This week I began writing the column with a cold. I wasn't feeling well, and when I started going through the auctions either I found the few “designers” without a clue or there are more than I thought. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but what kind of “designer” states that a buggy is limited to 10, and then lists 100? I found far too many of those.  

What kind of “designer” thinks a flat flood of multi-colored pixels on the template makes their buggy a limited edition? I can assure you it's going to be limited... as in the only one in the world will be the one the person got when the submission was approved. HELLO!!! That doesn't make it limited, it makes it really bad. The ones that jumped in my face this week were so bad they wouldn't sell 1, much less 10 or 100. What really ticks me off about this is that there are a few, I won't call them designers, who do this day after day, week after week. I have NO idea why they bother, and I wouldn't give them even the bad publicity to print their names here. If it didn't look good and didn't sell the first time it was listed, it isn't going to improve with age! Make it go away. 

As I peruse the auctions, I first look at the catalog images, like most people. So my next question: Why would you list your buggy with some generic picture? To top it off I broke my own rule and tried it. OMG, I guess it was so bad its creator knew he'd never sell any if people actually saw it. Trust me, no one's going to buy it after they waste their time trying it. I did find a few that looked really good in the catalog images (at least they actually USED an image of the buggy!) The idea was great, the execution lacking. Ya know, it just isn't that difficult to match up the treads, honest, it isn't!

For those who can't figure out how to hide the square in the hood, I actually have some help for that here along with some other information: http://buggytrend.hugehost.net/gallery/Buggy-Template-Class. 

Bottom line, if you can't figure out how to do something, FIND OUT! It does you no good to submit a seriously flawed design. In fact, there are some out there now who've done it so much I seriously doubt they'll ever salvage their reputations. I know some of you are saying: “Zach, you're being too hard on them. They need encouragement not criticism!” I'm telling ya, if one of those people tells you how great your new buggy is, make sure they buy one and pay for it you before you submit. The worst kind of “friend” is the one who'll sit there and tell you how wonderful your design is just because they want to encourage you. Encouraging someone doesn't mean convincing them to throw their money away. Money talks. If a person is telling you the design is great and is willing to buy one, they're serious. If all they offer is kind words, go back to the drawing board. 

Moving on, I can say that in spite of developing a bad attitude, I managed to find some cool items to bring to your attention. At the top of that list is the JVH Blue Prellude by lJordanl. Priced at 28,850 and limited to 5 ever to be built, this one is a true limited edition. At the time of this writing, there were 2 left. He's done several other Prelludes in different colors. They're all good and well worth a look.

 

Next we have the Silver Bullet by Nomad55. This buggy has a unique and stylish rear end treatment and a nice sleek look. Also a limited edition, this one is priced at 18,850t with only 9 ever to be built. Nomad has worked hard and his newer buggies show it. This is an example of how that pays off.

 

As I was continued my sojourn through the auctions, I was amazed and happy to find that Kiwi_G has re listed many of his buggies. They may not be new, but most of them are great designs and they're always well done. My fav is the Kiwimonk: Luminous NSX. At 15,995t this one looks like a good bargain.