Jeff,
Ted had garnered quite a reputation for his performance parts. Toward that
end, I typically think of him when I am ordering mechanical
parts for my race car. His prices are no worse than anyone else's and in many
cases much better. He does give a lot of advice and
offers some pretty innovative products.
So, Yes indeed, let's all get behind Ted and give him a fair piece of our
mindshare when we get ready to order parts for out Spitfires.
Joe
Jeff McNeal wrote:
>
> In the midst of all this hullabaloo yesterday, I received an impassioned
> e-mail from Ted Schumacher. The same Ted Schumacher who has generated some
> very nice PR and goodwill for himself recently by offering Spitfire Squadron
> members 10% off.
>
> In my message yesterday, I mentioned disappointment that TRF seems to give
> Spitfires the short shrift in their sale flyers, but would probably go ahead
> and order a tune up kit from them anyway since I know that they're trying to
> stay afloat. Ted wanted to know why I wouldn't think of him for this stuff,
> when he has offered expert advice, great customer service and hard to find
> parts to list members.
>
> A fair question indeed, wouldn't you say? I thought so.
>
> With all this bantering back and forth, I've seen several vendors
> mentioned -- but not Ted Schumacher -- a man who has intimately been
> connected with Triumphs for over 30 years. This must frustrate him to no
> end.
>
> I know a little bit about marketing, so I wrote back and offered my theories
> as to why he's probably not receiving the market share he deserves.
>
> It's all about TOMA -- top of mind awareness. True, Ted is a regular force
> on the lists and has aggresively pursued business via the list in true (and
> commendable) guerrilla marketing fashion. As far as I'm concerned, Ted has
> handily outperformed his competitors in this regard. He's helpful (not
> pushy in the least), knowledgable and courteous -- and has a great phone
> presence. My only real complaint about Ted is that he puts his replies at
> the very bottom of the message in e-mails. I don't want to read through all
> the junk I just wrote, he responded to and I wrote back with just to see
> what his latest reply is. But granted, this is a VERY small complaint that
> has nothing to do with Ted's business acumen.
>
> So why is it that Ted Schumacher isn't thought of as a first choice by list
> members more often?
>
> Although Ted has a lot of great things going for him (I have purchased from
> him and will do so again), as far as I can tell, he has no catalog or
> printed price sheet whatsoever. None that I've received or heard of, at
> least. Meanwhile, his competition is literally IN MY HOME thanks to their
> catalogs -- within easy reach for reference -- any time I have a question
> about a part. Chances are, if it's what I'm looking for, I'll simply dial
> the most convenient number (usually printed within that particular catalog)
> and order the part. This is another reason why TRF is seldom my first
> choice, either, since they have no early Spitfire catalog. But in this
> case, their sale flyer caught my eye and got my attention -- so they're
> still doing SOMETHING right.
>
> While I see Ted's name on my computer screen every so often, I see his
> competitor's names via their catalogs I have lying around literally dozens
> of times every day -- whether I'm on the computer or not. I also receive
> letters and/or sale flyers from them in the mail. I've yet to receive any
> such notice from Ted. I know that Ted has come up with some unusual, hard
> to find items like the radio that I purchased from him -- but I have no idea
> whether he sells new parts that I might need or not!
>
> In a nutshell, I told Ted that I believe he should follow up every sale with
> a thank you note at the very least, and better still, a quarterly newsletter
> that lists certain items of interest for sale.
>
> I also gave Ted the opportunity to snatch that sale away from TRF by asking
> him if he had the tune-up components and for how much?
>
> So far, I've not heard back from him.
>
> Guess who's probably going to get the sale?
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeff in San Diego
>
> '67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
> Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site & Vintage Spitfire Webring
> http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
> home of the NEW Totally Triumph Auction
> "By Triumph enthusiasts, for Triumph enthusiasts"
> http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi
> and... The Triumph Autos/Parts Wanted Listings
> http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRwanted.cgi
> ...plus a few other surprises!
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: BILL McDEVITT <wmmk1@informatics.net>
> To: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
> Cc: Spifires Autox Team <spitfires@autox.team.net>; <SpitfiresRule@aol.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 5:01 PM
> Subject: Re: TRF Catalog!!
>
> >
> > C'mon Joe, I wasn't born Yesterday and you are trying to
> > tell me that the two places you mention will have any part
> > I should need all the time?? Yea, sure!! In addition don't
> > knock the TRF accent, as its the same as mine!! Was born
> > and raised in that area, but left before TRF. You may shop
> > where ever you desire, but I shop for QUALITY!! I don't have
> > to repair mine and replace the same parts every three
> > months!! Also might be able to help you with those missing
> > license plates?? Bill
> >
> > > Bill,
> > > When you run into that magic part (and sooner or later you will) that
> TRF
> > puts on their backorder list for an eternity, give Nigel a
> > > call and either he will have it or British Parts Northwest will and at a
> > substantial savings!
> > >
> > > Been there, done that!
> > >
> > > There was a time that TRF was the preferred option. Not any more,
> > particularly on Spitfires. They have let their leadership position
> > > dwindle so badly that the "Johnny Come Lately's" have taken up the
> slack.
> > Besides all that, Nigel speaks with a "proper" accent!
> > >
> > > Joe
> > >
> > > BILL McDEVITT wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Mitch, Never heard of them until recently. Must be Johnny
> > > > come lately people!! I've been buying Spitfire parts since
> > > > 1982 and have no reason to shop anywhere other than the
> > > > TRF!! Thanks, Bill.
> > > >
> > > > > Bill, Spitbits has an "early Spit catalog. I've had nothing but good
> > > > service from Nigel and his crew.
> > > > > Mitch.
> >
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