HelenTwo Wheels

[amiles]

At the rally, I heard HTW say to someone "do you know what they did to me" and saw her having some people sign some sort of petition. I was later told by another rallygoer that she had been fired by the company that had purchased her company recently.

Anybody know what goes on here?

[Sue]

It's true.

Racer Parts Wholesale bought her business with the agreement that she would continue to be the front person for her products. In a nutshell, they took over production, warehousing, and shipping, while she was going to continue to work the rallies to sell the products.

6 weeks after the deal was struck, she was ... uh ... "uninvited" to the Indiana Dealer Show, which was the beginning of the end. In April she was officially terminated.

No matter how you slice it, it smells rotten.

[rocketman]

Yeah, I talked with her about the company at a local rally in MD this spring and she said there was a problem with the sale and they had not met the agreement as far as buying her company, I assumed from what she said that they still owed her more. At that point I decided not to buy any more from them, too bad cause I really liked the straps and the bags she had. Hadn't heard about this latest development, bummer. I hadn't said anything prior since I was hoping things would work out for her and figured it was told to me in some confidence so it wasn't my place to discuss it, but hearing this news, I guess its obviously out in the open now. Deffinately not doing any business with them now!

RM

[BeemoKat]

Too bad, it was a nice thing to be able to do business directly with the owner of the company!

[SheRidesABeemer]

Wonder how strong a contract she signed upon selling?

[tommcgee]

Wonder how strong a contract she signed upon selling?

Yeah, it sounds like she needs a lawyer more than a petition.

[Sue]

Yeah, it sounds like she needs a lawyer more than a petition.

She has both.

[MCMXCIVRS]

Well, I'm glad I completed my compliment of H2W bags last year before this took place. It was a pleasure to deal with her, there was a backorder of one of the sizes I wanted, she offered to supply the next larger size at the same cost. I opted to wait for the bag as long as it would be in by a given date. It was and was delivered as promised in time for me to get them wrapped for my wife for Christmas.

She loves them BTW.

[RickG]

I don't know anything about what is going on with Linda. But I remind you that there are two sides to every story and to not pass judgement until all the facts are in.

Rick G

[BobFV1]

I don't know anything about what is going on with Linda. But I remind you that there are two sides to every story and to not pass judgement until all the facts are in.

Rick G


That's a good point, and I don't know either side. What I do know is that I bought one of her large waterproof duffels and straps for my bike about 3 years ago while riding through Ventura, California, and it is absolutely fantastic gear - very well made, great design, great quality control.

Business disputes are certainly no fun for anyone - hope this one gets resolved since Miss H2W has contributed to the motorcycling community with her great gear.

[dpryan]

Sorry to hear this. I just bought a bag and straps a couple of weeks ago basically because of all the good things I've heard about her and her products. I'd be bummed to find that my $$$ went in the pockets of someone who gave her a raw deal.

[Mika]

Sorry to hear this. I just bought a bag and straps a couple of weeks ago basically because of all the good things I've heard about her and her products. I'd be bummed to find that my $$$ went in the pockets of someone who gave her a raw deal.

This is the type of statement in the form of an e-mail or letter to Helen that would be helpful to her.

The issue is a bit more complicated than Sue indicates. As I understand it, the buyer of Helen's company has ceased to perform on all payments related to the purchase of the company. She has an attorney and continues to honor the non compete she signed while this is litigated.

The pages signed at the rally were not a petition. Rather people were asked to sign a statement similar to the sentiment above, as former customers. Signing did not obligate us to be witnesses or involved in any way beyond signing.

While Helen is a member, I think more importantly in this case, we have the oportunity to support a former vendor who provided a very good product, customer service and as a vendor did much to support the MOA with seminars and information.

We are quick to warn each other about bad vendors and products. We should be as quick to show support for vendors that serve us well. I urge you to send a e-mail to Helen.

