The end is here....sad to say

[Ken Neeley]

Well ladies and gents...and Scott , sorry to say my employment with Bass Pro Shops came to an unexpected and abrupt end Friday evening. I got the call on my cell while I was on my way up-north for a relaxing weekend off with my younger son...needless to say, it put quite a damper on the relaxation part of it.

Of course, I will still frequent this board (my favorite website on the entire 'net) and now I will have more time to do it!!!

Many of you have built up a relationship with Craig...please continue to use him for your parts needs...I'm sure he will continue to service you flawlessly as he has in the past.

Rob and Buzz...I'm still planning on you guys being here this weekend...call my cell when you get in. 248-431-5913

I'll have more time to shop with you guys!!!



Anyways, thanx everyone for your support of BPS and Tracker/Nitro boats.

Incidentally, I have absolutely nothing lined up except maybe heading south to fish for a while...if anyone has any good job leads for me, they would be much appreciated.

My home e-mail is [email protected]

 

[James D.]

ken,



thanks for letting us know. I am sorry that this has happened. I'm sure that you are not able to discuss it much on this site, but I think BPS screwed up big time. I don't think many people with your honesty, integrity, and drive for customer service are around. hope someone on the site can give you some good job leads and get you fixed up as I bet a lot of companies would be glad to have you and bps will someday realize their mistake.



jd

 

[Kim Becker]

Ken, I'm sorry to hear this and if I can help you in any way please ask. I don't know the circumstances but I thought BPS had more class than to do something like this over the phone. Again, anything I can do just ask. Remember, it is the people that matter.

 

[Mike Levesque]

Ken, first of all, what a shocker,

second, over the phone?

You are a first class guy, and I pray you land on your feet and I'm sure you will. Thinking about you here, egMike

 

[Corey Carrico2]

Sorry to hear this Ken. I certainly hope you soon find a great new opportunity doing what you enjoy. Best wishes.



--Corey

 

[Steve Rizza]

Keep your head up Ken,a good honest guy like yourself will be on to bigger,and better in no time at all.

Steve

 

[Staci Matheis]

Ken -



I'm real sorry to hear this..... Whatever the circumstances, they've lost a good man. I wonder if they have any idea as to how much good you and your participation in this website brought to Tracker/BPS?



What is this "over the phone" stuff? No one does that to no body no how.....



(explative deleted)

me.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Ken,



I had not yet lined up a partner for the Rally. Wanna lower yourself and ride around in TIN? You can wear a funny hat, moustache, fake nose and glasses, even. I wouldn't mind if no one could tell that was you in my boat ... as a mmater of fact.. I'd probably prefer that!!!!

Seriously, I have a room lined up and if you can stand the snoring (very bad) you are my guest!



Greg

 

[Ken Neeley]

I just might be able to make it down there....gotta see how the funds are holding up at that time.

 

[Staci Matheis]

Yeah! Borrow Trepper's hat and come to the Rally!

NOT the pink fedora - the Jar-Jar Binks one!

 

[Ken Neeley]

I gotta go clean out my (ex) office right now....I'll be back on later tonite.

 

[Marke Cicero]

I've been sitting here for 15 minutes and I don't know what to say. I'm completely speechless. I can't beleive they did it over the phone.



I know it put a damper on the weekend but I hope you and Ben still had some fun up north.



Call me if you need to chat. I have a full bottle of So Co if you need to do a shot.



Marke

 

[Bruce Yeaton]

All I can say is WOW,.... what a huge mistake by BPS. Sorry to hear Ken. Keep your chin up, something will come along.



Bruce

 

[David Hunt]

Say it ain't so! I'll have you know I have purchased stuff just from your ex-BPS because of my impression of you on this site. I hope you land on your feet square and firmly.



david.....

 

[Rich D]

Ken,



Sorry to hear it! I hope you make it to the rally! I guess BPS and Tracker don't realize what an asset you are to them. Don't worry, someone else will realize it and you will be back on your feet.



