Posted for "Jeremy Fisher" <jffisher@gmail.com>:

 I do not have any connection with D2A or Chelton.  However I have little
 doubt that Brent is probably correct in saying that Chelton can avoid any
 legal liability for the D2A debacle.  Having said that, it is not the same
 thing as saying that it is nothing to do with them.  Brent, you were dealing
 with them as a supplier.  While I do sympathise with you for your loss, I do
 not think that that is the same as someone who buys a Chelton system from
 them.  As you yourself earlier said, "When Chelton introduced their
 certified EFIS they licensed Direct-To to market the experimental "Sport"
 version"."  The point is that they set D2A up as their sole licensee; we
 could not buy a Chelton experimental system direct from the manufacturer, or
 anyone else.  D2A was not just a dealer.  In this way they were different
 from Garmin or other manufacturers.  Anyone who purchased a system from D2A
 would understandably see that as a Chelton product from the manufacturer.
 
 I think that the lesson here is that you are not just buying an expensive
 product, you are buying the company.  Some years ago, I bought a GM vehicle,
 which had a complete transmission failure at 32,000 miles, but just outside
 the warranty period.  They took the "Chelton" approach and refused any
 assistance.  The result was that last year when I again bought a new car, I
 did not even bother to go to the GM showroom.  Speaking personally, after
 this mess, I would never consider ever buying anything from Chelton, no
 matter what the technical merits.
 
 In this business you live on your reputation.  Theirs is in tatters.
 
 Jerry Fisher