H
So I wish my first post was a more positive one, but here I am. It's a long story but I'll try to keep it concise.
I own/operate a large BRP/Ski-Doo dealership in Connecticut, and am an avid snowmobile and powersports enthusiast. I have been following the snowbike expansion out west for the last couple years, and this fall, some of my employees and I were talking about how they would really be perfect for the terrain we have here on the East coast. I ride sleds in the backcountry all over New England and Quebec, and our trees are tight, snow pack varies hugely from year to year, we are at sea level (or under 4000'), there are tons of dirt bike enthusiasts/clubs/race programs. Not to mention, I really want to ride one! So one of my employees went to the Epping grass drags in New Hampshire and talked to Dan Shanahan who owns a snowbike company called Frozen Moto. He had one on display and the kit looked nice, Dan was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. To make a long story short, my guy showed me his card and mentioned that he wanted East Coast representation for Frozen Moto. I spoke to Dan, asked a bunch of questions, researched online, and ultimately decided to become a dealer/distributor for Frozen Moto, and ordered 4 kits. I was aware that Timbersled was a more well-known kit and company, but Dan was knowledgeable and answered all my questions regarding the competition with reasonable answers. He made the effort to come out to Epping, communication was good, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt.
This was mid-October and he had told me that he expected to deliver them mid-december, which is later than I preferred but still in time for the start of our season. He asked for a deposit of half to get started, which I sent. We started spreading the news, hyping the arrangement and educating people, because snow bikes were still somewhat foreign here. People were skeptical, but interested. I had one sold to a guy who was familiar with them. I actually sold my current bike, and replaced it with a different model better suited for snow bikes. Spent a couple hundred on it for registration, etc.
Dan was pushing videos, social media, etc., and it was working. Awareness was increasing, people were curious. I had several customers that were ready to buy but wanted to see them, or ride one first.
December came, customers were excited and asking about it, so I double checked with Dan about delivery, and he confirmed that everything was on schedule, they were planning on completing the kits within 30 days and that I needed to send final payment so they could ship. Hindsight is 20/20 but this is the biggest mistake I ever made. I feel like a jackass for trusting this guy. Again at this point I had no reason to suspect any wrongdoing, he was honest and punctual up to this point. I sent the payment thinking he's a small company, maybe needed it to finish the build, honestly didn't think he would take my money and not deliver. But that's exactly what happened. I'm kicking myself because I know better.
I had planned on attending a couple bike events, had a few rides lined up with the dirt bike/sled community, and they each passed with no news from Dan on delivery. I asked repeatedly for info, ETA, anything, and got vague answers of "we're working on it and yours will be next to ship." Meanwhile he's out riding for weeks on end, posting pictures, having a great time. Fast forward to February, which marks the peak of our season. Our riding season here is Dec-March. Very short, and the buying season is October-February. Now people are focusing on 2016s, riding what they have, and finishing out the season. I have communicated to Dan many times that time is an issue, and so is the fact that he has full payment. Some of my communications were ignored, some were answered with poor excuses. A few weeks ago he blamed a supplier on delaying parts, but that is only after I told him I was no longer interested in receiving the kits and wanted my payment back. I have since heard nothing from him regarding refund of my money.
It's a shame that I gave Frozen Moto the benefit of the doubt, and did nothing other than promote his product, expand his awareness, and support his "company" financially and otherwise. I am taking further action to recover my payments, and have filed a BBB report. I just figured I would post here so others don't get lured into the same trap.
DO NOT GIVE FROZEN MOTO ANY MONEY!!!
I own/operate a large BRP/Ski-Doo dealership in Connecticut, and am an avid snowmobile and powersports enthusiast. I have been following the snowbike expansion out west for the last couple years, and this fall, some of my employees and I were talking about how they would really be perfect for the terrain we have here on the East coast. I ride sleds in the backcountry all over New England and Quebec, and our trees are tight, snow pack varies hugely from year to year, we are at sea level (or under 4000'), there are tons of dirt bike enthusiasts/clubs/race programs. Not to mention, I really want to ride one! So one of my employees went to the Epping grass drags in New Hampshire and talked to Dan Shanahan who owns a snowbike company called Frozen Moto. He had one on display and the kit looked nice, Dan was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. To make a long story short, my guy showed me his card and mentioned that he wanted East Coast representation for Frozen Moto. I spoke to Dan, asked a bunch of questions, researched online, and ultimately decided to become a dealer/distributor for Frozen Moto, and ordered 4 kits. I was aware that Timbersled was a more well-known kit and company, but Dan was knowledgeable and answered all my questions regarding the competition with reasonable answers. He made the effort to come out to Epping, communication was good, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt.
This was mid-October and he had told me that he expected to deliver them mid-december, which is later than I preferred but still in time for the start of our season. He asked for a deposit of half to get started, which I sent. We started spreading the news, hyping the arrangement and educating people, because snow bikes were still somewhat foreign here. People were skeptical, but interested. I had one sold to a guy who was familiar with them. I actually sold my current bike, and replaced it with a different model better suited for snow bikes. Spent a couple hundred on it for registration, etc.
Dan was pushing videos, social media, etc., and it was working. Awareness was increasing, people were curious. I had several customers that were ready to buy but wanted to see them, or ride one first.
December came, customers were excited and asking about it, so I double checked with Dan about delivery, and he confirmed that everything was on schedule, they were planning on completing the kits within 30 days and that I needed to send final payment so they could ship. Hindsight is 20/20 but this is the biggest mistake I ever made. I feel like a jackass for trusting this guy. Again at this point I had no reason to suspect any wrongdoing, he was honest and punctual up to this point. I sent the payment thinking he's a small company, maybe needed it to finish the build, honestly didn't think he would take my money and not deliver. But that's exactly what happened. I'm kicking myself because I know better.
I had planned on attending a couple bike events, had a few rides lined up with the dirt bike/sled community, and they each passed with no news from Dan on delivery. I asked repeatedly for info, ETA, anything, and got vague answers of "we're working on it and yours will be next to ship." Meanwhile he's out riding for weeks on end, posting pictures, having a great time. Fast forward to February, which marks the peak of our season. Our riding season here is Dec-March. Very short, and the buying season is October-February. Now people are focusing on 2016s, riding what they have, and finishing out the season. I have communicated to Dan many times that time is an issue, and so is the fact that he has full payment. Some of my communications were ignored, some were answered with poor excuses. A few weeks ago he blamed a supplier on delaying parts, but that is only after I told him I was no longer interested in receiving the kits and wanted my payment back. I have since heard nothing from him regarding refund of my money.
It's a shame that I gave Frozen Moto the benefit of the doubt, and did nothing other than promote his product, expand his awareness, and support his "company" financially and otherwise. I am taking further action to recover my payments, and have filed a BBB report. I just figured I would post here so others don't get lured into the same trap.
DO NOT GIVE FROZEN MOTO ANY MONEY!!!
