In my line of work I've seen this probably 100 times. Reputation built on quality service delivery and a reasonable (not lowest) price.

Owner sells for one reason or another. New buyer is heavily leveraged and very profit motivated. They overdistribute, lower quality, hire idiots for customer service. Down turn in the economy in the last 3 years took a heavy toll on these companies. Many did not make it. Near the end they become desperate.

It is a great opportunity for former employees to start a new company or even buy a company for a song. New players can fill this niche.

America is great land of opportunity.

i don't think you understand the magnatude of debt that julie incurred for kepp. she didn't pay suppliers or vendors for materials for months, hell she didn't even pay the phone bills, months went by before the 800 # was put back on line. she didn't pay employees or they would have to wait additional time to get paid. she didn't even pay brett period.that's when he left. as most ordinary people work you get paid at weeks end to satisfy your lifestyle. as much as she went through you could have bought your own island in the keys. trading of motors, all that chit is true. as for former employees buying , thats pie in the sky as the debt is as high as MT EVEREST. america is the land of opportunity and the capital of BANKRUPCY.........

the backbone of the companies always get screwed!
 

Trust me I've seen this before - Is Julie's last name Granville???? Skip the new Cig looser fires Linda in charge of sportswear and refuses to take the sportswear trailers to the races - Julie screws Brett who dates Linda. The great employees always loose when the " so called " money / brains / latest greatest inventor of high performance guru steps in. It never works and never will - BH

Open72:

Julie made me sick when I met her last year at our poker run on Lake Lanier. Limos - big shot and partying was all she's about. Her POS boat was broke down most of the time and then they almost ran over several people at cocktail cove - what a joke! BH

Trust me I've seen it all and have been taken to the cleaners by bankruptcy protection. Bankrupcy is an American given right to steal from your suppliers.

To make matters worse watch the Banks sue you for all money 90days PRIOR to the filing date and we have to pay some amount after extensive lawyers fees.

I have learned from the system, however, there will be key personnel from that company who have gotten hosed. The savvy ones start their own businesses and profit.

If any company does not pay their employees or taxes, a lock goes on the door by the sheriff.

joker,

the last name is sullivan. i read about the situation about her "studly" boyfreind almost wipping out a few people and some boats. alot of people said it was because she had a cold:confused: get the popcorn, i prefer caramel coated:D

MERCURY MARINE still number 1.

IF IT IS TRUE !!! It's to bad.............I have seen the "cold & Flue"
season take down some good people !!!

Just waiting for KE {the man} to open the doors with a new name

all i can say is that with all this chit going on with keith, cig, and others is that i own a "original" don aronow built cigarette because mines a 72. and it is currently being loaded with "original" keith eickert parts and that the men behind the names saw that the job was done. :) :D :D

Open72:

I was kidding about Granville - Richy Rich that conned everybody in 1999. Some people on here know that con story - BH