Dummy needs help understanding and using the emergency help list!

Busted Knuckle · December 28, 2009, 09:56:16 PM

Hey Folks,
I was in a major hurry and had a friend/competitor/customer on one phone this afternoon asking "who do you know in the Atlanta area, that works on buses?"

And I tried looking up our help assist list from here on the board, and I found a MAK/Frapper list. But to be honest I could not make heads or tails of it.

So then I called Mike aka HTR and bugged him for info, while dad talked to our friend in need. But Mike was driving (on his way to Arcadia) and even though he made good suggestions I was too dumb to figure it out even with his help.

Anyway my dad was looking up info in the UMA (United Motorcoach Association) member listings and the Bus Pages books and gave her some info out of them while I, still tried to figure out the help list.

Well dad and I were really in a hurry as we were supposed to be on our way to pick up the bus that we just had a new transmission put in.

So I took a note pad and some #'s with me and we hit the road.

Shortly after hitting the road I got a call from Mike. And now he was in the Atlanta area with a tire problem.
Well I had been trying to find out if Norma had gotten her bus any help and was not getting an answer.
So I called the major chain tire dealer we deal with some in Paducah and asked them for a # of any locations that they had in the Atlanta area. All they had was one of their affiliates from Macon, GA. So I got the #, thanked them for the help and called HTR with it.
When I called back to check on Mike, he'd still be striking out. So I told him hang in there I'll see what else I can find.
I finally got ahold of Norma and she told me one of the #'s she'd gotten was for Kings Bus Service. And he was coming out first thing in the AM to fix her bus (bad wheel bearing on a '05 Renaissance tag axle, at least what we think according to the drivers description of details and etc.)

So I called Mike and gave him King's Bus Service. I hadn't talked to Mike since then so I don't know how his deal worked out!

My point is we need a using the emergency list 101 for us idiots who can't figure it out on our own.

BK

PCC · December 29, 2009, 03:41:26 AM

Are you suggesting that there is an emergency contact list on this website.

Another plus I never knew about and would certainly like to be able to use, should I ever be caught dead on the side of the road, (with my new headlights, of course).

Perhaps if there was another tab somewhere next to the words "home" and "help" (etc.) in the header, then those of us who are travelling, but need a contact, would know just who we can find, and trust.

Dumber? est?

John316 · December 29, 2009, 03:48:11 AM

Here is a link I found

.

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=12602.0

God bless,

John

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · December 29, 2009, 04:19:48 AM

Hi Bryce,

Here is the start page for the list.. Scroll down and pick your state's letter in the Flag.
http://www.cruiser-magazine.com/Help_assist_data_base.html

Good Luck
Nick-

gumpy · December 29, 2009, 04:56:42 AM

Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on December 29, 2009, 04:19:48 AM
Hi Bryce,

Here is the start page for the list.. Scroll down and pick your state's letter in the Flag.
http://www.cruiser-magazine.com/Help_assist_data_base.html

Good Luck
Nick-

Frankly, I wouldn't waste your time using the cruiser-magazine list. The information in it may or may not be accurate and there's no way to update it once you put it in there. Even sending updates directly to the owner does not seem to get it updated.

The work number in my listing changed in 2004, and it's been impossible to get it corrected. I would prefer that my listing just be removed, but can't do that, either. I don't want someone who needs help not being able to contact me because the information is wrong. That reflects poorly on me and causes frustration for those in need.

The concept is great, and I think the owners of this great BB site should consider adding something for all of the members that is easy to use and maintain. Maybe a search tool and fields in the user profile for help-assist contacts.

Dave Siegel · December 29, 2009, 05:30:57 AM

Wow, that's some pretty severe criticism Craig. I realize that I have had some problems with my site, that's why I am trying to move it from Yahoo to a much better host. Meanwhile if you go to the existing site (cruiser-magazine.com)and click on a page of states you will see a link at the top of the page that says if there is an error in your submission please click here. That link will take you to a form that allows you to change any information that you want. If that doesn't work you can always e-mail me at: davesiegeldesignATgmail.com. I will make any changes that you ask for.

I certainly hope that the New Year is better for you than last year.

Dave Siegel

Busted Knuckle · December 29, 2009, 06:18:18 AM

Thanks for the help guys!

For what ever reason, I was unable to locate these links last night. (probably because I'm computer illiterate, or a techno idiot, or whatever)

But I have it book marked now.

Anyone heard from HTR ? Just curious how he came out and hate to bother him if he's sleeping or driving!