[Rebgen]

As a very satisfied customer of several of Helen's H2W products in the past, I am so dissappointed to hear this news. She's a class act and has always provided great service along with an in-your-face personality ( I mean that in a very good way ).

That being said, I'd hate to be the one who pissed her off...LOL. I respect her tenacity in getting this taken care of and will look forward to hearing a quick resolution.

[jborsos]

My name is Tom Volk and I am the owner of Racer Parts Wholesale. Jack Borsos is the General Manager. We are both members of BMW MOA.

We bought out the Helen Twowheels business in Dec of last year.

I was working our booth at the BMW MOA Int’l rally and several people approached us and told us we had not fulfilled our contract with Linda (aka Helen). Each of the people that asked for an explanation left with a full set of the facts and they all said that what they had been told was way different from what they now understood to be the situation. Most of them strongly urged me to somehow publish the facts.

I gave each person who asked for an explanation one of my business cards and offered to discuss the real situation and facts with anybody who wanted to know.

Even the BMWMOA management, by the end of the Rally, had asked Linda to keep her petition activities off of official Rally grounds.

In brief:

Linda approached me late last fall and asked me to buy her business. It turned out that she was insolvent. We signed the deal in late December where I bought the business. At that point she got a substantial check. In addition, she receives a commission on all sales of the products for the next several years. She has received a check each month --starting Jan 2008. This money comes to her without her having to do anything.

Since purchasing the company, we have improved the quality of the product and have been able to ship the product off the shelf. We have many satisfied customers who have purchased not only the Helen Twowheels products, but also other products offered by the Motorcycle Division. We have been working hard to support the BMW community. Several people in our company have BMW bikes and have been active in the BMW community for years. Please go to www.racerpartswholesale.com, click on the Premier Event Program (lower right corner), and go to the listing of Motorcycle Events to see how many events we have supported with free goods and publicity.

Linda has been well known in the BMW community for years and we wish her well.

Please feel free to contact either of us.
Tom Volk
President
Racer Parts Wholesale
tvolk@ohiobelting.com
317-639-0725 Indianapolis office

Jack Borsos
General Manager
Racer Parts Wholesale
jborsos@racerpartswholesale.com
317-639-0725 Indianapolis Office

[xp8103]

:lurk

[mrich12000]

:stick :buds :bikes :scratch :scratch :bottle :banghead :banghead :gerg :ca :boldpurpl :boldpurpl


Sad lot. But life go's on . :deal I like her stuff.So now I will deal with the new owners as well.

[scotchale]

This is very sad to hear. I knew something was up when i didn't see a seminar scheduled for packing. This was definately a disappointment. I am so glad I have already made all my purchases of HTW bags. Part of going to the rallies was seeing Helen do her demonstrations and seeing her at the booth with lots of her products. Well, this year, only a "few" of her products. Racer parts even sold out of most of her stuff. I hope this get resolved because in my opinion, HTW was the best vendor we had and now we are stuck.

By the way, what improvements were made to the HTW products as stated above by Racer Parts?????

[BobFV1]

My name is Tom Volk . . .

Thanks Tom. Good of you to chime in in a civil manner and present your side. Now I feel like I know one side of the story.

:lurk

[PGlaves]

Just for clarity's sake:

Was there a post-purchase employment agreement?

If so, is it still in force?

If not, why not?

[xp8103]

Thanks Tom. Good of you to chime in in a civil manner and present your side. Now I feel like I know one side of the story.

:lurk

Bob,
I nearly fell off my chair after I read your post a third time. Hope the light bulb doesn't blind you, I'm trying to turn it off......:D

[Bobmws]

My name is Tom Volk and I am the owner of Racer Parts Wholesale. Jack Borsos is the General Manager. We are both members of BMW MOA.

We bought out the Helen Twowheels business in Dec of last year.



When the courts are done the truth will win out. Meanwhile, I will not support you or your business in any manner.

