UpsideDownDesi Callout

[tnomud]

Come One, Come All. Step Inside.

It light of the $2 UpsidedownDesi tax now applied to the Gwinnett Meet, I felt that now would be a good time to shine some light on the topic at hand. Before we get any further, since I am the OP of this fine and dandy Call-Out, lets clear the air on a few things that might come up to question my motive. First and foremost, I am not in any way hard up for money, nor a “hater”. I have never been brand/crew loyal, and this has nothing to do with any hood beefs like that. Like most enthusiasts, I do my part to partake in discussions on enthusiast forums, help when I can, and support the local scene to some degree. I am old and remember back in the 80’s when Google and forums were not there to fix my breaks and modifications. Yeah, I am a ball busting dick, but loyal to good people.
That being said, I can’t help to notice on many of the forums that I am on, that there is a constant effort from UpsideDownDesi to capitalize on each and every aspect of the Atlanta Car Scene. IA, Vette boards, VW boards, Subaru Boards, and literally DOZENS of others. It’s the same thing, over and over again. Dawn Runs, F&F Premier Cruises, Mischief Runs, NOPI Cruise, Peel Your Paint, Supercar Tours, and so on. In fact, almost all of your posts on most of these forums are an offer to sell some sort of part or magical service. When UpsidedownDesi is googled, there are literally 38 pages of nothing but for sale ads and solicitations. With an exception of a few “gay vibe” posts, and some “Indian Porn” requests, there are 38 pages of you selling or hustling something. To me, it just rubbed me the wrong way when you wanted to shake me down for $2 for “my protection”. Unless Chuck Norris is there, I am in good shape.

Google

Let us all discuss. Group participation is encouraged.

[Echonova]

[MeFryRice]

I agree 100%. He tries to sell multiple vehicles on here, why not become a vendor and pay IA the dues like others have?

[MachNU]

I have called this out many times before. Search my post on here, its very evident that I do not like Sonny. I love how we creates all these "high class events" then makes them invite only. Claims that all these high dollar cars will be with him or hes connected to this or that, or that this event would not be around if it wasnt for him. Kind of like buying a Subaru that has already been done up by the previous owner and calling it yours. All of his events are a usual meet, that with one phone call all the private information can be easily found out. Then where you have to pay...like his latest Supercar Tour to NOPI. Pay me $750 and you will get a placement at the Supercar section and admission to the $50 event. He simply tries to buy his way into the car scene and start all of these events that he claims he starts or gets all the hook ups or spent his own hard earned money on too make happen. Its been a joke for years and still is. Everytime I get an invite too one of his events on Facebook, I do not even look at it, I just instantly say No or Decline it.

[Vteckidd]

I agree 100%. He tries to sell multiple vehicles on here, why not become a vendor and pay IA the dues like others have?

hes friends with the owner of IA , randomguy i believe.

[Vteckidd]

I have actually had MAJOR beef with sunny over the years, and overall, im not too fond of him.

HOWEVER, if he is going through the trouble of organizing an event, getting vendors/sponsors there, is making sure the rif raf stay out of the meet (unlike the Varsity) , and its on private property (wild bills), he may feel its worth his time to charge you a fee for that service. The alternative is to just...........not go.

I personally dont see the attraction of paying someone money to go ride with "HOT CARZ y0" that the S+M stuff does, but if he offers club entry, dinner, snacks, video production, and in some cases escorted routes (to keep the lambos secure).....................well, i guess he can charge for that right? The alternative is to just............not go.

Basically he does a very very very small version of say...........Import Alliance.

Now, the spamming, its CLEARLY a business if hes charging, so he should be forced to be a vendor, and its not fair to paying vendors if he gets off free to spam the board with all the cars and events he does.

As a consumer its your choice to pay to attend his shindigs or not. Personally, i hate that crowd and think they are all ricers and sluts, Id rather go to a NFL/NBA game with a much classier bunch of people that i actually can hold an intelligent conversation with.

[Vteckidd]

I love how we creates all these "high class events" then makes them invite only.

Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal

Claims that all these high dollar cars will be with him or hes connected to this or that, or that this event would not be around if it wasnt for him.

Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal

Kind of like buying a Subaru that has already been done up by the previous owner and calling it yours.

Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal

All of his events are a usual meet, that with one phone call all the private information can be easily found out.

I always wondered this too. What would happen if like a team of 50 other cars showed up to his Dawn Run or something, its not like he can kick them off a public highway.