BK

gumpy · December 29, 2009, 06:27:06 AM

Quote from: Dave Siegel on December 29, 2009, 05:30:57 AM
Wow, that's some pretty severe criticism Craig. I realize that I have had some problems with my site, that's why I am trying to move it from Yahoo to a much better host. Meanwhile if you go to the existing site (cruiser-magazine.com)and click on a page of states you will see a link at the top of the page that says if there is an error in your submission please click here. That link will take you to a form that allows you to change any information that you want. If that doesn't work you can always e-mail me at: davesiegeldesignATgmail.com. I will make any changes that you ask for.

I certainly hope that the New Year is better for you than last year.

Dave Siegel

Dave,

I'm sorry if you think this was severe critisim. It was not meant to be severe, only to indicate that the information in the help list is
not reliable as it cannot be modified or corrected.

I did try the link this morning. Nothing happened. I just tried it again. Again, nothing happened. As far as I know, this link
has never worked. Hence the problem.

http://www.cruiser-magazine.com/Help_assist_data_base_G-N.html

I don't know what the problem is. I suppose it's possible that it has something to do with the corporate network I'm
currently working on, but I doubt it. It seems like the link is trying to serve an html file located on my C: drive which of
course doesn't exist. I'm probably reading it inclrrectly, though, and don't really have time to debug it, but here's the source.

Quote
href="file:/C:/Program%20Files/Yahoo%20SiteBuilder/sites/Cruiser%20Magazine/Help_Assist_List_Update.html">  </a><a href="file:/C:/Program%20Files/Yahoo%20SiteBuilder/sites/Cruiser%20Magazine/Help_Assist_List_Update.html">PLEASE CLICK HERE </a>$--></td>

Also, this is not new, and should not come as a shock to you. This same issue came up in July of last year. http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=12602.0
I mentioned it in the thread at that time, and it was confirmed by other members. You sent me a PM asking me to email my changes directly to you, which I did, sending an updated phone number to the gmail address you provided (the same one you posted above). Still, the changes were not made.

Personally, I would prefer just to have my entry deleted from the list. That way, I won't be inclined to be critical of it in the future.

craig

bobofthenorth · December 29, 2009, 06:42:40 AM

The links work fine for me.

John316 · December 29, 2009, 06:59:05 AM

Link works fine for me. Here is the page info...

-------------------------snip------------------------

I decided against it.

God bless,

John

Dreamscape · December 29, 2009, 07:31:58 AM

Link works for me also!

Hartley · December 29, 2009, 08:59:08 AM

Ah...

I see a problem, I went and looked at the help list and found that it was a bit out of date and also didn't contain listings of any commercial or potential service locations.

I sent my changes to it. Gee only 3 years out of date. Hopefully Dave.S will see that and make those changes.

Sometimes things just never quite seem to catch on and if people don't update their info and capabilities lists others might get frustrated at not being able to get help when they need it. I would set up such a live-list if people would add info to it like a wiki database.
The hard part would be contacting the businesses to add them to the list in all geographic areas that would work or provide services to our Bus & RV communities.

Dave...

Dave Siegel · December 30, 2009, 06:25:12 AM

I would like to thank everyone for the input. I have made the following corrections:

#1: Craig I have removed your name from the list as you requested.
#2: Dave H. I have updated your info from Florida to Tenn.

And somewhere in this post someone said that there was no mention or reference to service areas or repair facilities. That is absolutely correct. This list was designed for fellow bus nuts to help fellow bus nuts. I do this for free with no sponsor help. I do not have the resources to list every repair facility in the country in case you break down. The idea is if you break down call someone close to where you are and the person you call might know a good repair facility close to your break down. I have tried to use the KISS principle throughout this entire process.

I have developed a temporary website on the host that I plan to change to. I think you will all like it much better. It is easier to use and more fun to look at. It takes a long time to make these changes, as I don't want to leave anyone or anything out as I change over. I had no idea how many pictures I had accumulated over the years on the original site.

I hope you all understand and bear with me as I do this.

Happy New Year and the Best to All.

Dave and Jan Siegel

Paso One · December 30, 2009, 06:48:41 AM

Great Job Dave & Jan , Too bad there is only 24 hours in a day

I clicked on the Canada link ( thanks ) I was listed correctly.

I've not received any distressed calls or have I had to use it myself.

I really appreciate the fact you are doing this service ( for Free) and the intended use is " bang on"

I for one would pick up and drive someone and to assist them in finding a close by service outlet I don't think anyone would expect anything other than that.

Keep up the good work.

Dave Siegel · December 30, 2009, 06:51:58 AM

Thank you for the nice words.

Dave