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Post by FlyinGN on Apr 21, 2006 15:03:53 GMT -5
welcome!! Its an honor to have you here:) I remember both places. Do you remember the Alpine drinks place too? Or was that the same place as you guys had? I am so glad that I found this sight. I read the post about Hunt's Pier (and I am anxiously waiting for Kristen's website) and wanted to respond. My family had dealings with the Hunt Organization all the way back to 1958. We owned and operated the Polar Cub ice cream and The Aloha Tropical Drink stores. The worst time for the boardwalk was when Hunt's Pier and the Theaters were sold to a group that had no idea how to run them, no vision and not a clue on customer service. When Hunt's ran the pier and theaters, they were committed to the customers. Someone mentioned that if the Flyer were built today......that's the part people do not understand, The Flyer was the The Flyer and could not be built today. While I agree in theory with generations demanding more advanced rides etc., in some cases the comfort of the old is seeked out. All you need to do is look at how many organizations, websites and groups are popping up dedicated to the true memory of the Wildwood Boardwalk.
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Post by Al Alven on Apr 21, 2006 15:15:38 GMT -5
Yep, Al, that's the one! This seller claims to have items from Castle Dracula, which Anisha confirmed as fakes. I bought something from him and inquired as to how he got it. He told me "at auction". I probed a bit more, but to no avail. When I got the candlesticks that I bid on, they were absolutely filthy. I soaked them in soapy water overnight - yuk! I was the only bidder, so I wound up paying .01 (yes, that's right, A PENNY), plus s&h. He wasnt happy about it, but hey, serves him right if he is posting phony memorabilia. What an unbelievable joke this guy is. Yeah, I inquired about a few of his items a while back, before I found out that he was a complete fraud. He repeated claims that everything he sells he gets at a "country auction," as you mentioned. It's his standard line, but his stuff is clearly not legit. Several times I have considered writing to the "powers that be" at eBay to see if something could be done about this guy. Don't know if anything would come of it, but does anyone else feel it's time to stand up agains this clown?
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Post by huntspier4ever on Apr 21, 2006 18:41:51 GMT -5
Hello Cindy- NO, this is in no way, shape or form an authentic piece of signage from Hunt's Pier. I have sent the seller a message about this fraudulent listing and suggested he/she remove this item from eBay auctions. I also contacted eBay by sending several queries/alerts about this seller and about this sign... I mentioned that my grandfather owned this pier and I know for a FACT this sign was never part of Hunt's Pier. I also mentioned that the seller listed another auction for this exact sign; stating it was from a Dorney Park ride. NEITHER of these claims have any truth or validity. If anyone else sees other items that are "questionable" about their authenticity, please do not hesistate to contact me. (For those of you who post on MrBoardwalk's message board, a thread has been started under the "Hunt's Pier" section as well.) Thanks again Cindy! -Kristen
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Post by writhinganacondo on Apr 21, 2006 20:07:29 GMT -5
Speaking of defunct rides, someone mentioned that the Hunt's Pier log flume was dismantled and moved somewhere else. Where did it end up?? thanks in advance. This flume went to Arnold's Park in Iowa. This is one of the few traditional parks left in the U.S., its in the remote NW corner of the state. This park has almost bit the dust several times in the last 20 yrs. but due to its concerned local residents and idyllic setting has managed to make several comebacks. It has a small but rough old wooden roller coaster.
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Post by writhinganacondo on Apr 21, 2006 20:22:45 GMT -5
welcome!! Its an honor to have you here:) I remember both places. Do you remember the Alpine drinks place too? Or was that the same place as you guys had? I am so glad that I found this sight. I read the post about Hunt's Pier (and I am anxiously waiting for Kristen's website) and wanted to respond. My family had dealings with the Hunt Organization all the way back to 1958. We owned and operated the Polar Cub ice cream and The Aloha Tropical Drink stores. The worst time for the boardwalk was when Hunt's Pier and the Theaters were sold to a group that had no idea how to run them, no vision and not a clue on customer service. When Hunt's ran the pier and theaters, they were committed to the customers. Someone mentioned that if the Flyer were built today......that's the part people do not understand, The Flyer was the The Flyer and could not be built today. While I agree in theory with generations demanding more advanced rides etc., in some cases the comfort of the old is seeked out. All you need to do is look at how many organizations, websites and groups are popping up dedicated to the true memory of the Wildwood Boardwalk. I remember you. Hunts blocks had the same tenants for decades because they were such decent landlords who took care of their properties. When they sold to those oddballs that cannibalized their heritage it contributed to the downslide of Wildwood. But now so many fatcats everywhere. The old days are a tough sell. Like you say, one takes comfort in the memories.
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Post by Robert on Apr 21, 2006 22:17:02 GMT -5
When the Hunt's ran Hunt's Pier they never tore down any major rides, but then in late 1985 Bud Hunt sold the pier to those nimwits, the head of the group was David Kami and he ran the pier from 1986-1990. It was him who was responsible for destroying some of our favorite Hunt's rides in 1989 such as the Flyer, Jungleland, Pirate Ship, train, mini hot rods. He obviously didn't care about the history of the pier, he just wanted to make money and move on. I think their thinking at the time was that those old rides took up too much room on the pier and by 1989 they were viewed as "outdated" and they could make more money by having multiple carnival rides in place of the Flyer and Jungleland. And the Kamikaze coaster went where the pirate ship was. It seemed that every operator after Hunt failed, went bankrupt, etc. Nobody could compete with Mighty Morey next door. I was there at the time that Bud Hunt was running the pier, we vacationed once a year between 1980-1983 then stopped going to WW for a while. It seemed that the pier was well run at the time that Hunt ran it, I never was there during the Kami days (1986-1990).
