AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL FORUM MEMBERS

[Bricklayer]

Very nice Mike, I wish you all the luck and look forward to doing business with you.



Ben

[AzWolf]

Bravo, Mike! When you get things "up and running", expect an email from me - I've been doing an "inventory" of my own little "stash", and making up a list of things I need to get all my stoves and lanterns up and running. Hope you're well-stocked on genny's and tips! (got a few kero conversions planned, too!)

[AT]

Congratulations Mike. I haven't bought much in the way of parts lately, if you read my most recent "getting burned out" post, you'll see why. I'll definitely support you when the time comes again.

Sorry to see Bob go, I wish him a happy retirement and hope he will check in from time to time. I have always enjoyed the times I have visited with him.

[DaveD]

Mike,
Congratulations!

I agree with you about your comment on prayer. It has seen me through some pretty hard times in my life and I KNOW it works. I will pray for your success and peace of mind as this is going to strech your patience. Thanks fortaking up the challenge and I am glad to see the Coleman store will continue. Good luck and God Bless.

[Erwin]

What else can I say?
I wish both, Bob and Mike the best for the future: Bob a happy retirement and Mike all the best for the new business.
Thanks to Bob for what you've done and I definitely hope to meet you again soon!
Mike: Perhaps I'll need more parts when I'm retired (at the end of this year) and have more time for tinkering Talk to you in Tulsa?
All the best to both of you, Erwin.

[Taku]

No fancy graphics or fonts!

Just a hearty "Congratulations"! I am glad the business remains in the hands of an enthusiast. Call if you need a hand.

Thanks to you, Bob. Have appreciated your help in getting parts in the past. Enjoy your next adventure!

[kcdarnell58]

Good for you Mike, it will be a pleasure to do business with you. And thanks Bob, you have been great, enjoy your retirement. -Kevin-

[friarmike]

Mike

[Brightlite]

Congratulations Mike. I hope it all works out for you. We all have the dream of doing what we love and call it our career. I wish you the best in your journey.

[mowerdave694]

Mike Congratulations on your new business venture. Best wishes to you and the continued success of the business.
Bob Best wishes to you in your much deserved retirement.
Murff Dont forget to tell Mike about the "EVERYTHINGS FREE ON FRIDAY SALE". Ha just kidding Mike.
Again Best Wishes.
Dave

[cricket]

Mike, congratulations to you. Wishing you all the best, and I hope everything goes well and smooth for you. Looking forward to buying parts from you.
Tim.

[McGrath512]

Congratulations Mike. I have not met you, but feel I know you from your posts. I will commit to coming to you first for anything I need in the future. Good luck and Thank You.

Brian

[BobA]

Congratulations, Mike!

Good luck and best wishes on your acquisition of OCP! While you'll certainly have your hands full, I'm sure that you'll love every minute of it!

All my best...

BobA

[McNaught]

To u and all the guys who help keep the business and forum alive. Thanks!

[libsead]

Way to go!You will do great. You always have better chance of success when you love what you do!!!!

[LaternRookie]

Thank you Bob H. you have been a patient man, especially to us new to the hobby. Mike will have to work some, just to keep things together. I am sure Mike will excel and carry the lamp forward. Best wishes ! laternrookie

[egroscup]

Right on Mike and thank you. Every hobby needs guys like you to keep it rolling. Erik

[highdesert]

Wow!

And so the brightly burning lantern has been passed on to it's newest keeper. Congratulations Mike, you have all my best wishes in this exciting new endevor and my prayers as well. Also my commitment to buy my parts from you whenever I can afford to buy parts!



And to Bob Hitchcock, thank you for everything you have done for us. For all the advice, the parts, and this forum. We owe you more than can be counted. May you second retirement be all you want it to be.

[wheelerspop]

Congratulations Mike.
You'll be getting orders from me just as Bob did, he was my go to guy.
Dave

[LakeGeorge]

Good for you Mike!



What did P.T. Barnum say? There's one born every day?



Only kidding! Best wishes for a successful and prosperous venture.



G. Coleman

[outlw21]

Congratulations mike ! wish you well and will remember you in my prayers. i have benefitted so much from this site and have bought some much needed parts from bob. thanks bob and enjoy your retirement. jim

[CigarMike]

Thank you to all for the nice comments. There is a 17 foot U-Haul truck in my driveway waiting to be unloaded now. I hope I can be ready by February 1st. I might need a little more time. There are thousands of small parts that were never in Bob's inventory that will take time to go through and sort. About half way through with loading the truck I realized what a massive undertaking this was going to be on the front end.

A special thanks to those who took up my offer of dropping me an email or private message on what it would take for Old Coleman Parts to be their first stop for future parts needs. I heard from quite a few of you and it has helped me more than you know. Your candid responses will be of great benefit to my future business plans.

I am genuinely humbled by the outpouring of support.

[Jim_l]

Congratulations Mike!!
And congratulations to you too Bob. Hope you enjoy your new retirement.
Jim

[warren]

I know what is in the truck, so I'm glad I don't live closer. Just kidding, wish I could be there to help him.

Warren

[Dmacp]

Mike-
Glad to have you, and welcome.
As an answer to your question, before Frank turned the operation over to Bob, I sensed he was going out of business, and stocked up on pump leathers, generators and cap seals. I have a cabinet full of them. And second, most of my Coleman lanterns are finished. I have one of about everything and they are all nice and operational. I've been collecting exotic stuff now, and fewer than before.
But I will try hard to patronize you and give you suggestions along the way. I am planning some specialty coleman parts in the future, maybe you could help me and yourself at the same time.
Very happy to have you.
Dan MacPherson

[bill7695]

Good for you Mike, I'll be placing another order as soon as you are up and running. I loved doing business with Bob, he was full of good advice and I wish him well. I am sure you will do well and thanks for taking over for Bob, I don't know where I would go for parts and knowledge without you.

[easyrizer]

Congratulations and hurry up.
I've got parts to order.
Dave

[Scouterjan]

Mike, I wish I was closer cause I would come down for a couple of days to help
Jan

[Highway]

Atta Boy Mike & Good Luck

[BigLew]

Congradulations. wel miss Bob.

[mdboss1]

Mike,
Good Luck I am sure you will do great.I've been reading this forum since 2005 ,I always seen your posts.I think you are close to a expert if not one.
My Prayers with you.
Marty

[Quicklite]

Wow! Take a day off and look at all what happens! First, Congratulations to you Bob, on your retirement. I hope we will see and hear from you in the future as we have in the past. Congratulations, Mike, on your new enterprise. Judie and I wish you success. You have a solid foundation, both in business and in passion for this new adventure and venture.

Jules and Judie

PS Geez, all that extra room now for more lanterns......I am envious!

[Quicklite]

Hey, I do live a lot closer. Mike, if you could use some help, let me know. Just give me a little lead time. Er, where are you going to put all that stuff?

Jules