Rich D

 

[Mark Gross]

 

[Sam Elkins]

Ken, What a shock. Sorry to hear that. Even though I never met you in person I feel I know you thru the board. It may not seem like it right this minute but it's BPS' loss. Good people like you don't stay down long. Get up, brush yourself off and move on up. There are businesses out there that put customer service and integrity on top and that's where you'll wind up, on top.

 

[brooks williams]

Best of luck to you Ken! I'm sure this is just a prelude to something even better.



brooks

 

[Ken Wise]

Sorry to hear that. Makes you think if they do this to there employee how do they really feel about there coustomers. I was going to buy a 898 now I'm not so sure. Some times things don't look so good but work out for the best. Good luck in the future. Ken

 

[Bruce Freeman]

D**M Ken? What can any of us say.. Tell Mac to hook you up with Ranger and give them this site as a reference and you can name you own job,title and salary there is what 1??? members here to vouch for ya.

Good Luck and Go with our blessings

BF

 

[Sue DeLelys]

Ken,



I saw your post earlier and was also left speechless and shocked. All I could do was go off line and reflect.



I am another who has been there. Got let go by a company I loved and never saw it coming. Once I got over the shock and the hurt, I found that someone needed me more.



So, keep your head up...there is someone out there who needs you more than BPS thought that they did. With your experience and integrety you will land on your feet and better off than you were. There may be some bumps along the way, but you've got alot of good folks pulling for you. Keep us posted, we care.



Sue D.

 

[Mark Hofman]

Ken:



Wow. Words can't even begin to describe what's going through my head. All I can think to say is that they made a HUGE mistake.



You're in my prayers, and I hope that you will stick around here.

 

[Buzz Bouvier]

Ken, I'm sorry to hear of this news. Enjoy the time with your son, and don't dwell on the why because nothing ever comes out of that. I would have thought that they would have shown a little more class in the way they handled it. Enjoy some time off, dust off the resume and you'll be back on your feet in no time.. Take care and I'll see you at the end of the week..



Buzz

 

[Tom Jones]

Ken,

UNBELIEVABLE!?!?!?!? You hear a few bad things about a company, you blow it off as a few disgruntleed customers blowing off steam. But, the more I hear about BPS, the more I wonder how they treat their customers if the will PHONE an employee to let them go. From whatI know of you from the board, It's their loss and someone else's gain.

God blesses the honest man!

Tom

 

[Ken Neeley]

I just got back from cleaning out my office and being escorted out of the building....I haven't read everyone's messages yet....I got as far as MARKE'S and just wanted to tell him real quick....BRING THE SO-CO OVER NOW!!!!!!!!

 

[TrepMan]

Ken - Like the rest, I am in SHOCK and don't know what to say? My first reaction is to fire off a flaming e-mail followed up by a certified letter to Johnny himself and all of the board of directors. You have helped myself many times as well as hundreds of this boards members and then some. ANY time you wanna come down and grab the keys let's take my Tracker out for a day on the water, the hot tub and Home Brew are waiting!!! Beka will cook up a mess a food (see guy's I am learning this southern thing!) and we'll let Noah and Eli tackle you!



If there is ANYTHING I can do just drop me an e-mail and it's yours Big Dog!!!



Having been thru many layoff's and "right sizings" other then sales-staff that worked from home office's i've NEVER heard of a manager, let alone a Store Manager let go via cell-phone. I don't care if they caught you kissing the Muskie in the tank, that is NO way to do business.



We're all here for you Ken, and we KNOW that your steller service reputation will land you a much BETTER job soon!



Now Tracker, hmmm, they've got some explaining to do! It would be REAL nice if some of them visit this Site and would POST a letter of concern or explaination. And I know that HR/Corporate does NOT discuss employee firing decisions with the outside world, but somethings gotta get out!

 

[Carlos Hathcock III]

Nuts,

As the others are I am also speechless. Makes me wonder what the uppers really do think. I am really sorry and as we know what caliver of person you are...

I really do nto know what to say, other then please keep your chin up and if you are as far south as Virginia I have a place for ya to rest some on the southerly fishing trip!!!!



Semper Fi Ken



Carlos

 

[Jim B]

All i can say is WOW. With the reputation you have for being a real customer focused guy i would have figured BPS would want more guys like you. I guess we know their focus isnt on customer service.