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Post by beachrat on Apr 21, 2006 22:50:20 GMT -5
Hey polarcub! You guys had the best water ice ;D That Polish water ice they sell today just isn't the same...
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Post by polarcub on Apr 22, 2006 11:25:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words. I am still figuring out how to respond to a specific post with the post in mine...... I have hundreds of pictures...as a matter of fact, when the family started it was way before many of the other food places. My uncle actually loaned the Hot Spot people money to get started, it was so long ago. In response to others: Alpine was a different place. Yes the Hunt's were great landlords, my father still talks about them. They took care of their property and saw the benefit of having long term tenants. David Kami was one of the senior partners in the Hunt's Pier Associates (I think someone had a post about their bankruptcy). The really sad note was that Ted Snyder was also a partner and he came from a boardwalk family. I remember being around when the team of guys tat ran the Pier and theaters wanted to buy it all from Bud Hunt. I wish I new why the sale went to the other group. Once I figure out how to post pictures and all, I will post some from time to time. We had stores in the Juniper Ave, Pine Ave, Schellennger Ave and Cedar Ave all with the Hunt's.
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Post by Cindy on Apr 22, 2006 11:29:31 GMT -5
Kristen, did ebay respond to you? I am curious about what they said. I have seen this seller post items he claims are from Castle Dracula on more than one occasion, but this was the first one I saw allegedly from Hunt's.
Al, yes, I would agree that something should be done about this seller. As I understand it, fake designer handbags are not permitted, so ebay does have a policy against fraudulent items.
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Post by FlyinGN on Apr 22, 2006 12:27:25 GMT -5
polarcub.. see the "quote' word on the top right of the post that you want to specifically answer? Click it and type in your answer to it above it. This is what I did here.. Go to www.photobucket and get a free account. Then download your pics there. The cut n paste the pic you want here. its that easy Thanks for the kind words. I am still figuring out how to respond to a specific post with the post in mine...... I have hundreds of pictures...as a matter of fact, when the family started it was way before many of the other food places. My uncle actually loaned the Hot Spot people money to get started, it was so long ago. In response to others: Alpine was a different place. Yes the Hunt's were great landlords, my father still talks about them. They took care of their property and saw the benefit of having long term tenants. David Kami was one of the senior partners in the Hunt's Pier Associates (I think someone had a post about their bankruptcy). The really sad note was that Ted Snyder was also a partner and he came from a boardwalk family. I remember being around when the team of guys tat ran the Pier and theaters wanted to buy it all from Bud Hunt. I wish I new why the sale went to the other group. Once I figure out how to post pictures and all, I will post some from time to time. We had stores in the Juniper Ave, Pine Ave, Schellennger Ave and Cedar Ave all with the Hunt's.
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Post by huntspier4ever on Apr 22, 2006 12:59:01 GMT -5
Kristen, did ebay respond to you? I am curious about what they said. I have seen this seller post items he claims are from Castle Dracula on more than one occasion, but this was the first one I saw allegedly from Hunt's. Al, yes, I would agree that something should be done about this seller. As I understand it, fake designer handbags are not permitted, so ebay does have a policy against fraudulent items. Cindy- I haven't heard back from eBay... I should be receiving a response within 24-48 hours. Someone actually bid on the item and I sent them an eBay message about it. This seller does have several negative feedback marks against the account so hopefully eBay will see this person as we all do; a fraud out to make a quick buck. -Kristen
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Post by MMM on Apr 22, 2006 14:50:36 GMT -5
I remember being around when the team of guys tat ran the Pier and theaters wanted to buy it all from Bud Hunt. I wish I new why the sale went to the other group. If you ever remember more of this, or find out some other information, I'd love to hear it. I never knew this before. It's too bad things didn't happen that way... Oh, and welcome!
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Post by skuagirl on Apr 22, 2006 21:11:33 GMT -5
Hey, Kristen! I've been reading your messages on Mr. Boardwalk's board too. Go get that sleazzy seller! I saw that sign on EBAY and two people are bidding on it! Maybe it was from the pier after your grandfather sold it?
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Post by MMM on Apr 22, 2006 22:03:37 GMT -5
I hope eBay can do something about this. However, in my experience they seem to favor the sellers over the buyers, I'd guess because that's where they get their income from.
A few months ago, I came across someone on eBay auctioning off a car that was using mostly pictures stolen from an ad elsewhere on the internet of a car THAT I WAS BUYING!!! eBay basically just gave me a form letter response, twice. I ended up just informing the people bidding on the car at the time what was going on. Doing something similar might be your only hope in stopping this person, if eBay is not helpful.
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Post by thelastresort on Apr 25, 2006 16:03:57 GMT -5
Speaking of defunct rides, someone mentioned that the Hunt's Pier log flume was dismantled and moved somewhere else. Where did it end up?? thanks in advance. This flume went to Arnold's Park in Iowa. This is one of the few traditional parks left in the U.S., its in the remote NW corner of the state. This park has almost bit the dust several times in the last 20 yrs. but due to its concerned local residents and idyllic setting has managed to make several comebacks. It has a small but rough old wooden roller coaster. did the big Paul Bunyan go with it?
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