I just did a quick copy/paste, it may be a little hard to follow, but you get the idea. The funny thing is, I get the eerie feeling they have no idea whatsoever what I'm talking about!
Dear Jim,
If your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership is unable to order a
particular Ford part for you because it is unavailable, we recommend
contacting one of the below companies, as they specialize in obsolete
parts:
Green Sales
513-731-3304
www.greensalescompany.com
Parts Voice
800-328-8766
www.partsvoice.com
In addition, the department that would best handle your inquiry
regarding Ford Mustang brand name would be our Global Brand Licensing office.
Please contact them directly at:
[email protected]
or
Ford Motor Company
Global Brand Licensing Office
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
Suite 5N203
Dearborn, MI 48126
USA
Sincerely,
Eleonor Joy
Customer Relationship Center
Ford Motor Company
For online support visit us at:
www.customersaskford.com which contains
answers to frequently asked questions and links to other key product
and service information.
[THREAD ID:1-3BTB1F]
-----Original Message-----
From:
[email protected]
Sent: 2/5/2007 08:59:36 PM
To:
[email protected]
Subject: Re: Ford Motor Company
Hello Marjorie, I'm not sure how many lawsuits your company has
brought against Mustang restoration suppliers, but the one I'm
concerned with involves Ford's attack on any and all businesses with the word,
"Mustang" in the name. I really do not see any benefits for Ford in
this matter at all. In fact I see just the opposite of a financial gain,
and that is a huge financal loss. How could protecting a Ford
copyrighted name be a bad thing? This is a no-win game for Ford, and here's why:
Mustang parts suppliers started going into business about the time Ford
quit supplying parts in the late '70's and early '80's. Back then Ford
couldn't have possibly cared less about old cars, whether they were
Mustangs or not. At that particular time, Ford only cared about selling
new cars, and in my opinion, nothing's changed in that area. In 1980, a
decent '67 Mustang fastback was worth about $2,000 and the owners and
restorers of those cars
weren't even a blip on Ford's radar screen. As parts supplies dried
up, aftermarket vendors saw a need in the market and filled that need by
building and supplying Mustang restorers with the parts they needed.
Ford on the other hand was busy selling truly horrible cars like the
Pinto and Mustang II. As time went on Mustang restorers and vendors formed
a relationship that benefitted both. There were (and are) some
businesses that sell substandard parts, but savvy builders know to steer clear
of those businesses an are very helpful to newcomers to the hobby to
help them find quality parts. As time went on, years turned to
decades and our vintage Mustangs have been "discovered" the rest of the
world and prices have jumped. Now that some hypothetical 1967 fastback
Mustang that was worth $2,000 in '80 is worth ten times that today.
Like any hobby where there is money to be made, it attracts attention,
both good
and bad. The good attention is that quality parts are in high demand.
The bad is that everyone has their hand out, wanting to cash in on the
Mustang phenomenon, and that includes Ford. Where was Ford when we
needed parts 25 years ago? Where were the greedy lawyers when there was no
money to be made in the hobby? If I understand correctly,
Ford wants to eliminate any business with the word "Mustang" in it's
name. Let me ask you this question: if you own a business that caters
primarily to the Mustang industry, what would you call it? It only makes
sense to use the name of your intended customers car in the title. Ford's
position is that they would like to "protect" the consumer by allowing
the "approved" vendors to offer "official", Ford-approved parts. Sure
it is, after all Ford is only looking out for my best interest by
putting the screws to the same people that helped me restore my Mustangs for
the last 20
years, right? After all, I'm sure that Ford really has it's finger on
the pulse of the collector car hobby. If Ford wants to compete with
current suppliers, then get in line and open up shop and let the quality
of their parts speak for themselves. The only thing Ford had left was
the loyalty of Ford owners, it didn't matter if an enthusiast owned a new
Ford or an old one, a Ford was a Ford and that's all that mattered. But
the marketing guru's at Ford today took care of that, at least for me.
So my next question is, is anyone at Ford listening to the grass-roots
enthusiast? Jim
Elliott
[email protected] wrote: Dear Jim,
Thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship
Center a Mustang lawsuit.
We would like to address this matter on your behalf. However, we are
unclear on the specific nature of the response to your previous e-mail as
you have outlined in your e-mail. Please reply to us with a
clarification of how you would like Ford Motor Company to assist you with regards
to this matter.
If you have any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us and we
will be happy to address them for you.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Anne
Customer Relationship Center
Ford Motor Company
Please visit our 24/7 on-line help service,
www.customersaskford.com
which contains answers to frequently asked questions and links to other
key product and service
information.
[THREAD ID:1-3BKZUZ]
-----Original Message-----
From:
[email protected]
Sent: 1/31/2007 08:06:17 PM
To:
Subject: Question_to_Ford_Motor_Co
Contact Us
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Elliott
Email Address:
[email protected]
Questions: Hi,
A few months ago, I took the time to write you with my concerns about
your pending lawsuit against the people in the Mustang-based
restoration
market. Instead of getting an answer, I was emailed a form letter
explaining nothing, but trying to justify your greed. Here's a link to
an
online forum where some die-hard Ford people have some strong opinions
about this subject.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=635959
Also, I hope the idiots behind this lawsuit are buying a lot of Fords.
My
wife and I will be buying a new car in a couple weeks and it sure won't
be
a Ford! The Dodge dealer has some nice products and they
aren't
crucifiying their supporters. Good Luck flushing what's left of your
company down the toilet.