Then where you have to pay...like his latest Supercar Tour to NOPI. Pay me $750 and you will get a placement at the Supercar section and admission to the $50 event.

Someone call NOPI and see if they sanction it like the old Super Street Mag did. If hes got their blessing , again, he can do whatever he wants. If not, he can be sued by NOPI for fraud. I suspect hes got their blessing because the meet is going to be so shitty Nopi needs all the help they can get.

He simply tries to buy his way into the car scene and start all of these events that he claims he starts or gets all the hook ups or spent his own hard earned money on too make happen. Its been a joke for years and still is. Everytime I get an invite too one of his events on Facebook, I do not even look at it, I just instantly say No or Decline it.

again, Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal. Hes done that for years, hes persistent ill give him that.

[Vteckidd]

I basically look at it as him being a used car salesmen taking advantage of dumbass kids who dont know any better. If he can get away with it, well, thats his right. People should be more like "hey why am i paying 2$ for this" and see if its his policy or Wild Bills policy. If its Wild Bills, is he an employee?

Is he authorized to start charging fixed prices on private property?

Maybe he is? maybe he is just trying to make money.

who knows.

[MachNU]

Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal


Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal


Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal



I always wondered this too. What would happen if like a team of 50 other cars showed up to his Dawn Run or something, its not like he can kick them off a public highway.



Someone call NOPI and see if they sanction it like the old Super Street Mag did. If hes got their blessing , again, he can do whatever he wants. If not, he can be sued by NOPI for fraud. I suspect hes got their blessing because the meet is going to be so shitty Nopi needs all the help they can get.




again, Makes him a ricer and a poser, but not illegal. Hes done that for years, hes persistent ill give him that.

Not disagreeing at all. That was simply what I was getting at...how much of a ricer and a poser he is. NOPI has a supercar section, which they filled up going around to other events over the last year and inviting people too it. I think 7 of my customers, maybe even more, all got invited into the section.

[RandomGuy]

Can't hate Sunny for trying to do business. He's not an official sponsor, but the gwinnett meets turn out a pretty good crowd so I'm not complaining.

He's letting us sell IA shirts there,

They'll be $2 off tonight to attempt to recompensate haha

[MachNU]

I just find it funny the way he sells himself to people as being some big shot in the car community and these events he starts are so exclusive simply because its him doing it. Its more like a comic, reading his events, as they pop up across forums and Facebook. Even more funny now that the more he does the less views/post they get because people now know that it will be the same few middle class cars and 1 or 2 exotics if hes truly lucky.

[Vteckidd]

I mean the pics speak for themselves. Its a bunch of ragged out 240s and civics, with a sprinkling of a nice car here and there............typical of almost every MEET PICS thread I see on here.

I cant see why anyone would really attend unless a bunch of their friends go too and there truly is nothing better to do except stand in a parking lot and gawk and other shitty cars.

But hey, thats what he is into, getting ricers to come hang out and apparently pay him money.

[CSquared]

If you want my opinion on this, roll back through the gwinnett meet thread or see the following dawn run thread:

http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/...wn-run-iv.html

Needless to say, he and I have had words in the past and I agree with every word the OP said.

[MeFryRice]

Can't hate Sunny for trying to do business. He's not an official sponsor, but the gwinnett meets turn out a pretty good crowd so I'm not complaining.

He's letting us sell IA shirts there,

They'll be $2 off tonight to attempt to recompensate haha

So him selling allowing you to sell t-shirts is enough compensation for him to bypass rules that EVERYONE else is being forced to follow? Either he pays his part or his FS threads need to be deleted.

Usually I don't side with Mike (Vteckidd) but I do in this case. In fact, I see he's responded in the Gwinnett meet thread but just happened to ignore this one.

[Revmaynard]

Wouldn't he need an event permit to legally charge people that $2?

[Julio]

Lol..

[MachNU]

Lol..

Give us your take. You know you want too. lol

[Revmaynard]

--------

[C230K]

It is only $2......

[MeFryRice]

It's not the fact that it's $2. It's about the fact that he's trying to charge a fee to something that is free. Hell, why don't us "haters" start having our meets there another night of the week. Just kidding, I'm not driving up there every Thursday.

[quickdodge®]

I like Sunny. Met him a few times and think he's a cool dude for sure. But I don't really care for how he tries to capitalize on the "scene" by making things exclusive to certain people and now by charging to go to meets?

In a time where the import tuning hobby is probably at an all time high in animosities towards one another, it would seem that doing what you can to bring people together in harmony would be tops on the list. Not putting out exclusive to certain people events.

