Total Audi Thread Again!!

[Fat Audi 80]

Good post David

[mint10valver]

Thanks for the comments, and I hear what you are all saying. I am up in Scotland visiting my parents this weekend and tomorrow (Sunday) I am meeting up with some Scottish Audi enthusiasts to do a feature and pics for the magazine.
While some of your comments inevitably hurt, I understand your frustrations and apologise for the lack of communication. You are a very patient group of guys and for that I will always be grateful. I am not going to go into the reasons for the let downs of the past here, instead I want to draw a line under this and get you back on my side again.
In terms of articles and pics, then this is what I most definitely need. I have asked and asked but never got very much in the past, so if you are offering now then I'm saying a huge YES PLEASE.
In terms of a group meet, then yes again. Weekends I can do with difficulty so long as it's not too far away from Peterborough as I have my two small children with me. Weekday evenings are best, if that's OK with the majority vote.
Guys, I'm like you: a passionate Audi enthusiast. I'm not very well organised sometimes and have a few issues to deal with, but my heart is in the right place and when you finally meet me in person, hopefully you'll see that.
All the best
David

[Fat Audi 80]

You will have mail

Thanks for your reply David.

Cheers,

Steve

[Corey]

Having known David for many years and seen his life go through some serious turmoil. I can think of not many people that would have stayed true to TA.
This magazine is his life's ambition and knowing David as I do I am sure he is deeply disturbed by some of the offhand comments but (as all of us has) he has a life that sometimes takes him away from his dream.
Oh and I am investor number one btw, I have seen David's dream of this magazine from day 1 and I am happy to have paid my subscription fee about 4 years ago (ish) and will wait as long as it takes, and I would do so again without a question of a doubt.
David is many things but a scammer, never. Forgetful and lacks memory oh yes!!!

So what if you have to wait a couple of months for another magazine, I too would like to get one every month but I understand the issues behind the scene's, cut the dude some slack. The magazine needs your support.

[~Delta]

Well said, Corey!

[mint10valver]

Thanks guys for your words. Corey especially knows what this means to me. I'm sat here designing his advert for the mag as you read this! I promise you all I will not let this dream slip, but please support me with your contributions in the form of words and pictures. Address is in the mag or on the website www.totalaudi.com

[martinjs]

I'm sat here designing his advert for the mag as you read this!

Hmm, i wonder why Corey is sticking up for this magazine.

[~Delta]

I reckon Corey is sticking up for David, because he knows him personally. As a businessman himself, Corey must know it's not easy making a start. Engineering services are hard enough, but the publishing world is even harder! There is more competition for starters, and the initial outlay, before decent profits can be seen is a lot.

I've only met David once, years ago at GTI International, back in about 1997 or 1998, can't remember. I had a chat with him briefly, but it was enough to realise from the start that he IS an enthusiast, just like the rest of us, and passionate about the Audi Brand. Don't you guys feel that, it would be nice to see his venture succeed? It will be nice in future to look back and say, I remember that magazine, struggling along in the early days, but look at it now, and knowing you helped make it happen, it will be a good feeling.

There are a lot of people and businesses on here I support 100%, not because I stand to gain anything from them, but I'd like to feel I made a difference! Some people are good with Audi mechanics, electrics etc, but are NOT good businessmen / women, but that doesn't make them bad folk!

I understand a lot of people may have subscribed to the magazine, and are understandably upset at delivery times, or lack of delivery. But, on the other hand, there are quite a few who have NOT subscribed, and just jump on the bandwagon and will throw accusations / insults, merely because everyone else has done so! That in my book is a bit low...

...I'm quite prepared to be shot down in flames for this post, but I feel this just had to be said. David is NOT doing any advertising for me, I have nothing to lose or gain, but I would still like to see his venture succeed, and with our support, I think it will.