 

[Rich Stern]

Ken, I'll chime in and borrow a paraphrased line from Jerry Maguire:



"There is such a thing as manners. A way of treating people. These fish have manners. I'm taking these fish and starting a new company."



Ken, you didn't leave the fish behind when you left, did you?



By the way, the title of this thread is wrong. It is more appropriately called "A new beginning."

 

[Tony Payne]

I'm not sure exactly what to say.



From what I know of Ken, and the reputation he has on this board and with others, this move by tracker/bps is completely unfathomable.



Ken, All the best to you in your search. Your future is bright. Let me know if there is anything that you need. Anything.



Tracker Marine: What in the hell are you thinking? While I am sure that no one will pst a response from Tracker, I can say that this move certainly "clouds" the issue of their commitment to Customer Service, and customer oriented people. Ken is undoubtably the reason that many tracker/nitro owners are satisfied customers. Many were not when they first happened upon this site. Ken helped to change that. Trust me, you will realize your loss soon enough.



Guess I did know something to say after all.



Tony

 

[John Foster]

WOW. I can't beleive it. Sorry man. But I agree with all the rest. Don't take this as an end of something but make it the start of something even better.



I don't know what happened, But You have always been there for me/us whenever we needed you. Heck I got better service from you then I got from my local guys and your 2000 miles away.



Keep your head up and be positive and it will all work out.



John

 

[Jr. Dunn]

Go Cabelas!

 

[Bill McElroy]

Ken,...call me when you get a chance!!...."Over the phone?!".....how low-class is that?!!!...Call me...

 

[Nick De Marzio2]

Ken,



Sorry to hear about the news. They are making a big mistake. They need more of your type of person around. I wish you the best of luck in the future and I am confident that you will land a good position, because some companies are looking for your type of person. This web site will always remember you as a person that cares.

 

[TOMMY RICH]

WWWWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAATTTT?????? Sorry to hear that Ken...I know what it feels like to lose a job like that (abrubt and while I was on vacation). Keep your head up and keep those comments and ideas comin'....let us know if we can help AT ALL! Thanks for the offers in helpin' me out with some of the problems I had early on...

FISH ON!

TEE

 

[Texas Transplant]

I, with the others here wish you nothing but the best moving forward. Just remember, when one door is closed, another is opened - somewhere. Keep your attitude intact, and focus on the positive. As hard as it may be at this time.



My best thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.



Tex

 

[Douglas Ward]

Ken,



Sorry to hear - best of luck for the future. Been there myself but never "over the phone". Who ever made the call, or told the person to do it - lacks alot of class.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Well that just plain sucks. Sorry, but there is no other way to put it. One of the few guys that the public witnessed repeatedly going above and beyond and this is how they treat you? Ken, we'll talk when I get out there. I don't know how you feel about relocating to P'burgh? But the weather is spledid and the fishing even better! Anyhow Chief, there are a lot of things happening here and I'd be happy to try to line you up with something. I think you'll get snatched by somebody quick though. Good luck, and we'll talk this weekend. I'll bring some seafood! Scallops?

 

[Mike L.]

Ken, Sorry to hear the bad news..Tracker's loss....I hope it all works out well for you!



Don't dissappear from the board either. We don't care who you work for. Your knowledge and humor is greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all here!!!!!

 

[Bill McElroy]

Keep in mind folks,...this is/was NOT a BPS directive,..Ken worked for TRACKER,....they are now seperate entities!! Direct your comments to "Tracker",....not BPS...just an FYI.

 

[David Jordan]

I don't know what to say! Sorry to hear this. Should have done it face to face not a phone call. That's not right.

Best of luck

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Thanks Mac. I was a bit confused when Ken said his job at BPS. I thought it was Tracker, and now that it's confirmed, frankly it doesn't surprise me. I may be ticking off some "unseen" people here but....tough. I think this just once again confirms Tracker's true position on customer service. I can only guess, but my bet would be that Ken's integrity and devotion to making it right dipped too far into Tracker's profit margins. Can't be having that. Never fear prez, if that's the way they run it, you don't want to be there anymore anyhow. Time to find bigger and better fish! Try giving Ranger a call. You never know why things happen, I'm sure in a year, you will look back, laugh, and be grateful this happened when it did.

