I just saw that it has shut down as of June 1 and probably come back after a while as an on-line store. Mike will have to work it part time. https://thefierofactory.com/
see i thought that too but i messaged before and after the move and got no response so i was assuming the worst and looks like exactly that had occurred
Thank you Mike. That was a big endeavor you took on with the purchase of the Fiero Factory, living in Colorado and it being in Alabama.
I have not been following the Fiero Factory saga, though I did know about it. Is the inventory still in Alabama ? Gosh, it will also be hard to have a good website.
The parts business did move to Colorado and I think he moved the inventory there. The service business stayed in Alabama as TFF Auto. I'm not sure if TFF Auto still does Fiero engine swaps.
Mike claims that he is losing money but how do you make money without moving parts? He could try selling at a big discount and the orders may roll in,
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, 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 "
I don't hold any special favor with Mike Valentine, but he was gracious enough to let my family stop by the old Fiero Factory, primarily for my daughter's benefit... getting permission from the current property owner. For the record, they do not do drop-ins as it's an automotive business now unrelated to the old Fiero Factory. But I'm hoping that with all the years of service, etc., that the Fiero Factory has given us, and that Mike has effectively saved for the whole community, that we might be able to get together and do something to support and help him... whatever that decision is.
Some thoughts...
- A group of people he trusts go up there and help him itemize, organize, and catalog everything in the warehouse. - Help him pick through the Fieros that are left in the yard, segment out the ones worth keeping, and identify the ones that likely need to just be scrapped. - Take pictures of all the specific items of interest, including engines and other rare parts, and help with the website.
I don't live close... it's a 7-hour drive for me, but I'd be willing to do it simply because this hobby is very much part of who I am, and the Fiero Factory and by extension Mike... is part of that. We need him to coordinate and whether or not he even wants our help. It might even be that maybe he rents a big truck and loads it up with the most valuable parts, and then scraps everything else... and I'm happy to support either way.
There is no judgement, and we all understand the challenges that small businesses faced during COVID... I think if I'm not mistaken, nearly 60% of small businesses closed down after COVID. The fact that he managed to keep it alive this long with a declining consumer base and in a downed economy is amazing and shows the dedication that he's had for this little car.
Where to begin? I feel I need to (briefly) go through the history of The Fiero Factory again.
Ed Parks created it back in the 1990's and sold it to Jeremy Biggs around 2010 when he wanted to retire. Most people have a picture in their mind that The Fiero Factory is the 5 acre plot of land in Toney, Alabama where Fieros were both worked on (general repairs, engine swaps, etc) and parted out (over 350 Fieros in the yard at one point!), but that place no longer exists. It is a shell of its former self. Some of that is a natural progression, some may be mismanagement over the years too. I'm certainly not trying to say I did everything right.
I briefly worked for Ed back in late1998/early 1999....the same time Jeremy was working for him, so I had some history with The Fiero Factory prior to 2019, when I bought it from Jeremy. Here's the confusing part....I only bought the Fiero part business. We essentially cut the business in half.....I got the Fiero junkyard and Jeremy continued with general repairs, engine swaps, etc. (now working on all makes & models). I live in Colorado and have since 1984, so I never planned on moving to Alabama. Ever. My plan was to answer phone calls and emails from my house in Colorado and have employees pull and ship parts from Alabama. We had one employee at that time and I planned on hiring one more. I never got that chance because less than 8 months later COVID shut everything down and we let that one employee go. So for the past 5 years I have been doing everything and quite frankly it wore me out. Sales have been slipping the entire 6 years I've owned it, which makes hiring help impossible.
I have essentially been subsidizing the business by putting everything on credit cards and mortgaging my house, etc. I'm out of money and energy. I closed things down on June 1st so I could try to get a handle on my personal finances and clear out my house of Fieros and Fiero parts in case I needed to sell my house. Believe it or not, my financial position hasn't changed over the past 2 months. It hasn't gotten any better, but it also hasn't gotten any worse...even with no income!
The truth is, I moved *some* parts and *some* cars from Alabama to Colorado, but the bulk of things are still in Alabama. I was essentially based in Colorado, but not everything is in Colorado. The cost to move everything would be staggering.
