Part 7: Conclusion

At first, Oz disappointed AvWuff. At second, he disappointed Zaros, and me (and God knows who ells). In truth, this will be Oz's third chance. Despite blowing his second, and not deserving a third, Oz will still get it, no matter what. I know their are many more out there, who are just as I was. Many interested buyers who are ignorant of the facts, or who's mania outweighs their prudence, and Oz will take full advantage of that, for as long as it lasts. Perhaps even you, dear reader, if you'll pardon my assumption. After all, there is none other whom I greater wish will find this article. You have longed for a Squeak Suit for years; perhaps some particular design of the slim selection which remains exclusive to Squeak Latex, and it still looks as good to you today as when you first laid eyes on it. Now you find and read all this, which only serves to desecrate your dream, inspire anguish and spite. In such instance dear reader, I implore you; please, do not let my words break your heart (rather, don't let me be the one to disappoint you). I know there is nothing I or anyone ells can share with you that may erase those years of fervent desire from your memory.

It comes down to the age-old argument; that the measure of something's worth is not in material, quality, scarcity or money. In the end, all that matters is what it's worth TO YOU... Years ago, I remember discovering fellow inflation fans "of a different orientation", who spend four, six, eight hundred dollars (sometimes even more!!!), on inflatable PVC animals. Though of admirable quality, impressive size and design some of these inflatable sculptures where, even I was perplexed at first. I thought these people where crazy to spend so much on nothing but a "pool toy". I honestly thought so, until I spent over $1,200 on a PVC ball suit. That's pretty much the same thing. The only difference is that I wear it, instead of ride it. Once I considered my own uncommon, though strong and similar desire, I was able to fully understand. This is simply their fascination; their interest, their fetish, their hobby, their kink, whatever you'll call it. It needs no explanation, nor justification. It doesn't matter why a PVC inflatable is worth so much to someone. If it makes them as happy as inflatable latex suits make me, and if it isn't hurting anyone "even to spend so much", then I wish them the best.

While I would yet say there's a difference between "worth" and "fair", I can nonetheless understand also, if Oz's trash is still another enthusiast's treasure. If you absolutely must place an order with Squeak Latex, then by all means, go right ahead. You may take comfort in my promise that I can completely sympathize. I would never judge anyone who can read all this, yet still buy from Oz. Nor should anyone ells... However, if you do solicit, and so receive any service from Squeak Latex whatsoever, from this day forward, then I beg of you but one favor, to us all... Please, please, please...

TELL US WHAT HAPPENED

How was the service? What did you select? Was it on time? Was it as described? Where there any problems? Was your experience good, bad, average? Is Squeak Latex getting worse? Tell us. Is it getting any better? Please, tell us...

Even I would buy from Squeak Latex again "under a different name, of course", if I thought the company had truly reformed, and was offering something worth their prices. I shan't dedicate my life to the cause of undermining the company. I leave that to other former clients, whom I don't blame if they can never forgive Oz. I forgive Oz, but I can't trust him anymore. I need to see proof before I ever do again. I would love to write something positive some day, with no less intensity. I would love to know that Squeak Latex is not just a source of income to Oz, which he only plans to use up, for what little it's still worth, before tossing it into a dumpster. I would at least love to see Oz make this article irrelevant one day, through commitment and improvement. Yet I know it's a long time before that could ever happen, and even then, the possibility is so remote. We need others to let us know when "or if", it happens. We need those who still buy from Oz to speak, that their words may work that important purpose. That which seeks improvement will encourage it as well. Oz will never gain the desire to improve if people are not looking for it. So often dose the "Great Oz" get away with humbug and swindle because we pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. As long as he's demanding such handsome payments, Oz must be held accountable for the service he provides.

Do not give a review for the sole purpose of trouncing Oz, no matter how terrible the resolve he may fill you with. That's not why I do this, and nor should others. I am the last to defame the reputation of a small business; especially one so unique. Yet that is the third biggest problem with Oz and his company. For the most part, it has no reputation (in the suit making industry, where reputation is everything). Squeak Latex instead depends on a cult of personality, based upon the fearful misunderstanding that it's proprietor controls a singular, impeccable commodity, and so your ability to possess it or not. What remains of the success of Squeak Latex has been constructed around fear, not loyalty. Fear of losing, or the distrainment of "what most mistakenly believe is", the best and only option for rubber-inflation fans (particularly among the furry fandom). Regrettably, the people who openly revere Squeak Latex and it's naked emperor "for what they only crave, but have never sought themselves", do no good for those communities as a whole. They think they're protecting a vulnerable market, by defending it's oldest surviving holdout. In reality, they inadvertently support poor practice, promote creative stagnation and, worst of all, proliferate a lie. Those who actually intend to buy may have no other advice which they might refer to. The "advice" of those who only want, but do not understand.

