OK, wow...! How things can change in a blink of an eye.
Pass this around. When you enter something into the cart, you will be brought to a page showing the product you're interested in and the price. In the upper left corner will be a COUPON CODE section. In this field enter the MANUFACTURER NAME and hit the GO or APPLY button. The price will change if we're offering a discount. It's that simple.
Feel free to post this around, and let as many people know about it as you can.
Update:
Super OLD post guys... This no longer applies. Head to The Helmet Harbor, LLC to see if any products are on special.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
OK, it's time to get down and dirty with Coupon Codes...LOL
Update: Old post, sorry. Head to The Helmet Harbor, LLC to see the various specials.
I can't speak for everyone, but I HATE jumping through hoops to get a discount, or to see the final price on products. Look, I've handled this like everyone else out there. Offered the price in the "cart only", had an "email for price" button. I even went as far as a "members only" section in an effort to offer the price "I" felt was most fair. Some of these "work arounds" might still come into play, but I with any luck those days will be limited.
In the next week I will have up a "Coupon Code" section. On this page I will list the coupon codes for the various products we have for sale. Enter the code during checkout, and the price will update once it takes effect.
My goal is to make it nearly impossible to find anyone online selling various products for less. I think we've done a great job of providing a huge amount of information, so this should make our deals unbeatable. REMEMBER, if you like what you see, tell everyone that might be interested.
I can't speak for everyone, but I HATE jumping through hoops to get a discount, or to see the final price on products. Look, I've handled this like everyone else out there. Offered the price in the "cart only", had an "email for price" button. I even went as far as a "members only" section in an effort to offer the price "I" felt was most fair. Some of these "work arounds" might still come into play, but I with any luck those days will be limited.
In the next week I will have up a "Coupon Code" section. On this page I will list the coupon codes for the various products we have for sale. Enter the code during checkout, and the price will update once it takes effect.
My goal is to make it nearly impossible to find anyone online selling various products for less. I think we've done a great job of providing a huge amount of information, so this should make our deals unbeatable. REMEMBER, if you like what you see, tell everyone that might be interested.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wow, You think I would learn...LOL
Well, if you've been to my site over the last 11 years, you've seen a few changes.
When I first launched The Helmet Harbor, LLC back in 1999 few online motorcycle apparel stores existed. You actually had to do most of the HTML yourself, which made for some pretty basic sites...lol. I was lucky, and knew a friend who had just graduated for ASU in computer science. He helped me design our second site in 2002, which lasted until 2007. In 2007 I updated again, and left that alone until last week.
With as many changes as I've been involved in, you would think that each time would become easier. I wish...
The new site still has a few bugs, but all the essential functions are up and running. This new design will allow me to offer discounts in a variety of ways to new and current customers. I will also have more control over discounts, and who sees them. My main goal was to have some improvements added that would allow me to better serve my past customers. If you fall into this category, I hope you agree that the change was worth it.
It's going to take some time to hammer out all the small details, but once finished, I think the extra work will be worth it. If you have any questions, give me a call.
When I first launched The Helmet Harbor, LLC back in 1999 few online motorcycle apparel stores existed. You actually had to do most of the HTML yourself, which made for some pretty basic sites...lol. I was lucky, and knew a friend who had just graduated for ASU in computer science. He helped me design our second site in 2002, which lasted until 2007. In 2007 I updated again, and left that alone until last week.
With as many changes as I've been involved in, you would think that each time would become easier. I wish...
The new site still has a few bugs, but all the essential functions are up and running. This new design will allow me to offer discounts in a variety of ways to new and current customers. I will also have more control over discounts, and who sees them. My main goal was to have some improvements added that would allow me to better serve my past customers. If you fall into this category, I hope you agree that the change was worth it.
It's going to take some time to hammer out all the small details, but once finished, I think the extra work will be worth it. If you have any questions, give me a call.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Carry EVERYTHING on the planet?
There comes a time when you have to look long and hard at how you're doing things, and ask yourself a few honest questions. One huge question I ask myself on a daily basis is why do I sell products online that I don't have 100% confidence in? Here are some of the answers I've come up with in the past...
Really? I'm looking at this very differently than I did even as soon as 1 year ago. Here's an example, while I have Joe Rocket on my site, I don't carry it in my physical retail store. Why? Because I think Tourmaster is better made, fits the needs of more people, and is a better value. I have limited space, so therefore I have to be choosy. Online, room is endless. Should this make a difference?
