allsmiles vs. All American (html corrected)

[jgarrison]

For several years now, Peter Kousoulis, AKA ‘allsmiles’, has been advising anyone who will listen to avoid doing business with our company, All American Aircraft.  I have generally ignored him.  However, I cannot continue to ignore.  The comments made by Kousoulis are defamatory and not based on fact.

First, let me say thank you to all of you who have supported David and me with your comments.  Some of you have purchased a Mooney from us.  Some have supported us even though you haven’t had a direct purchase experience with us.  Your willingness to say a kind word does not go unnoticed.  A very gracious THANK YOU TO YOU!  I have been a lurker, not a contributor to this forum for quite some time and to a lesser extent I have only watched the other major Mooney forum, not posted.  I don’t contribute for a very good reason.  I make part of my living in aircraft, Mooney aircraft to be specific.  I feel that it is inappropriate for me, as an aviation professional, to use such a venue, whether I am actually promoting my business or not.  That is my decision.

Second, let me say that the inter-web is a tremendous tool, both for business and for personal use.  We can do things through the net that were unthinkable in the past.  When I started at AAA back in ’95, we had to submit our three or four line ads to trade-a-plane, wait a week to ten days for publication, wait two more weeks for the phone to ring, then start faxing and mailing (USPO) photos to prospects and hope to get a decent customer on the plane by the sixth week.  Now, we get planes in the advertising cycle with complete specs and photos the same day the plane arrives and often get calls by the second day.

However, the net has a dark side also.  It provides anonymity to some who want to hide behind it and use it to damage others.  I am sure Dr. Kousoulis will attest to that.  Doctors and dentists are probably as easy a target as there is for malicious attacks.  When you can Google a name and instantly see a negative recommendation or a trashing without having the complete story, you have to wonder if the web is a net positive or net negative for a business who deals with end users.  I have 100% confidence that the actual ratio of negative to positive experiences with patients to Dr. Kousoulis’ office is in no way represented by the ratio of postings on the internet.  Unfortunately, I am not sure how he or any other person in his field or a similar field can combat the negative, other than to encourage happy clients to do their own postings to balance the negative.  Fortunately for AAA, we have some defenders that do it for us.  And in this case I also have the ability to respond on this list.  To date, I have not taken such a position of response.  Today, I will.

Dr. Peter Kousoulis was provided with a detailed recap of the entire transaction along with the return of the deposit that was left over after the expenses that he specifically requested were deducted, namely, the moving of the aircraft at his request from San Antonio to Don Maxwell Aviation and the cost of the pre-sale inspection by Don Maxwell that he requested.  No additional funds were kept despite a very good case for keeping the whole deposit.  Dr. Kousoulis made several decisions and non-decisions over a very long period of time, three days short of four months, to be exact (start date, 3/31/05, end date 7/28/05).  Whether he made wise decisions or not is immaterial.  What is accurate is that we did accommodate him by taking the plane to his choice of mechanic and we did pay to have the squawks repaired that were required for airworthiness to have Maxwell return the aircraft to service with a complete annual inspection.  And we did inform him that the plane was ready for him.  And in the end, after four months of non-closure on the aircraft (nearly two months after the annual was completed) we made the decision to move on.  We took one of two backup offers that we had on the plane (one that was unacceptable, one that came in at the last minute).  We fulfilled our obligations.  As far as escrow goes, had the money been put into escrow, the outcome would have been the same because the escrow company is under the instructions of the parties and their agreement (in this case, including the part where it says that if the purchaser has not accepted delivery within ten days… Seller shall have the right to sell such aircraft… and Seller may retain ALL deposits).  The escrow company is required to abide by the terms of the agreement.  Escrow is there to keep bad guys from taking your money.  It is not there to allow either party to walk away with something they are not entitled to.  We were entitled to compensation for the expenses we took out of our pocket at the request of the buyer and we were entitled by the letter of the agreement to keep the balance of the deposit also.  We chose only to keep the out of pocket expenses.

