FOT....
When it comes to price for after market parts for our Triumphs, keep in mind
that
the producers of these products would have been far better off to have put the
same
investment in parts for any series of cars that are in greater numbers.
If Racetorians made that hub for a Chevy, a Miata, etc, they'd be selling them
10-fold... and could thereby probably be able to sell them for that "$1k", and
his
company would probably profit 10-fold! In making a part for such a small
market,
it is a labor of love... It MUST be. It HAS to be. There is no other sound
business reason.
I know the price discussion was all in fun... but in reality, "Hey, I'm cheap.
I
race Triumphs." is actually a factor in considering whether to go forward with a
product or not.
I remember a few years ago, when I announced to my local club that I had a new
product. There was so much energy. So much excitement. It was very motivating.
Later I brought the product to a meeting. It was the highlight of the meeting.
And everyone was impressed. The question and answer period when on and on!
And
examples went around the room. I had noticed there were several TR's in the
parking lot and, undoubtedly, a dozen more at their homes. I brought a dozen
with
me ready to sell, yet I seem to recall only the club president was buying that
night. In fact, in my local club, more people are running freebies that I have
provided for club events and vintage racers, then were ever purchased. It took
1
1/2 years to get out of the red. (Re-tooling in 1999 put me back in the red!)
The excitement behind a new product seems to quickly fade away when it comes
time
to write a check. I was always amazed, at the meetings, when members that
hadn't
even bought my product, would talk at length about what other products I should
develop and then would repeatedly badger me at future meetings for results!
(Kudos
to the exceptions, that invested in my product through a purchase or in
spreading
the word to a friend or two that needed one!)
I guess you can see the price issue sort of hits me close to the heart. I can
relate to the desire to make products for the cars that I love, clearly this is
the
case for Racetorians. Fortunately, they appear to be thriving, with a great
line
of products, and hopefully they will continue to survive the dwindling
marketplace. (TriumphTune's future?) I, for one, certainly plan to press
onward.
Price is always an issue... but do consider such things, as mentioned, like
"cost
to replace/rebuild your car", and the such. Consider the time it took to
develop
the product. Consider the cost to warranty that product. Consider how much
longer
this new product might last. Consider what the cost of one failure, of the old
stock type of part, would cost. And so on... if the the price starts to look
good from that perspective... (it probably will, because the guy who created it
had
to consider all these factors also!) Then... if it's a great product and you
can
muster the funds... go for it. When we buy products like these, sometimes
priced
higher than our Chevy and Ford friends, I believe we are saying "THANK YOU", for
taking the time to invest in our mutual hobby.
I absolutely did NOT intend to make this sound like a lecture, though I know it
does, and it's not directed toward any individual. And I can see how it could
be
viewed as self-serving, but this also was not my intent. AND I'm sure it's just
common sense knowledge for most of you. The thread just struck home with me
and I
wanted to share what became a revelation to me over the last few years... as my
attitude towards the small businessman have evolved dramatically...especially
those
involved in our hobby.
--Justin
PS So as to not sound hypocritical in the future, I must say none of the above
excuses poor business practices by anyone.... another thread some day.
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