Aircraft Spruce only keeps records for 2 years??

[Rob Turk]

I've had an interesting experience with Aircraft Spruce and I'd like to know
if this sounds like normal business behaviour.

I have a number of instruments in my Rans S6S which were purchased from A/S
about 3-4 years ago. I kept the accompanying forms in a binder for
reference. During a burglary from my office one item that went missing was
the binder with those forms. I can't imagine what anywant wants that for but
nevertheless I'd like my papertrail in order. So I ask A/S if they can help
me to copies.

They respond that they have no record of my purchases, because they only
keep records for 1.5 - 2 years. That seems really odd to me for a company in
the aircraft industry where liability can require paper trails many years
after the fact. Better yet, I do have copies of the sales paperwork but A/S
still tells me there's nothing they can do for me.

So my questions are 1. Am I being lied to by the A/S rep. and 2. How do I
get copies of those forms if A/S is unable (or unwilling..) to assist?

Thanks,
Rob

[Matt Whiting]

Rob Turk wrote:
> I've had an interesting experience with Aircraft Spruce and I'd like to know
> if this sounds like normal business behaviour.
>
> I have a number of instruments in my Rans S6S which were purchased from A/S
> about 3-4 years ago. I kept the accompanying forms in a binder for
> reference. During a burglary from my office one item that went missing was
> the binder with those forms. I can't imagine what anywant wants that for but
> nevertheless I'd like my papertrail in order. So I ask A/S if they can help
> me to copies.
>
> They respond that they have no record of my purchases, because they only
> keep records for 1.5 - 2 years. That seems really odd to me for a company in
> the aircraft industry where liability can require paper trails many years
> after the fact. Better yet, I do have copies of the sales paperwork but A/S
> still tells me there's nothing they can do for me.

Actually, liability may be the reason they don't have your records. The
company I work for instituted a "records retention policy" many years
ago and we only keep most records for two years now also. Part of the
reason is liability. If the data is gone, it is harder to sue you over
it. Just another thing to thank the trial lawyers for...

Matt

[Jim Logajan]

"Rob Turk" > wrote:
> They respond that they have no record of my purchases, because they
> only keep records for 1.5 - 2 years. That seems really odd to me for a
> company in the aircraft industry where liability can require paper
> trails many years after the fact. Better yet, I do have copies of the
> sales paperwork but A/S still tells me there's nothing they can do for
> me.

I'm surprised that their accountant or lawyer hasn't warned them of the
danger of such a short retention. If they are audited by the IRS they could
find themselves in a difficult position. Disposing of records after only
1.5 years appears to be insufficient in any case for IRS purposes:

"How long should I keep records?"
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98513,00.html

[Rob Turk]

"Matt Whiting" > wrote in message
...
> Rob Turk wrote:
>
>> They respond that they have no record of my purchases, because they only
>> keep records for 1.5 - 2 years. That seems really odd to me for a company
>> in the aircraft industry where liability can require paper trails many
>> years after the fact. Better yet, I do have copies of the sales paperwork
>> but A/S still tells me there's nothing they can do for me.
>
> Actually, liability may be the reason they don't have your records. The
> company I work for instituted a "records retention policy" many years ago
> and we only keep most records for two years now also. Part of the reason
> is liability. If the data is gone, it is harder to sue you over it. Just
> another thing to thank the trial lawyers for...
>
> Matt


I see your point, and it's sad that this kind of policy is necessary at all.
However, that still leaves me with the question how to get my paperwork back
in order. The local authorities in The Netherlands are a pain in the rear
end when it comes to paper trails... Is there a formal procedure to get a
copy of the release forms?

Rob

[El Maximo]

"Rob Turk" > wrote in message
.. .

> I have a number of instruments in my Rans S6S which were purchased from
> A/S about 3-4 years ago.

> How do I get copies of those forms if A/S is unable (or unwilling..) to
> assist?


Can you contact the manufacturer?

[Rob Turk]

Fair is fair. Aircraft Spruce has contacted me to let me know that the
initial response must have been a misunderstanding/mistake. They do keep
records for many years and they were able to retrieve my records without a
problem. They are now trying to help me get copies of the paperwork.

Rob

[Lou]

That makes more sense. After all, what would happen when the IRS wants
the records?
Lou

[Rob Turk]

"Rob Turk" > wrote in message
news:jKpei.205$%q4.150@amstwist00...
> Fair is fair. Aircraft Spruce has contacted me to let me know that the
> initial response must have been a misunderstanding/mistake. They do keep
> records for many years and they were able to retrieve my records without a
> problem. They are now trying to help me get copies of the paperwork.
>
> Rob
>

... And another update. I was just informed that Aircraft Spruce has been
able to get copies of all necessary documents and is sending them to me.
They really have come through on this. Problem solved!

Thanks!

Rob