Lead Time on our Tanks

[Rick@Rick's Hot Rod Shop]

Originally Posted by randy

Im ready to order a tank for my ls2 67 camaro build. Ive heard from a local guy he had some problems with running your tank. I just want to know that you have a tank for my ls2 67 camaro with the dse quadralink that will work without any hiccups. If thats the case who wants to sell me one?

If he had problems and is no longer then that means we resolved the issue, if he is still having issues has he notified us? anyone who has an issue with our product that voices it to us gets it resolved.

In referring to hiccups do you mean starvation? We have made many, many tanks for Quadralink setups and have a new feed system that will let you corner all the way to empty
Either which way we have what you need. You're welcome to order direct, or through one of our dealers.

[elitecustombody]

Originally Posted by Rick@Rick's Hot Rod Shop

Sorry guys been out of town in the sticks getting our new shop test car...



Selling wholesale to the general population would put most companies out of buisness relying on the once in a wile home builder to purchase 1 maybe 2 items in his or her lifetime. The reason dealers get wholesale pricing is because they order in volume and repeatedly week in and week out. They create a form of advertising for your product. Think of how many Jegs, Summit, Year1, Classic Industries etc... books are sitting around all over the country. Yes alot are in bathrooms but they still sell, and at the end of the day people that never knew about your product will find about it.

I said "slightly higher than wholesale prices". The dealers order not just to sit on the product,but for the end user, the actual customer,who could have ordered the product directly from you,in the end there are no rumors or and you have happy customers.Of course some dealers are builders,but most tanks will end up on customer's cars.

[DriverzInc]

Originally Posted by ironworks

I have a few thoughts for you. I have seen this kinda of drama your describing going on for years. I think it is a sign or people selling the parts too cheap. They have to sell so much volume to make up for cutting their own throat daily. I personally think if everyone was required to sell the parts at retail there would not be all these vendors commiting profit suicide. Apparently some vendors think they would rather make only 1 dollar profit then lose the sale. They don't realize the work they have to do for that one dollar. But if there was no way to get the price any cheaper because you have a strong knowledgeable vendor network of your products, not just some guy with a business license.

I have been thinking alot about this subject as I'm building our product line. If I selected just a few vendors of our product that sold my product and were able to make good money from it and not have to worry about price battles with some other guy trying to sell the product out of his garage on Ebay that has no clue even what a camaro is. I would cut down on the after sale phone calls you guys get because the vendor deals with you or knows enough to handle the issue. But because he is able to make a "PROFIT" on the product he can afford to treat the customer how they want or need to be treated. But when a guy has to sell 3 brake kits to make the profit he should have made from just one kit something has to give.

Roger,
This has been my number one gripe over the past year. Nobody has a shop anymore, just a website, and a business license. Meanwhile, we're paying rent, liability insurance, payroll, and a light bill on a real brick and mortar location. So meanwhile, my competition just pays his mortgage on his house, and sells a product for 5% over cost. What good does that do anybody? Then, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, when every arm chair warrior with a computer will buy from a guy, who doesn't know anything about the product, or the customers car, and I have to price match him to stay in business?

I've actually written a 3 page essay about the problem, and I'm about to post it to google here in the next week. I'm sure it won't be popular with some people, but bottom line, is people need to know, that what your paying for is somebody's knowledge, and you cant call a guy like you, pick your brain several times for hours at a time, and then call www.(blank) because they sell that product for 25 bucks less than you do.

Oh, and then call you and ask you to trouble shoot a problem with said product. That's always a good one too.

We're making some huge changes around here at my shop too. We're not discounting to match these guys anymore. And we're pushing more of our own products, and products where there is some sort of dealer protection. We're just wasting time with everything else.... I have a huge problem with this over at Pro-T, but we're dealing with it.

[Flash68]

I'd like to read that Jon. Please post about it when you are ready.

[70rs]

Originally Posted by Flash68

I'd like to read that Jon. Please post about it when you are ready.