Let me ask you this, and feel free to shoot me your opinion to my personal email.
If you came to my online store, and I had a single product to choose from, in each major category, would you head somewhere else? Say I had the other comparable products there and did a video explaining why I picked this single product? I compared them to each other, and had a conclusion. Would the lack of choices frustrate you, or would it take the pressure off, allowing you to make an easier decision?
Personally, I would have to have faith in the person doing the comparisons. Lets put it this way, there are a TON of other companies doing video reviews online now. Many of them have a VERY different take on products, and I would say 99% of them center on selling the stuff. Makes sense right? Why spend the time doing a video, if it doesn't help the bottom line? This makes it tough to take what they say as anything other than a selling technique. Sad, but true.
Well, I've never had this attitude, and have many comments from manufacturers to prove it. Simply, they either love me, or hate me. Sometimes at the same time...lol. I prefer it that way. However, there will always be those that say, "He's a salesman, of course he's going to point people in the direction of product where he makes the most money." I have a simple answer to these people. Buy somewhere else. What you see isn't an act, but it's America. There's ALWAYS another choice if you look.
Now I'm not saying that there isn't going to be new product that comes out, and people will have questions. What I am saying is that if I took these new products, and continued to compare them to others, would my advise be helpful? Just because something is new to the market, doesn't automatically mean it's better than the current products.
The simple truth is that out of all the winter jacket (example), 99% of them I wouldn't personally buy. However, picking the best jacket off a online page containing 1000 jackets is impossible. Sure, I could have "customer ratings" on each product, and this could be effective, but I always wonder how accurate they are... Sometimes there are just as many people who give a low rating, as those that give a high rating... Also, who are these people? Can they be trusted? Do they work for a company trying to sell the product? I know this sounds pretty cynical, but hey, there are few people I actually know, who I would trust to pick out a jacket for me...lol.
If I made this change, I'm sure there's a large group of customers who would buy somewhere else. Like I've said a thousand times, you can't please everyone. If I made this change, it would be on the behalf of my huge core of long time customers. Cut the fat, so they could get a better picture of what's out there, and what products stand out. We will see...
- Well, I don't know what everyone wants, or needs, so I have no choice.
Really? I'm looking at this very differently than I did even as soon as 1 year ago. Here's an example, while I have Joe Rocket on my site, I don't carry it in my physical retail store. Why? Because I think Tourmaster is better made, fits the needs of more people, and is a better value. I have limited space, so therefore I have to be choosy. Online, room is endless. Should this make a difference?
Let me ask you this, and feel free to shoot me your opinion to my personal email.
If you came to my online store, and I had a single product to choose from, in each major category, would you head somewhere else? Say I had the other comparable products there and did a video explaining why I picked this single product? I compared them to each other, and had a conclusion. Would the lack of choices frustrate you, or would it take the pressure off, allowing you to make an easier decision?
Personally, I would have to have faith in the person doing the comparisons. Lets put it this way, there are a TON of other companies doing video reviews online now. Many of them have a VERY different take on products, and I would say 99% of them center on selling the stuff. Makes sense right? Why spend the time doing a video, if it doesn't help the bottom line? This makes it tough to take what they say as anything other than a selling technique. Sad, but true.
Well, I've never had this attitude, and have many comments from manufacturers to prove it. Simply, they either love me, or hate me. Sometimes at the same time...lol. I prefer it that way. However, there will always be those that say, "He's a salesman, of course he's going to point people in the direction of product where he makes the most money." I have a simple answer to these people. Buy somewhere else. What you see isn't an act, but it's America. There's ALWAYS another choice if you look.
Now I'm not saying that there isn't going to be new product that comes out, and people will have questions. What I am saying is that if I took these new products, and continued to compare them to others, would my advise be helpful? Just because something is new to the market, doesn't automatically mean it's better than the current products.
The simple truth is that out of all the winter jacket (example), 99% of them I wouldn't personally buy. However, picking the best jacket off a online page containing 1000 jackets is impossible. Sure, I could have "customer ratings" on each product, and this could be effective, but I always wonder how accurate they are... Sometimes there are just as many people who give a low rating, as those that give a high rating... Also, who are these people? Can they be trusted? Do they work for a company trying to sell the product? I know this sounds pretty cynical, but hey, there are few people I actually know, who I would trust to pick out a jacket for me...lol.
