Colibri Shuts Down

[Tio Gato]

Providence TV station NBC10 is reporting that Colibri has abruptly shutdown it's operation in Rhode Island, including the repair center.
Employees found a note on the door of the business saying that they would be paid up until yesterday.

I'm posting this because some may be considering sending in their lighter for repair under their warranty program. If you send it you may never see it again. You may want to contact the company before sending anything in for repair.

[Don Fernando]

wow, that is harsh for the employees, and for the customers that have send in their lighter and haven't had it back yet

[silentjon]

I should send them my two Colibri lighters that stopped working shortly after I bought them - I don't want them. These lighters suck.

[ucla695]

Yikes! That's a harsh way to find out.

I should send them my two Colibri lighters that stopped working shortly after I bought them - I don't want them. These lighters suck.

:tpd: I have two Colibris and both have stopped working. I've been done with this brand ever since. Dupont and Blazer for me. :tu

[dunng]

That sucks for the employees... too bad the lighters sucked too... :ss

[Brock]

That really blows for the employees. They should have told them the day before so they could have at least slept in.

[Silound]

Interesting this hasn't made further news, but here's a link to the story quip.

http://www.turnto10.com/jar/news/local/article/manufacturer_closes_up_without_notice/9133/

[CigaSkills9]

Welcome to todays Economy! Damn that sucks!

[silentjon]

Welcome to todays Economy! Damn that sucks!

I think it is because they make crappy lighters.

[replicant_argent]

You wonder if their quality had been better, they might not have shut down.

[MikeyC]

I think it is because they make crappy lighters.

You wonder if their quality had been better, they might not have shut down.

:tpd:

I swore off their lighters because I've bought a few and they've all stopped working abruptly. Lately I've been buying the new Xikar lighters which are great IMO.

I feel badly for their employees and their families, but I'm sure had they made a better product they would still be in business.

[ade06]

That's just cold blooded. I bet the management was taken care of.

[romwarrior]

Yeah, Colibri was my first lighter before I knew anything. It is a great ligher. When it works. Which is NEVER!

[Da Klugs]

Feel sorry for the employees. Wonder if they have more than one facility and this is just a "downsize" vs complete shutdown.

For anyone with Colibris that still generate a spark but wont light/stay lit....

Bleed them.. use a poker on the fill orifice. Hold it in your hand to warm it up before and while doing it. Bleed it until you cant hear anything with your ear right on it.

Refill and let it sit/warm up.

Might be surprised.

[Buena Fortuna]

Feel sorry for the employees. Wonder if they have more than one facility and this is just a "downsize" vs complete shutdown.

For anyone with Colibris that still generate a spark but wont light/stay lit....

Bleed them.. use a poker on the fill orifice. Hold it in your hand to warm it up before and while doing it. Bleed it until you cant hear anything with your ear right on it.

Refill and let it sit/warm up.

Might be surprised.

This works for me every time my Colibri craps out

[Parshooter]

I have a box of 6 lighters that was going to go out tomorrow. Guess I'll try to fix them myself :pn

[shilala]

Feel sorry for the employees. Wonder if they have more than one facility and this is just a "downsize" vs complete shutdown.

For anyone with Colibris that still generate a spark but wont light/stay lit....

Bleed them.. use a poker on the fill orifice. Hold it in your hand to warm it up before and while doing it. Bleed it until you cant hear anything with your ear right on it.

Refill and let it sit/warm up.

Might be surprised.
The link to the video up above tells the whole story. There were two factories that closed and they both dicked the people over the same way. Some dick named James Fleet was in charge.
Not only did everyone show up to find they no longer had a job, Mr. Fleet wasn't decent enough to post a note telling people when they could gather their personal effects. He'll post that whenever he pleases.
I expect a few people will be looking up Mr. Fleet to explain to him how people deserve to be treated. ;)
He's obviously missed his simple human decency classes.

[SmokeyJoe]

The link to the video up above tells the whole story. There were two factories that closed and they both dicked the people over the same way. Some dick named James Fleet was in charge.
Not only did everyone show up to find they no longer had a job, Mr. Fleet wasn't decent enough to post a note telling people when they could gather their personal effects. He'll post that whenever he pleases.
I expect a few people will be looking up Mr. Fleet to explain to him how people deserve to be treated. ;)
He's obviously missed his simple human decency classes.

How can somebody like this Fleet guy sleep at night? :fl

[CoroHo]

As if I didn't have enough reason to boycott these mutts...

[rizzle]

For realz?

My Colibris work like champs. Try talking sweet to them and not cursing.;)

[Chompers]

I bought one of the Guiness lighters they make, it works very well for me..
I hope it doesn't stop working or apparently I'll be screwed..

[shilala]

How can somebody like this Fleet guy sleep at night? :fl
I imagine he's probably the guy who got handed the dirty job and handled it very poorly because he was afraid of the lashback.
I'm just giving him the benefit of a doubt. :)
If it's as it looks, my guess is that he's not sleeping at his house, anyways. His phone has to be ringing off the hook and there's a lot of folks with time on their hands who are probably standing at his door.

[rsamos]

The link to the video up above tells the whole story. There were two factories that closed and they both dicked the people over the same way. Some dick named James Fleet was in charge.
Not only did everyone show up to find they no longer had a job, Mr. Fleet wasn't decent enough to post a note telling people when they could gather their personal effects. He'll post that whenever he pleases.
I expect a few people will be looking up Mr. Fleet to explain to him how people deserve to be treated. ;)
He's obviously missed his simple human decency classes.
I'm guessing that he's from the same family that makes enema's. Least - it sure seems like he knows how to shove something up someone's ...