This is just my take and I'm not using this to bash him. Just voicing my only "complaint" (for lack of better term) to him.

[Echonova]

It is only $2......

I'm with you, don't like the price... Don't go. Capitalism at work.

[Kyle]

To be honest, thats the reason I've never gone to any of the meets organized by Sunny.

Do I have anything against Sunny? No, not at all, never met him and I'll reserve my judgment until I do/and or hear his side of the story.
Am I invited to his meets? Yes.
Do I have the money to go? Absolutely.
Will I blindly give someone money for no reason? No fucking way.

Come on guys, $35 for a dawn run? "Secret Locations"? Sorry man thats not lucrative, it's simply a way of ensuring everyone pays. I agree with the original poster, his motives should be in question. Like I said, I'll reserve judgment until Sunny clears the record, but to me unless he's at this secret location cooking me breakfast at 6am, I'm gonna think this is bullshit.

[Vteckidd]

To me its just simple, if hes offering a SERVICE that no one else can get, then anything worth doing well is worth doing for money.

If you guys think hes charging money for something you dont need, dont buy it, he will go out of business and youll never hear about it again. TO me, meets are free, its just people getting together. The only thing i could see worth paying for is if the venue wants you to pay. Like, if WIld Bills tells him "your people can park here, but its $2 per car" then no harm no foul. Private property can charge what they want. The question i have is , WHO IS CHARGING THE MONEY, SUNNY, OR WILD BILLS? Who is Collecting the money, are they splitting it, etc.

If hes just pocketing it then the meet will close down as soon as everyone realizes they can just go somewhere else for free. I saw his responses in other threads, i highly doubt hes paying cops per hour and shit. unless 500-600 cars are showing up, hes not making enough money to pay for cops. Off Duty cops make 20-30$ an hour.

Consumers should decide if they want to pay the money. Just call wild bills and ask "hey do you guys charge for parking? Someone is charging me $2 on thursday nights". Should get the answer you want.

As far as S+M, again, thats just up to the consumer to decide. Doesnt look like very many people attend really, so im sure its just some people he knows who get together with the occasional rich guy who wants to feel cool

[RandomGuy]

To me its just simple, if hes offering a SERVICE that no one else can get, then anything worth doing well is worth doing for money.

If you guys think hes charging money for something you dont need, dont buy it, he will go out of business and youll never hear about it again. TO me, meets are free, its just people getting together. The only thing i could see worth paying for is if the venue wants you to pay. Like, if WIld Bills tells him "your people can park here, but its $2 per car" then no harm no foul. Private property can charge what they want. The question i have is , WHO IS CHARGING THE MONEY, SUNNY, OR WILD BILLS? Who is Collecting the money, are they splitting it, etc.

If hes just pocketing it then the meet will close down as soon as everyone realizes they can just go somewhere else for free. I saw his responses in other threads, i highly doubt hes paying cops per hour and shit. unless 500-600 cars are showing up, hes not making enough money to pay for cops. Off Duty cops make 20-30$ an hour.

Consumers should decide if they want to pay the money. Just call wild bills and ask "hey do you guys charge for parking? Someone is charging me $2 on thursday nights". Should get the answer you want.

As far as S+M, again, thats just up to the consumer to decide. Doesnt look like very many people attend really, so im sure its just some people he knows who get together with the occasional rich guy who wants to feel cool

I don't think people care too much about the occasional rich guy. There's a bit of pretty much every car type there and people who are still working with what they got. You won't really see a built and gutted AE86 at C&O, it's just a different type of scene.

Believe it or not, some people are still into the hobby aspect of it. Seeing each other's rides gradually get to "C&O" status, etc.

I think 2 bux is good security to make sure the meet doesn't get broken up or causes issues. I guess it's the other people that feel this way who will show up- cool.

Turnout was big, pics soon

[David88vert]

I can't believe how much whining is going on it here. I'll break it down to basics for you.

$2 is not making him money. If you have ever run any event or business in your life, you would know that the $35 on Dawn Run is not making any money either. He can't live off running a few events, and his car wasn't paid for off them either.
If you can't afford $2, then stay home. If you can, but don't want to spend the money, go setup your own meet, or stop complaining.

You think that the caliber of cars isn't "good enough", then get better cars to come. That's on you, not on someone who is setting up a parking lot for you to be able to hang out at.