If I made this change, I'm sure there's a large group of customers who would buy somewhere else. Like I've said a thousand times, you can't please everyone. If I made this change, it would be on the behalf of my huge core of long time customers. Cut the fat, so they could get a better picture of what's out there, and what products stand out. We will see...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Helmets - Do I need a new one?
I joke in the store that if half of what's out there on replacing helmets was true, I wouldn't be working. I would be living on my private island... I'll address the "biggies" out there that I've heard...
Every five years you should replace your helmet...
Lets break this down. First, how would some lab-rat sitting in an office figure this out? I very much doubt that he came up with a magical equation that factored in what climate you ride in, how well you maintain your stuff, or how many times you'll drop, kick, or shine your helmet in a five year period.
So, where did the 5 year rule come from? Easy, from the Dealers wanting to sell you a replacement...lol. I personally think it came from the fact the SNELL (a safety standard) improves their standard every 5 years. It's easy to make the leap that every rider out there wants to be in the latest standard, even if the changes are small... Plus, it's a "number" they could belt out to keep people coming back. Also, many of the Manufacturers have a 5 year warranty period. Like the helmet will explode on impact if it's out of warranty...lol.
Answer - Look, if helmets had a shelf life, it would be printed on the box... If you take care of your helmet, there's no reason it can't last longer than 5 years. It's that simple. Now if your comfort liner is turning into dust (I've seen it), then you shouldn't need someone to tell you to replace your helmet.
If you drop your helmet, it needs to be replaced...
There are two types of shell material used in helmets. Plastic, and some variation of fiberglass, Carbon fiber, Kevlar (and everything in between).
First, plastic (thermoplastic to be fancy). This is the same stuff they make football helmets out of, and you don't see these guys tossing their helmets into the trash after every hit. Fiberglass composites are a little more tricky, but odds are that if you drop your helmet, the shell is fine.
What damages a helmet is your head inside during a crash. The Styrene inner shell is what does most of the work in a crash. As your head hits something, the Styrene compresses slowing your head (and brain). The shell does a bit of this, but is there mainly to prevent penetration and help distribute the blow over a wider section of Styrene. If your head isn't inside the helmet, no Styrene compression, no damage.
Answer -If you drop your helmet, and it has a plastic shell, look for cracks. If no cracks, it's most likely fine.
If you have a fiberglass shell, it gets a bit more tricky. The shell could have "spider web" cracks under the paint, softening the shell. This is a problem, since, like I mentioned, it's main job is to stop something from penetrating the helmet. I can say this, I've personally sent helmets away to be inspected and EVERYONE came back fine... Take that for what it's worth. The fiberglass shelled helmets are pretty tough.
Here it comes, the DISCLAIMER...
There's a MILLION ways you can damage your helmet, so there's no one on this small planet that can look at it, and say with 100% certainty, that your helmet is fine. I say use commonsense. If it was strapped to your bike lock, and the bike tips over on your helmet, the helmet is toast. If it tumbles off your back seat going 50mph, bounces down the street for a half mile, get a new helmet...lol.
Every five years you should replace your helmet...
Lets break this down. First, how would some lab-rat sitting in an office figure this out? I very much doubt that he came up with a magical equation that factored in what climate you ride in, how well you maintain your stuff, or how many times you'll drop, kick, or shine your helmet in a five year period.
So, where did the 5 year rule come from? Easy, from the Dealers wanting to sell you a replacement...lol. I personally think it came from the fact the SNELL (a safety standard) improves their standard every 5 years. It's easy to make the leap that every rider out there wants to be in the latest standard, even if the changes are small... Plus, it's a "number" they could belt out to keep people coming back. Also, many of the Manufacturers have a 5 year warranty period. Like the helmet will explode on impact if it's out of warranty...lol.
Answer - Look, if helmets had a shelf life, it would be printed on the box... If you take care of your helmet, there's no reason it can't last longer than 5 years. It's that simple. Now if your comfort liner is turning into dust (I've seen it), then you shouldn't need someone to tell you to replace your helmet.
If you drop your helmet, it needs to be replaced...
There are two types of shell material used in helmets. Plastic, and some variation of fiberglass, Carbon fiber, Kevlar (and everything in between).
First, plastic (thermoplastic to be fancy). This is the same stuff they make football helmets out of, and you don't see these guys tossing their helmets into the trash after every hit. Fiberglass composites are a little more tricky, but odds are that if you drop your helmet, the shell is fine.
