Don Aronow exit was a surprise to most

**WaterZebra** · 03-01-2023, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by powerabout

I used to love the Mercruiser service bulletins ( issued on OZ for some reason) please notify the USCG on the following number if a customer is paying cash for the following parts...MCM 3 drive ssm, 460 engines etc etc

Mercury HiPerf changed their procedures for new product sales and service. Everybody had to have a written contract and banking / credit references. No exceptions. This applied to OPC racers as well. Cash sales were prohibited. If you were a business, you had to provide a tax ID number too.

**FUJIMO** · 03-01-2023, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

Mercury HiPerf changed their procedures for new product sales and service. Everybody had to have a written contract and banking / credit references. No exceptions. This applied to OPC racers as well. Cash sales were prohibited. If you were a business, you had to provide a tax ID number too.

...if relating this to the aronow era of getting hi-perf product, and the amounts of cash that was out there then, this was no hindrance at all...

**WaterZebra** · 03-01-2023, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...if relating this to the aronow era of getting hi-perf product, and the amounts of cash that was out there then, this was no hindrance at all...

No, but to us regular racers, the HiPerf contracts were kind of a shock.............

**CUDA** · 03-01-2023, 09:12 PM

The Miami area is like another country, two months ago I stopped to get a sub at the largest supermarket chain (Publix) and the three people working there had to call someone over that speeks english

If someone need immigration papers just bring CASH and things happen real quick, or do it the normal way and wait many years, only in Miami, 20 years ago I told my main guy to get a CDL license, his repiy was give me 500 cash, I'll get one next week, I've had a few Cubans that could not back up a trailer to save their life but they had class A CDLs $$$ will solve most problems in Miami.

**FUJIMO** · 03-01-2023, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

No, but to us regular racers, the HiPerf contracts were kind of a shock.............

...so what did you do to get what you wanted?...

**WaterZebra** · 03-02-2023, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...so what did you do to get what you wanted?...

Just filled out their paperwork and went on as usuual. The guys that brought cash in briefcases disappeared.

**FUJIMO** · 03-02-2023, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

Just filled out their paperwork and went on as usuual. The guys that brought cash in briefcases disappeared.

...and prior to that, you paid cash, to mercury hi-perf in oshkosh, or to whoever was in the truck at the races, or?...

**WaterZebra** · 03-02-2023, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...and prior to that, you paid cash, to mercury hi-perf in oshkosh, or to whoever was in the truck at the races, or?...

Got my stuff off the truck or had it shipped. They sent me a bill and that was it.

**FUJIMO** · 03-02-2023, 12:40 PM

...gotcha. same way for many that raced. for many of us that were competitive in offshore and champ, etc., & had a rapport with merc, we spent the money, but at the same time, (many, many times) never was even billed. old powerhead out, new powerhead in. old gearcase out, new gearcase in. miss those times...

**FUJIMO** · 03-02-2023, 12:46 PM

**FUJIMO** · 03-02-2023, 12:49 PM

**FUJIMO** · 03-02-2023, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by powerabout

His name ended up on a kill list with a price via the Colombians, so a low level guy with a debt got the job to clear his debt.
With no connection to the victim it took a while to find him

...correction. "via ben kramer". ben kramer wanted to "BE" don aronow. note the number 69 (don's favorite #) above, in both of the photo's on their boats...

**WaterZebra** · 03-02-2023, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...gotcha. same way for many that raced. for many of us that were competitive in offshore and champ, etc., & had a rapport with merc, we spent the money, but at the same time, (many, many times) never was even billed. old powerhead out, new powerhead in. old gearcase out, new gearcase in. miss those times...

Yup.............something OMC cannot claim credit for......

**LakeFever** · 03-02-2023, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...gotcha. same way for many that raced. for many of us that were competitive in offshore and champ, etc., & had a rapport with merc, we spent the money, but at the same time, (many, many times) never was even billed. old powerhead out, new powerhead in. old gearcase out, new gearcase in. miss those times...

I had nothing to do with the Marine biz but I can echo similar treatment from corps I worked with. It used to be looked upon that team morale and bonding was all but priceless. We had some damn good times. Then the computer nerds showed up, started tracking everything making noise. Then Enron blew up and well, that was the end of that awesome era. And the good times everyone is so fond of simply went away and do we see anyone really any wealthier or living better for it?