So...there's been speculation, things said, rumors floating around, etc...
Here's the scoop, from the source.
Ed and Rosy Parks have sold The Fiero Factory, and retired, as of 12/09.
I, Jeremy Biggs, and my wife Stacey, have purchased The Fiero Factory from Ed and Rosy. We have been running it since 01/04/10, so you may have talked to one of us if you've called or come by. The shop was closed from 12/23 through 01/04, and we spent the last couple of weeks trying to get all set up (THAT will never be done...). If you have sent an email since the 24th of December, I am working to get caught up, as I had a couple of weeks with minimal computer access. Thank you for your patience.
So, the short story is, we just wanted to make the "announcement" and let everyone know that none of the "basics" have changed...contact info is all the same, staff is the same (with the exception of long-time tech David, who is no longer with us due to health reasons), and we're continuing what Ed and Rosy built up over the years. We are working hard to improve and expand things...and give the shop a much needed update in various ways. Long story follows.
Some of you may know me; many may not as I'm not a "regular" on here. I moved to Alabama in 1998 from Florida to work for The Fiero Factory. In Florida I was an ASE certified tech doing general repairs, specializing in diagnostics and electronics, from 1992 'til 1995. From '95 through '98 I ran a car audio shop and was also the "head installer", installing in-car entertainment, audio, and custom fiberglass interior work. I started "playing" with Fieros around '94. Ed got to know me over the internet, and offered me a job if I was willing to relocate, which I did in '98. I was a tech at The Fiero Factory from '98 until mid 2006, and the last two years Ed was "practicing" retiring and letting me handle much of the day-to-day operations in addition to wrenching. So...I am no stranger to Fieros, nor The Fiero Factory.
In 2006, I had a unique opportunity to jump into IT work with a substantial pay increase, and took it, with Ed's blessing. When Ed approached me about buying the shop when he retired, I knew I had the chance to take something great and make it even better. Despite the financial hardships it is putting on us, we are excited and happy to keep The Fiero Factory up and running for the Fiero community. With your support, we will be here for a long time, and hope to have more to offer as time goes on!
We are open to comments and suggestions, and know that quality work and customer satisfaction is critical to a successful business. We are working to be more accessible; we have a Facebook page accessible here, and you can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheFieroFactory. As always you can email us at FieroFactory@juno.com or visit our webpage (which will be updated in the coming months) at www.TheFieroFactory.com.
And yes, there will be a 12th annual Fiero Factory Swapmeet this year, though it may be more of an "open house" than a swapmeet.
Thanks all, and we look forward to serving your Fiero needs!
Great to see you on the forum. Not that Ed was doing anything wrong but I think expanding your online exposure like you appear to be doing is a great step in the right direction for The Fiero Factory.
Ed and Rosy were wonderful, honest people, and the fiero Factory was always a place I'd trust for good parts, and great advise. Jeremy... The same goes for you and Stacey. I've done business with the two of you over the course of the years, and can first-hand say that you are very good and trustworthy people. I look forward to Fiero Factory Version 2.0. Good luck man!
I appreciate it, and I've always felt there were several areas that could be improved. Now I have my chance to do that!
quote
Originally posted by smartaxel:
Ed and Rosy were wonderful, honest people, and the fiero Factory was always a place I'd trust for good parts, and great advise. Jeremy... The same goes for you and Stacey. I've done business with the two of you over the course of the years, and can first-hand say that you are very good and trustworthy people. I look forward to Fiero Factory Version 2.0. Good luck man!
Thanks Jim, much appreciated. Ironically, I was just answering your last PM when I got the email notification that you replied...so I'll just tell you here: we'll be at the shop 8-5 Monday thru Friday; give us a call one day this week.
Originally posted by Fierotech: And yes, there will be a 12th annual Fiero Factory Swapmeet this year, though it may be more of an "open house" than a swapmeet.
Great! I've been waiting for information this. Can't wait to visit and see it all in person.
Sounds like you guys are putting in some great new energy into place. Good luck, we are behind you! God Bless Alabama!
Brent
[This message has been edited by Camel (edited 01-18-2010).]