I've actually been to some of Sunny's events, unlike most of the people commenting in this thread. Have you ever been to an event that had 3 Bugattis, along with a dozen more, Ferrari's Lambos, Bentleys, Rolls, etc? I have and guess who took me there - Sunny. Not one other IA member has arranged anything like that sinece the very beginning of IA.

Dawn Run has had 911's and Ferrari's getting on it on the street - what other events in Atlanta have them? None.

I see people complaining, but only one person has been putting out any effort to improve the local car scene, and that is Sunny. Unless you can and are willing to do better, then why are you even complaining?

As for the one positive person that still has a question (QD), the answer is lengthy, but here is a simple version. When you have a free event, you get more people, but you get plenty that have different priorities as well. People coming to a free event may not be car enthusiasts, but rather, just people who come to hang out with their friends, or people who would rather spend their money on weed than on their car.
When you charge, you define the event to a more specific market, and in this case, car enthusiasts.

Now, back to everyone. I've seen complaints about the quality of cars repeeatedly, but here is the fact. If you have a free event, everyone will come, and fill out the parkign lot with cars quickly. Quite a few of these cars will be beat-up POS owned by kids who would rather spend their limited funds on weed and beer, rather than on aftermarket car parts and paint. This keeps the caliber of cars that you can attract lower, as who would want to bring their modded G37 and park it next to a beat up 1988 Civic that the owner doesn't even wash? Charging the $2 doesn't eliminate all of them, but a few, opening up spaces for more determined individuals.
You want people who will skip lunch to use their lunch money towards a new paint job or turbo, not people who just want to hang out for free. If you can't understand this, you are just in denial.

[98blackcivic]

either you got money..or you dont.
if you got it, no complaints.
if you aint got it..
gtfo

[Kyle]

either you got money..or you dont.
if you got it, no complaints.
if you aint got it..
gtfo

[tnomud]

I am not short on cash, cars, etc. It's not just about the Gwinette Meet Either. I think its the principle of the Shake-Down in question here. Dozens and Dozens of Accounts on most cars sites with nuthing but hustle and sell.


GA400 has always been a toll road, most don't have an issue with it. Make I-85 HOV a toll lane, people get pissed. With me?

[David88vert]

The WB Gwinnett Meet has always been paid for by people. Previously, the lot's usage was 100% funded by WB, as they pay the rent. No security was provided, and as a result, I have seen numerous burnouts done with tons of people around (safety issue), trash left all over the lot (immaturity), and fights in the parking lot. Of course, it was all free to your pocket.

There are less than 300 spaces in that back lot, and at $2 per spot, that is $600. Assuming that there are an average of 4 GCPD at only $25/hr (alolow for early arrival at 7, and leaving at 1), then you have a cost of $600 for officers. Again, that is assuming that WB's has no cut from it. now, add in for the trash sweeper, which is at minimum $100/night. Of course, you will have some cars roll out early, and others will pull into the lot, so that some spots mak double money, but there really isn't anything that Sunny is making with only $2/spot. Now, add in his cost for insurance for his company, and he is definitely not making enough money off this meet to warrant the criticisms from those who contribute nothing to the local scene.

Additionally, you don't have to pay $2 to attend the meet. Park somewhere else, and walk in, or you can ride in with someone else. The meet is entirely voluntary. No one forces anyone to come or pay.

As for your highway cost explanation - taxpayers already pay for full use of I-85, hence the complaint. You have not paid anything towards the use of the WB's lot at any time. With me?

[Vteckidd]

You guys missed the point .

[quickdodge®]

You guys missed the point .

Agreed. I haven't seen anyone complain about $2 being too much and can't afford. Seems to have nothing to do with that.

[tnomud]

I predict a carload of clowns and vikings on the next "Supercar Tour"

[dimer4life]

Unless Sunny comes in here and explains his side of the story with facts, I will give my opinion that this meet got ruined when it was decided to start charging $2. It reduced the quantity of cars and I payed admission to be there for only like 25 minutes since everyone got kicked out at 12.

Before $2 admission = lots of cars and stay as late you wanted
After $2 admission = less cars and get kicked out at 12 ................
Doesn't make sense to me. Please explain Sunny

[CSquared]

Agreed. I haven't seen anyone complain about $2 being too much and can't afford. Seems to have nothing to do with that.

X3

[Vteckidd]

The point IMO isnt about the 2$. The point is the reason behind charging the $2. When i show up to a "meet" i expect the money im being charged to represent something. Common sense questions are:

Who is charging me? - are they an employee of Wild Bills, a separate entity?
Why are they charging me? - Why am i being charged? what does it pay for? What service is being provided?
Is it worth it? - most car meets are FREE because, well, its people getting together to hang out. Varsity never charged, this meet used to be free......