That is why I do this, and beg others to share their own experience. Do it for the sake of helping others make a better decision. Please consider your fellow enthusiasts; potential buyers who would make such a major purchase to satisfy that same great, though simple and honest desire, as you did. Who may spend months scraping their hard earned money together to afford it, and so don't deserve my or your same disappointment.

Though it would be to his benefit to heed criticism and learn from it, I'll not say I'm trying to help Oz also. I know he wouldn't like that. Oz would look to this article and say with venomous sarcasm; "Oh yeah! It really helps! It's necessary!". I can understand, as one who has dealt with many strangers also. I accept help from no one; I take the offer as a disingenuous insult. Yes, a person may help me back to my feet, but I could have done without them bumping into me in the first place, because they had a smart phone pressed against their face. Yet they never feel sorry; they expect thanks, and walk away thinking themselves a hero. They interrupt with "friendly" conversation, yet turn nasty if you ask to be left alone. Once it's realized how petty, how inconsiderate, how stupid the average person really is (that the majority is more harm than good), that's how one comes to improve upon those same flaws of human nature, within themself. They become more self-reliant, because they refuse to resemble the useless, worthless sub-creatures around them. However, that's also how one develops hatred, a massive ego, and the sense of superiority. One thinks they need help with nothing, and so can do anything, but wrong. I know; I have illusions of grandeur all the time. Just look at the size of this article.

Even without fanatics, or popularity, or cowards like me (who grin and bear Oz's horrendous service, and assure him he's granted my wish), I bet Oz would still think he can run a business and portray an online persona, 24/7, and master them both. Perhaps he's really convinced himself that there's nothing wrong with what he's selling. That he's doing a great job as a suit maker as he is an "inflation superstar ". I bet Oz really believes he's making dreams come true with his present operation... No dream ever comes true in a God damned sweatshop! Like the poor workers themselves, it should be Oz's dream to rise above it. Of course, not to tell Oz his business, or play psychiatrist. If he thinks his current practice is the best model possible, then he my follow it to his heart's content. If Oz wants to ride on the back of his company, beat it over the head and scream "FASTER, FASTER!!! ", while the poor thing digs it's own grave, then what ever. That's his business... My business is to never buy from China again. That includes Squeak Latex as it currently stands. It's up to future clientele to let us know if that ever changes.

I know there are those who do not play an active role in this particular community. Those who associate inflatable suits and gear with their privet life; a personal pursuit, which needn't be discussed or disclosed, no matter how innocent the execution. They want to enjoy it behind closed doors, and have no interest whatsoever to exhibit themselves, as others do. Too shy even to reveal this interest to anyone; from close friend to distant follower, for fear of judgment. (Yes, that suit absolutely makes you look fat, and weird, and apparently some people still think life is long enough for the bullshit; to judge harmless revelry, in all it's latest forms.)

If so, I completely understand; I too am one so shy. The hobby itself needn't define a person after all. Not like a fur suiter, or cosplayer, who frequents conventions, so has a greater need to come clean. I have no reason or wish to use my suits outside the house, while the sort I prefer are not so beautiful as a fursuit anyway. The entire point of an inflatable suit is only to have fun, and like many other forms, it can be a casual, privet activity. Behind the same closed door, one could be blowing up in an inflatable suit, or just playing video games. For me, either exploit is simply never worth bragging about the next day.

I don't encourage secrecy, of course. I will admit; those inflation fans who are open and honest "especially those who's peace of mind does not depend on it", are far braver than me. I don't lack confidence in the community, but average people. So, I prefer to engage surreptitiously. I'm just not the sort anyway, who likes to accept their suit from Oz while shaking hands and posing with him in front of cameras for the next day's headlines. For me, acquiring inflatable suits is a midnight job "which has it's own unique thrill". I'm the guy who grabs my suit out of Oz's back door, then goes dashing off, into the darkness with it. Never to be seen again... However, despite ALL that, I can still let people know if there's a problem.

Don't be afraid of revealing yourself; you don't have to. Make it anonymous if you must. Don't even include a username, fursona, etc. Tell us in as many words as is comfortable for you. (It dose not have to be as verbose as this. A single paragraph is still more informative than nothing.) Then post it wherever is most convenient... If so many people care to review some cheep piece of shit from Amazon "or the like", why not a $2,000 suit from Squeak Latex? Because Squeak Latex has no review section in which to post? We have the entire internet, and beyond. It doesn't matter where you put it. Write it down on a piece of paper, then nail it to a telephone pole, and those who could use it will still find it. Look at it this way, dear reader; if you buy an inflatable suit from Oz, you will be paying at least $1,600. If that does not buy you quality, then it at least buys you the right to say whatever the Hell you want. As you can see, I am taking full advantage of my purchase.