Yes, I am claiming I'm losing money. That's because I am. I estimate I spend $1.50 for every $1 in sales. Whether anyone believes me or not is irrelevant, but I did lower prices in an attempt to make it up in volume. The problem is the volume never materialized. Also, there are a lot of people in the parts game now and with shipping costs so high now, it makes more sense to buy from someone local. I only get calls for obscure parts or random $5 stuff. I can't blame people for not wanting to spend more on shipping a fender than what the fender costs, but I can't pay bills by selling 3 or 4 $5 parts a day.
This isn't a "woe is me" statement, I just want people to understand where I am coming from. It is my contention that a full scale Fiero-only used parts business is no longer viable. I have come to terms with this and I am (mostly) at peace with it. I spent a lot of time and a lot of money trying to convince myself that I was wrong but finally realized that the sunk cost fallacy is a real thing. Like a degenerate gambler, I kept doubling down trying to make back my losses. I now know that this is impossible. That money is gone and spending any more at this point is not only reckless, it's stupid.
I doubt that I will ever re-open. I even doubt that I will get a website up and running anytime soon. I just don't have the skills or time or money for that. I'll probably just post stuff on eBay and Facebook Marketplace until it's gone or I die (whichever comes first!).
There are other forces in play that I can't get into right now, but time is running out for me at the Alabama location, so cars will be crushed and parts will be scrapped in the very near future. No choice in that. I've already crushed 8 shells/rust buckets and I'll be back down there in a couple of weeks to purge even more. I'll save the better cars for last, but quite a few have to go in the very near future.
This is more of a rambling diatribe than I planned....sorry. Bottom line is, I appreciate anyone's willingness to help, but it might be time to quit doing CPR because the patient is dead.
It's not all doom and gloom. I still love the Fiero and will continue tinkering with them and going to as many shows and gatherings as I can. As some therapy, I took a $500 parts car (88 Formula with 230K miles) and just got it up and running after a 10+ year slumber. That sort of thing still brings me joy.....the parts business hasn't completely taken that away. It still looks like a $500 parts car, but it runs and drives like a $1000 car.
[This message has been edited by mrfiero (edited 08-09-2025).]
Sorry to hear this, sad part about business though is you need a market/customer base that covers all your cost as well as what buyers are willing to pay.
Maybe before things go to the crusher you could post a last chance option? Hopefully with some pictures?
For what its worth I had bought and paid a fair amount for shipping of some large parts years back. I don't regret it, they came as described, fit perfectly and are in great condition plus it saved me a 2+ day trip.
Every business must have a plan but one fundamental aspect is that the business must be where the merchandise is located. There are exceptions like Rock Auto that partner with automotive warehouses that drop ship but even that scheme is getting old. Amazon usually sells for less.. No knock on Mike as he's a good guy; I hate to say it but the Fiero Factory parts business plan was flawed from day one. Fiero owners are among the most "close- fisted" buyers in the hobby. Regardless we wish Mike the very best moving forward.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, 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 "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 08-09-2025).]
Let's just call a spade a spade and say the failure of this entire thing is Jeremy Biggs who apparently only wanted the business so he could buy a fully stocked shop and start his own non-Fiero repair business. All Fiero events at the shop stopped, any family oriented Fiero gatherings stopped. Basically he wanted zero to do with the Fiero crowd. A complete clown bought Ed Parks business and unfortunately you got caught in the middle.
No apology will ever be necessary from you, Mike. You put your entire life on hold to attempt to save the Fiero end of the business. We all appreciate and respect your efforts.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-09-2025).]
Let's just call a spade a spade and say the failure of this entire thing is Jeremy Biggs who apparently only wanted the business so he could buy a fully stocked shop and start his own non-Fiero repair business. All Fiero events at the shop stopped, any family oriented Fiero gatherings stopped. Basically he wanted zero to do with the Fiero crowd. A complete clown bought Ed Parks business and unfortunately you got caught in the middle.
No apology will ever be necessary from you, Mike. You put your entire life on hold to attempt to save the Fiero end of the business. We all appreciate and respect your efforts.