What damages a helmet is your head inside during a crash. The Styrene inner shell is what does most of the work in a crash. As your head hits something, the Styrene compresses slowing your head (and brain). The shell does a bit of this, but is there mainly to prevent penetration and help distribute the blow over a wider section of Styrene. If your head isn't inside the helmet, no Styrene compression, no damage.
Answer -If you drop your helmet, and it has a plastic shell, look for cracks. If no cracks, it's most likely fine.
If you have a fiberglass shell, it gets a bit more tricky. The shell could have "spider web" cracks under the paint, softening the shell. This is a problem, since, like I mentioned, it's main job is to stop something from penetrating the helmet. I can say this, I've personally sent helmets away to be inspected and EVERYONE came back fine... Take that for what it's worth. The fiberglass shelled helmets are pretty tough.
Here it comes, the DISCLAIMER...
There's a MILLION ways you can damage your helmet, so there's no one on this small planet that can look at it, and say with 100% certainty, that your helmet is fine. I say use commonsense. If it was strapped to your bike lock, and the bike tips over on your helmet, the helmet is toast. If it tumbles off your back seat going 50mph, bounces down the street for a half mile, get a new helmet...lol.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Awards - Winners/Losers 2009
The Helmet Harbor, LLC 2009 Product Awards
While, I'm the last guy to watch the award shows on TV. I will glance through a motorcycle magazine when the editors toss out a "Top Product" review. Honestly, I disagree 90% of the time with what they have to say, but there's still the entertainment aspect.
TOP FULL-FACE HELMET 2009
Shoei X-11 - While no longer around for 2010, the X-11 stood at the top of the high-end helmet market for 6 years. No other company (to include Shoei with the new X-12) could match this helmets venting, universal fit, weight and easy of use. Simply, it excelled at everything, and had very little downside. The Bell Star is going to be the helmet to beat in 2010, and came in a close second in 2009. No more X-11, hello Bell Star...
Honorable Mention - AGV GP-TECH - Super light, great venting. A slightly difficult visor system, and lack of color options are this only hits against this helmet.
TOP OPEN-FACE HELMET 2009
Nolan was smart, and came out with the new N-43 Trilogy just before years end. No other helmet on the market has the venting, removable chin bar and inner visor system offered with the N-43 Trilogy. This is a model other companies with copy if they're smart.
TOP FLIP-UP (MODULAR) HELMET 2009
Several helmets battled over this award (Shoei Multitech, Nolan N103, Shark Evoline). but I've chosen the HJC IS-MAX. The inner visor system is easy to use (even thou it could be darker), it's well made and comes in at under $200. It's packed with useful features, and just simply works.
MOST INNOVATIVE HELMET 2009
Easy, the Shark Evoline. While it didn't make my top pick for flip-up helmets, no one can argue that this helmet lacks innovation. The chin bar flips up and over the helmet to the rear, while everyone else places it on top (or is removable). Smart and extremely useful if you're looking for both an open-face and a flip-up helmet.
TOP JACKET 2009
The Tourmaster Intake-2 jacket combines a dual liner system with a mesh jacket making this jacket a true 3.5 season jacket. One jacket, year round. While it might not take a rider down to sub-zero temp's, it will handle above freezing temp's just fine. In the Summer, nothing beats a mesh jacket. Tourmaster makes solid products, and the Intake-2 is a perfect example. The seams are well stitched, the armor is high end, and even taller riders don't have issues with jacket length.
TOP MANUFACTURER OF 2009
I have to give this to Bell Helmets. For them to come out with a new helmet (Bell Star) and regain their lost status wasn't easy. They made it happen against all odds.
Honorable Mention - HJC Helmets - 2009 saw the open face IS-33, IS-MAX and the FS-15. All outstanding helmets that work well, but yet won't slaughter your bank account. For a company I call "The King of Average", they stepped it up.
While, I'm the last guy to watch the award shows on TV. I will glance through a motorcycle magazine when the editors toss out a "Top Product" review. Honestly, I disagree 90% of the time with what they have to say, but there's still the entertainment aspect.
TOP FULL-FACE HELMET 2009
Shoei X-11 - While no longer around for 2010, the X-11 stood at the top of the high-end helmet market for 6 years. No other company (to include Shoei with the new X-12) could match this helmets venting, universal fit, weight and easy of use. Simply, it excelled at everything, and had very little downside. The Bell Star is going to be the helmet to beat in 2010, and came in a close second in 2009. No more X-11, hello Bell Star...
