Greg,
It may have been in the 5th hour,
But what an excellent Post!
Mr. Brinker:
It would seem to me that the makers of custom parts ought to be able to
discuss their creations once a month...without any insinuations of
wrongful intent, provided that the item is a new one! This being the
Key!
This should be restricted to parts that simply aren't available...either
by design or process!
Of course this will be up to YOU!!! But I think the list can adequately
moderate this simple ideal...and leave the few complaints to your
discretion. There will always be "one" in the wood-pile no matter what
the current topic happens to be... :-)
Even I wouldn't want to be inundated with the same old hack several
times a day. I think 98% of the list members will agree that new stuff
is welcomed.
We small guys would have to be very busy in order to create, (and prove
out), twelve major offerings per year. This could never equate to an
overloading of the list!
I also do not see anything wrong with the Q&A contests I have created
that result in the distribution of samples. Offering samples is an old,
old marketing technique.
As far as the list goes, TR owners benefit...period! If I never sell a
single piece...TR owners have benefited...so what's wrong with the
contests. If a list member doesn't like it they don't have to partake!
I'm not going to hand out my efforts without some effort on the part of
the recipient. Therefore I consider Q&A's are a fun way to stimulate
things.
The list Q&A's were intended to be for fun...not detrimental.
I would like to be able to continue them from time to time...as I create
new items????????
I suspect that you may have been bombarded by others, with comments
like...Mike, Mike he's giving away free stuff again...make him stop!
I prefer to get my parts in the hands of the end user as opposed to
other methods.
I've been working in this industry for a long time...and products in the
hands of the end user will always outweigh a catalog or brochure, and it
costs the same!
Each manufacturer has his own ideas when it comes to sales. I would like
to stress the term "Manufacturer"...I am not talking about a wholesale
to retail venture...where beans are counted in order to keep the books
out of the RED.
My effort at the design table, money, and then sweat, goes into
everything I make. As the manufacturer I can afford to take a loss on
samples.
There is no right way to get your products to market!
If my mode of operating creates a situation where other manufacturers
are willing to release samples...the TR owner benefits. If they don't,
that's their choice.
It's a win...win situation for the enthusiast!
Jim Swarthout
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