YUP, BELZER cancelled the show on us a few weeks ago with NO notice. Our vise-pres called to confirm arrangements and found out then. They never contacted us as to why or when they did this. The club officers are looking for a different venue for next year.
Chad, can you remove the pic of the flyer please, so people don't just see that and go ?
bowtie said
Aug 11, 2014
wow!
I know their general manager was the one that OK'd us doing Automania at Friendly, he has since moved down there. I also know the service/parts director.
If I were to guess, they most likely figured they wouldn't get the exposure they needed for the amount they paid N* Camaros. As for no notice, that sucks. That's why people make confirmation calls like you did.
SShink said
Aug 11, 2014
I was surprised by this too, as last year there was a good turnout, and cars were lined up to get in early.
This was one of the few night shows, which a lot of people seemed to enjoy. This show used to be the Grossman Chev show in Burnsville when I first started going. Seems like they are missing out on a great opportunity.
Lost in the 60s said
Aug 11, 2014
bowtie wrote:
wow!
I know their general manager was the one that OK'd us doing Automania at Friendly, he has since moved down there. I also know the service/parts director.
If I were to guess, they most likely figured they wouldn't get the exposure they needed for the amount they paid N* Camaros. As for no notice, that sucks. That's why people make confirmation calls like you did.
Their excuse was that they saw we held a show in July at Stillwater Motors and "figured" we weren't planning to do this show. We have held the show in Stillwater far longer than the evening show and it has no bearing on the evening show. No one from Belzer called and asked about any of this. They just cancelled it. I believe there is also another issue going here that Belzer AGREED to pay the club a certain sum to put these shows on and they have never come forward with that funding. Our club officers reminded them of this last winter when the scheduling was being set up. Could be management didn't want to deal with it this year or they are having a slow sales/profit year and just didn't want their expense to move cars and stay open for it... Either way, the club is going to try to have some people on site Saturday for the participants that don't know it has been cancelled and show up.
Whatever, they have blown the opportunity to have the Camaro Club ever put on a show there again.
As I mentioned, we are looking at other dealerships in the South metro to host this next year. We don't want to lose the "All Make" show forever.
We do have the All GM show still scheduled for Sept 20th at Merit Chev on I94. Hopefully it won't get rained out again...
Chad said
Aug 11, 2014
It wont let me delete it because of your reply.
bowtie said
Aug 12, 2014
Lost in the 60s wrote:
bowtie wrote:
wow!
I know their general manager was the one that OK'd us doing Automania at Friendly, he has since moved down there. I also know the service/parts director.
If I were to guess, they most likely figured they wouldn't get the exposure they needed for the amount they paid N* Camaros. As for no notice, that sucks. That's why people make confirmation calls like you did.
...No one from Belzer called and asked about any of this. They just cancelled it. I believe there is also another issue going here that Belzer AGREED to pay the club a certain sum to put these shows on and they have never come forward with that funding....Could be management didn't want to deal with it this year ...
Either way, the club is going to try to have some people on site Saturday for the participants that don't know it has been cancelled and show up.
Whatever, they have blown the opportunity to have the Camaro Club ever put on a show there again.
Yeah, I had the same problem getting paid for Automania from the same General manager when he was at FC. When I first started doing it, I drafted a simple agreement form which I got signed. It listed what the site was responsible for, and what we were responsible for, and gave a payment deadline, etc. I had a similar one for vendors and a specific one for food vendors since they needed certain licensing, etc. I would tell them that it was to keep from having to go on Judge Judy. There's lots of costs incurred like trophys, fliers, porta pottys, signage, etc.
Very smart to have a couple members there, it's a little late, but maybe organize a quick cruise somewhere?
The definitely burned that bridge. I know when you put a lot of hard work into something to get nothing back, it sucks.
Chris R said
Aug 12, 2014
bowtie wrote:The definitely burned that bridge. I know when you put a lot of hard work into something to get nothing back, it sucks.