Honorable Mention - AGV GP-TECH - Super light, great venting. A slightly difficult visor system, and lack of color options are this only hits against this helmet.
TOP OPEN-FACE HELMET 2009
Nolan was smart, and came out with the new N-43 Trilogy just before years end. No other helmet on the market has the venting, removable chin bar and inner visor system offered with the N-43 Trilogy. This is a model other companies with copy if they're smart.
TOP FLIP-UP (MODULAR) HELMET 2009
Several helmets battled over this award (Shoei Multitech, Nolan N103, Shark Evoline). but I've chosen the HJC IS-MAX. The inner visor system is easy to use (even thou it could be darker), it's well made and comes in at under $200. It's packed with useful features, and just simply works.
MOST INNOVATIVE HELMET 2009
Easy, the Shark Evoline. While it didn't make my top pick for flip-up helmets, no one can argue that this helmet lacks innovation. The chin bar flips up and over the helmet to the rear, while everyone else places it on top (or is removable). Smart and extremely useful if you're looking for both an open-face and a flip-up helmet.
TOP JACKET 2009
The Tourmaster Intake-2 jacket combines a dual liner system with a mesh jacket making this jacket a true 3.5 season jacket. One jacket, year round. While it might not take a rider down to sub-zero temp's, it will handle above freezing temp's just fine. In the Summer, nothing beats a mesh jacket. Tourmaster makes solid products, and the Intake-2 is a perfect example. The seams are well stitched, the armor is high end, and even taller riders don't have issues with jacket length.
TOP MANUFACTURER OF 2009
I have to give this to Bell Helmets. For them to come out with a new helmet (Bell Star) and regain their lost status wasn't easy. They made it happen against all odds.
Honorable Mention - HJC Helmets - 2009 saw the open face IS-33, IS-MAX and the FS-15. All outstanding helmets that work well, but yet won't slaughter your bank account. For a company I call "The King of Average", they stepped it up.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What's REALLY going to happen in 2010?
If you're not the type that likes to know the hard facts, stop reading. Just flip over to a Blog that will fill you full of "warm-fuzzy" feelings, because not everything is peachy. Sorry, only "shoot from the hip" stuff here.
Motorcycles -
If you haven't already noticed, many of the big manufactures aren't coming out with new models this year. Lets face it, we're all watching our penny's, and the manufactures are being hit hard. I can't speak for the entire Country, but here in Arizona Dealerships are closing, and if they're still around, they're not making money.
What will you see? -
The Dealers - 2010 will be the time to buy a new bike. Dealers are doing everything they can to clear 2008 (yes, you can still find unsold 2008 bikes), and 2009 models off their showroom floors. The 2010 models have arrived, and older stuff needs a home. What they're finding is that even with heavy discounts, they aren't selling. You and I, even with a huge discount, can't bring ourselves to buy. It's a never ending circle. The Dealers need to sell, but fewer people are buying, and they go under. Many of these Dealers invested heavily (buildings, inventory, employee's) when times were good, and simply can't make their bills.
The Manufacturers - Fewer new models will come out, changes to existing models will be few, and plans for future models will be put on hold. Simply, less money is available to push forward, so the only other option is to hold fast, and hope things improve.
Simply, 2010 will be known as the year HUGE dealerships close. HUGE chains will close stores in an effort to ride out the storm, and you, the consumer, will have fewer places to see the latest and greatest.
Apparel Retailers -
Distributors - Simply, sales are WAY down on the retail front. Many have brought in way too much product, and they can't get rid of it without taking a huge loss. New product is arriving, and is sitting on the shelf. In order to save the bottom line, many are ordering smaller shipments from the manufacturers, hoping a smaller inventory will save the day. In the end, there's a wait involved because there's simply less product to go around. Everything rolls down hill, which leads me to the next point...
"Brick & Mortar" Stores - As I mention above, Dealers typically carry apparel as well. Fewer Dealers, less product locally to purchase. Fewer places to shop locally leads me to yet another link in the chain...
Online Stores - Here it gets interesting. I've mentioned it before, but with so many Americans out of work, new companies are popping up everyday. These new online stores are looked upon as a blessing by the apparel Distributors. They have lagging sales, so building a larger retail base makes perfect sense. The more companies selling their products, the better, right? A few have even "unofficially" tossed their "new dealer" requirements in the desk drawer so they can build this base. The end result, wow, you name it...