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12:12 AM
mrfiero Member
Posts: 8996 From: Colorful Colorado Registered: Mar 99
So the fiero factory has new owners? How do we know is the swaps are any good? . I just got a idea . I will send you my fiero. You will then do a 4.9 swap (free of charge) and I will make a review . Sound good? Congrats on your purchase
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02:45 AM
1MohrFiero Member
Posts: 4363 From: Paducah, Ky Registered: Apr 2003
I can attest to Jeremy's perosnal touch on customer service. I think I was his first customer this year. If not, i was one of the first few. Anyway, he met me at the shop on his day off, took my ill 88 GT in for a tranny change, and took us around the shop and the yard to show us around....in 17 degree weather!!!!!!!!!!!!! We couldn't feel our hands but had a great time! He has been communicative with me on my tranny problem and has found a few other tiny problems along the way always telling me and offering solutions. He is even standing behing former Fiero Factory work...now that is customer service! Jeremy is a great guy...if you need any part....any!!!...call him and get it. We, as a community, need to support these Fiero fanatics/suppliers to ensure specialists stay with us. We have that power and ability as a community. Come on guys...get behind them!
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08:08 AM
whodeanie Member
Posts: 3819 From: woodstock,Ga.,USA Registered: Jan 2008
Let us know the date of your open house/swap meet. My son and I will be there. My wife and I visited Ed and Rosie on their last day there and wished them well.
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10:24 AM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40712 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Living in NC the fiero factory is defiantly a small haul for me to get to but ive always wanted to check it out, the fact that you seem to be beefing up your online exposure (me being 22) may be enough for me to make the trek! I would say your taking some great steps
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01:04 PM
Jan 19th, 2010
blackrams Member
Posts: 31841 From: Hattiesburg, MS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
I've already done some business on some rims with Jeremy and was very pleased with the transaction. Am very glad he's taking over and look forward to doing some more business with him and the factory!!!
Congrats Jeremy,
Dan
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11:36 AM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
My biggest complaint about the old Fiero Factory was their weak internet presence. I'm glad you're addressing that issue. And I wish you the best of luck.
BTW, do you plan to have online ordering? Phoning in orders is so 20th century...
I spent a late evening with you some years back when I was visiting Huntsville and I drove out to Toney. I wish you the best of luck and I think Ed and Rosy chose the perfect successor.
Terry
[This message has been edited by TK (edited 01-19-2010).]
Few ideas to throw your way from a fellow alabamian..
Update the website! Add alot more info, and please add alot more pictures of not only the shop and lot, but of all the Fieros.. Maby try make an updated catalog of the cars you have, and in what shape they are in, with a picture if possible.. It would be alot of work im sure, as i know you guys have a ton of fieros in your lot. But it would be really worth the time and trouble, and make it alot easier for shoppers, which would bring you more buisness. Plus once you do it.. All you have to do is make updates every so often when you get new cars in.. Cause whenever i would call Ed about a part, he would always say "i probably got one, you'll have to come down and look".. lol.. But its like a 4 hour drive up there, and 4 hours back.. So its kinda hard to find time to just, drive up and look.. lol.. So a basic catalog that people can look through would be extremely helpful to both us fiero nuts, and for your sales as well.
Let me know when the swap meet is gonna be.. I live down in Tuscaloosa, so ill definatly drive up. I just hope i have my Fiero road worthy before the meet.
[This message has been edited by Jonesy (edited 01-19-2010).]
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09:53 PM
qwikgta Member
Posts: 4659 From: Virginia Beach, VA Registered: Jan 2001
website, internet, website, internet.......... your goal is to sell Fiero parts. Unless you want to go down as the best "Horder" of Fiero parts in the world, you have to get out there and sell, sell, sell. I too have had issues with the (lack of) internet exposure.
Just my $.02 cents
PS, thanks for all you do, its great knowing your there when we need you.
Thanks all for the positive comments and suggestions. To address some questions:
1.) We are planning to be at Daytona.
2.) The Open House/Swapmeet will be April 30th-May 2nd.
3.) I'll have to talk to Stacey about the menu. My guess? She's gonna push for catering...
4.) Shop hours are posted above and on our Facebook page, and are Monday through Friday 8-5, Saturday by appointment. I am working on expanding our phone coverage beyond that time...details to follow at a later date...
5.) As I alluded to, our website needs some serious work, and all things in due time. Yes, we plan on integrating online ordering. Yes, we plan to have some form of inventory, etc. No, we will never tell a customer to "come look around"...call or email us with what you need, and if I don't know the availability, I will find out for you.
Please be patient with us these first few months; there is a LOT for us to tackle in addition to the day to day work that has to go out to pay the bills. Everything is a priority, but if we don't keep turning out work and shipping out parts, we won't be around long enough for anything else to matter. So...updating the website, inventorying all 250 parts cars and the warehouse that is packed full of parts, and some other little (and big) things will take some time and may get pushed back. It will be slow going, but it will come.
We've already made several semi-transparent changes to expidite our ordering process to get parts shipped out a little quicker, and we have more changes coming. But it is more difficult to fix or improve an existing system/process/business than it is to build one from the ground up.
