Brantel
Well Known Member
Up until yesterday, I really had not put myself under any additional risk since Van's filed Chapter 11. Sure I did agree to modify my finish kit order to accept a new higher price but that did not cost me anything out of my pocket up front. The bottom line is I really had no choice unless I wanted to abandon my build and sell it for pennies on the dollar.
That all changed yesterday when I got my final payment request and I made a significant additional fund transfer to Van's that was likely my single largest payment I have ever made to them at one time even though I built an RV-7 and a partial RV-10. I am not going to lie, I felt a large lump in my throat when I pushed the submit button!
Today I am staring at the Power Plant kit order form with the intention of placing my order today along with another very large fund transfer after which Van's will be in control of an amount of my money that puts two lumps in my throat not to mention eventually the balance will need to be paid and then the cycle repeats for the avionics kit.
There are some folks on here that can scoff at that amount of money and they would never miss it if something goes south. Well, while my family and I have been blessed financially over the years, we still try to live within our means and be good stewards of what God has blessed us with. We survive, have a few unnecessary possessions and hobbies, and take vacations occasionally. That being said, our modest home is paid for and we are making good progress toward being able to retire someday. Make no mistake about it, building a $150K toy without taking on debt is a commitment and sacrifice for our family. To take a hit for what we have invested so far in this build may not break us, it would sure sting....a lot!
The point of all of this is that I choose faith over fear that Van's will follow thru with their end of the bargain. To Dick, Greg, Rian and all of the other employees at Vans, know that this is a leap of faith in you but please don't let me and my family down!
That all changed yesterday when I got my final payment request and I made a significant additional fund transfer to Van's that was likely my single largest payment I have ever made to them at one time even though I built an RV-7 and a partial RV-10. I am not going to lie, I felt a large lump in my throat when I pushed the submit button!
Today I am staring at the Power Plant kit order form with the intention of placing my order today along with another very large fund transfer after which Van's will be in control of an amount of my money that puts two lumps in my throat not to mention eventually the balance will need to be paid and then the cycle repeats for the avionics kit.
There are some folks on here that can scoff at that amount of money and they would never miss it if something goes south. Well, while my family and I have been blessed financially over the years, we still try to live within our means and be good stewards of what God has blessed us with. We survive, have a few unnecessary possessions and hobbies, and take vacations occasionally. That being said, our modest home is paid for and we are making good progress toward being able to retire someday. Make no mistake about it, building a $150K toy without taking on debt is a commitment and sacrifice for our family. To take a hit for what we have invested so far in this build may not break us, it would sure sting....a lot!
The point of all of this is that I choose faith over fear that Van's will follow thru with their end of the bargain. To Dick, Greg, Rian and all of the other employees at Vans, know that this is a leap of faith in you but please don't let me and my family down!