I guess what you are saying is Jeremy Biggs sold Mike Valentine an albatross. Could be.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, 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 "
1986gt Just out of the Paint Shop and I had waited until the car was done to get the new tires on it. Well after a very long time had passed at the tire shop and my car was not out of the shop area, and the owner was then called to the shop floor. It was then I went to look out onto the shop area to see the owner and 3 techs standing by my car shaking their heads with a very concerned look. The owner called me to the counter and said: I have a real problem; They tried jacking your car under the rocker panel. Needless to say the panel exploded. The owner said take it back to the body shop that just painted the car and have it fixed and he would take care of the bill.
Now the body shop looked at it and had a real problem. We will not be able to get these parts for a car this old. I told them no problem I will get the parts and collect when the job is finished. Lucky for me The Fiero Store still had the lower rocker new. But the small trim at the bottom of the front fender which also went south with the rocker no one had.
This is where The Fiero Factory came to the rescue found them online and called for the part. Well problem was he did not want to separate that part from a fender as he did not have just that part alone. He also stated the cost to ship the fender would be more than the fender. So I gave him an option I asked how much is the fender. He quoted a price of $35 I said fine go pull the part I need and I will pay you $35 and through the fender in the trash. Well took a little time to convince him I was not crazy and that I did not care as I was not paying for the part. After that he said No Problem for that much I will find you the best one I have… Great Guy!!!
I have known Mike for a very long time, we met at a F.O.C.O.A. National event, we hit it off with our passion for Fiero T-top cars. So I understand his passion, as I am hooked as well. I have been selling Fiero parts since 1986 (yes this is not a typo 1986) and I have watched fiero owners sell parts over the years with the same passion for the Fiero and come to the same fate of closing: Fiero Warehouse, Fiero Farm, Bob Stieger Fiero Shop, Rodney Dickman and now Fiero Factory. It is not a business that can truly be a full time job, without having another form of income. Now there are a few that are still out here but they have forms of income coming in Fiero Jon out east has DeLorean's Larry Hubbert down in Florida and myself Fiero John of Wisconsin in the Midwest (as Mike is correct shipping continues to keep going up and it prices a part unjustifiable, that shipping is more then the part. I have a full time job so I am able to sell parts way less or take parts in trade and cash. But I don't ship, pick up only at my place or I go to 2 shows per year Midwest Dells Run in June in Wisconsin and Fiero-Rama in September in IL. and I bring the parts with me. It sucks that Fiero outlets are going away (sorry if I missed anyone that still sells parts) I have watched the demographic change as far as age and what they are looking for which plays a big part in this as well. I have noticed that there are 3 types of groups and ages as follows:
1st Group-Age 16 to 27 (big group of young adults want everything for their Fiero BUT don't have the funds) that is why I offer fiero trades and cash (they may not have the money, but they have the networking to get others to pick up parts or find parts more easily
2nd Group-Age 28 to 44 ( this is more of the silent group for fiero stuff) they are in that family stage so they don't have much time with family sports, vacations and school) not that they don't buy but way less then the other 2 groups and that is understandable
3rd Group-Age 45 on up ( the other big group but they want mint part even NOS Fiero parts to restore their cars back to stock) this is a hard group to sell parts to since unless the Fiero Store has it new they want mint 40 year old parts and (I am guilty of wanting the same since Im in this group) ( but I realize a mint 40 year old part is either scuffed, faded or brittle) so there isn't much to sell to them or do they want to buy it.
So in a nutshell Group 3 barely buys, Group 2 doesn't have time to buy and Group 1 doesn't have a lot of funds to buy, that is why I can see this being a hard full time business only. Mike sorry to you and this forum I just wanted to explain what I seen from selling parts over the many years, ( I know I talk to much) and who know maybe it will change with technology somethings are starting to be produced more since 3D printing but thats another story in it's self.
Good luck Mike, hopefully someone might step up and buy some of your stuff and sell parts or maybe you only do it as a part time thing...
[This message has been edited by FIERO JOHN-WI (edited 08-13-2025).]
Bottom line is, I appreciate anyone's willingness to help, but it might be time to quit doing CPR because the patient is dead.
It's not all doom and gloom. I still love the Fiero and will continue tinkering with them and going to as many shows and gatherings as I can. As some therapy, I took a $500 parts car (88 Formula with 230K miles) and just got it up and running after a 10+ year slumber. That sort of thing still brings me joy.....the parts business hasn't completely taken that away. It still looks like a $500 parts car, but it runs and drives like a $1000 car.