[FrequenC]

I'm guessing that he's from the same family that makes enema's. Least - it sure seems like he knows how to shove something up someone's ...

I see what you did there!!! :r

Either way, the guy's a dick and needs to be slapped with a lawsuit or a rather large trout!

[robertw1249]

thats just wrong to treat people that way the one colibri ligher that i had never worked good you could bleed it and refill it and talk sweet to it i got to the point where i just got pissed off at it and through it across the parking lot thats what you call tough love :ss

[elderboy02]

:tpd:

I swore off their lighters because I've bought a few and they've all stopped working abruptly. Lately I've been buying the new Xikar lighters which are great IMO.

I feel badly for their employees and their families, but I'm sure had they made a better product they would still be in business.

+1. Colibri lighters suck. Xikars are awesome!

[MikeyC]

+1. Colibri lighters suck. Xikars are awesome!

I'm dying for the new model with the soft flame, but I haven't managed to get it for the price I want yet on c-bid. :ss

[TOB9595]

WOW!!
Yet another sadness in these times of HURTIN..
Tom

[Buckeye Jack]

Good! Maybe now newbs won't be jipped into buying these pieces of crap! Only one I ever had died within months.....no matter how much I weaked it, never came back to life. That was a long time ago......

[STYX&STONED]

I have a box of 6 lighters that was going to go out tomorrow. Guess I'll try to fix them myself :pn

I'm sure that wont make anything better:D

[Silound]

http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/fashion/jewelry-fashion-reports/e3i4b7a99706a1f6a07a6f8d78fbbcbc16c


Amid debt, Colibri Group seeks receivership
January 15, 2009

Similar Stories | Topics

Providence, R.I.--A private equity firm is petitioning a Rhode Island court to place jewelry manufacturer The Colibri Group into receivership, a legal action in which a court-appointed receiver takes over the company to handle its assets and run its financial affairs, court papers show.

According to a petition filed on Thursday morning in Providence Superior Court, in Providence, R.I., Founders Equity SBIC, the majority holder of Colibri Group stock, stated that it "is informed and believes that [Colibri Group] is insolvent and unable to meet its obligations as they become due," the petition states.

The Colibri Group also, according to the petition, "is far in arrears in payment of its obligations and there is a danger of dissipation and depreciation of the assets of the defendant."

Colibri Group's board of directors and substantially all shareholders authorized the filing of the petition, the document states, and Colibri Group President James Fleet signed it below a statement that reads, in part, "I...consent to join with [Founders Equity] in seeking the relief sought herein."

Founders Equity is asking the court to appoint a temporary receiver--and eventually a permanent receiver--to take charge of Colibri Group's affairs, assets, estate, effects and property to preserve it all in the interest of creditors.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today in Providence Superior Court in Rhode Island, Superior Court spokesman Craig N. Berke confirmed to National Jeweler.

Providence, R.I.-based Colibri Group manufacturers and distributes jewelry, lighters, smoking accessories and clocks, according to the company's Web site.

Its brands include Colibri, Seth Thomas, Dolan Bullock and Krementz.

Colibri Group sells its products through 20,000 retail outlets in the United States, including both chain and independent stores.

The company was founded in 1928, alongside the invention of the world's first automatic lighter.

Editor's note: A spokesman from the Rhode Island Judiciary confirmed to National Jeweler on Jan. 15 that Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Michael A. Silverstein appointed Providence attorney Allan M. Shine as temporary receiver for The Colibri Group. This gives creditors and other interested parties notice that in 20 days, there will be a move to appoint a permanent receiver.

[pmp]

This is not a huge surprise. Colibri probably repaired as many lighters as they produced.

I much prefer vector and lotus.

[chippewastud79]

Well that sucks, I guess if any of my 4 or so that work flawlessly everytime break down like everyone else's I will have to get something new. :bh

[Bubba - NJ]

The link to the video up above tells the whole story. There were two factories that closed and they both dicked the people over the same way. Some dick named James Fleet was in charge.
Not only did everyone show up to find they no longer had a job, Mr. Fleet wasn't decent enough to post a note telling people when they could gather their personal effects. He'll post that whenever he pleases.
I expect a few people will be looking up Mr. Fleet to explain to him how people deserve to be treated. ;)
He's obviously missed his simple human decency classes.

Obviously this guy has no guts (balls , cojones ) . All it would take is a simple explanation and I'm sure most would understand . Those employees will be unhappy no matter what but the way they were let go just causes alot of anger and resentment . And as a side note , I have 2 Colibris that I don't have any problems with . When they wont light , I bleed them out and I actually do this with my Z-Plus insert as well . Air in the tank can cause them to not light .

[ChINaMaN1472]

An interesting note is that Colibri had the Dupont repair contract. I wonder what's going to happen with that...

[jaymz]

Wow - thats crazy, i just got mine back from repair at the end of last year.

[Shadow]

An interesting note is that Colibri had the Dupont repair contract. I wonder what's going to happen with that...

Lotus now has the repair contract for Duponts:

Lotus MJYK
30 Coronado Road 2nd Floor
Warwick, RI 02886

Telephone: 401-921-5216/5220
Fax: 401-921-5218

[Buena Fortuna]

I'm dying for the new model with the soft flame, but I haven't managed to get it for the price I want yet on c-bid. :ss

I have the one with the soft flame...save your $$

[ChINaMaN1472]

Lotus now has the repair contract for Duponts:

Lotus MJYK
30 Coronado Road 2nd Floor
Warwick, RI 02886

Telephone: 401-921-5216/5220
Fax: 401-921-5218

Good to know, thanks for the info.