posted 04-12-2002 10:00 AM                  

I get calls all the time from people who want to know the best price I can give them when they order parts. I tell them, "the best price I can give them is the retail price advertised, unless I am running a group discount". Do you go up to the gas station attendant and ask them if they can lower the price because you feel it is too high? When you get to the check out stand and the grocery store, do you haggle prices on the bread or milk with the cashier? No you don't! These vendor products advertised on the POA are "luxury items" for people who want them on their vehicles and who can afford them.

You should be thankful that we choose to offer discounts, no matter how big or small. We are not obligated to do this for anyone, but because we as vendors want to support this club and want to show our appreciation for the clubs support in welcoming us to your events. We in turn have discounts to show this appreciation. Then, we get beat up on this board from time to time because we don't offer more. That is not right!

I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, "WE AS VENDORS & BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE TO, NO, NEED TO, MAKE A PROFIT TO STAY IN BUSINESS". IF WE CAN'T MAKE A PROFIT, WE MIGHT AS WELL CLOSE OUR DOORS AND THEN ALL OF YOU WILL HAVE TO SPEND YOU OWN MONEY TO MAKE YOUR OWN PARTS!

You have no idea how much money all of us vendors have spent to come up with products. Go out and spend a million or so dollars over the coarse of a few years. Hell, go out and spend even $100,000.00 by the end of this year on just (1) new product development? I'd love to sit down and have a beer with you then to see how you are doing.

If I have offended anyone with this, I apologize. That is not my intention. I have said my peace. Thank you for allowing me to do so and for your support. Have a wonderful day!

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Metalcrafters Automotive Enhancements
www.metalcrafters.com / nschroll@metalcrafters.com
Toll Free: (800) 518-4364

posted 04-12-2002 10:59 AM                  

You should be thankful that we choose to offer discounts, no matter how big or small.

posted 04-12-2002 11:02 AM                  

2. Has your co-pay also been increased?

3. Has anyone been told, “YOUR MECIATION IS NOT COVERED?”

4. Is your average medication expenses average $150.00 to $200.00 for one month supply?

5. Did you know that for the same medications, manufactures, and brand name you only pay about $3.00 to $5.00 a month's supply in Singapore?

This is a far more important isue that we should write to or dicuss with the Congress.

Life is too short: love it, drive it, live with it or sell it. It's only a hobby!!!

my 1 cent worth--

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howlercat@yahoo.com

posted 04-12-2002 02:51 PM                  

Don't get me wrong, I did not say anything about living in Singapore. My point was their costs for them are pennies and I mean pennies after x amount of years of patent and recoup. I still have not mentioned about generic yet. They are even worst. It's our health and we have no choices. With Prowlers, we do. I don't want to get off the topic here and sure don't want to offend anyone.

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howlercat@yahoo.com

posted 04-12-2002 03:06 PM                  

It's my "Topic" so if you want to get off topic feel free, you're not offending me, so say want you want.

posted 04-12-2002 10:22 PM                  

I bought what I wanted never got a group price didnt ask for any discounts, cancled my group purchase on a hard top that I really wanted because of my own bull head.

I could have slamed Norb, but you know what all the other items I have on my black cat are cool, may have taken awhile to get but worth the wait, makes my car look great and I love it.

Some of the request to buy at a discount make me laugh, like brake pads, come on gimme a break 80.00 bucks??

Next it will be hey Bill how about a cold air system for 75.00 or just pay me and Ill put one on my car.

Sorry guys, hope I didnt pi$$ anyone off, just blowing off steam.

Happy Prowlin
curtis

posted 04-12-2002 11:31 PM                  

As for the drugs comments, are the prices out of sight? Yes. Are they entitled to recoup their investment in R & D and overhead and make a profit, you bet your sweet life. Capitalism is what keeps 1st world countries like the U. S., Canada, Japan, et al, so powerful.

posted 04-13-2002 12:15 AM                  

1. Some owners prefer to keep their cars stock.

2. Some owners prefer to modify their cars.

3. Those people who want and can afford the corporate accessories and aftermarket parts.....they buy them.

4. Those people who don't have a desire for the corporate accessories and aftermarket parts......they don't buy them.

5. There are some people who would love some of the corporate accessories and aftermarket parts......but can't afford them, so they dream about it or pick and choose some of the things they want and find a way to afford them.

6. Then there are people like me who want to modify but has a spouse who is VERY stubborn!!! lol!

7. Vendors have a right to charge their prices which are based on R&D, supply and demand, cost of materials and profit margin (to name a few).

8. Consumers have the choice to pay vendor prices or not!

9. Those vendors who choose to offer group discounts are being generous, but certainly are not obligated to do so.

Bottom line is......as I see it.......regardless of what we do or don't do to our cats, we are darn lucky to have them at all.

posted 04-13-2002 09:20 AM                  

I don't think you are on anyone's Sh*t list. You just voiced your own opinions. You got guts.

posted 04-13-2002 11:47 PM                  

We will ride again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you the man
Happy Prowlin
curtis

posted 04-14-2002 12:24 AM                  

I am an Engineer who works on designing electronic equipment for large ships - a very small market, when compared to the automotive industry. Our stuff is very expensive, not because ship owners have $$$$, but because low volume equals high overhead costs, and someone has to pay for the research and development.

The problem with organizing "group product" purchases for Prowler owners are:

1. Timing - Not everyone who wants something is ready to get it... and the ones who want it want it now and don't want to wait.
- and -
2. Exposure - This board gets messages out to a few hundred owners and that's it!! If there was a way to get offers out to the few thousands of owners, group purchases would be more viable.

Bottom line is, if you want to organize a reasonable group purchase for an expensive part, you have to organize it over many months (probably 6 to 12 months) - or you got to get the word out to other owners somehow.

(I'm with you Norb... 100%!!!!)

posted 04-14-2002 01:54 AM                  

quote:

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CJ, I'd like to add number ten to the list, 10. For those who can afford aftermarket accessories but want a better value for there money. Man I hope I never need any accesssories from some of these vendors because you know I'm on there sh!t list, by no means is this a slam on any company here but the ones that are ripping people know who they are.

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Al, the point of my reply was to reiterate that we all have different motivations with regard to our cats. The choice of who we buy our parts from is our choice. "Ripping people" is all a matter of perspective. A prime example is what everyone paid for their cats!!!