Hi Mike, I'd still like to help if I can. If you decide you want to rent a truck and load it up, please call me and I'll come up there and spend a week helping you load it up... free of charge. I'll even buy us a pizza and beer. Let me know...
Also, my daughter wants me to buy one of those cars there too... and has buy-in from the wife. So if you haven't crushed the one she wants yet... I'm interested. Haha...
Thanks... also... have you thought of maybe reaching out to The Fiero Farm, or Villain here in Florida? They might be interested in buying a ton of stuff from you.
Hi Mike, I'd still like to help if I can. If you decide you want to rent a truck and load it up, please call me and I'll come up there and spend a week helping you load it up... free of charge. I'll even buy us a pizza and beer. Let me know...
Also, my daughter wants me to buy one of those cars there too... and has buy-in from the wife. So if you haven't crushed the one she wants yet... I'm interested. Haha...
Thanks... also... have you thought of maybe reaching out to The Fiero Farm, or Villain here in Florida? They might be interested in buying a ton of stuff from you.
LMK which car she wants. I have already crushed 15 or so cars, but they were mostly rust buckets and cars that were already stripped naked. I'll give you the car in partial exchange for helping clean up the place!
I may just have you come help me in October....when it cools off and (hopefully) isn't so rainy. It's too complicated a story to relay here, right now, but about an acre of the land has been sold. That land includes the warehouse with all the parts. I need to go through it and cherry pick the "good" stuff before everything else gets tossed. I have until March 1st to do this....after that date everything left will be thrown out. I'll be in touch.
BTW....feel free to publish/release the video you took last year. I meant to tell you that a long time ago.
Mike hooked me up with a performance sound box for a killer price. Can't wait to get it.
I hope it worked out! I have quite a few of the speaker boxes, but almost all of them have cracks around the screw holes. It took some digging to find you one that wasn't messed up!
I guess what you are saying is Jeremy Biggs sold Mike Valentine an albatross. Could be.
While it certainly became an albatross around my neck after the fact, I bought the place with my eyes wide open. Jeremy didn't do anything nefarious.....in fact, we are good friends.
Originally posted by FIERO JOHN-WI: I have known Mike for a very long time, we met at a F.O.C.O.A. National event, we hit it off with our passion for Fiero T-top cars.
We go back to the olden days of the 1990's!
I agree with your assessment of the buyers out there and that a stand alone used parts business cannot survive as a sole source of income for the owner. I am living proof of that. Others do well because they also service cars, do engine swaps, fabricate new parts, etc. in addition to selling used parts.
I am under a time crunch to do anything with the stuff in Alabama. Some will be saved, but the majority of the stuff will be scrapped. I have been running on fumes (financially & otherwise) for a couple of years now. I'll still continue selling stuff, but it will be as a part-time gig through eBay, FB Marketplace and/or the PFF Mall. If I can find someone to build an e-commerce stye website I'll continue selling tnings as The Fiero Factory too.
But anyone that thinks that they can make a living selling stuff to Fiero owners has been sniffing too much glue
It is a niche market. I went to Fierorama this week in Illinois.... and at 52 years old (no spring chicken) I felt young being there, This should be a huge warning sign for anyone doing this
If you are going to supply parts, services, etc for Fieros, I love you and appreciate you.
But if you think you can make a living at it, then I am sorry...... but you need to stop smoking the cheap stuff...
I met Brian Sanburn BTW. Great guy, highly recommended. There are some good vendors out there. I am just saying that something that we do out of emotion and love does not necessarily make business sense
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 09-10-2025).]
The trouble with the Fiero is demand is not large. Even some muscle cars suffer the lack of demand but they also sell several models like Ames Pontiac parts.
Then if you do sell most Fiero people don’t want to pay the price for some parts. Just look at the debate on the T top seals. They can be made but few will pay the price.
Salvage yards are vanishing so the used supply is in great decline. Places like the Fiero store are loved and hated but needed.
The future is this, You buy a good complete car or you have one or two doaners that you use up.
I preach now to buy the best low mile car you can. There are many out there, Often they cost less than if you rebuild and repaint a high mile car.
