Still waiting for my sixth edition of the Harbour Lights Survival Guide. Did anybody run into Jim Rutherford at the reunion or has anybody heard from him?

I have long given up on ever receiving my Survival Guide and have chauked it up to an eatout that I paid for and got food poisioning from. I was just wondering if the man has ever surfaced after completely disappearing.

You were not the only one looking for Jim! I asked more than a few people at the reunion if he was there or if he was coming. I heard that he was at the first two! WHERE IS HE??!!

I think he knew better than show at this one!!

It would have been inappropriate for "Jim" to show at the reunion. He did wrong and made many fellow HL collectors unhappy. He most certainly owes those folks an explanation and a refund. Obviously, an apology or refund never materialized

I didn't smell any tar heating up and I didn't see any bags of feathers around the hotel. I didn't see any caldrons of molten lead near the edges of the hotel roof so it would be safe to assume that "Jim" was not going to appear.

Bob

At the Reunion, I overheard Bill talking to another Gentleman about the Rutherfords and he stated that H.L. has made several attempts to contact them to no avail. He had heard a rumor of marital problems but couldn't confirm it. Bill sounded just as frustrated as everyone else.

Mike

What did Jim do to get everyone so upset?
Mary

He authored several annual editions of the Harbour Lights Survival Guide.

This was one of the best secondary value book on the Market for HL items.

He took a number of orders and payments for a new edition and then failed to produce it and has failed to respond or explain these actions since thwn.

He's had ample time and opportunities to explain and make good on his commmitments, but for some unknown reason has chosen to remail silent.

Dennis

Interesting.....

Are we forming a posse to hunt him down?

Bob

I don't think we are forming a posse Bob...but if anyone is truly upset, they should have sent a complaint to the postal service. A link to the site to register an online complaint was in the General Forums last spring. I have had 2 responses from them (but none from Mr. Rutherford) that they are trying to resolve the matter...albeit in the form of "standardized letter" but I least I know they have his name on file. The more people that register a complaint the more they will take notice...so if you were ripped off by him, please take a few minutes and send your complaint.

Here is the site:
www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/welcome.htm

and here is the information you need:
James Rutherford
The Nautical Exchange
PO Box 501101
Atlanta, GA 31150
(770) 754-9060
Email: HLSG@aol.com or Julie FoxR@aol.com
Your fee for book and newsletter was probably $33.50.

Thanks for the info Dennis...now I know what this is all about. I remember Jim being at the Harbour Lights seminars at the Rosemont in Chicago. Too bad what has happened to many fellow HL collectors...
Mary

Obviously it can't be said that it never happens, but the actions of Jim Rutherford are not representative of those involved in this hobby.

You'll see that in particular this group of people on the Forums, and the others you may meet elsewhere, are a great bunch of people ready to help others with information, etc.

You won't often get burned by these people.

Dennis

"You won't often get burned by these people."

Hi Dennis, ...I don't think I can recall anyone ever getting burned by anybody that frequents this board. The Collector Forum people are the best on the Net.

Bob

That was my point, Bob.

The people on this site are great and go out of their way for each other. Sorry if I did not make that clear enough.

We have had an occasional miscue here, but the individuals involved quickly found they were not going to get anywhere here with that attitude and took it somewhere else quickly.


Dennis

Let me suggest that whatever has happened to Jim and Julie Rutherford was not something they planned on doing -- to take advantage of Harbour Lights collectors after several years of providing valued information.

As individuals, some collectors are out up to $33.50 or so. Yes, multiplied by many, it may be a large amount. The Rutherfords are human. Something happened financially. I'm sure it is beyond their present capabilities to make good on it. It's a sad situation for them.

In the big scheme of collectibles, it's not unusual in these economic times. Greenbook is out of business. Scores of collectible stores have either gone bankrupt or simply closed their doors.

[And in the bigger scheme of these recession and war times, it's of no consequence at all.]

Those who are out up to $33.50 have recovered from their loss -- perhaps they missed dinner out once with their family -- or were unable to buy a GLOW or two Little Lights they wanted.

