Im beng spammed by a tonewood supplier

[kiwigeo]

I have received repeated unsolicited emails (see below) from an Indian tonewood business. The name of the business is Laxmi Enterprises and its owner is a character by the name of Kiran Revar. This person was booted off this forum for spamming and continuing to do so despite several warnings from moderators/admins.

Cheers Martin

===========================

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kiran revar wants to stay in better touch using some of Google's coolest new
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[jeffhigh]

Dunno why anyone would be trying to sell YOU tonewood Martin.
It's not as though you have a history of buying large amounts.........
All I get is the occasional supposed Russian woman who really digs my profile.

[kiwigeo]

LOL...

[Nick]

All I get is the occasional supposed Russian woman who really digs my profile.

Hands off Jeff , she's promised me I'm the only man for her!

[kiwigeo]

All I get is the occasional supposed Russian woman who really digs my profile.

Hands off Jeff , she's promised me I'm the only man for her!

Im sure she could handle both of you!

[DarwinStrings]

Does Aeroflot do refunds?

Jim

[kiwigeo]

Does Aeroflot do refunds?

Jim

Not sure about refunds but I believe when you fly Aeroflot the cost of a decent funeral is factored into the ticket price.

[J.F. Custom]

*** comment removed due to possible inaccuracy ***

see post below for clarification

apologies

[Kim]

Interestingly, Mr Ashok Parekh of Parekh Exports had a warning about this man and his business on his website a little while ago.

Looking again now though, I can no longer find the comment.

Jeremy.

Boy I find that a bit rich Jeremy, not because I don't believe 'you', but because I have seen a number of warning on the internet myself about Mr Ashok Parekh. To me at least its all a bit like the pot calling the kettle a stove bitch. I will add that according to Bob C of RC Tonewood fame, based upon his direct dealings with Mr Parekh, it only appears on the surface that he has some sort of ownership connection to a saw mill in India. At least that is how the language makes it appear when dealing with him...but he is only a middle man and the wood he supplies to his customers could come from any number of mills depending entirely upon when you order, and who is selling to him at that point in time....

I guess that is why some now rave about Ashok in that other thread whilst those who where unfortunate enough to get caught up in the ANZLF fretboard group buy debacle of a few years back, in which Mr Parekh had direct involvement, know full well that buying direct from the subcontinent does not always go as planned.....The game musical chairs comes to mind, and whilst I hate to generalise, it must leave one to wonder at the aversion to paypal?? If it is all on the up and up, what is the problem and why do these blokes feel the need to spam people????

Cheers

Kim

[Steve]

This looks more like spam from Google? I recall not long ago that when I checked my Gmail account, I was getting prompted to join some sort of networking function - it may have been the same one as the one that you've been invited to Martin.
If it's anything like Skype, when I used my Outlook contacts to populate the Skype address book, it sent an email to everyone in my address book, even though I thought that I had opted out of doing so.
This case may/may not be as innocent, but still as annoying.

[kiwigeo]

This looks more like spam from Google? I recall not long ago that when I checked my Gmail account, I was getting prompted to join some sort of networking function - it may have been the same one as the one that you've been invited to Martin.
If it's anything like Skype, when I used my Outlook contacts to populate the Skype address book, it sent an email to everyone in my address book, even though I thought that I had opted out of doing so.
This case may/may not be as innocent, but still as annoying.

Yes it may be sourced from Google but it's got Kiran Revars email address in the reply to field in the header (it hasnt been munged) and Ive sent emails to his address asking him to deal with it. Rivar wants to chat with me and probablly other people whos email addresses hes harvested so he can plug his business....this is just another example underhand way that some of these wood dealers engage in their dodgey business.

[woodrat]

I have ordered from Ashok twice and it has been a good experience so far. He sometimes sees me online on SKYPE and sends me a text message through the IM system in SKYPE asking me if I have any need for rosewood or ebony. Thats OK by me buy I wouldnt want it every week. He is very polite so I cant complain. I didnt know that he was a middleman only though. The only thing that I can complain about is that the sawing is pretty atrocious although the wood is generally very good. I think that Ashok is OK and knows that he wont get repeat business if he spams his customers.

John

[tim mullin]

Cripes Kim, you really have it in for this fellow Parekh, but you give bugger all evidence to back up your major attitude.

Boy I find that a bit rich Jeremy, not because I don't believe 'you', but because I have seen a number of warning on the internet myself about Mr Ashok Parekh.

Can you point to one?

... according to Bob C of RC Tonewood fame, based upon his direct dealings with Mr Parekh, it only appears on the surface that he has some sort of ownership connection to a saw mill in India. At least that is how the language makes it appear when dealing with him...but he is only a middle man and the wood he supplies to his customers could come from any number of mills depending entirely upon when you order, and who is selling to him at that point in time....

Of course he's a middle man -- so is Bob C -- in as much as he's not running the mill or managing the stands from which his wood is sourced. What "language" have you seen that would suggest otherwise? Certainly nothing on his website.