To sell Fiero parts you can really only strip one or two cars and sell on E bay the most needed part to any much money and keep the overhead down. Other wise it is a job of love.
Originally posted by mrfiero: I agree with your assessment of the buyers out there and that a stand alone used parts business cannot survive as a sole source of income for the owner. I am living proof of that. Others do well because they also service cars, do engine swaps, fabricate new parts, etc. in addition to selling used parts.
I have never fit a general assessment. 66 years old, smart enough to know parts are becoming extinct. I will buy parts, not expecting perfect, and pay a premium price, if it is a good enough condition.
quote
Originally posted by mrfiero: I am under a time crunch to do anything with the stuff in Alabama. Some will be saved, but the majority of the stuff will be scrapped. I have been running on fumes (financially & otherwise) for a couple of years now. I'll still continue selling stuff, but it will be as a part-time gig through eBay, FB Marketplace and/or the PFF Mall. If I can find someone to build an e-commerce stye website I'll continue selling tnings as The Fiero Factory too.
Mike, throwing a thought out for you and the forum. Have you ever thought about taking on partners in the business ? Fiero parts, as mentioned, is not a stand alone job/vocation.
LMK which car she wants. I have already crushed 15 or so cars, but they were mostly rust buckets and cars that were already stripped naked. I'll give you the car in partial exchange for helping clean up the place!
I may just have you come help me in October....when it cools off and (hopefully) isn't so rainy. It's too complicated a story to relay here, right now, but about an acre of the land has been sold. That land includes the warehouse with all the parts. I need to go through it and cherry pick the "good" stuff before everything else gets tossed. I have until March 1st to do this....after that date everything left will be thrown out. I'll be in touch.
BTW....feel free to publish/release the video you took last year. I meant to tell you that a long time ago.
Hi Mike... hands down, I will come out there at my own expense, and even buy dinner for everyone. If you can give me some dates, I'll plan ahead so my work knows I'll be out a week. Just let me know as soon as you think is viable, and I'll make plans. I owe it to you and the Fiero Factory... the shop was there for me several times in the past 25+ years, and I want to help. I expect nothing in return for it (I mean that).
For the Fiero, I'll send you a picture in e-mail... let me know... I won't haggle.
I might be able to come and help some, too. Depending upon the timing. (I think SWMBO has some events planned for October. I'll have to work around her schedule.) Also heard from another person, who also indicated that he may be able to come and help. If it's on a weekend.
I also pretty much have all the spare parts I need, so it's all good. (Subliminal message. Will work for free. )
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 09-12-2025).]
I might be able to come and help some, too. Depending upon the timing. (I think SWMBO has some events planned for October. I'll have to work around her schedule.) Also heard from another person, who also indicated that he may be able to come and help. If it's on a weekend.
I also pretty much have all the spare parts I need, so it's all good. (Subliminal message. Will work for free. )
If it works with your schedule, you're enroute... so I could always swing by and pick you up. I plan to get a rental.
Let me know if you want a new website, I should be able to get one up and hosted for you free of charge. Just tell me what you want and I will make it happen.
I figured I'd post another update, of sorts. As of today, all of the Fieros and most of the parts are gone. The last car was crushed this morning. I wasn't there to witness that in person, but I have some pictures and some videos. I'll post them up as soon as I am able.
Things moved pretty fast and I did my best to strip off and sequester as many parts as I could in the time that I had to do it. I spent a total of 3 weeks in Alabama over the past couple of months going through each car.
Anyway, thanks to those who wanted to come down to help me move stuff around....it wasn't needed in the end. I was effectively bought out, so I didn't lose much money. I was given the option to cherry pick the cars and the parts building first though and I did save quite a bit of stuff. I am working on how best to sell it all. I haven't sold on eBay in ages, but I did create a new seller account. It is (of course); thefierofactory
I have not listed anything for sale yet, but plan on testing the waters this weekend. Ideally, I would just sell it through my website (thefierofactory.com), but nothing is set up there to actively sell stuff. Maybe after the first of the year.
That's it. This small chapter in the book of Fiero is now closed.
