Update: Straight From the Horse's Mouth The Wheel-Horse Story

[Wheelhorsestory 210]

Wow!   The Wheel Horse community has kept me very busy!  I want to personally thank everyone for your kind words and praises.  I also want to congratulate you on being an important part of the best hobby in the entire world; Wheel Horse Tractors. I am forever amazed at the diversity of people from all walks of life that share the same interest and love for Pond and Wheel Horse tractors.  I would be remiss if I didn't publicly thank Karl Lyon again and again and again. He is a person larger than life who brings out the best in others.

One of the most amazing things to me is that if I am in a bad mood, I simply take a tractor out of the barn and go for a ride.  By the time I return, I always feel 100% better.

 

 

The positive feedback has been overwhelming.  Most comments have been on the high quality of the binding, the high quality of the paper, and the high quality writing.  Many have complimented on the clarity of the images and the readers have enjoyed reading the fine print in all the news articles and brochures. A lot of readers have loved the three new chapters and the #1 love is the DVD.  I personally am very proud of the way the entire package turned out. My goal was to create a resource/history book of these miniature tractors and the people who manufactured them that would make Cecil and Elmer Pond proud.

 

I have had one complaint on shipping charges.  This person told me of an entire blog bashing me, but I can't locate it anywhere.  I am only shipping USPS Priority Mail because Media Mail, although less expensive, does not offer a tracking number included in the cost. A tracking number can be added, but at an additional cost.  When I shipped the previous editions, I used strictly Media Mail. I had hundreds of complaints of it taking too long for books to arrive, damaged books, and books never arriving at their destination. Karl and I set up the USPS shipping module on www wheelhorsestory.com  and after a few adjustments, have got it down almost to the penny.  Please keep in mind that included in the shipping cost is a $1.00 charge that is my exact cost of the custom box and packaging materials.

 

The only other complaint I have had was from someone who called my book pornographic.

 

The thing that has amazed me through this endeavor is that even though every piece of information in this book is fact, directly from the mouth of Cecil Pond, there have been a few silly readers who seem to know more about the tractors than the man who thought them, designed them, built them, and sold them.  I do not proclaim to be a Wheel Horse genius, but more of a messenger of information Straight From the Horse's Mouth, Mr. Cecil Pond. I have come to realize the old saying that you can not please everyone is true.

 

 

With the rate they are flying out of here, I strongly suggest buying another copy and putting it away for your child or grandchild. At some point there will not be any copies remaining and people will be reselling them on Ebay and Amazon at premium prices.

 

Beginning in October, the book will become advertised in Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine along with Gas Engine Magazine.  I am very excited about this as Kate is one of the most amazing and sincere people that I have ever met and Gas Engine Magazine/Stem Gas Publishing is the company that published my first edition. I anticipate holiday sales to be overwhelming.

 

 

[AMC RULES 36,945]

I'm just sorry I've already finished reading it.    

[VinsRJ 721]

Mike, I personally want to thank you for this project... the finished product shows your effort and attention to detail.

 

Now my opinion in reference to the complainers and self proclaimed experts... for this group I have learned one thing in life: You can never make everyone happy... if they are offended by one pic then tell them to rip the page out of the book or turn the page really fast when they get there, their issue addressed... if someone says they know more than you, tell them to write a book about it... and if the shipping costs is to much for someone just tell them "What do you want from me, take it up with USPS".

 

I, as well as 98% of the WH population appreciate your historical documentation and excellent finished product. Thank You!

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,120]

I would like to add that I too have heard about the shipping charges, and can honestly say that a large amount of time was dedicated to the shipping module to get it right.  Unfortunately, the module couldn't calculate for non-US addresses, but for the US addresses it receives it's prices directly from the US Postal service.

 

I've given the book a lot of thought and here's my personal take on it.  Is it on the expensive side.  Yes BUT so were the Wheel Horses.  Why were Wheel Horses more expensive than others?  Because of the high quality of components used.  Like the tractors, this third edition will be around for a long long time, would you really EXPECT anything less?  Second.  Sadly Cecil is no longer with us.  I'd bet that he wouldn't have imagined that his little tractor would spark, shows, forums and books but they have.  It's fantastic that Michael took to time to get to know Cecil, talk to him, work with him, become his friend and tell the story.  Thankfully we have that story and any serious WH collector needs to know it.  We're all grateful that the story was told, and not left to rumors or forum posts.

 

What ever your opinion of the "Page 73" girl is (and you still can't post it here )  The second edition had the picture censored, and quite honestly it distracted from the message.  In any case, that single picture has gotten more air time here than any other picture in the book so it is a part of the legacy of the book.  Getting upset about a single picture in a book filled with a wealth of information is upsetting isn't really giving the book the recognition it deserves.  

 

Thank you for the kind words Michael.  As you all know RedSquare has been active in raising funds for Childhood Cancer.  We became active because of Max Nunn, and the forum and our members continue to raise awareness and money to help combat this killer of our children.  It was Michael who brought Max to our attention.  Michael also donated 2 brand new first edition books to be raffled off at Scott's Meet and Greet last year.  Using forum funds, I purchased a book to be used for our upcoming fund raiser (to be drawn Thanksgiving 2013) and when he found out that is why I bought it, the money was refunded.  Finally, a copy was donated to the WHCC to be raffled off at the 2013 Show in PA.

 

The Final Edition book sits proudly on my coffee table where I and my kids often pick it up.  Just everything about the book is first class, like our little red tractors.  

[SALTYWRIGHT 859]

THANK YOU FOR EVERY THING. I SOLD WHEEL HORSES BACK IN THE 50'S SO I HAVE BEEN WITH THEM FOR ALONG TIME. THEY ARE THE BEST AND SO IS YOUR BOOK.

[neil 2,398]

I have just arrived home from doing a local show  here in UK  where i was asked certain information about wheelhorse tractors. to find the answer i  refered to Michaels book, Whilst looking for the  informatioin a person came up to me and said .    Wow that is amazing that you have a book that you can refer too to find out information ,  where can i get a copy       

 

How many other garden tractors have their own  dedicated historical reference .

 

In my opinion you get what you pay for in this world and i think the book is  well worth every penny and would have payed more . including the postage cost

 

Thank you Michael for bringing this book to us ,It has made the hobby of wheelhorse tractors even more interesting beyond the tractor itself   THANK YOU

 

       On what Karl said too

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 132]

Pornographic? LOL   If that was the case I would have bought more.  

[clemedc 29]

Great book thanks for all your effort.

[Wheel Horse Kid 104]

Thanks again for doing the book! It sure is a wonderful book and I will always be keeping mine (They will have to bury me with it! LOL!).

[dmoore 687]

Mine came yesterday! Great job Mike! A must have book for any horse owner! Love all of the old ads...Fantastic reading! Thank you! Dave

[Marv 845]

I didn't like mine very much so I ordered another one and gave it to someone else.

Marvin

[Sarge 3,462]

Excellent book and again , thanks for the effort .

 

In regards to shipping , using USPS Priority is smartest move you could make - they are reliable and the associated cost is very reasonable given the fact that those books are shipping all over the place . Don't sweat the complaints , some folks are miserably happy - just the way it is .

 

The greatest part of this hobby other than the tractors themselves is the dedicated folks that help pass along information and share knowledge , without these contributions we would suffer dearly . People should remember that most of this is done with little thanks and a tremendous amount of work involve in getting things like this done . Insensitivity with complaints leads to things not being offered and the hobby would suffer as a result .

 

Keep up the good work , and thanks for offering such a nice reference book that will be enjoyed and passed on to future generations .

 

Sarge