There may be those averse to criticizing something "to them", so sentimental, or monumental. Who fear that a rise in open scrutiny may only drive Squeak Latex closer to collapse, if not encourage it to improve. I understand this sentiment too; though taxing to maintain, Squeak Latex is an impressive landmark in our otherwise small and young community. I can see why many would dread to part with it. Yet one has to acknowledge the danger of permitting such a crooked structure to stand, as is. Top dollar for bottom service is a crumbled foundation on which to run a business. We can try to appeal for improvements and repairs, but if it must fall, than so be it. We will simply support other projects, and inevitably build something better for ourselves. Something built with more passion.

Squeak Latex dose not seem a passion anymore, but rather a hobby which Oz has fallen out of love with. People need to stop loving it for him. I know it's a rare and unique service, even one of a kind, but for goodness sake, it's not an endangered species. It's a company, and should be treated as such. I don't care how cool or special the service one is offering; be it inflatable suits or ghostbusting. If my house is still haunted after dishing out nearly $2000 for a service, I'm not gonna shed a tear when that company goes under. No eye should weep for Squeak Latex either, if Oz's heart is not in it. I've been a fan of Squeak Latex since, probably before I was even old enough, and should have been (oops, oh well). Yet even I am ready to let Squeak Latex go to Hell if Oz is. It's not my job to take care of it. That company is Oz's baby, which needs his care and attention to grow. If he really loves it, than he'll finally give ear to it's years of screaming, before it's too late... If he does, then let us known.

Never fear that reviews could only ever be detrimental to Squeak Latex. From this point on, they can also be to Oz's benefit. It's certainly been of no benefit to anyone that Oz now sits on a throne of lips; too many people have kissed his ass for him to know that reform is in order, let alone desire it. Never make my mistake of believing a "pledge" to change from the business owner himself. Believe the customer, who's actually dealt with them, and knows the truth. The saying "The customer is always right" doesn't mean that some miserable fuck can drive a minimum wage employee to suicide, and get away with it. It means THEY dictate what level of service a business offers. If enough clients, who are degusted by the bullshit quality of service they received from Squeak Latex speak out against it, Oz might want to change that "if the inflatable suit business is his true and honest passion". If he wants to change, and he's really trying hard to do so, feedback will also let us know. That is why it's so important that feedback does not end here. This is the darkest chapter of Squeak Latex, but it dose not have to be the last...

...And as for the threat of "backlash" for your words (assuming, after this, it is still less fashionable to criticize Squeak Latex, than support it). This risk of "retribution", by people who haven't a clue, as you; who are not willing to set their money aside as you did, who did not open a long overdue package as you did, who did not suffer such disappointment as you did, who accuse you of hatred, ignorance, and try to drive you from our midst...

Fuck 'em! ...Do not be afraid of groupies, who have never and, perhaps, will never buy a suit from Squeak Latex. No one is going to remember what they say. They will remember what YOU say, because it was helpful.

No matter what your experience (best or worst), please let us know; Who, in this desperate community, deserves our support?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lastly, I wish to say...

If you, dear reader, happen to be someone who's name I have mentioned a few times, for the sake of my story, and that mention was to your dissatisfaction in any way, I sincerely apologize for that. I apologize for my candor and the unnecessary drama. Though I'm not strictly one for flattery, I mean no one harm. I'm sorry if I have done so, and I hope you can please forgive me.

If you, dear reader, are someone who's name I've mentioned 500 times... the same also applies, but I'm sure that's not good enough...

Oz is more than welcome to respond to this article, should he wish. He does not need me to tell him that. I understand of this article, I may have presented some damning statements or assumptions therein, not supported by fact or evidence. In such case, it is Oz's right to correct me where I am mistaken, or refute me where he is able. He may do so at my peril. Like I said; I will not fight back. I will say no more. A cowardly weasel like me is no match to box with the kangaroo himself. I don't have the heart for it anyhow. I just had to censure one of my favorite people, that others in the community hopefully avoid the same detrimental experience I've been dealt. This was as fun for me to write as it would be for Oz to read...

I really wish we could have known each other differently...

Oz may respond if he pleases, and disagree with anything I or others have said, without fear of defamation for acknowledging it. No one is dumb to the problems of Squeak Latex anymore, but neither is anyone Oz's enemy; least of all in the inflation community. We are his concerned fans, and he is still one of us. He can be open with us, tell us his side of the stories, and show us that he is not, in fact, our enemy. I would accept whatever judgment the community decides on it's own. Oz could still help even me to understand...

Yet if Oz does not respond,

and chooses silence once more,

then so be it understood...

QUI TACET CONSENTIRE VIDETUR