I would hope for a measured response from ‘allsmiles’, but my guess is that is not to be forthcoming.  He says he has ‘forgiven’ us.  But, he continues to tell people not to use us or trust us.  He says it is water under the bridge.  But he says he was not respected by the “PIA, cheapskate, know nothing, blowhard, time wasting…”  BROKER.  The mis-information that he has provided thus far is laughable.  My guess is that this is also going to bring out several others who are going to have something to contribute to the negative aspect of dealers/brokers in general and AAA in specific.  I know who some of them are, others not so much.  Some I have a response for, as I know who they are and what the issue is.  In response to one, I will go ahead and just state that I will not negotiate offers that are wholesale or below, even if you are just using it as your starting point – if you get your feelings hurt because of that, then I am sorry.  Others hide behind the net and I don’t know who they are so I can’t respond because I don’t have a clue what their beef is.  Some I may not have an answer to.  I am just as apt to make a mistake as anyone and it could have been as simple as that.  I will be the first to tell you that no matter how hard we try, we are not going to satisfy everyone.  But on the other hand, there are those that cannot be satisfied – ‘forgiven’, ‘water under the bridge’, ‘stay away’, ‘cheapskate’, ‘blowhard’...  I guess you pick your battles but in this case I am defending our position.

If the mods here on MooneySpace want to designate an intermediary to review the facts, please let me know and I will provide them.  But as of this time, the forum is providing one party a place to post non-factual information while encouraging its patrons to avoid business with us.  I expect that a factual response will not be censored.

Sincerely, Jimmy Garrison

[Parker_Woodruff]

[Moderator - Please delete original thread due to HTML issues.  My copy/paste reply is below from the original thread]

Hey Jimmy,

I think you're right for posting this as even I have received communication questioning All-American's reputation as a result of his postings on this board (both phone and email).

The good news is most Texans affiliated with Mooneys are trustworthy, and I extend that same description to you guys in San Antonio when I receive that type of communication questioning otherwise.

[jetmech1972]

Not only does 'all smiles' bash AAA, he continues to bad mouth Aspen products. As an avid reader of this site, I truely get tired of reading his negative comments on most subjects...

[74657]

Jimmy,

You're an alright guy and I find it unfortunate that you have to go up and defend your business over a 6 year old issue. 

You might remember dealing with me last fall.  I wanted to trade my Grumman Tiger for a Mooney you had already sold.  In the end I wasn't ready for the 252 you wanted me to get into and I ended up finding my Missile from a private party in Ohio who took my Tiger in on trade.  When the time comes to move up you'll be the first guy I call.

FWIW- I always read your column first when the MAPA LOG hits my mailbox.

 

[DonMuncy]

I was extremely gratified to see Jimmie's response to Allsmiles' allegations. I read allsmiles' postings from the start. I was unhappy that I could not respond with anything other than "Jimmie and David would not do that", as I did not have any facts to refute the rants against AAA.

Now that we have heard, at least the basic facts, from both sides, we are free to choose who to believe. I have known Jimiie and David for about 11 years now. I had no knowledge about either of them when I started looking for a Mooney to buy, but after I bought my plane from them, I have had ongoing contact with them. I now consider both of them my friends. I have never had any reason to believe that anything either of them told me was not 100% true or that they have engaged in any business transaction with less than 100% integrity.

I, therefore, choose to believe Jimmie's rendition of the facts.

As Jimmie said, no one in his business can make everyone happy, but I follow both this and the MAPA list rather carefully, and I don't recall anyone other than allsmiles, who had a bad thing to say about Jimmie, David or AAA.

Don 

 

[ToddDPT]

For what it's worth, we bought our 201 from Jimmy site unseen last August and we couldn't be happier.  AAA is top notch and when I decide to move up they will be the first guys I contact.  Thanks again Jimmy!

