© 2011 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
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Nothing like a little controversy to get the digestion! For you fellows spoiling for a fight, you've come to the right place. Here are the rules: You can say whatever you like, as long as it is based on fact. Not hearsay, rumor, so and so said so. Keep the profanity to a low roar. Don't be stupid because I will tie you up, spank you, and then laugh at your discomfiture.
03May2011 Zabul Province Afghanistan: I see some of you have in fact found your way here. Butch L. before you go around throwing words like sychophant about, look at the facts. Only one person out of all the people who claimed to have been "ripped off" that I asked for information ever came forward to provide such. In that case, he provided me with dates and facts, which I then used to make things right. I tried very hard to be fair and impartial; remember I have over six hundred posts, and thousands of readers every month on my blog. I pride myself on good journalism. Please notice that there is not a single comment, not one. If there was someone, anyone that was taken, why havn't they contacted me?
Mr King, how many people, exactly, were cheated out of their money? I'll even settle for inexactitude at this point.
Capt: It pleases me that I amuse you...
Butch L.: Again I ask you what conclusion did you reach after reading everything written here? Where are the holes in my reasoning? This is an open floor and forum. But I expect the same courtesy I extend to you. You call me a sychophant on another forum, not even to my face so to speak.
Do you condone what Pastor Grosko said people should do? Seriously guys, that isn't even something a true sportsman would remotely consider... or have we fallen so far?
I've never liked bullies, and that is what a whole bunch of people are acting like. I can't fathom how grown men can't resolve there differences and get on with their lives. Some of you dislike my tenacity in defense of Dave. To be clear I am not defending his buisness dealings or how he conducts himself with respect to you, but rather I am defending him from false accusations, rumor mongering, and a pack mentality that makes every sportsman look bad. I was the victim of a Cyber-Stalker, and let me tell you, it's no fun trying to defend yourself from anonymous enemies. You all can see I am not anonymous and I stand for what I say.
If you personally had a problem with him, then take it up with him personally, man to man.
Now, once again, I invite any and all of you to comment on the facts I have presented. I ask that you show me proof, or at least show me where I have made an error in my logic.
Best regards,
Albert A Rasch
THE FACTS:I purchased a Siegework Creations "American" Longbow in 2008.
I wrote a positive review with my impression of the bow.
I lost touch with Siegework Creations shortly thereafter.
I was contacted by a bowyer and member of Bowsite/Leatherwall concerned with the thread, review, and banner I had on TROC.
I was invited to view the threads against Siegeworks Creations on the traditional archery forum Leatherwall.
I reviewed that hate filled and vitriolic thread and several others on Leatherwall, and then reviewed several more on other forums.
The threads' comment's main themes were bows not delivered, and faulty or poor craftsmanship.
At this point I found myself wondering what in the world might have happened. As you, my fair and illuminated readers know, I pride myself on a reasoned approach, analyze the available information and evidence, and then I open up the proverbial can. I couldn't imagine that the accusations made were accurate...
but then again I've been surprised before.
So I kept on digging...
I pored over the forum archives. If I am correct, and I am willing to be corrected with appropriate proof, it appears that four people did not receive their bows in a timely fashion. As of now, two received their bows, and two more still are awaiting theirs.
Of the two that did receive their bows, one is still not satisfied. "He wants a thousand dollar bow for a hundred bucks." Hey, not my words but his friend's. I just report the news.
Unfounded attacks and semi-spurious claims:
An example of the unfounded attacks is evident on this thread on Bowsite: http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?forum=2&threadid=387308&MESSAGES=12&FF=2
A young man buys a bow and shares it with others. Almost immediately he is questioned, and then the allegations are thrown out. The inference being that why buy from someone with a questionable background, when you can get it from one of the other fine bowyers here... The only alleged questionable background I could find is the unsubstantiated drivel put out by people that have never purchased a bow from Siegework Creations.
On another forum I used to stop by, I left a note concerning the review on August 24th 2009.
http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=73499
Almost a year later, there was a complaint posted that a customer had not received his bow. Then a series of low or single posters jumped in with similar complaints. I've emailed one for clarification, and I recognize one as having posted a comment on TROC. A comment was made that there were a number of complaints to the BBB. At least one individual made multiple complaints, and having dealt with the BBB when I was in business, I do not put much stock in it. One gentleman with a single post alleges he ordered a bow. He was never charged for the bow because his Credit Card did not go through. But that's enough reason to post a negative comment isn't it...
I was sent a screen copy of a thread started on Nov 10th on Leatherwall: ..."I would get on Ebay, send him a message and tell him you will be posting Negative feedbackon his Ebay site revealing the truth. You may have to buy a dozen arrows off his site to post feedback but that looks like it would cost 15.99 and you could turn around and resell the arrows. Ebay Negative feedback will shut down your business pretty quickly." The thread was started by Pastor Ed Grosko and quickly taken up by Jim Terrio.
The moderators, afraid that the posters had gone too far, pulled that thread, but not until it had sat there long enough for miscreants to use the tactic. Now it seems that there is a definite conspiracy. Note the following by Terrio:
"I'm going over to Ebay right now and try to post a negative question. I have no dog in this particular fight but I sell bows here and on Ebay and if this clown is still scamming then we need to "get him". Dr. Evil."
So Pastor Grosko and Jim Terrio, you were taken by Siegework? Or did you just jump on the bandwagon? Did you see an opportunity to cut down on the competition? Now imagine if someone decided to use the same tactics against you Grosko... A little uncomfortable now?
Anyway, the eBay company in question has nothing to do with Siegework. Nice move.
