Posted by expres (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

xpres / Miami , FL, UNITED STATES
Posted 2010-07-22 19:48:12.0
THis company was so far over their heads with a quality scooter like SYM , if they sold junk Chinese scooters with no support to dealers or customers they would be OK still. By carrying a product that required systems for parts ,customer service ,marketing and real dealer support they have been a sinking ship form the beginning . This fire deemed arson and not surprised if the responsible party was hired by them , but i suspect they knew it needed to burn for insurance monies
Read More Comments

Posted by MessengerReader23 (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So this entire article is the police asking for tips. Not a single quote from Carter Brothers or anyone else about the implications of this. An entire article for the cops to throw up their hands and ask, "Hey, anybody know anything about this?"

Posted by Insurme (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree too about the Chinese junk. Watching them convert more and more to Chinese manufacturing and their local workforce shrinking was a recipe for failure. They entered a different ballgame when it was decided to scrap those great local made products and compete with the hundreds if not thousands of Chinese crap on the market. The fire issue is starting to stink...

Posted by Virtuous (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to agree about China products...even the food. Well, so long shrimp-fried rice...

Posted by henrimasters (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Given their outsourcing to China I guess they are just like all of the big corporations. For the locals that think Carter Bros. is their friend you better think again.

Posted by Kelly (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You see it more and more each day. I challenge anyone to find local made products, even American made products in any of our markets. It is pathetic.
American made products used to be the standard for quality throughout the world.

Now, it seems that the only thing we are able to make here is crystal meth.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is a proven fact that most family owned business's do well
until the third generation takes over then most go under.
Good example Mary Chevrolet in Troy for the older ones
on this board.

Posted by Wayne52 (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The State Fire Marshals office knew that they did not have the sprinker system and allowed them to operate with out it and should be held liable due to their failure to enforce state and federal laws and regulations.

This is another example of State Employees not doing their job and the public being put in danger as a result. But the state needs to be held liable for their failure to enforce the state and federal regulations that they are responsible for!

People in Brundidge was wondering how long it would be before they did something like this!

Posted by Jote (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A couple of notes if I may......
Carter has not imported any Chinese product since 2008. All karts that were sold in 2009 were built here in Pike County by local employees, with the exception of left over stock from 2008. In short, Carter made a decision a long while ago to get away from the "Chinese Junk", and back to units made in the USA.
Next, the SYM scooters are built in Taiwan (except for two models). These scooters are the top of the line, comparable to any Honda, Suzuki, Vespa, Kymco, etc.
It makes NO Business sense for the management of Carter to burn the place down. Yes, they were deeply in debt, but filing bankruptcy would be a much better and safer answer to the debt problem. We all need to be very careful how we post on this board. There is not a one of us who knows more than Ed Paulk. If anyone does, then he/she should call the hotline.

Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great post, Jote!

Posted by bamaboy (anonymous) on July 29, 2010 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jote, proverbs 16:18 is why you are probably wrong about the thinking of bankruptsy.
Also you made another strong argument. How old were the scooters that were burned? How many?
Also if they were as good as the others you mentioned why did they have so many of those OLD models?
Just makes you say hummmmm?

Posted by Jote (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bamaboy,
It is rather odd that you would point to this verse, and yet it is also quite fitting. I do believe that these two attitudes can destroy any man, or any business. I am assuming that you use this verse to justify your belief that the fire was started by the managment of Carter. Unless you have some proof, then I honestly think that you, or anyone else, should be very careful when you imply illegal activities on the part of someone who has not been charged with any crime. Why do you want to believe the worst in this case? Do you know something that you are not sharing with Ed Paulk? If not, then this verse that speaks of pride may also be your downfall. To try and destroy a family without just cause borders on libel. Lets keep our tongues (and fingers) in check until the truth is known.
To answer your other well informed questions:
1. The scooters were about to turn another year old and would be more difficult to sell. However, as of the time of our vacation week, at least 500 were sold, with the prospect of another 1500, which would have covered the debt for the scooters.
2. I do not honestly know how many scooters were there. I do know that there were a lot of them. The media is reporting 3000.
3. The SYM scooters were/are of great quality, as good as any on the market. There are many reasons why they were still in stock. Poor Marketing, low demand, over purchasing, poor parts and service, poor warranty, a brand name that is not known as well as others. There are many more reasons I'm sure. I never once heard an SYM dealer fuss about the quality.
In summary bamaboy, we worked for the company, we drew a company check, we fed our families, we had a good place to work, with good fellow employees. The fire wasn't just a loss for Carter, it was a loss of all of us. I for one am not going to jump on the band wagon of rumor, accusations, hearsay, and vindictiveness in order to "feel" that I am in the "know". A family's name is more important than my own "unfounded" personal beliefs.

Posted by bamaboy (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with 99% of what you say. I have never accused anyone of anything.
Just trying to point out for the umpteenth time of why people might look at this as being a little fishy. When a husband or wife is murdered, who are the first suspects? The living family member until they are eliminated. I haven't heard of them being eliminated. If they have then I admit I'm in the wrong and appologize.
Thanks for the information, and you are correct we ALL have to be careful not to fall into the snare of pride.

Posted by i4ua (anonymous) on July 30, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I figured the TM wouldn't allow anymore post, so I'm just now reviewing the comments. I hate to see any one person lose their job and I feel so bad for the honest workers, most of which was left up there, stayed loyal and true to this company. I have nothing but sympathy for all who lost their job(s). I just want to point out a few things and those people that worked there or know of the situation there, but maybe don't want to face or accept some facts. It's always been about "me, me, me, me" up there. We don't owe you workers anything, but let me go anywhere I want (hunting, fishing, etc) on the money you people worked for, so that I can be mr. big. Well, how many times did you get a "so called" vacation, without having to "make up" the hours before you got paid? Unless you're completely blind, you worked for the "so called vacation" you so deserved. And, think of this, if any one employee had a death in the family, etc. not going to be long winded about this, you all know you had to PAY for anything they ever did there, such as donating money so they wouldn't have to spend their money on some flowers, but at the same time take your employees money to buy them with and send it with "Carter Brothers" name on it. They should have done all of this withOUT asking the lowly employees to fund things in THEIR name. The "least" a company could do for their employees is at the very least is buy and pay themselves for christmas dinners, bithday events, and on and on. Who ended up paying for everything and giving it all and making the money for their life style? And to keep them in theirs, but you make do the best you can with the little pay you get from "me."

I'm just giving all you employees, such as Jote, something to ponder. They always have and always will do what will benefit "them" the most and the employees are making what they have or had - I guess they feel you guys OWE it to them.

So, I think the reference that bamaboy has hit a home run. Just think about it? What all have they done for any of their employees over the years? Get a ham at christmas? WOW - how nice of them. This really had to be a strain on them.

I am not pointing "fingers", just telling the truth. Sometimes the TRUTH doesn't sink in until something of this magnitude happens. Do they really, really, CARE if you Jote don't have a job? Do they "continue on" with their lifestyle while you and the rest of the employees suffer? The answer is NO they don't care if you have a job or not!! And, YES, I'll keep on going with MY lifestyle that you and so many have "made" for them.