Those are simple questions to answer. Its not that big of a deal, and im not accusing Sunny of being malicious at all. Im just saying people are complaining for a reason. What if Sunny just decided to charge people $2 to just pocket the money? You guys would NOT be backing him at all. But if he says "i have permission from Wild Bills to charge for parking in exchange for private parking spaces patrolled by cops" then thats a TOTALLY different story.

In one instance, hes ripping people off, in the other he is providing a service.

I think people just want to know which is which thats all. Simple saying "its $2 quit bitching" is just people not understanding the root of the complaint in the first place.

[UpSideDownDesi]

Guys no matter what I say or try to explain will not turn your thinking around, and I am beyond a online piss fight. I have gone back & forth with mostly all of you with complaints at some point. You want to talk to me, come talk to me in person.

Thanks to all who came last night, one of the if not the best get together at Gwinnett Meet so far.

Unless Sunny comes in here and explains his side of the story with facts, I will give my opinion that this meet got ruined when it was decided to start charging $2. It reduced the quantity of cars and I payed admission to be there for only like 25 minutes since everyone got kicked out at 12.

Before $2 admission = lots of cars and stay as late you wanted
After $2 admission = less cars and get kicked out at 12 ................
Doesn't make sense to me. Please explain Sunny

Here's a reason for that and most of you might not know. Last meet before yesterdays almost had 3 fights, actually it wasn't even the 2 parties arguing rather the crowd who caused problems with instigating a fight, and cheering on. Came to a point where 1 of the guys had to pull a gun out to tell the crowd to go away. Gwinnett PD got called in by 3 people at the meet, Wild Bills instantly shut the meet down. Final warning was given by both Gwinnett PD & Wild Bills, 1 more act like that & property is off limits for the meet, for good. Reason we now have GPD hired for the meet, and other changes you have seen. I need to keep Wild Bills happy, crowd happy, and safe at the same time for the meet to exist. I have instructions I have to follow.

Timing was set before, see it in the thread, but not enforced. Strict instruction have been given now to clear the lot by 12am because of recent incidents. Also, Wild Bills doesn't want under 18 kids on their property after curfew time (liability), and if you want to hang out longer then you can come inside Wild Bills & chill there. I have worked it out where entry is FREE. There are cars outside (including people from meet) of people who are inside wild bills. They don't want people hovering around, and get any ideas (liability). Safety is their concern for property, and people there. Meet has a set time, after that people can come in, go home, or some where else. I hope that answers your question.

[David88vert]

The point IMO isnt about the 2$. The point is the reason behind charging the $2. When i show up to a "meet" i expect the money im being charged to represent something. Common sense questions are:

Who is charging me? - are they an employee of Wild Bills, a separate entity?
Why are they charging me? - Why am i being charged? what does it pay for? What service is being provided?
Is it worth it? - most car meets are FREE because, well, its people getting together to hang out. Varsity never charged, this meet used to be free......

Those are simple questions to answer. Its not that big of a deal, and im not accusing Sunny of being malicious at all. Im just saying people are complaining for a reason. What if Sunny just decided to charge people $2 to just pocket the money? You guys would NOT be backing him at all. But if he says "i have permission from Wild Bills to charge for parking in exchange for private parking spaces patrolled by cops" then thats a TOTALLY different story.

In one instance, hes ripping people off, in the other he is providing a service.

I think people just want to know which is which thats all. Simple saying "its $2 quit bitching" is just people not understanding the root of the complaint in the first place.

Simple answer - trash clean-up, and GCPD protection are now covered with that $2/spot, so it's services that you are paying for. What's so hard to understand?

As for "free" meets - there is no such thing. Someone always has to foot the bill. The "free" Varsity meet is dead now. C&O has funding from sponsors, and hires officers, and will whine down after next month from what I heard at the last show. What other regular free meets will anyone be able to attend?

[green91]

If there's value for the entry fee (aka police patrol, security etc.) then I have no issue paying. But if it's just for the exclusivity or to try and make some group seem more "elite" then I don't have any interest in going.

[Hermin]

If there's value for the entry fee (aka police patrol, security etc.) then I have no issue paying. But if it's just for the exclusivity or to try and make some group seem more "elite" then I don't have any interest in going.

A police officer is paid and was there last night in the parking lot doing his job..