A McHale demo pack arrived today

No comment needed there! ( In reference to Herman.)

Max, this is not a concrete wall. Didn't you use a bulls-eye? Try Ian's perspective.

Dan,

I have going up there almost every year since 1965. I took that particular picture last summer.

Here is another view. Figured you haven't been there in a while.

I never expected the thread to take the turn it did, you posting Needles pics and the like. Thanks! It feels like Friday night or something.

> Davey, of course you would support the delusional guy that said I charged $150.00 for shipping when it was $75.00.

There is a different way of looking at this. The fellow may have made a mistake.

Earlier, you mentioned the order shows 'in the shipping box X2 = $75.00'. If I saw something on the invoice, I would take it Qty 2, shipping $75. I would think $150.

You say the total adds up correctly with $75. Maybe he didn't do the math. I don't think I would have double checked the invoice. Maybe I would have. Either way, I am accustomed to reading a line item as Qty x Item Cost = Total.

Maybe I am wrong and he didn't make a mistake. Maybe you are wrong and he isn't delusional. Just pointing out things can sometimes be taken different ways.

As far as recent comments about your responses, they may be based partly on the last couple threads. Of your responses I have read in this thread, I thought they were more low key than those in previous threads. However, the reception of your comments here could be tinted by comments in the past.

Your comments in the past have been referenced so there might be something there. I opened this thread to see what would happen. Not to read about the packs but to see if there would be any interesting exchanges… And that is based on comments in previous threads.

Well, I thought your comments in this thread were more low key than those in previous threads. (this kinda comment does tend to lead to the type of thing you prefer not happen)

> Are they PMing their friends and relatives to say go look at the new McHale thread? What a bunch of weannies. What a bunch of men with purses!

Mr Tanner, you would think a guy would be savy enough to add up his invoice before accusing a guy in public of double-charging for shipping. What you offer up here is non-sense in regards to defending him. As for using the delusional word, just passing on what Mr. Goodtimes Ure used. It does seem to fit the other guy better. As for it being an honest mistake, an irresponsible mistake is more fitting. Don't you think that if I made a $75.00 mistake in a shipping amount, he would have brought it up with me a year ago? He parsed everything else out in fine detail with me in email.

What you say here is no doubt true;

" As far as recent comments about your responses, they may be based partly on the last couple threads. Of your responses I have read in this thread, I thought they were more low key than those in previous threads. However, the reception of your comments here could be tinted by comments in the past. "

I appreciate this comment below. It appears you find the threads interesting;

" Not to read about the packs but to see if there would be any interesting exchanges… And that is based on comments in previous threads. "

Thank you.

You are very welcome Mr. Tanner.

Was a bit surprised to find the level of posts overnight. Few thoughts.
1) I asked the question about McHale packs appeal and frankly learned a lot from the three folks that spent the time to clearly spell out the "why?" Thanks, I have a much better understanding.
2) Dan, I was not on a witch hunt against you or your work. And while I agree that I am an unlikely customer at this time, you had a golden opportunity to let your satisfied customers do the talking without the little jabs at me which further reinforces a negative perception. Missed opportunity IMHO as the thread went down a tit for tat path very familiar with any McHale related thread.
3) it is clear that Dan provides a huge value to his customers in his fitting process. Seems to be an interesting model that could have potential benefit for other pieces of gear such as shelters. How many shelter have been on gear swap because it "just wasn't the right fit"
4) McHale's Website. Dan, that was not a low blow that was just honest feedback. Take it or leave it. It is one of the worst executions for a product website. Maybe you don't care, you may not have interest in increased business or even in more efficient customer interaction. Could it be that the 182 customer emails could be cut down if there was a more clear and concise website?

Time to hit the trail.

Why is everyone being so mean lately? It's beautiful outside; go hiking.

I'm not really into "drama". Best to just ignore it. Lots of good ideas that different people find useful, that's what's interesting to me.

nm

Not sure why everyone always calls McHale's website "the worst." The pictures are big and clear and there are a lot of them. It could do with some better organization is all.

Why not take 1/3 of that $1000 and buy a pack that actually has significant biomechanical advantages. I love my AARN featherlite freedom and would never go back to traditional packs. Just look at pics of hikers carrying traditional packs, notice how they stare at teh ground hunched over when they walk? Now that I have an AARN, my head is straight up, my neck upright, my shoulders weightless and literally all the weight is on my hips.

