with the public knows this.
I'd recently had a lady come in to my store demanding a refund for a product that we have NEVER carried / NEVER sold. Fruitlessly I'd attempted (nicely) to explain this to her. I got the old "the customer is always right" from her.
Um, nope, the customer is not always right.
She was ultimately shown the door and invited to NEVER return.
So, Charlie, rest well... you are not alone with this type of dealing.
I'm confident to speak for others in this instance : 99.999999% of us stand strong behind you.

Kube,

As a school administrator, I don't deal with retail customers, but I view parents and students as customers nonetheless. I use to subscribe to the customer is always right adage , but the pandemic has changed that viewpoint for me.

I've read something somewhere that changed my view point. For example, a "customer" comes in an auto shop and says he wants to run only 1 out of 5 lug nuts on his wheels. He is a customer and is certainly not right.

Moral is, sometimes people are wrong. Doesn't matter if they are customer or not, nobody is perfect.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Charlie,

Sadly, there are some folks you can give them $100 and they'll get all pissed off because it wasn't $101. This gentleman seems like one of those types.

You're way too kind, Tim. As far as the term "GENTLEMAN" goes....this low-life worm obviously couldn't amount to much more than a big pimple on a real gentleman's butt. DD

[adileo]

Charlie, there was no need for you to explain.

Everything about you is top shelf!

[19Fordy]

Charlie, it appears that Scott needs counselling re: the loss of his son and took his anger out on you. I wonder if his son would have approved of his dad's anger towards you or instead, be pleased that you had done an A+ job of making those carbs function properly.

You did nothing wrong so don't let Scott put a guilt trip on you. His unchained anger
will only harm and disgrace him.

[V8COOPMAN]

.

I think it's time AGAIN....to post one of my favorite pictures. What the heck could possibly go wrong with a crew like this working FOR you? They don't come no better than Charlie ny (and his lovely support crew) in these parts! DD

[McMimmcs]

You’ve learned your lesson and taught others a lesson. Don’t ever deal with this man again !

[Sid the Maineiac]

I AGREE ! Take Mc Mimmcs advice ! You are the best and this man is wrong ! Preiod !

[VeryTangled]

For anyone interested, here are a few threads about customers' experiences with Charlie Schwendler.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hlight=charlie

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hlight=charlie

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hlight=charlie

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hlight=charlie

[nickthebandit]

Charlie, you only made 1 mistake. By trying to help an un-grateful individual you got the short end of his ranting. I hope that anyone that has read this discourse refuses to do anything for such an ungrateful person. I send some carburetor bodies to Charlie to do repairs that I wouldn't trust to anyone else. I also send my carburetor bodies to Uncle Max to work his magic, too. Charlie, I know what kind of a person that you are. Try to forget this individual as best that you can. Let him send his carburetor problems to someone else, I won't mention names, and see if he gets his own carburetors back.

[JWL]

Certainly the customer, nor anyone else, is ALWAYS right. However, sometimes the customer has a basis for his/their complaint. Although the rebuilder is recognized as one of the most competent and reliable, the same applies to him. If the carb needed material relieved this seems to indicate it could never have functioned correctly. I think any objective person would have questions about that.

I do not know all the facts here but I do know anything is possible and we should all remember that. I shipped 7 correct valves once and one oddball. The oddball was one I had been trying to find to finish the build on my very own car. How embarrassing!!

JWL

[deuce5wndw]

Never ever entered my mind to believe that BS! Charlie your response is certainly more reserved than mine would have been!

[19Fordy]

No good deed goes unpunished!

[KiWinUS]

Your “First Class Charlie “ in my books. Always goes over & above.
This great flathead sickness is truly blessed to have Charlie a part of it.
Thanks

[Farley's34]

Sorry about that, Charlie. The dozen or more 97's you've done for me have been spot on!

[34pickup]

As one of the many recipients of your work Charlie I can also attest to the near perfect job you did on my 94. All I did was bolt it on and it fired right up, never needing to touch any adjustments at all. That was a year ago. Still runs fine.

So I think that this character Scott must have some mental problems he is dealing with.
Maybe he should have done the work himself..oh wait...he can't or doesn't know how.

[19Fordy]

Gee whillikers, I am waiting for Scott to post his version of "the truth".

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Gee whillikers, I am waiting for Scott to post his version of "the truth".

He did and it got deleted.

[Frank Miller]

I once said, if you please 80% of the people you've done 100% of the job.
Charlies did a carb for me and there was an issue with a power valve. He got some bad ones or something like that. Sent it back and he took care of me as well as let his other customers know about a potential problem.
Another story was when we put on the national meet in Saratoga and a vendor was complaining that he could not camp in the flea market. He appealed to Charlie as an ally and got nothing. He ultimately canceled his registration and we refunded him. I sent an email to our registration person with the name in the subject. The content just said F*** him. Sometimes you just got to laugh at the problems and move on.

[Charlie ny]

I was going to let this drop...but... I'm fortunate that I only saw the first of Scott's
post's....Alice and I had a b'fast date so by the time we got back home Scott was
deleted. I will mention that the carbs came to me because this guy could not get them to work, in part because of the gross vacuum leak on #1 carb and both pumps putting out 6 plus psi. When his parts left my shop the carbs and pumps were on the money and tested perfectly. I did not forget or misplace anything.

c'est tout,

Charlie ny

[TJ]

He obviously threw a fit so he didn't have to pay. I'll bet he has done that to others and he gets away with it. Typical "sleaze ball".