X2! Even though I am on a tight budget, I really see the value, and don't mind paying for that knowledge and customer service.
I would much rather deal with a live person who has a clear understanding of my project needs than some DB hiding behind his keyboard who has little to no understanding of what they just sold.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by 70rs

X2! Even though I am on a tight budget, I really see the value, and don't mind paying for that knowledge and customer service.
I would much rather deal with a live person who has a clear understanding of my project needs than some DB hiding behind his keyboard who has little to no understanding of what they just sold.

Not to get too far off topic here -- as I do think this is relevant to the originally posted discussion -- but I think there is a time and a place for the internet sellers of good where no support or service is needed. Plenty of products like that out there that we all use and need. But then there are specialty items, like these tanks, and other custom pieces that do require service and support. As a buyer, those orders should be placed ONLY with the manufacturers or its competent and educated dealer network.

In the end, the buyers have to make the conscientious buying decision and not just consider the price.

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by DriverzInc

Roger,
This has been my number one gripe over the past year. Nobody has a shop anymore, just a website, and a business license. Meanwhile, we're paying rent, liability insurance, payroll, and a light bill on a real brick and mortar location. So meanwhile, my competition just pays his mortgage on his house, and sells a product for 5% over cost. What good does that do anybody? Then, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, when every arm chair warrior with a computer will buy from a guy, who doesn't know anything about the product, or the customers car, and I have to price match him to stay in business?

I've actually written a 3 page essay about the problem, and I'm about to post it to google here in the next week. I'm sure it won't be popular with some people, but bottom line, is people need to know, that what your paying for is somebody's knowledge, and you cant call a guy like you, pick your brain several times for hours at a time, and then call www.(blank) because they sell that product for 25 bucks less than you do.

Oh, and then call you and ask you to trouble shoot a problem with said product. That's always a good one too.

We're making some huge changes around here at my shop too. We're not discounting to match these guys anymore. And we're pushing more of our own products, and products where there is some sort of dealer protection. We're just wasting time with everything else.... I have a huge problem with this over at Pro-T, but we're dealing with it.

That is the exact reason I don't push much of anything like Wilwood and other stuff like I used to. There is always another guy who will go ten bucks cheaper on Wilwood. Or wait for 10 more orders so they can get an even deeper deal but not tell you or pass on the discount for waiting. I tell you hay I need one more kit and with that kit I have the buying power to give you so much more off. But now I just order parts for cars we are building and a select few who think I know what I'm talking about...... YEAH RIGHT. Corbeau sells average seats, I will not ever put their seat in a car we build, But they will drop you like a rock if you sell their seats at anything but retail. But I sell more seats for them from referrals then I do from my own means.

We are slowing coming out with various brackets and parts to help the home builder and shops with simple fixes in the build process. I'm working on raising the price to a point where the vendor can make a nice spread on the parts. But I will require the bracket be sold at a certain price. Not a Minimum Advertised Price, but an always retail price and only to real shops. Same with our frames. But the shop better know all about my products. I want them to want to study up on my product and want to push my product, because at the end of the day we are all here for a profit.

[70rs]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Not to get too far off topic here -- as I do think this is relevant to the originally posted discussion -- but I think there is a time and a place for the internet sellers of good where no support or service is needed. Plenty of products like that out there that we all use and need. But then there are specialty items, like these tanks, and other custom pieces that do require service and support. As a buyer, those orders should be placed ONLY with the manufacturers or its competent and educated dealer network.

In the end, the buyers have to make the conscientious buying decision and not just consider the price.

I agree 100% with you Dave.
I meant regarding products like these tanks, and other specialty products.

If I am ordering something as simple as gaskets for a smalk block chevy, I don't need to waste anyones time on the phone.

After this thread was started I sent Rick a email with questions about my current and future needs in a fuel system. He got right back to me answered all of my questions and suggested a solution. When I am ready to install my system I will order the tank from Ricks set up just how he told me. It will take care of my current carb needs and future EFI swap all with one tank, designed correctly the first time.

I can't get that on ebay. I can't get that without the specific knowledge of a pro in that field.