McHale packs have some nice innovations to put the weight on the hips, but it is still ALL behind you. I can't believe McHale hasn't taken on the bodypack concept yet.

Nice Hijack of a McHale Thread Ike. We'll all remember that next time we're looking at an Aarn thread. I will refrain from saying what I think of Aarn packs.

For all that may be interested. I sent Herman the invoice showing the shipping amount this morning. He no longer even had a copy of his invoice when he claimed I charged $150.00 for shipping when it was only $75.00. It is very likely I charged him less than the actual costs. The final shipment was $49.70 so that leaves about $25.00 for the first shipment. This does not include box cost. Undercharging generally happens when packs are pre-paid before I get them to the Post Office. I recently sent 2 big packs to Alaska Express mail and did not charge the 2 clients the extra $100.00 fee that entailed because they were such great guys.

nm

Over a year ago Priority shipping was much less than it is now. The demo shipping is in the $75.00 charge. It simply had less insurance. The final shipping on the final pack was $49.70.

"The Ground Rules

Be civil, reasonable, and helpful. Off-topic, inflammatory, or inappropriate posts will be removed at our discretion. For more, view BPL Forum Ethics."

So where is the discretion? This thread should be removed.

Does that mean the AARN post should be removed? It's OK if BPL leaves it. I said enough about AARN. I hear they are great at hiding man-boobs.

That reminds me, I modified a Kelty frame pack once for Halloween. The client wanted me to make it so the pack was on the front ( frame still on the back ) and the guys head was inside of it and the arms came out the sides. He could zip down a flap in front to say hi. It was hilarious. You should pass the idea on the AARN.

Some confusion on shipping charges? Perhaps. As per Dan's email this AM: "It's not enough to apologize here – you need to apologize to me at BPL". So if my value of $150 was off, sorry. It was more then $75 as you'll see below. Also, he is his own worst enemy as he resorted to "f-word" name calling in an email to me last night. If you disagree with McHale you will feel his wrath!

My first post was the following:

"Little extras here and there, depending on the fabric of choice, will add up. Mine totaled out around $1100, which included dyneema with some spectra in certain parts, and $150 for 2 shipments to Alaska (charged me $75 each shipment for $50 in postage). Mine was a Large load carrier (not weight, but for volume).

Wasn't worth it for me."

I was providing my input, Dan took it as a personal assault to his work. I NEVER stated there was craftsmanship problems. I think the pack is put together real well. It didn't work out for me. Dan doesn't like that his packs don't work out for people. I didn't lay blame on him.

Attached is my invoice. As clear as any invoice can be.

Also please go to: http://www.mchalepacks.com/ordering/index.htm

Towards the bottom: Demo deposits cover the value of the demo and shipping. I paid a $475 deposit that was later rolled into my final cost.

So $75 shipping plus the shipping that was rolled into the deposit of $475.

Attached is a pic of the shipping label from the box of my final pack.

I emailed Dan last night and he proceeded to call me a "clown man" and that I was "f***ed up". I can post, PM or email anyone that email string if you'd like. I figured it would make for a long post here. No name calling on my part.

Again, his craftsmanship is great. The pack didn't work out for me. I think Dan thinks he builds the best packs in the world and if it doesn't work out for you, you're an idiot. My Osprey Aether 85 carries better than my McHale. Personal choice.

American made pack? YES.
Quality work? YES.
A guy I would support with my money? NEVER AGAIN.

The image of the invoice is small. It is a little difficult for me to read. It might make more sense if I had been involved from the start.

My earlier post proposing you may simply made a mistake based on misreading a line item charge turns out to have been prescient.

Well Herman,
We all make mistakes, I do, you do and Dan does too. I am sure that now to close this up in a civil way, you will receive an apology for the name calling. Then we can all put this behind us.

Can we please leave this thread die as I asked last night.

Thanks,

Edit, Kat just spotted your post after mine :-)

What part of any of Dan's responses makes you think an apology is remotely likely? The thread should die, because asking Dan McHale to respect his fellow backpackers on this forum is a lost cause.

Max,

Thanks for keeping the thread, you want to die, alive.