[OR75]

I bought my J from AAA in 2003. Happy with the transaction and happy with my plane. :-)

 

[blacknchrome]

Add me to the list of completely satisfied AAA customers, as I've mentioned before - purchased a Bravo in 2010.

[231Pilot]

Since I first joined this site (I think December 2009) I have been on record numerous times that Jimmy and David are straight shooters and fair in their business dealings.  I have bought not one, but two Mooney aircraft from All American Aircraft.  A 1967 M20C (N721LP) in September of 2000, and a 1982 M20J (N36CE) in December 2006.  Both have been good machines and I was very happy with my treatment.  Could I have purchased cheaper planes? Sure, and I would have gotten what I paid for.  Has either plane been perfect? No, but they don't come out of the factory perfect either.  Would I buy from them again?  You bet I would!  I have relocated to the west, and a turbo is more what I need now.  Have I looked other places? Sure, but Jimmy knows what I am looking for, and if he runs across it, I am confident he will contact me.

I don't know All Smiles, probably never will.  I have read his negative posts on AAA, and on avionics manufacturers, and it bothers me to read such vitriol.  I do not doubt that he feels he has been wronged, but I do know Jimmy and David (for over 10 years now, have had David and his wife as house guests before) and I have serious doubts and serious resentment when they are trashed in the forums.

In short, I teach dentistry, practiced for more than 25 years.  I am not "All Smiles" but I teach smiles, and I would recommend All American Aircraft to anyone who is looking for an honest deal on a Mooney.

[kgbpost]

Based on my recent purchase experience with AAA I would confidently recommend them to a friend or associate. I feel a phone call would get it done if there was a problem. I respect Jimmy's decision to defend his position. I agree, this isn't a shooting gallery, and they are from Texas... I'd expect them to return fire.

[PTK]

Quote: jgarrison

I would hope for a measured response from ‘allsmiles’, but my guess is that is not to be forthcoming.  

[docket]

I haven't bought a plane from Jimmy but I have, on occasion, talked with him about selling my Eagle.  I am not a seller yet but based upon what I have heard he is the guy. My decision to sell coordinates every time I add another gizmo just to confirm how much money I am losing with these panel upgrades. Allsmiles is entitled to his opinion for sure but everything that I have seen suggests that his experience is not representative.  

[fantom]

In all business dealings we've got a small percent of folks who can't be satisfied, no matter what. 'smiles has proved what he is on the forum, so I suggest that Jimmy do what 'smiles suggests but never does, and let it go, because it's not worth the time.

At least AAA is first class!

[jetdriven]

Well the bashing was nonstop and I guess Jimmy got tired of hearing it.  We bought ours there at All American Aircraft and it we need another one thats my first stop.

[Jeff_S]

Funny, over on the Piper forum we had a consummate whiner and forum "troll" who loved to stir up trouble and debate. His initials were PK. They finally banned him by blocking his IP address. I haven't seem the same level of ire from allsmiles...seems to me he does just like to strongly advocate his own positions, rather than make fun of everyone else's...but I found it ironic about the initials.

I had a conversation with AAA when looking for my Mooney, and Jimmy seemed a stand-up guy, but I found my bird directly from the seller so had no need for the broker services.

[danb35]

Allsmiles, do I understand correctly that you're not disputing any of Jimmy's statements, particularly the one about how you waited for 2 months after the pre-buy was complete to come pick up the plane?  And yet you said in the other thread that there's no more to the story.

[231Pilot]

I thought I's point out that when I bought my M20C from AAA, we did a strip and paint, new interior plastics (included but installed locally) and some avionics upgrades.  Basically we added about $15K to the original purchase price.  Because of weather issues, the plane sat in their hangar for about 3 weeks after it was ready to pick up, and all they had was my deposit and a lot of out of pocket expenses in upgrading the aircraft.  Jimmy told me he had two offers for more than $5K over our agreed upon selling price.  He honored our agreement and held the aircraft for me.  He could have sold it and given me back the deposit because I was almost a month late closing the sale and taking delivery of the plane.  He and David are very reasonable men in my experience.