The important thing is, we are always striving to improve and provide more, and better, service and services to our customers. I am not content to continue on as-is; I want to grow and improve!
Thanks again all--
Jeremy B.
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10:45 PM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15143 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
Edwin & Rosy Parks are good honest, hard working people that were a positive force in the Fiero world. I met Ed and Rosy on several occasions and was at the swap meet in Al. a couple of times. Ed traveled all over th USA buying and collecting Fieros. The 100 or so on the premises of the Fiero Factory is testement to the numerous trips that took Ed to the NE, SE and everywhere else. The 3.4L and 4.9L swaps were popularized by Ed at Fiero Factory and Eds knowlwedge of Fieros is second to none. . I am going to miss Ed's warm demeanor, great Southern hospitality and his presence in the Fiero community but I welcome Jeremy and Stacey as the successors and wish them the best of luck. I hope that Ed and Rosy will choose to remain in the Fiero hobby and will come to future swap meets to say hello to old friends. No doubt that Ed was getting up there in years and as they say nothing is forever. . Last I heard the Parks plans were to sell their home in Toney and buy a place in No. Alabama by the lake.We wish the Parks all the best in their retirement and we hope that they join this forum to keep in touch.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Wow, I had buisness with the Fiero Factory during the "change over" period and the service was still lightning fast and prompt. I will be looking forward to doing future buisness with you guys! thanks again!
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11:05 PM
Jan 20th, 2010
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
I hate to sound like yet another 'me too' guy, but i have to agree Ed was ( is... ) a great guy, a keystone to the community and it was great doing business with him.
I dont personally know the new guy on the block but from what i have read, i think things will be ok.. and ya, looking forward to #12 ( and i do hope its not the last... )
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07:06 PM
mrfiero Member
Posts: 8996 From: Colorful Colorado Registered: Mar 99
I dont personally know the new guy on the block but from what i have read, i think things will be ok.. and ya, looking forward to #12 ( and i do hope its not the last... )
Well.....the 'new kid' has worked at the Fiero Factory for almost 12 years and is/was the tech who actually worked on the cars that came through the shop doors. I think he's qualified.
I only say this to assuage anyone's anxiety that the new owner is a newbie 'outsider' who knows nothing about Fieros or the Fiero Factory......Jeremy knows both intimately and will continue the high level of workmanship and customer service that the Fiero Factory is known for.
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07:36 PM
johnyrottin Member
Posts: 5464 From: Northwest Florida Registered: Oct 2007
Good luck with the transition! I'm still new to the Fiero world and it's nice to have a place so close. Glad to see that your going to push a bigger web presence.
------------------ 88 Fiero GT; 03 Sunfire; 86 Chevy Silverado; 09 Vibe GT; 57 Chevy Bel Air "Be an optimist, at least until they start moving animals in pairs to Cape Kennedy." Anonymous.
Thanks all. Hate to keep repeating myself, but we truly appreciate all the great feedback.
We're still deep in our growth and change phase, and still don't have near enough hours in the day for everything that needs done with regards to the improvements and changes, but they're coming, slowly.
I had an email issue this past week, so if anyone is waiting for a response, it will come, and I apologize for the delay.
Look us up on Facebook and Twitter. I'm not the best at coming up with random things to say, but I'd love to get some feedback and suggestions from everyone there. And, I intend on using those formats for announcements and specials.
I will say that Jeremy is the only person who I trusted enough to let him take a saw to an 88 Mera when I wanted to convert it from a hard top to T-Top. The result was quite impressive and his work on the turbo 3.4 swap on another Mera was also outstanding.
Nelson
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02:07 PM
Feb 3rd, 2010
blackrams Member
Posts: 31841 From: Hattiesburg, MS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Thanks all. Hate to keep repeating myself, but we truly appreciate all the great feedback.
We're still deep in our growth and change phase, and still don't have near enough hours in the day for everything that needs done with regards to the improvements and changes, but they're coming, slowly.
I had an email issue this past week, so if anyone is waiting for a response, it will come, and I apologize for the delay.
Look us up on Facebook and Twitter. I'm not the best at coming up with random things to say, but I'd love to get some feedback and suggestions from everyone there. And, I intend on using those formats for announcements and specials.
Thanks again, take care all-- Jeremy B.
Well there are those hours you spend wasting time sleeping.
Oh yeah, bump.
Ron
Ron
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05:02 PM
Oct 11th, 2010
87GT2M6 Member
Posts: 1297 From: Miami, Florida The Sunshine State Registered: Jan 2008