I guess that is why some now rave about Ashok in that other thread whilst those who where unfortunate enough to get caught up in the ANZLF fretboard group buy debacle of a few years back, in which Mr Parekh had direct involvement

You mentioned the "group buy debacle" before in "that other thread", but I can't find anything with the search of either ANZLF or OLF about the debacle, or Parekh's alleged "direct involvment", so let's have a link please.

whilst I hate to generalise, it must leave one to wonder at the aversion to paypal??

He doesn't take credit cards either. It's time you gave the Paypal endorsements a rest -- it's not as if legitimate business doesn't occur around the globe without them (and has done for years). You're free to buy from whomever you want, but it's "a bit rich" to slander someone based on his choice of what payment options he's offering. Personally, I don't want to deal with Paypal and have no issues with bank transfers, and my money is as good as yours.

Based on MY direct dealings with Mr. Parekh, he is a polite businessman who wants to promote his offerings and deliver on his promises. Yes, his manner and style may seem a little strange to non-Asian ears, but not at all unusual when compared to the way businesses operate in many parts of the world. I'm happy to deal with him and will continue to do so. I'm a little tired of Kim's repeated bashing the poor guy at every opportunity -- while offering NO documented evidence for his claims -- only hearsay and conjecture.

[J.F. Custom]

Ummm... Sorry, but I did not mention Ashok to invoke another thread regarding his business. My comment was purely based in relation to Martins OP. Looking into my comment further though, I have decided to remove it from my post. This is because I can no longer find any mention of such a warning against Laxmi - and in a recent email from Ashok, he warns against another company; one "Golden Woods and Guitar Wooden Part Co." as part of his "signature" at the bottom of the email. As such, it is possible I had my wires crossed and therefore remove my original comments unreservedly.

I will make one comment though, hopefully without hijacking the OP too far.

I have personally not ordered through Ashok though I have investigated the option, so I do not have personal experience. There are certainly those whom have had good experience dealing with him and those with apparently not so good. In Ashoks' defense, I doubt he is the only timber dealer to have had both happy and unhappy customers through all their dealings.

My question remains though - Why are his offerings so attractive to everyone?

Last I checked - very recently; Ashok was offering his best grade at US $110 per set. Granted, this included free delivery. However, even end user suppliers such as Allied Lutherie are offering their best grade at $90 per set.

With a $20 saving per set and Ashoks 3 set minimum order, you have $60 to go toward p&h from Allied. Buy more and your savings grow - not including the fact that they offer further quantity discounts once you hit six sets.

So given that we are likely to order from a business such as Allied for other material (eg Truss Rods) they have available as well, and given the difficulty (possibly with attached bank charges depending on your financial institute) of ordering/paying from Parekh Exports -

Why has he come to such sudden fame and popularity with luthiers everywhere? What am I missing? Is freight through Allied really that much more or Ashoks' quality that much better?? I can't imagine so, but accept I could be wrong.

I can't help but feel we are in fact somewhat responsible for the popularity through these threads and perhaps many therefore "assume" he is offering great deals and jump on board without investigating other options or alternatives?

Jeremy.

[woodrat]

Hi Jeremy, I passed on his IRW because I thought that it was too expensive but I have bought IRW and Ebony bridges, fingerboards and headplate veneers from him. The quality was good, his ebony was nice and black.

[Kim]

For those interested I have taken my response to Tim Mullins questions to the original thread dealing with Ashok Parekh.

You can find it here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2192&start=50

Cheers

Kim

[DarwinStrings]

Jeremy you funny fart ""The neighbour knocked on my door at 2:30am this morning, can you believe that 2:30am?! Lucky for him I was still up playing the bagpipes."

Jim

[matthew]

I have received repeated unsolicited emails [...]

I've been using Google Talk and thought you might like to try it out.
We can use it to call each other for free over the internet. Here's an
invitation to download Google Talk. Give it a try!.

I'm sure you know this already, but if you receive this from someone, even many times, usually the person it is "from" is completely unaware that their Google account is sending invitations to everyone on their email list.

Just saying.

Hi everyone.

[kiwigeo]

I have received repeated unsolicited emails [...]

I've been using Google Talk and thought you might like to try it out.
We can use it to call each other for free over the internet. Here's an
invitation to download Google Talk. Give it a try!.

I'm sure you know this already, but if you receive this from someone, even many times, usually the person it is "from" is completely unaware that their Google account is sending invitations to everyone on their email list.

Just saying.

Hi everyone.

If this is the case then it would seem that Kiran Revar and Google are both peas in the same pod....both &&&&8****ng spammers.

[matthew]

whatever

[kiwigeo]

whatever

Kiran revar is well aware that emails are being sent out by Google on his behalf because Ive told him via several emails.

Anyway dont let it concern you mate....my problem and it'll get fixed. Best you focus on that snazzy new bass build.....looking forward to seeing same in finished form.

[needsmorecowbel]

There is also the sleazy alternative...where you tell him you have got enough wood...and send him pictures of the wood which you have...What?

[liam_fnq]

Bout time I found something to do with all those photos

[needsmorecowbel]

When he 'cheekily' asks you who was the photographer you say your wife/ girlfriend (manly grumbling)

[Taffy Evans]

May need a wide angle lens on the camera!!