[Txbyker]

...I will pitch in too about AAA...top notch experience.

1. Discovery - counseling this first time plane buyer and perspective Mooney buyer on the ins and outs of Mooneys.  Insider knowledge that you do not find on Google and chatboards.  I get the feeling they were making sure the plane was right for me.

2. Prebuy - total disclosure of everything they knew and the previous owner knew about the aircraft.  Dechipher the prebuy inspection and helping me with what is important and what can wait, etc.  Helping me on valuation for future trade or sell value in regards to upgrades.

3. Transaction - handling all of the paperwork, making sure it is filed correctly.

4. Delivery - spotless airplane, checkride and setting up insurance checkride by former Mooney factory pilot(s)

I hope I have not divulged AAA formula to their competition as to why I will be a repeat buyer but felt is was pertinant to explain why I am an advocate.

1987 M20J LM

[John Pleisse]

My sintements were asserted and are well documented in earlier threads. I made my point some time ago.

[Piloto]

I had similar issues with my wife. Next day is all forgotten. As they say in my old town "the more you play with shit the more it stinks"

José

[Barry]

Quote: Piloto

I had similar issues with my wife. Next day is all forgotten. As they say in my old town "the more you play with shit the more it stinks" 

 

Hmmmm ... strange sentiments. What town are you from ??

Anyhow, My experience with AAA was 1st rate. Not only was the purchase pleasant, hanging out and dealing with the fellows was a good time, too!

 

[MGangwer]

I purchased my 1977 J Model from Jimmy nearly two years ago.  The entire process including checkout with David was excellent.  I just completed my first east coast to west coast flight, and back, and my aircraft was exactly what I wanted to complete this kind of mission. 

I saw the aircraft on their web site while based at Embassy Baghdad Iraq, and after a couple phone calls decided this was the aircraft for me.  So my flight instructor met me in San Antonio while I was on leave, completed the transaction and we flew it home. 

Count me as one very satisfied customer and I recommend them to anyone asking me about purchasing a Mooney. 

[lenblock]

I would also add my positive comments regarding All American Aircraft.  I bought my Mooney from them in April of 2010 and they took my Piper Cherokee in trade.  I thought they were honest and fair.  Indeed, on the day before our planned departure back to North Carolina, my instructor, who had been recommended by All American discovered a leak in an oil hose.  This was missed both by myself and by the pre buy inspection.  All American had the hose replaced along with several others at their expense that very evening and we were able to leave on time the next day.  I would gladly do business with them again.

Len Block

1978 M20J N201QG

 

[jgarrison]

Quote: allsmiles

Jimmy,  first let me say, as someone else has pointed out, that this is over 5 or 6 years ago and not worth talking about but I will list the facts so we are not dancing around them.

The fact is David called me the night before I was to fly to San Antonio, did he not?  I asked David a couple days before I was to come and close for some names of safety pilots which he provided, did I not?  The fact is David knew and you had to know I had made arrangements with one of those safety pilots, did he not?  The fact is you and David knew I was coming down to close because you were finalizing paperwork with the finance company and the insurance, did you not? Fact is it was a major ($200K) purchase, was it not, and if you felt it may have taken longer than usual you could've told me earlier on.  Couldn't you.

The fact is that you knew I was coming down to close on the airplane Jimmy!  We had a closing date confirmed and I had my preparations complete and ready to go.  If you wanted to you had plenty of opportunity to tell me you wanted to move on.  Why did you wait till the last minute, the night before my flight to San Antonio, to tell me the airplane is not available ? And subsequent to this why did you not extend the courtesy of talking to me on the phone ? What did you think I was another buyer who could be disposed of when it became convenient ? If roles were reversed and you were in my position what would you have thought  and how would you have felt ?  I felt you didn't value our relationship or transaction Jimmy!

[FlyFstr]

This was good. We heard both sides. 

I agree with Piloto's comment.

It's over.