DavidG here... I'll explain a bit and then post an update. I have been in the Mopar world for many years now, and do know Dave Layson. My experiences with him have been favorable, but I do know there are issues that other folks have had with him and his business. But, I don't want to get into people's transactions with him because who knows what all is true or not. I think enough has been said about people's dealings with him so let's try to stick with the Carlisle incident. For what it's worth, here is what I believe to be true at this point obtained with inside information. The truth will eventually come out anyway, so rather than beat me up over the following post, let's just see how much of this comes out as factual. Layson's has been reopened for about a week now. They have most of their computers back in service at their facility in Lakewood, Washington. There were never charges filed in Washington State and there never should have been charges filed in PA.
Out of the 1.8 million dollars that Layson's has in inventory, approximately $25,000 of that was in question which equals 1.4 percent of the total inventory. Don't stop reading here because of that approx. $25,000, or 1.4 percent, most of that was inventory that Layson's purchased from other companies that actively sell parts to many individuals like yourselves, and also sell to vendors who add these items to their own catalogs/inventory like Layson's did. These items were assumed to be legit, and not made for, made by, nor commissioned by Layson's. It looks like some other companies may have to answer to Chrysler.
In addition, a very small percentage of that total were lenses that were made by Layson's, but were in an assembly room not yet assembled and packaged for sale at that point. These lenses were not in the warehouse area, but in a separate room near the offices waiting for assembly. They were scheduled to have the Pentastar blotted out to comply with Chrysler from an agreement a few years back. This is not illegal, it was just made to look that way for fodder for the media. Again, the lenses were not even for sale at that point. The part numbers are not the issue with Chrysler, from what I understand. The whole raid on Layson's in Carlisle, PA should never have happened.
Layson's was not in violation of what a bunch of misinformed law enforcement officers, the news media, and good old folks like some of you said about this situation. All other Layson's issues aside, this is the reality of this situation.
How about helping spread this news just as fast as incorrect accusations were spread???
David G