 

[Bill McElroy]

It's easily misunderstood,....the Tracker folks are Tracker employees....NOT BPS employees....they just work IN a BPS store. Everybody thinks they are one in the same...not so!

 

[Adam Murray]

Ken...hope you had a good weekend, despite this crap. Call me this afternoon when you get a chance.

 

[Ken Neeley]

Mac is partially right...up until 2 weeks ago, we were BPS employees, but a new company was formed, Tracker Marine Boat Centers, making all the former BPS employees Tracker Marine employees.



BPS is still, in my opinion, the best damn store there is for guys like us...hunters, fishermen, outdoorsmen. I will continue to spend my hard-earned money there(if i have any!!) because they do provide an awesome caliber of products at great prices.



I'll respond to more of these later...I'm still kinda in shock....I better go watch Dr. Phil.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

NOOOOO!!!! Dr Phil, that commie! He'll have you checked into a shrink ward, handing over your guns, joining PETA and taking up Tofu and yoga for hobbies! Don't do it Ken, it's not worth it!

 

[TrepMan]

Ken - Go to www.boortz.com and listen to Neil on the web!!! He'll get your spirits up!!

 

[Gene B]

Ken, I know that you will emerge from this just fine. I don't know you well but, what I know is you are a great person and would be an asset to any company you would go to work for. I hope that our paths meet again soon.



BTW Ken isn't desparate, no need to go tin!!!



Gene



P.S. That's probobly why I didn't see you saturday.

 

[Mark Gross]

!!!!!KEN STOP!!!!!

Don't turn to Dr. Phil! I've seen first hand what it can do to you through my wife..and it isn't pretty.

Infact beware of most daytime TV its designed to lure you into a false since of well being. This can be very potent stuff to someone who's mind is free at the time. Get back on the computer and take a look at Monster .com or something.

Its time to find a better job! today.



We believe in you,next job make sure its in enviroment that allow you to provide customer satisfaction.

 

[Thomas Macaluso]

Ken

That really sucks.It really shows total lack of professionalism and class to let you go over the phone and not in person My sympathies go out to you and your family. Irregardless of the fact that BPS and Tracker are separate entities Johnny Morris and his crew will never get another penny of my money if I can help it if this is the way they treat a loyal employee. I really thought that Tracker was moving in the right direction by employing individuals such as yourself and Nathan Long. Best of luck in your job hunt I know how you feel I

 

[mark hall]

 

[Bob G.]

Ken,



I arrived in Austin, Texas last night and just got logged on. WOW! I hope the best for you. I'll be at the Houston Classic looking up Mini. We can hook up if you are still going. Let me know. E-mail me at [email protected]



Bob G.

 

[JAMES MOORE]

Hang in there Ken, change is always good for the soul. All things happen for a reason. Oppurtunities abound out there all you have to do is get out there and look.

 

[gone bye bye]

For crying out loud...you would think he died...lol



(acting like CBJ Neely..lol)



He will survive....lol



Mini

 

[Michael Snow]

Ken, here's the silver lining... head south young man. Texas has great fishing, and you can fish most days. The only problem is that you might get blown off the lake, but seldom frozen .



I don't know if you have a family, though I suspect you do, so relocation may not be that easy.



On the lighter side, I hear a dealership named "dusty rhodes" might need someone with a customer service attitude .

 

[Ken Neeley]

Mini...you kinda look like CBJ too!!!



Mike..I'm gonna try and head south to do a little fishing while our water is still frozen.



Speaking of which....we going to Houston, Mini??????

 

[Bill Balch]

Ken,



I am really sorry to read about your current situation. I am a new member on this board, but it is very apparent that you are a highly respected and extremely helpful source of advice and information. More than that you come across as a really nice guy. You are the kind of sales rep anyone shopping for a boat would want to buy from.



So, I believe you'll eventually land on your feet. I know that in my own life a lot of the good stuff wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gone through the bad stuff.



Best wishes, Bill Balch