The end of an era that began in Toney AL. Ed Parks at one time spent days on the road buying and towing Fieros to his place. At one time I believe that there were close to 300 cars there. When the Fiero collector craze by the young crowd (at that time)diminished so did the demand for parts. Today most in the Gen Z audience have no interest in hobby/collector cars. That's why I say it's near the end of the era for new Fiero owners and collectors.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, 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 "
Let's just call a spade a spade and say the failure of this entire thing is Jeremy Biggs who apparently only wanted the business so he could buy a fully stocked shop and start his own non-Fiero repair business. All Fiero events at the shop stopped, any family oriented Fiero gatherings stopped. Basically he wanted zero to do with the Fiero crowd. A complete clown bought Ed Parks business and unfortunately you got caught in the middle.
No apology will ever be necessary from you, Mike. You put your entire life on hold to attempt to save the Fiero end of the business. We all appreciate and respect your efforts.
You are correct, it took a complete clown to buy The Fiero Factory in 2010 when Ed wanted to retire. He told me he had offered it to many people who all turned him down. He also told me if I didn't buy it, he would crush everything then, and I believed him. I didn't think it was the best financial decision based on my lack of funds and working capital, but I didn't want to see it go away...so I bought it. I left my dream job in IT work making more (for doing less) than I’d ever made before, and more than I’ve made since, to buy the business, JUST to keep it alive. What a clown.
I am an ASE certified tech who had over 15 years of auto repair experience by that point, so when the Fiero parts sales and repairs failed to pay the bills through 2010, I was faced with the choice to do auto repair for local customers to keep the doors open, or close it and crush everything at that point. I chose to try to keep the business afloat by opening up my shop to repair all makes and models, and borrowing LOTS of money to subsidize the Fiero business...for nearly a decade. Definite clown move. Right away I started getting slack from the "Fiero community" for working on other cars. For not being Ed Parks. For not having 8 hours a day to sit behind a computer and answer emails and phone calls...because I was working my rear off to try to keep this Fiero parts business afloat. I was still travelling all over the place to pick up parts cars and jobs. I was still spending countless hours a day on the phone with people hundreds of miles away from me who had no intention of coming to my shop or buying any parts, but rather wanted me to diagnose their cars or tell them if the part their neighbor was going to give them was going to work on their car since it was a different year. What a COMPLETE CLOWN.
Ed Parks was viewed as a saint, and everyone wanted to give him money and business. *I* was one of two or three people who did nearly EVERYTHING in Ed Park's Fiero Factory with regards to repairs and pulling/shipping parts. Ed was the owner, the figurehead, the guy who could spend all day chatting with people. Once Ed was gone, I was one of two or three people who did EVERYTHING in Jeremy Biggs' Fiero Factory, and there wasn't an Ed to be that public figure. I certainly didn't have time to be it, and wasn't particularly incentivized to be it based on the crap I got from certain members of the Fiero community.
I kept that business from going away and somehow became the enemy. I tried to post here and other places to help people and advertise. I was generally met with a bunch of crap like Dennis and you posted in this thread. I didn’t change any of Ed’s prices for the first year and constantly read how I was “jacking up prices” and how much people missed “how it was when Ed was there”. Why would I keep coming back? I held a swapmeet in 2010. It was a huge financial and time burden, and with gas prices, etc., there was minimal turnout. In 2011, there was no swapmeet planned for financial and time reasons, and that weekend we had record breaking tornados come through the area. The shop was without power for two weeks, we had major flooding, etc. I took a read on what I could, and decided the swapmeet was no more. I couldn't afford the time or money to host it. I'm sorry. What a clown.
When Mike and I started discussing the business I was at the point I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep my business open at all, Fiero or otherwise. I had started crushing Fieros to pay bills. I explained EVERYTHING to Mike, I believe I actually discouraged him from getting involved...but we both didn't want it to go away, and he had a plan that could have been viable if Covid didn't happen. So we worked together to keep the business alive. Unfortunately it didn't work out...but you know what? Reading things like this about what a complete clown I am, and how I sold Mike an albatross and such...I should thank you guys. I felt terrible that I had failed to keep what Ed Parks had built alive. I truly did. For the last decade and a half. But now I realize I need to stop being a clown, stop being content with just getting by and being in debt to keep something alive that is long dead, and for what? For everyone to say I destroyed the business? To talk trash about me?
