Folks, I've not read this entire thread - and I am not inclined to - but a few points come up.
First, a lot of folks are complaining "GL doesn't comply with my state's laws" - newsflash - I don't either - and likely neither do you. Ever exceeded the posted speed limit? Towed without proper rear lighting? Etc. etc. - Does this excuse GL from following the state code - no, but I seem to remember reading a wise man's words about "let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
Secondly, back in what some here call "the good ol' days" DRMS relocated from Battle Creek (where they have since moved back to) to Defense Depot Memphis - literally a few blocks from me. Based on my personal experiences, I can assure you that there were often delays - and very often errors - in the SF-97. Anybody who thinks that if GL was out of the picture we'd get accurate SF-97s on the spot (or even close to it) either has had different life experiences than I have, or wasn't participating in the sales "in the good ol' days."
Third, there are a LOT of people posting questions like "where is the master cylinder on my deuce" and "how do I shift it into low range". While your new toy is impersonating a planter as you await your SF-97 - take this opprotunity to first familiarize yourself with the operators manual (if you haven't already), and then go over the truck with a fine tooth comb. Your family, my family, and the families of other innocent motorists will be glad you did.
Fourth, take a look at the other thread about no SF-97 because the truck was sold as scrap. GL makes about the same (fixed) percentage on scrap sales as they do with truck sales - the price of scrap is soaring - and deuces and five tons are heavy. I would not be surprised NOR WOULD I BLAME THEM of the CEO of GL said "I've heard all this complaining - some of it rather personal to my staff - that I care too - all those trucks now are several 13000 pound lots of scrap metal, mutiliation required."
I used to be in the retail business - and before that, the wholesale business - and there are a number of product lines I dropped because I got tired of delivery complaints (and occassionally invited folks to never shop with me again). Right, wrong, or otherwise, I doubt I am the only person on the planet who thinks that way. Lets hope that the GL Chief isn't one of them!
Are things as they should be? NO! Are all the SS members being civil about this - sadly, its seems the same answer applies. Folks can certainly complain - but I suspect being polite and respectful rather than name-calling and threatening will probably get better results.
Regards,
David Doyle