[s2driveruk]

Delta - i think you're missing the point, in MOST cases, people here are supportive, want the venture to be a success and have offered help to ensure that is the case.
The reason for people (subscribers or potential ones) being vocal on this thread is that there are simple things that yuou can do to help yourself and the cause but they seem to have been ignored. Communication good or bad cannot be ignored though if you want people to understand a situation etc. i think in the most part people will accommodate a delay quite happily, provided its said upfront, not after days of speculation at what's causing it followed by a confirmation.

We all want this to work out and i will dip into my pocket to assist but I want a basic assurance that if i subscribe that I will actually get something - thats a fair request and probably the only basis the magazine will succeed upon. Lets face it you wouldn't advertise in Autosport on a weekly basis if they could only get it out every fourth week would you, just as much as you wouldn't expect it to arrive weekly but be happy when you saw it drop on you doormat every fourth week either.

Manage expectation, communicate & do all you can to grab the low hanging fruit and it'll probably succeed...and the Audi enthusiasts will be behind it I'm sure.

[mint10valver]

Thanks for the comments guys, and particularly the kindness shown by Delta. Again, I'd like to reassure you all that I am very aware of the points raised but now I'm trying to get on with the job. Could we now draw a line under this and work together please? Articles and pics are eagerly awaited and if there is any S2 enthusiast in Scotland reading this, I shall be meeting a bunch of enthusiasts at Muirkirk at 3:45pm today.

Cheers everyone

[Corey]

Hmm, i wonder why Corey is sticking up for this magazine.

And you are implying what exactly? I have asked David to produce an advert for the magazine (which I am paying for) because that is what he is good at,the same way that David pay's me to work on his car because that is what I am good at.
If that is ok?

[JPL]

OK, as one of the Scottish "enthusiasts" I'd have to say the meet today was fairly constructive. David was open and honest from the start, he knows he's got work to do to win people over again. The bottom line is that he's doing this in his spare time, when he gets any, and is doing everything except the actual printing on his own. Until the mag grows and he can get more people involved/employed/contracted to help then delays in publishing to dealines are always going to be missed. Catch 22.

So, my impression after 2 hours in the guy's company. For starters he's not a scammer, the quality of the mag is way too high for that. He's also a complete Audi nut, with lots of knowledge on company heritage and the contacts to boot. He came across well and admitted his shortcomings to all.

People will make their own minds up no matter what is said, and no I'm not a subscriber either, but if David can get things together the mag could have a lot to offer the Audi enthusiast.

Lets see what happens, open mind anyone?

Graeme.

[mint10valver]

Thanks Graeme, kind words indeed. I'm really glad I was able to meet so many of you in one place and I hope to be able to extend the same invitation to everyone else on here in time. Turn up, have your pictures taken and I'll buy you a pint. can't say fairer than that now can I?! Thanks again to all today for making it a stimulating and enjoyable afternoon

[~Delta]

Good work, David. I'll definitely like to attend the next meet, as long as it's closer to me!

[Jamo]

Thanks for the comments, and I hear what you are all saying. I am up in Scotland visiting my parents this weekend and tomorrow (Sunday) I am meeting up with some Scottish Audi enthusiasts to do a feature and pics for the magazine.
While some of your comments inevitably hurt, I understand your frustrations and apologise for the lack of communication. You are a very patient group of guys and for that I will always be grateful. I am not going to go into the reasons for the let downs of the past here, instead I want to draw a line under this and get you back on my side again.
In terms of articles and pics, then this is what I most definitely need. I have asked and asked but never got very much in the past, so if you are offering now then I'm saying a huge YES PLEASE.
In terms of a group meet, then yes again. Weekends I can do with difficulty so long as it's not too far away from Peterborough as I have my two small children with me. Weekday evenings are best, if that's OK with the majority vote.
Guys, I'm like you: a passionate Audi enthusiast. I'm not very well organised sometimes and have a few issues to deal with, but my heart is in the right place and when you finally meet me in person, hopefully you'll see that.
All the best
David

Will that mean i can expect a Total Audi presence at the S2forum rolling road day on the 22nd Oct?