15 YEARS LATER, I no longer own a warehouse that I can't use but still have to pay for because it is crammed full of literally a bunch of junk. I no longer have to maintain 5 acres of land for hundreds of junk cars to rot away on. That's all gone. To be clear....this "fully stocked shop" that I bought "just to start a non-Fiero business" wasn't even purchased from Ed Parks. I bought a bunch of parts cars from Ed. I bought a warehouse full of piles of unusable scrap. I bought the name, phone number, etc. The property and shop were being rented by Ed. I purchased it 10 years ago from the owner. The only thing I bought from Ed that helped me start a different business was a few lifts and an air compressor. Tools were mine. Computers, mine. Scan tools, mine. The absolute smartest thing I could have done from a business perspective would have been to scrap everything in 2010, take the couple of lifts I bought and all of my tools, and find a much cheaper, smaller place to rent and make an auto repair business out of. Better yet I could have just not got involved, let Ed crush everything and be the bad guy, and keep my IT job. But I didn't. I did every damn thing I could and quite a few things I couldn't just to keep these Fiero parts around for as long as possible for as many people who needed them as possible. So please stop making assumptions when you really have no clue what it is you're talking about. But yeah, I am quite a clown. You nailed that one. Trying my best to change, though.
I want nothing but success for Mike. We have tried MANY things over the years, together, to try to keep from getting to this point. But this business hasn't been good to either of us. I appreciate the people who realize that the economy has changed over the last two decades. Realize the world has changed. 20 years ago Ed owned one of the only places on the planet where you could find parts for a Fiero. Now everyone who has a Fiero has a parts car or knows 10 people who do. You can post on Facebook "I need a widget for my Fiero". Mike has one for $20 plus shipping...and three other people have one for $19 plus shipping. Guess what? Most people don't spend the extra dollar to support Mike "just because" like they used to with Ed. They care more about that dollar.
Everyone loves the idea of a "Fiero Factory" type place being around...but when push comes to shove, most aren't willing to spend the money to keep it around. So...it’s gone.
All because of Jeremy Biggs, apparently.
I'm OK with that. I have big shoulders. Blame me. Ed has passed, Mike is a good guy. I can be the a$$hole. That’s fine. However…while I’m sure there are people who have met me and know me personally who think I’m a jerk or clown, I take exception to those who do, who don’t have a clue who I actually am and what I’ve actually done. You HAVE NOT earned that right. Have a 30 minute grown-up to grown-up conversation with me before calling me names, at least.
Take care all, and please make some attempt to support Mike as he moves forward. To those who did support me over the years, I TRULY appreciate it and thank you. For the rest of you, maybe there is a market for a “Jeremy, the Fiero Factory Killer” voodoo doll that everyone can stab and burn. I dunno. You all need *something* that I could never give you.
It makes me sad to see these kinds of responses. As painful as it is for me to know that the Fiero Factory is basically gone, I was there a few months ago, and I can attest that Jeremy and Mike did everything they possibly could. The business simply was not sustainable.
I think it's easy for all of us to make judgements... but we all have lives, careers, and goals. Running something like the Fiero Factory, in Alabama, is not going to provide an income that many of us would expect. It would be a sacrifice... why should we demand that Mike or Jeremy do it?
If you think about how many Fieros you see on the road each day, you have to consider if buying and selling parts for these cars can ever turn a profit at this point. I've seen literally one in the past two years, and it was in pieces in an open garage about 10 miles from my house. There is a declining market, and for those who do have parts Fieros... there are dozens of sites now when you can buy a part that's already been removed and tagged.
Ed Parks had a great business back in the day, because these cars were new and common enough, and he was one of the few places that had everything. Times have changed... and I hate to see these guys getting trashed when they were the ones who tried to keep it alive for so long. I'd just ask that people give them a little bit of grace.
My daughter is putting together a video (not trying to plug it here), and we're trying to make it as positive as possible. Every story does eventually have to come to an end... and as much as it pains me to see everything gone, I'm also happy for both Mike and Jeremy that this is largely off their shoulders. It's easy for us who might see it now and then, to think how great it is. But if you have to see it every day, and know that the stress is all yours... that's a whole other feeling.