[Tinker]

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Some people will never be satisfied, they have bad fuel lines, vacuum leaks, pump issues, or whatever. But you didn't fix it for them.

Man in this "hobbie" we all have had things go wrong. Can't count the bad parts I've gotten from box parts or how many carbs I've gone through to find the right setup. Just the price of the game. If you are new to it, it can be frustrating.

I've never bought a carb from CNY, But it's a pretty good bet, CNY you're not taking anyone for a money ride and always stand by your work. Plenty of fly by night guys, you are not one of those. You have helped put a lot of cars on the road.


.

[JM 35 Sedan]

I personally do not know Scott Sobkowwicz.....but I do know Charlie Schwendler, aka Charlie ny, and I know he's top notch in any category you'd ever care to judge him in.

There is no doubt in my mind that whatever Charlie did to Scott's carburators or fuel pumps was the right thing to do to make sure they worked properly.

The picture of Charlie and Alice, that Coopman/DD posted here, is also one of my favorite pictures, and I was extremely happy to have taken that picture at the Canton, Ohio Car Show & Swap Meet about four years ago, when I drove out to Warren Ohio to pick up a four post car lift. That turned out to be a very good show that I've wanted to attend again, but have not been able to get back there.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by Frank Miller

...
Another story was when we put on the national meet in Saratoga and a vendor was complaining that he could not camp in the flea market. He appealed to Charlie as an ally and got nothing. He ultimately canceled his registration and we refunded him. I sent an email to our registration person with the name in the subject. The content just said F*** him. Sometimes you just got to laugh at the problems and move on.

Dollars to donuts I know the vendor in your story. He called me out of the blue to vent about his right to camp on the Swap Meet grounds of a National Meet if he was registered for the Meet. Foolish me, I tried diplomacy.

[1934]

Charlie did a carb for me a few years ago and it has worked perfectly since day one. Not only that but dealing with him was a very pleasant experience. Sorry to hear you had to put up with that nonsense, Charlie. Don't let it bother you!
Doug.

[fortyfords]

I must say that it was nice to see Charlie and his wife's picture, and I can see the only thing Charlie did wrong was he knew this wasn't going to go good but his kindness to help people got him into trouble. I've done the same too Charlie and I know it will eat at you but this thread will go a long way on people who really do appreciate you, including me, Thanks, sonny

[38coop]

Back in the 70's , i worked at a independent auto parts store. Believe me when i say i dealt with a lot of Scott's.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

As you can tell, we all have your back .....

All the best to you and your lovely wife ....

[Old Redneck]

Charlie you are the best friend a person can have. We all meet some people that don't make sense. They need help maybe a 45. God Bless you and Alice. Barb and I may drive up this summer for a visit.

[chap52]

Charlie,
You are far above this persons rant. You are a BLESSING to all of us.

Having worked in the Prison System for over thirty years as a Chaplain I have faced many different frustrated attitudes. A slogan I hang on to is; "Approach determines response." Nuff said! Chap

[rockfla]

Not that my post will be ANY different than the other 32 or SO other "supporting" post for Charlie. I will tell you this........In my 55 plus years on earth, and for everyone of them I have any memory of........from my dad messing with V8 Fords for ALL of what I can remember......Charlie Schwindler IS that guy in the hobby that is most trusted, the guy we have all hoped to have as a friend and support for our cars.......and by that his word is his work and vice versa......He is honest as the day is long.....and by that look up honest in the dictionary and Charlie is listed under the definition!!! AND most of all.........HE is what this hobby is all about, what it NEEDS and MOST of all.....KEEPS US ALL ON THE ROAD.....literally and reliably!!!! As is quite apparent....We all are indebted to this fine fine gentleman!!!

[Pdstark]

Recently sent my 94 to Charlie. So glad I did!

[Bored&Stroked]

That damn Charlie has done TOO MUCH good work for me . . . I'm going to need to switch vendors and find a sleazy snake in the grass to do my work. LOL

[tubman]

The last time something like this happened, the protagonist turned out to have recently had surgery and was still on a drug regimen that was obviously affecting his judgement. I would not be surprised if something similar was not going on here. It is painful to hear criticism, no matter what the source, but sometimes the source has to be taken into consideration.

Also, count me into those who have nothing but the highest regard for Charlie, his workmanship, and the way he conducts his business. It would be a lesser world without him.

[Ziggster]

As s relative newb, I’ve only dealt with Charlie once, and it was recently. He sent parts unpaid. Didn’t know me from Adam. That is rare these days. The Barn and the folks here are top notch in my books.

[35fordtn]

Charlie is hands down the most stand up character in this Hobby. Not a finer gentleman on the planet. If I grow up to be half as good of a person as he is, then I will be beyond happy. Charlie doesn't "Stolded" from anybody.

[Bill OH]

I had the same great experience with Charlie that Ziggster experienced - a real delight. Charlie is a great asset for us.

[fortyonerag]

Hang in there Charlie. The fact that this concerns you at all, speaks volumes for your character. I wish there were more folks with your integrity.

[Bill Batson]

Charlie went way out of his way to fix a distributor problem for me. Top notch guy. He's everything thats good about our hobby.

Bill