[dpryan]

My name is Tom Volk and I am the owner of Racer Parts Wholesale. Jack Borsos is the General Manager. We are both members of BMW MOA. Please feel free to contact either of us.


Thanks for putting this out there.... Guess I'll stay tuned before I jump to conclusions.

[BMWGypsy]

I don't know anything about what is going on with Linda. But I remind you that there are two sides to every story and to not pass judgement until all the facts are in.

Actually, there are three sides. As the saying goes: yours, mine, and the truth. And, as for the truth, I'm with Bob Weis on this.

[Oldhway]

Without full knowledge of the situation, speculating here is unfair to both parties.
If we don't have that info, perhaps it's better to let this be tried in the courts, not here.

[Helen]

My name is Tom Volk and I am the owner of Racer Parts Wholesale. Jack Borsos is the General Manager.


My lawyers have advised me not to comment. In that light, I won't enter into a debate on this forum. Please discuss things as you choose, but don't expect any more from me than you find in this post.

Mr. Volk has misrepresented himself here as he misrepresented himself to me in the fall of 2007.

He is currently being sued for breach of contract, fraud, trademark/copyright infringement among other charges. I am also in contact with Randy, from Chicane USA, to discuss Mr Volk's relationship with their company.

If you would like more information on this transaction please refer to the MOA ON for the press release penned by Mr. Volk himself to understand the agreement we had, and my place in the new division.

I am assured that my suit has a strong basis and am ready to pursue it to the fullest extent of the law.

I merely collected names of support at the National in Gillette; I was never asked by anyone to stop circulating the lists.

As far as I can tell the product remains of the same quality material and manufacture with one exception that would never begin to measure up to the quality that riders have come to know and trust from the H2W brand. Many times at the National Rally I directed people to the RPW booth to purchase the H2W products offered, because I still believe them to be the best available.


I believe in Helen Twowheels' SUPER PACKING SYSTEM, I believe in the BMW family, and I believe in our justice system. I believe that you all will follow your conscience, buy what you need and travel safely. I am proud to be a long time member of this community.

Helen Twowheels,
734-730-5501
helen@qotfu.org
still the best bag lady!

[volfan615]

I don't know anything about what is going on with Linda. But I remind you that there are two sides to every story and to not pass judgement until all the facts are in.

Rick G

No, there are usually 3 sides. The 3rd being the truth.

[Motor31]

It seems that both sides of this dispute are members of the club. It also seems that the proper channel to solve the situation is being used, ie. the courts. It is not helpful that this also be litigated here on the board. I think the mods might just want to doghouse the thread and maintain a position of neutrality in regards to the situation for the club. This is not the proper venue to resolve a legal dispute between the members. Continued speculation by those not involved and information not in evidence (real or imagined) really is not helpful to either side.

[PAGoldsby]

It seems that both sides of this dispute are members of the club. It also seems that the proper channel to solve the situation is being used, ie. the courts. It is not helpful that this also be litigated here on the board. I think the mods might just want to doghouse the thread and maintain a position of neutrality in regards to the situation for the club. This is not the proper venue to resolve a legal dispute between the members. Continued speculation by those not involved and information not in evidence (real or imagined) really is not helpful to either side.+1

[GrafikFeat]

No, there are usually 3 sides. The 3rd being the truth.

4 sides... :stick The fourth being opinions of others out of the loop.

[gsjay]

It seems that both sides of this dispute are members of the club. It also seems that the proper channel to solve the situation is being used, ie. the courts. It is not helpful that this also be litigated here on the board. I think the mods might just want to doghouse the thread and maintain a position of neutrality in regards to the situation for the club. This is not the proper venue to resolve a legal dispute between the members. Continued speculation by those not involved and information not in evidence (real or imagined) really is not helpful to either side.

yea, we don't need to beat this to death..............
jason

[Oldhway]

In the best interests of all parties involved, this thread is closed.