Justin, no harm no foul. Keep posting your discount
offers.....
Brad
just my $0.02
On 25 Nov 2002 at 14:00, Justin wrote:
> Rocky, ( unfortunately, it wasn't "private"... you sent to all...so I must
> reply to all in rebuttal)
>
> I don't think reminding the group about once a quarter, to catch the
> newcomers, that I give AMICI $10.00 off my gasket (that's 33%!) has been
> overdoing it... Of course, I just did it again here, but I had to point
> out that it isn't a trivial discount. That I've offered that discount
> non-stop since the gasket's inception, to AMICI only... I think that says
> something. I would hate to think that newcomers would have to wait for
> someone to make a post about a leaky gasket for me to take the opportunity
> to chime in... A. How often might that be? B. Isn't that even more
> sinister and opportunist? Do you really want retailers waiting in the
> wings to jump in with sales pitches as part of vaguely related threads?
> Personally, I prefer threads to remain about the subject at hand (unless,
> of course, the product offered is absolutely the answer to the issue at
> hand.) This way, when people see my subject line, they can choose to
> delete, rather than being suckered in because it's been made a part of a
> thread! Right???
>
> If I thought for one moment that AMICI was offended by my posts, I'd
> withdraw them. I would not, however, choose to replace those quarterly
> announcements by watching over posts and waiting for the opportunity to
> make a pitch. I would simply not say a word... And if that meant some
> new AMICI bought my gasket at full price, because they didn't know, so be
> it. I, unfortunately, don't have time to print out current lists and
> cross reference orders by the names of AMICI members. I have to leave the
> discount to word of mouth and for the person placing the order to bring it
> up. Other than reminding the list, my only means of letting AMICI know
> of the discount is little comments on my sales (E-bay, web site, etc.)
> that say "If Member of AMICI please contact me before ordering." etc.
>
> A new AMICI web site, accessible by password, would be a great way to
> provide new members a sort of "welcome aboard" package... where they could
> learn about AMICI and what retailers are involved with discounts for them,
> etc. I would love this. You'd never hear another reminder about my
> standing discount again! Believe it or not, I'd rather not feel a need
> to make the posts. It's always been about making sure new members knew
> about it or that old ones were reminded that it's a standing offer.
> Frankly, if it was about profiteering, I would either reduce that discount
> or not offer it at all, as the gasket sells itself, and even at regular
> price, they'd still be out there on the tracks. For me, it's about
> supporting the hobby of racing these cars. You can argue that having my
> gasket out there and visible in the pits provides me with additional
> "word-of-mouth" advertising, but as I pointed out, discount or not, the
> gasket would be out there and represented. I certainly factor in the
> advertising potential, but it's not my motivation.
>
> Frankly, I think a web page that lists discounts offered to AMICI would
> encourage other businesses to throw in standing offers also. It could be
> like joining an auto club and getting discounts on rental cars, hotels,
> and the such! hehehe.... well you know what I mean....
>
> "Hey, remember everyone, I have this marvelous.." silicone valve cover
> gasket... and I offer it to AMICI at a deep discount. Yes, I have been
> saying that about four times a year since about the time AMICI was coming
> into being...
>
> --Justin Wagner
>
>
>
> Rocky Entriken wrote:
>
> > Private reply....
> >
> > What I do peddling Formula V Traction Treatment -- I never put up a note
> > saying "Hey, remember everyone, I have this marvelous tire goop." What I
> > DO do is, whenever anyone poses a question about tires that go hard
> > while still having good tread left, I jump all over those. I will always
> > answer such queries. I also phrase it that I am trying to peddle him
> > something, and so should read my reply in that light if he wishes.
> >
> > Of course, I get those opportunities much more often on the autox and
> > W2W lists. Which of course is also more my prime market than is FOT.
> >
> > So any time someone posts about leaky gaskets, that's your cue! Or maybe
> > just leaky LBCs in general! :-)
> >
> > --Rocky
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Justin" <jmwagner@greenheart.com>
> > To: "Rocky Entriken" <rocky@tri.net>
> > Cc: <fot@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 1:56 PM
> > Subject: Re: blatant etc
> >
> > > I hope I haven't overdone things in the past... as I have reported my
> > AMICI
> > > discount on my gasket about 4 times a year. (my guess...) And
> > > progress on
> > the
> > > sump gasket, etc.
> > >
> > > I love the idea of an AMICI web site as I could just post information
> > > on
> > my
> > > AMICI discount there, and thus not feel that I need to remind the
> > > group occasionally (to be sure that new members are aware of the
> > > discount).
> > >
> > > There is a fine line we all tread here, and like everyone else, I
> > > really
> > hate
> > > it when posts start to look like commercials. The examples mention
> > > here
> > and
> > > in other posts, however, show the valuable point that advertising or
> > > not,
> > it
> > > benefits AMICI to be informed... and overall... I find most people
> > > "in
> > the
> > > business" know how to walk that line pretty well... just as a dog
> > > once scalded, is forever afraid of water... people learn quickly when
> > > an
> > overly
> > > commercial post draws the wrath of newsgroup members... : )
> > >
> > > Subsequently, I don't think "regulation" is required... The invisible
> > hand
> > > takes care of this one...
> > >
> > > --Justin Wagner
> > >
> > > Rocky Entriken wrote:
> > >
> > > > Just my IMHO....
> > > >
> > > > If it is just a list member who has something for sale other list
> > members
> > > > might find useful -- from parts to whole cars -- then by all means
> > > > post
> > it!
> > > >
> > > > If it is someone who is in the business, he should not be using the
> > > > list
> > as
> > > > advertising medium, but he SHOULD be able to respond to any queries
> > > > and
> > if
> > > > he has what would help he should be able to say so.
> > > >
> > > > He should also be able to say "I now have something that has been
> > > > asked
> > for
> > > > in the past" without overly hawking the product. Remember Ted
> > Schumacher's
> > > > note a couple of months ago that he had come into possession of a
> > > > cache
> > of
> > > > Champion gold palladium spark plugs? Unobtainable for 20 years --
> > > > and
> > we'd
> > > > be a prime market, but how would we even know to ask without his
> > > > very
> > brief
> > > > note? He basically said "I have them" and little more -- more
> > information
> > > > than advertising.
> > > >
> > > > Useful information, IMHO. I view folks like Ted and Mordy and John
> > Kipping
> > > > as valuable Triumph-specific resources, not advertisers.
> > > >
> > > > --Rocky
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