Rampage repair could be costly at VisionLand

I have two thoughts on the high GCI bid.

1st. They can bid high even if the job will only cost 1 mill or so then instead of charging the entire bid amount knock off a few hundred thousand and they are still making money and the park thinks they are getting a deal. By doing that the park may want to do business with them down the line.

2nd. GCI stated that the footers need to be repaired as well as the structure. In order to fix the footers you would need to either rip out complete sections of the coaster or somehow support the higher areas while removing the lower parts of the bents. Then you need to deal with ripping out the old footers then replacing the rebar, and making sure the concrete pours are at the right grade. After all thats done replace the wood structure above the footers.

I saw a TV show (the one that had construction of the Lightning Racer) that showed GCI's footers. They were all connected to form solid grade beams underneath the entire coaster not just round holes at each bent like most wood coaster have. From working tieing rebar I'd say GCI builds them solid from the footer up.

I'd guess that replacing the footers would be the most expensive part of the job. It's kinda tough to build a basement when your house is already built.

There is just one problem with this and that is that Chris Godsey is actually the notorius Darren Mullins, a know trouble maker on coaster related message boards all over the Internet. We got you this time Mullins.

Chris:

Thanks for the info.....I immediately trashed the email because of the virus, so I no longer have it. But, my description before covers it entirely.

I did not suspect that you personally, intentionlly sent me a virus (and I hope I did not imply that). That's why I made it clear that I have never spoken to you before! Hell, even CedarPointNut isn't that stupid! Well....

Anyway, it is a strange coincidence. I think the odds were too great for it to be completely random. There must be some connection between my email address listed on my info page here at coasterbuzz, and your amusement park based site.

If there is a link between whoever/whatever is sending these emails from your domain name, and the registerees (is that even a word? :) ) of Coasterbuzz, I wanted to give fair warning to everyone, so they don't get a nasty virus.

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- Peabody

Business Axiom: "Under Promise, Over Deliver" or in the case of placing bids, bid higher than you think the project is worth, this will cover your butt for the expected unexpected cost overruns. Then if by chance you complete the project for less, you come out looking awesome. "Helo, remember when we said your coaster restoration was going to be $2,500,000, well it actually wound up costing $1,750,000, so if you kindly arrange payment in the amount of $1,750,000" At which point the client thinks they saved a signifigant bundle of change and is in a really good mood. As long as the services rendered are satisfoactory, the client will go to that vendor for their good work and honesty,

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David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville

Good luck. That would royally stink if someone used my email to send nasty stuff.

No one else here has gotten one? This is weird. I am being honest. (I don't think I'm creative enough to make something like thnis up!)

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- Peabody *** This post was edited by Peabody on 11/5/2002. ***

I'm sure its someone that is registered here... like you said this is the only place they could have gotten your e-mail address.

Someone on trying to turn everyone on here against me (like that would be a problem anyways..). Whoever it is, I ask that you please stop doing it. I have done nothing to you to warrant this :)

THANKS!

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I hear a train a comin'
Comin' round the bend :P
TR2k3....GET READY!

Unless Peabody is actually Darren Mullins, which would mean that he may actually be trying to frame Godsey. My other theory is that Godsey and Peabody are one in the same and he is creating a diversion to distract people from the topic at hand: what old, relocated, 1920s wood coaster are you talking about Godsey?

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There is just one problem with this and that is that Chris Godsey is actually the notorius Darren Mullins

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I don't know much of anything about Godsey Consulting blah blah blah, but I can tell you without hesitation that Chris Godsey is not Darren Mullins.

Here's an epiphany--Fans of Captain Obvious might like to know that Mullins/Myra/other-name-of-the-week is to CO what the Joker is to Batman or MoJoJojo to the PPG. Without Mullins there would be no Theory of Nobody or inspiration for the term 'ponti-fecate'. It took a person of that uhhhh......caliber to send CO to the mask and Ray-Bans. Weird, huh?

-'Playa

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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo. *** This post was edited by CoastaPlaya on 11/5/2002. ***

I just wanted to say something totally off the subject, well maybe just a little off.

First I would like to say that Visionland is my home park per say, I really consider SFoG my home park, and Rampage is my favorite Woody at this point. Oh I'm sure there are better but I have not had the privilege to ride the others yet but hope to one day. I had a questions about the trains they use on Rampage, who makes them? I love these trains. Most of the woodys I have been on have trains like thoughs on The Georgia Cyclone and Scream Machine at SFoG, these are just a little small for me, but the trains that Rampage use are larger and roomier and make the whole ride experience better. Just wondering. *** This post was edited by Rider on 11/5/2002. ***

Regarding the virus email: It's probably some variation on the Klez mass-mailing worm. I get three or four of those @#$! things a day, and for the most part, they're difficult if not impossible to track down. Believe me, I've received them at one account, supposedly coming from my other account...and I don't use vulnerable email tools. Klez harvests email addresses from wherever it can find them, including the address books and the browser cache files of the infected system. It then uses the harvested addresses not only as target addresses, but also as forged return addresses.
The easiest way to protect yourself from it: DON'T use Outlook or any other email client that renders messages using Internet Explorer. And if you do insist on running lookOut, be sure you have all the security updates.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

We had an unofficial statement at the music repair center I worked at; "Fixed, not fixed". We charged $50 an hour (now $60) to fix your amp, mixer, keyboard, guitar amp etc. Often times the techs where fixing subpar work done at the factory, or at another repair center. Sure it's a lot of money, but you once again had a working product repaired by skilled technicians. I think they should pay GCI to do the work and not cheap out.
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If you want expensive rides, you're going to pay for them, in one way or another. *** This post was edited by Intamin Fan on 11/6/2002. ***

Not that this is happening, but it might:

Sometimes, in order to secure future business, a company will underbid (by a hefty amount) all the competitors. Said company will "bleed" the amount if it thinks it can recoop the lost earning with continued business in the future. This may or may not be happening here. For those who think I am crazy, it happens frequently when consultants bid for work (my knowledge extends from the aviation industry).

