Post #157756 by manehune on Tue, May 10, 2005 5:49 PM

Benehune, I appreciate that you edited your message, but it's ok - I have nothing to hide.

1.) In June 2003 I posted on this board saying how happy I was to have finally gone to all of the TVs in the US.

2.) In that message I mentioned that I had met "Mr. Bergeron" while I was there. Later in that same thread I clarified that I had been told the gentleman I met was "Vic's son".

3.)Through several message, other posters politely discouraged the idea that I had met Vic's son and suggested that if there were any validity to this story, I probably met his grandson, Peter Seeley.

4.) I acknowledged that I could have been mistaken, but the waitstaff were the ones who told me it was "Mr. Bergeron."

5.) In the years since I have received an email confirmation from Sven Koch, VP of Operations for the restaurants that infact, Vic's son, Lyn Bergeron, is still quite alive and often spends time in some type of public relations role at the Emeryville restaurant. I have, tonight called the Emeryville restaurant and again confirmed with the manager that "yes" Mr. Lyn Bergeron, Vic's son, was often at that restaurant in past few years.

6.) I did mention meeting Mr. Bergeron in my ebay listing and that mug did come from that encounter, making it special, at least to me. I did not in any way claim that the mug was vintage. I did not mention the "1934" on the mug or claim it was from that date or any other time specifically. I was not attempting to be vague, or misleading in ANY WAY. I met the man and I got the mug. To me it was worth well over a hundred dollars, yet my starting price was only $5.99. Am I happy that somebody paid $102.50 for it? You bet I am! Did I do anything even remotely questionable? NO WAY!

7.) Below is the headline and text from my ebay posting:

Tiki, Trader Vic's, Atomic Age Coconut Mug

Here is a very nice rare Trader Vic's Tiki Mug from the Emeryville location. Vic's son, "Mr. Bergeron" was there the day I got this - very special. No chips or cracks. Great tropic tropical island luau cocktail lounge ceramic collectible. Perfect condition. Liquor saloon restaurant tavern related collectible. Winner pays s/h. If you have any questions, just let ask! Good luck!!

-Next question or comment.