Thats also the kind of business practice that will cost them customers on sales and service too. The worst kind of negative reputation a business can have is from word of mouth. I certainly will think twice before considering buying anything from Belzer because of this.
The Camaro club has several hundered members in it or last I heard, well over 100 members, maybe its well over 200, im not sure. But cancelling out on a club that size leaves darn near every single member in the club with a bad taste in their mouth, which they wont likely forget, expand that to their families and friends, you now have a pretty decent amount of people that will spread of mouth going around of some not so great publicity. Not only that but social media has changed the game too, all it takes are a few guys to mention how poorly Belzer handled it and it gets much worse.
For me though, the worst part of this is that they have been doing that show for 18 years and all of a sudden they decided without any warning and communication with the club hosting the gig to cancel the show. Ridiculous.
Lost in the 60s said
Aug 12, 2014
That show has been bounced around a lot since GM pulled Grossmans dealership several years ago. It then went to a Hecker lot in Inver Grove Heights for one year before he went belly-up and then to Suburban Chev for 2-3 years. Suburban owned the Ford dealership next door and with flagging sales, combined both brands in the one building and the back lot got filled with Ferds. This was to be the 3rd year at Belzer. Now it's up in the air again. Mauer now owns the old Hecker lot but it wasn't a very good venue. It was behind the building with no exposure to 110, so the turn out was poor. They want to keep it on the south side to balance out the Stillwater, and now Merit, shows on the north. Not sure where they are looking. Maybe Lupient in Bloomington ??
bowtie said
Aug 13, 2014
Lupient used to be the premier dealer down there but that's long gone now. They have good visibility on the corner, but not sure how receptive they will be.
What about Valley Motors in Apple Valley off Cedar Ave just north of Cty 42 or Walser Buick off 494? You're running out of southern options for GM dealers.
What about Apple Ford? I believe Terry's F*rd club has a show there. Also a good location right off Cty 42 and Cedar in Apple Valley.
Lost in the 60s said
Aug 13, 2014
I really don't think the Camaro Club would be interested having a show at a Ford dealer.... Preferably a Chev dealer, but you're right, there don't seem to be many in the south metro. Valley Buick GMC may be an option.
What makes you say Lupient may not be receptive ? I would think a show that should bring attention to the dealership would be a welcome event...
bowtie said
Aug 14, 2014
Sorry, thought it was all makes.
Over the past several years, they have pulled back farther and farther from everything.
Now, if you said North side I know of a dealer that would probably do it, has a great spot, and a new building.... and it's not us.
Lost in the 60s said
Aug 14, 2014
The show is all makes but they prefer to stay with a GM based dealer and preferably Chevrolet.
They had a member meeting Tuesday that I didn't attend and I haven't heard what progress was made on this.
-- Edited by Chad on Monday 11th of August 2014 08:07:48 PM
I think this one got cancelled as shown on Autoswalk.com. Mitch or Tom might know since they are involved with Northstar Camaro's?
Cancel Notice
YUP, BELZER cancelled the show on us a few weeks ago with NO notice. Our vise-pres called to confirm arrangements and found out then. They never contacted us as to why or when they did this. The club officers are looking for a different venue for next year.
Chad, can you remove the pic of the flyer please, so people don't just see that and go ?
I know their general manager was the one that OK'd us doing Automania at Friendly, he has since moved down there. I also know the service/parts director.
If I were to guess, they most likely figured they wouldn't get the exposure they needed for the amount they paid N* Camaros. As for no notice, that sucks. That's why people make confirmation calls like you did.
I was surprised by this too, as last year there was a good turnout, and cars were lined up to get in early.
This was one of the few night shows, which a lot of people seemed to enjoy. This show used to be the Grossman Chev show in Burnsville when I first started going. Seems like they are missing out on a great opportunity.