I found were my brother in arms commented on poor fit and finish on a Scythian Bow, fair enough., but it wasn't bad enough for him to do anything about it. http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?threadid=218281&category=88#2889805
After that, I found very little on Siegeworks Creations other than the negative commentaries on Leatherwall.
Siegeworks tries... and fails.
So, it appears that Siegework Creations has attempted to fulfill those obligations. Unfortunately it was a case of too little too late, exacerbated by a series of unfortunate events. Communications were poor and oftentimes inaccurate. Be that as it may, the obligations were being met, albeit more slowly than would have been preferred by the recipients. In this day of immediate communications, it is unacceptable to not communicate your intentions accurately, and if unable to perform say so.
The Chronicles tries...
Ok, I posted a comment on Leatherwall, and after having my integrity questioned, well... I got a little snarky. When I was called on the carpet, I apologized immediately. Anyway, that really isn't relevant, but some of the members of Leatherwall seemed to think it was.
I asked for proof of their accusations against Siegework Creations, and to this day, not a single photo, email, PM, or snail mail letter has been delivered to me! None, not a single one of them has posted a jpeg on any forum. There is no proof that any bow that was built by Siegework Creations was poorly made, defective, or in any way failed to meet the advertising. Whereas I understand that a customer may feel reticent in sharing information with a complete stranger, I should think that a quick perusal of TROC would convince any of the parties to share their information and get to the bottom of the issue.
As I said in my review, I am really impressed by the fit and finish, the quality of the materials; for the money you cannot go wrong!" And I still stand by that assertion, if you google up the bow or company, my posts are all on the first page, so it would have been easy to drop me an email, or leave a comment right here on TROC! But they didn't... What does that tell you?
Well Executed Walnut and Maple Laminations As it so happens, I know one of the consultants on the show. I met him in Bagram last year. I have emailed him and hope to get an email address for the producers of the show, along with his introduction. I sure hope I can communicate with them and ascertain what has transpired.
Siegework Creation is sending two of those bows to me so that I may inspect them carefully and document what I note. Furthermore, I am taking them to a Materials Engineer who will also check them over and give me his opinion. I don't want to be placed in a position were I adjudicate the damage I observe even though common sense may be enough to figure out what has happened.
My conclusions:
Folks, I believe I have done a good job of checking this entire melodrama out and in performing my due diligence. If you feel that there are any holes in my investigation, I would appreciate you pointing them out so I can tie this one up all nice and neat.
I submit:
Siegework Creation fell behind on deliveries.
Siegework Creations made promises that weren't fulfilled in a timely fashion for a number of reasons.
Siegework Creations failed to communicate properly, effectively, or promptly.
The bows in question have either been delivered, or are still in the process of being built.
A campaign of Cyberbullying was initiated by at least two individuals.
The people on Leatherwall/Bowsite that have made accusations have exaggerated the circumstances. Others have gleefully jumped on the bandwagon and careened roughshod over the bowyer. Several individuals have made it their job to lambaste and skewer Siegework Creations and its owner, taking their accusations to other forums, but not to TROC.
In a small community like that of the Traditional bow user, any ill word can start of a cascade of bad feelings. Compound that with a craftsman that has a difficult time communicating his desire to be cooperative, especially in the face of a determined campaign of culmany, and you can be sure that in a very short time, he will explode, be driven from his craft, or both. Which is exactly what occured.
I have emailed back and forth with Dave Ruff, the gentleman in question. He certainly acknowledges his part in this, and his failure to communicate quickly with and deliver to those few individuals. I believe that he sincerely and wholeheartedly will furnish the bows owed to those parties that have not received the bow they ordered. The young man that he sold his molds and forms to is building the rough blanks, which will then be finished by Dave, to the same standards that my bow was.
As a token of my commitment to put my reputation on the line for fellow outdoorsmen, I invite those that are still waiting on their bows to contact me, and I will certainly mediate and facilitate this exchange.
Forums and Advertisers:
The fact that a forum can be used as a springboard to demolish a small businessman is a travesty. You would think that the moderators of Bowsite/Leatherwall would stop that kind of foolishness, or do as I have, start an investigation to determine the accuracy of the claims. A conspiricist would consider that the moderators, bowyers themselves, might have had an active hand in this. A conspiricist might... I am certain that if the advertisers aren't aware of the vitriol and threatening demeanor exhibited by all parties, they certainly will be in a very short time. No one likes to associate with a place or people that act that way or tolerate that behavior in their midst.
Forum Participants:
As to those of you that decided that you could badger and drive the man out of business, I hope you are satisfied with yourselves.
You call yourselves sportsmen. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Epilogue: I have noted that it did not take long for the forum moderators to realize that a fair and impartial observer would in fact, note the discrepancies in on their site. They have chosen to take down the thread. I did of course, make a copy of the whole thread up to my last post. Let's just say I like keeping things accurate for the sake of posterity...
Dave Ruff is no longer making bows for the traditional community.
Michael Lee, a young man that I am now interviewing has bought all of Siegework Creation's molds and forms, and is now producing fine handcrafted bows under the name StickBows. You can expect a whole series of reviews on every single type and style of bow that he is making. Every single one.
I will be reposting all of my reviews on Siegework Creation's "American" Longbow.
I want to thank the bowyer on Leatherwall that initially invited me to participate in the discussion.
Keywords: Siegework, siegeworks, siegework creations, siegeworks creations, siegework bows, siegeworks bows, siegework horsebow, siegeworks horsebow, horsebow, Siegework sidewinder bow,
Post of Interest:
The SWC American is Here!The Range Reviews: SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow Part I
The Range Reviews: SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow Part II
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
Albert Rasch In Afghanistan
Member: Shindand Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...
Though he spends most of his time writing, keeping the world safe for democracy, or pummeling Cyber-bullies, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.
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