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? *** This post was edited by General Public on 11/6/2002. ***

Perspective from the contruction industry.

The axiom of "Under Promise, Over Deliver" hold very much true to certain projects. Usually, a contractor would do this to a project where it could lead to additional projects. This also is appropriate where competition isn't as tight.

The second approach, low-balling the bid, only is used when there is a gurantee of additional work after the initial project is complete. Contractors want to get their foot in the door and will do almost anything to do so. Once a second or third project comes around, the contractor will give a more realistic price and recoup lost money from the previous project(s). This approach isn't used as much and it's very dangerous obviously.

There is an advantage to getting one's name out there and at least dealing with the clients. If a contractor has a ton of work and can't take on any more, he may high-ball a bid on a project, just to get his name in there. When the next project comes up, he'll at least be on the bidders list and may be able to field a competitive bid. It's not that they bid on stuff they don't want to do...it's stuff they would love to do and it's a way of saying, "Hey, we're here...and we'll be here for your next project so keep us in mind." So yeah, it sometimes is a case of bidding high instead of not bidding.

This is stictly from a construction standpoint but the roller-coaster industry probably isn't too much different. The only advantage is the number of companies is far less, and everyone knows your name (queue Cheers theme) It's more or less a club and it's hard to break in if you're new to the game.

-Seth

I dunno. For someone who says he NEEDS members to keep this great site going, Jeff's got an awfully short fuse on people. I can understand the kids getting to him, but I just get sick of the constant beratement of otherwise harmless (and PAYING) members.

He doesn't need my money, so I'm not renewing. Somehow giving Jeff money feels like I'm sponsoring something like the Morton Downey Jr. show when it on the air. Piss on those you don't need, but unless you're just out and out lying about how money is tight, you might do yourself a favor and keep your mouth shut sometimes. I've been here over a year and gladly was one of your first paying members, but your caustic attitude wore me down in the long run. You don't owe me anything and now I don't owe you anything. I fully don't expect you to care that I'm gone.

Best wishes and adieu to all my friends here.

Back to the email virus thing:

I forgot that AOL now keeps trashed email for 24 hours....so I tried sending it top you, Chris....but it bounced back with this:

"cgodsey@godseyconsulting.com
This message has been rejected because it has
a potentially executable attachment Shouka_2_small[1].exe
This form of attachment has been used by
recent viruses or other malware.
If you meant to send this file then please
package it up as a zip file and resend it."

So, I don't know what else to do that wish you luck with resolving this mess.

WabashCannonball: You're kidding, right?

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- Peabody

Do what you gotta do Homey. Money is tight, and continues to be in the soft ad market. The money I get from club members doesn't fill my pockets or benefit me, it benefits the people who enjoy the site and enables them to continue enjoying it.

Just don't think for a minute that I'm going to change who I am or operate differently... that's never going to happen.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure

One thing I don't think we have seen yet (or if we have I missed it) is who did the estimate for Pro Parks. It seems like a lot of this is speculation about whether GCII's bid was high or not since we really do not know the background or expertise of who did the other estimate.

Adam
http://history.amusement-parks.com

SpaceCase810 stated, "Gee I wonder how he does all of this consulting from his home all by himself?? The address for his business is the same as his home address...weird. ?"

What's so weird about it?

I have a good friend who runs a tax consulting operation out of his house. He has 10 employees on retainer (they are also consultants - but are listed as employees in his filings) to assist with large projects that he cannot handle by himself. These ten people are based across the US and they do a lot of the "leg-work" in going to the client sites gathering the information that he needs so as to not have to do much/if any traveling.

Note-To avoiid being slammed by anyone, this is just proof that Chris _could_ be legitimate, I do not know Chris and do not know his background. But it is entirely within the realm of possibilities that his business could be run the same as my friend's.
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--George H
---Superman the ride...coming to a SF park near you soon... *** This post was edited by redman822 on 11/6/2002. ***

Chris:

I just noticed that earlier you signature contained online@godseyrides.com without the space it has now. I don't know ANYTHING about this virus email stuff. Perhaps that is how your nonexistant email adderss came to be. Infact, the address that it was sent to me includes the same capitalization that you used. Weird. I could try sending you a copy of it at a different address now (since your other one wouldn't acccept it), but perhaps it is completely unrelated to your email accounts/webhosting. Bummer that some virus worm or whatever got your domain name! :(

Sometimes companies do bid high on a project they dont really want. This way if they do end up getting the project, there is at least on positive thing that will come from the project... the money. Maybe they see this project as a complete headache and dont really want to be involved with it, but if they are selected at least they will be paid very well.

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sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't