Their excuse was that they saw we held a show in July at Stillwater Motors and "figured" we weren't planning to do this show. We have held the show in Stillwater far longer than the evening show and it has no bearing on the evening show. No one from Belzer called and asked about any of this. They just cancelled it. I believe there is also another issue going here that Belzer AGREED to pay the club a certain sum to put these shows on and they have never come forward with that funding. Our club officers reminded them of this last winter when the scheduling was being set up. Could be management didn't want to deal with it this year or they are having a slow sales/profit year and just didn't want their expense to move cars and stay open for it...
Either way, the club is going to try to have some people on site Saturday for the participants that don't know it has been cancelled and show up.
Whatever, they have blown the opportunity to have the Camaro Club ever put on a show there again.
As I mentioned, we are looking at other dealerships in the South metro to host this next year. We don't want to lose the "All Make" show forever.
We do have the All GM show still scheduled for Sept 20th at Merit Chev on I94. Hopefully it won't get rained out again...
It wont let me delete it because of your reply.
Yeah, I had the same problem getting paid for Automania from the same General manager when he was at FC. When I first started doing it, I drafted a simple agreement form which I got signed. It listed what the site was responsible for, and what we were responsible for, and gave a payment deadline, etc. I had a similar one for vendors and a specific one for food vendors since they needed certain licensing, etc. I would tell them that it was to keep from having to go on Judge Judy. There's lots of costs incurred like trophys, fliers, porta pottys, signage, etc.
Very smart to have a couple members there, it's a little late, but maybe organize a quick cruise somewhere?
The definitely burned that bridge. I know when you put a lot of hard work into something to get nothing back, it sucks.
Thats also the kind of business practice that will cost them customers on sales and service too. The worst kind of negative reputation a business can have is from word of mouth. I certainly will think twice before considering buying anything from Belzer because of this.
The Camaro club has several hundered members in it or last I heard, well over 100 members, maybe its well over 200, im not sure. But cancelling out on a club that size leaves darn near every single member in the club with a bad taste in their mouth, which they wont likely forget, expand that to their families and friends, you now have a pretty decent amount of people that will spread of mouth going around of some not so great publicity. Not only that but social media has changed the game too, all it takes are a few guys to mention how poorly Belzer handled it and it gets much worse.
For me though, the worst part of this is that they have been doing that show for 18 years and all of a sudden they decided without any warning and communication with the club hosting the gig to cancel the show. Ridiculous.
That show has been bounced around a lot since GM pulled Grossmans dealership several years ago. It then went to a Hecker lot in Inver Grove Heights for one year before he went belly-up and then to Suburban Chev for 2-3 years. Suburban owned the Ford dealership next door and with flagging sales, combined both brands in the one building and the back lot got filled with Ferds. This was to be the 3rd year at Belzer. Now it's up in the air again. Mauer now owns the old Hecker lot but it wasn't a very good venue. It was behind the building with no exposure to 110, so the turn out was poor. They want to keep it on the south side to balance out the Stillwater, and now Merit, shows on the north. Not sure where they are looking. Maybe Lupient in Bloomington ??
What about Valley Motors in Apple Valley off Cedar Ave just north of Cty 42 or Walser Buick off 494? You're running out of southern options for GM dealers.
What about Apple Ford? I believe Terry's F*rd club has a show there. Also a good location right off Cty 42 and Cedar in Apple Valley.
I really don't think the Camaro Club would be interested having a show at a Ford dealer....
Preferably a Chev dealer, but you're right, there don't seem to be many in the south metro. Valley Buick GMC may be an option.
What makes you say Lupient may not be receptive ? I would think a show that should bring attention to the dealership would be a welcome event...
Over the past several years, they have pulled back farther and farther from everything.
Now, if you said North side I know of a dealer that would probably do it, has a great spot, and a new building.... and it's not us.
The show is all makes but they prefer to stay with a GM based dealer and preferably Chevrolet.
They had a member meeting Tuesday that I didn't attend and I haven't heard what progress was made on this.