I didn’t see an off topic forum so, if this is the wrong place to post, please move or delete this as required.
What is happening over on AR-15.com with Mark Larue? As best I can tell from the threads I read that weren’t deleted, he seems to have over reacted and made some assumptions regarding the president of AAC and has gone on some long rants. After reading some more, he seems to have done the same thing with Noveske. SilencerTalk seems to have series of posts of a similar tone but, it seems really one sided since Mark won’t post there and Kevin/AAC can’t post on AR-15.com to defend himself and his company.
Is Mark just having a melt down after an over reaction?
My only experience with something similar to this was long ago and the “company” man that misinterpreted what I said and over reacted had the good common sense to keep it in private email. I never bought any more of that company’s product. Mark made it obvious in one of his posts that the military drives his business and the little guys like me don’t matter. I’ll still take my personal money elsewhere - specifically a Noveske upper for my SBR and not an LT version.
Mark LaRue has always been nothing but a gentleman from my experience. I don’t know what you are referring to but he has always been more than helpful when “this little guy” has called to buy some gear. In my experience, his gear is the best in the market and his customer service is unmatched. Just my experience though, maybe someone else could chime in.
That’s exactly why I am so surprised to see his rants. Of course with deleted threads, it’s always hard to go back and get both sides of the argument.
I just don’t understand why someone that represents the corporate face of a great company would want to present such a poor public face. Unlike KAC, LT has held a good reputation for supporting the little guys like me while they turn out large quantities of outstanding products for the military.
It continues to boggle my mind at how much of an impact the internet forums can have on a person’s business; both good and bad.
I saw the AAC thread and am still having trouble understanding what the hell he is talking about or why he feels the need to air out his crap like that.
All of the companies, manufacturers, retailers, etc., should take a lesson from the guys at Gemtech. Say what you will about their products, but they have ALWAYS conducted themselves as gentlemen and in a professional manner on the forums.
Sadly I can’t think of a single other company that I can say that about.
ETA:
I haven’t seen the Noveske thread. Do you have a link?
Just a thought but this topic was left to die by both gentlemen a few months ago, how about we do the same? Whatever personal or business disagreements they may have, it does not in any way affect the quality of their products.
I am pretty sure that Mark did not bring up the AAC thing. He was responding to some posts made by the AAC crew at silencertalk.com. I can certianly understand his passion to defend his company and his friends (Mark Larue is held in very high esteem by some folks I trust implicitly and that is good enough for me.) even though I might approach it differently.
It is too bad that these things have to be aired in public. Neither side wins these pissing contest and more often than not both sides lose.
I don’t fully understand everything that is happening because threads keep getting deleted. Why it doesn’t just die and stay dead is an issue for the parties involved to decide.
I didn’t get to read the full original Noveske thread because the original was deleted before I read it. It started out with a discussion of Larue barrels and apparently ended with some discussion of market infringement.
If you look at Noveske’s website, it seems they have parted company with most Larue products.
What I don’t understand is what is prompting Larue’s rants. I have had a bad day or two in my life and posted a thing or two that I would like to have permanently deleted but, I usually have the good sense and restraint to let things die when I cross the line of good common sense.
I wrote off another company for similar issues long ago but, in all fairness I could find equal quality products for similar prices elsewhere so, it really wasn’t a personal sacrafice. If Larue is going to continue to rant, I will quit buying his products. He won’t care about the minor loss of business because as stated elsewhere he and his company are driven by military orders.
I don’t by KAC products because of price and a total lack of customer service. KAC is clearly focused on larger more lucrative contracts with military orders so, they don’t really care about my minor purchases. Are Larue’s rants a precursor to adopting a similar marketing strategy?
As for letting the whole thing die. Larue keeps bringing it up and apparently is fighting with two different respected companies. That suggests to me that the problem is with Larue.
In the beginning it all seems to have started with an over reaction about an event that was either embellished or miss understood when it was told to him. He didn’t have the common sense to let the issue drop and now just keeps fanning the flames of discontent.
My first notice of Mark’s actions are when he said the DD Lite rails are junk becuase they’re lighter than his rails. This was in response to Stickman saying he thinks the Lite rail is the best rail on the market, to answer the posters question of “who makes the best rail”. Later he claimed it was justified because Stickman said DD was the best, and Sickman has financial interest.
Mark stops shipping rails to Noveske, then coincidentally comes out with an upper that has all the same features of a Noveske. John gets pissed (rightfully IMO), and Mark makes a big dramatic post about it making John out to be the bad guy.
Mark Laure makes a topic to bash the guy who sold the VT shooter his Glock. The guy who sold the gun is a member of many forums, is very helpful, and one of the most respectful guys I know of (online atleast). Mark just keeps pushing ragging on this guy for BS reasons.
Stickman asks Mark a question in a private e-mail. Mark Larue goes public and tries to convince people Stickman is spreading rumors about his products, even though Stickman never told a soul and only asked Mark. He attempts to turn people against him, all the while stalking Stickman. The back story is alot more interesting than what many people know to. It’s not my place to share, but let’s just say I can’t honestly believe that deep down Mark is a good guy in real life.
AAC does something questionable, but not outright wrong at SHOT. The problem is solved until 6 months later when Larue makes a topic on ArfCom to bash AAC out of no where. More drama for nothing. He posts the e-mails where he goes off the deep end with profanity and personal insults, all the while AAC is being professional and seems confused.
I apologize because I know there are people here I respect that are going to take these comments personal due to their connections with Mark, but you couldn’t pay me to have the name Larue on anything I own at this point. Real life or the net, no so called “professional” should act the way he does. There’s a big difference bewteen stating your opinions and dramaticizing and digging for unwanted conflict.
ETA: I’d post links to all of the ArfCom threads, but they magically disappear when things start to go sour for Mark.