More likely what they've missed out on is the valuable information and insight about Harbour Lights Jim put together as a labor of love.

His publications got me heavily involved in Harbour Lights in 1996 -- and probably many of you, too. I thank him for that.

It's time to forgive 'our debtors' and move on.

No, the story won't go away -- probably because it is so unlike Jim & Julie -- or so unlike anything related to Harbour Lights.

I'm certain that The Rutherfords aren't gloating over their 'windfall'. They aren't proud of this blemish. They've withdrawn from contact with Harbour Lights and Harbour Lights collectors. They were instrumental in forming a collector club and are no longer involved; but the club lives on.

I've got blemishes in my past of which I'm not proud. And I've been forgiven.

Time to write off the $33 and move on with our lives.

Let's let the Rutherfords move on with theirs too. And say a prayer for them.

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Well said John, it does not solve anything to dig up this situation every few months. I know some collectors new to these forums might be seeing this for the first time but most have commented numerous times on this subject. The Rutherfords over the years were a very nice couple, who maybe are facing some hard times. Hopefully someday things might look a little brighter for them and for all the collectors who have been hurt by this. I know, I do miss his publication and the newsletter.

While I am not as readily to forgive and forget what Mr Rutherford did as some people here are (and this is because of the indifference and lack of respect...not the $33.50), I agree the issue should be laid to rest. If you feel like "turning the other cheek", that's your choice. If you feel like lodging a complaint there is an avenue for you to do that too.

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You're right John, time to move on. Hey, I've got an idea, lets talk about some of those past blemishes Johns not proud of. Come on John, give em' up. Give us something new to gossip about!

Just kidding of course.

Mike

I lost 33$ to this guy but I feel the good times I had with his pubs were worthit so I have forgotten and forgivenit is time to put it all behind us.BillO'Brien

I'm sorry everybody. I didn't mean to stir up anything. I lost about $33.00 to the man also but consider it water under the bridge, or over the dam, so to speak. I was just wondering if the Rutherfords had come to the reunion.

I agree with the statement that the first 5 editions of the Survival Guide were the best thing to happen to Harbour Lights, with the exception of the Youngers. We are the better for them and it is a shame that the ending was like it was. I only wish that Jim had taken a second to inform someone about what happened. I would have gladly donated the money if he had gotten into trouble and needed finacial help. I do hope that someoneor some company takes up where the 5th Edition of the Survival Guide ended.
We certainly need a reference guide for our valuable hobby.

I didn't mean my posting as a criticism of any one or any post. Just that this comes up periodically and in these times, I wanted to express my thoughts about it.

All are entitled to their opinions, of course.

John

You have nothing to apologize for flacoastie. Personally I hadn't given the issue any thought recently until this thread came up. I would say the comments of this go around are less heated than previous indicating that people indeed are feeling less hostile.

But when posting opinions, one should be sensitive to the fact that Mr. Rutherford did wrong by alot of people here...and he used these forums to advertise. It is true that festering anger and hostility leads to nothing productive, but I also personally feel that we shouldn't be making up excuses for him or minimizing the damage he has done...and one should expect there may be a sour taste in some collectors' mouths whenever his name pops up.

You said it well John. I had the opportunity to sit across the aisle from Mr. Rutherford on the bus at the first reunion. I eavesdropped shameless on his conversation. His knowledge of lighthouses in general, and HL in particular, was astonishing to me. I am confident that he did not perpetrate a fraud, but probably had some kind of personal set back. It is unfortunate he wasn't more forthcoming. However, I would gladly welcome him back in the fold (though I would hope he made some kind of restitution, even pennies on the dollar) to get his insight and energy back into the Harbor Lights collectors family. I bought his guide and it was a wonderful reference for me as a brand new collector.

AMEN!!! I would gladly forget everything that happened just to get another issue of the Survival Guide (for free of course). Also John, I understand exactly where you were coming from and did not take anything the wrong way.