For those looking for that magical deal of a life time on gear, it seems like a positive. These younger companies need to stand out in the current crowd, and the easiest way to get the word out is to offer "too good to be true" pricing. Cut all the prices down to nothing, and hope to make it up in volume. The reality is, volume is WAY down, so after only a few months, they disappear. If you got your gear, and paid little, you're safe. If you're one of the customers who bought right before they go under, welcome to a mess.
In the meantime, those online companies (such as ours) that have been around a while, understand that in order to keep the doors open we need to make a profit. We cut where we can, offer the fairest price we can afford to offer, and streamline our operation to save money. The simple fact is, you can only do so much (and we're always looking for better ways) before customer service suffers. Walking this fine line puts us at a disadvantage, since these new companies could careless about providing anything other than the lowest price.
Again, it's a revolving door. The Distributors need to sell, and bring on new Dealers. These Dealers go under, don't pay the Distributors for the product, and leave the customers high and dry. The solid companies attempt to compete, but can't, and disappear. In the end, we all loose.
In 2010 you'll see many great online companies closing their doors (we're already seeing it), new shaky companies will come on-scene and fail, and those that remain will have taken a beating. Oh, don't forget all these new taxes that will create more wounds.
Personally - I personally look forward to 2010. I've always thrived on challenges, and what better way to see what you're made of, than to take on today's market with a smile. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel, only this time the tunnel isn't straight.
Motorcycles -
If you haven't already noticed, many of the big manufactures aren't coming out with new models this year. Lets face it, we're all watching our penny's, and the manufactures are being hit hard. I can't speak for the entire Country, but here in Arizona Dealerships are closing, and if they're still around, they're not making money.
What will you see? -
The Dealers - 2010 will be the time to buy a new bike. Dealers are doing everything they can to clear 2008 (yes, you can still find unsold 2008 bikes), and 2009 models off their showroom floors. The 2010 models have arrived, and older stuff needs a home. What they're finding is that even with heavy discounts, they aren't selling. You and I, even with a huge discount, can't bring ourselves to buy. It's a never ending circle. The Dealers need to sell, but fewer people are buying, and they go under. Many of these Dealers invested heavily (buildings, inventory, employee's) when times were good, and simply can't make their bills.
The Manufacturers - Fewer new models will come out, changes to existing models will be few, and plans for future models will be put on hold. Simply, less money is available to push forward, so the only other option is to hold fast, and hope things improve.
Simply, 2010 will be known as the year HUGE dealerships close. HUGE chains will close stores in an effort to ride out the storm, and you, the consumer, will have fewer places to see the latest and greatest.
Apparel Retailers -
Distributors - Simply, sales are WAY down on the retail front. Many have brought in way too much product, and they can't get rid of it without taking a huge loss. New product is arriving, and is sitting on the shelf. In order to save the bottom line, many are ordering smaller shipments from the manufacturers, hoping a smaller inventory will save the day. In the end, there's a wait involved because there's simply less product to go around. Everything rolls down hill, which leads me to the next point...
"Brick & Mortar" Stores - As I mention above, Dealers typically carry apparel as well. Fewer Dealers, less product locally to purchase. Fewer places to shop locally leads me to yet another link in the chain...
Online Stores - Here it gets interesting. I've mentioned it before, but with so many Americans out of work, new companies are popping up everyday. These new online stores are looked upon as a blessing by the apparel Distributors. They have lagging sales, so building a larger retail base makes perfect sense. The more companies selling their products, the better, right? A few have even "unofficially" tossed their "new dealer" requirements in the desk drawer so they can build this base. The end result, wow, you name it...
For those looking for that magical deal of a life time on gear, it seems like a positive. These younger companies need to stand out in the current crowd, and the easiest way to get the word out is to offer "too good to be true" pricing. Cut all the prices down to nothing, and hope to make it up in volume. The reality is, volume is WAY down, so after only a few months, they disappear. If you got your gear, and paid little, you're safe. If you're one of the customers who bought right before they go under, welcome to a mess.
In the meantime, those online companies (such as ours) that have been around a while, understand that in order to keep the doors open we need to make a profit. We cut where we can, offer the fairest price we can afford to offer, and streamline our operation to save money. The simple fact is, you can only do so much (and we're always looking for better ways) before customer service suffers. Walking this fine line puts us at a disadvantage, since these new companies could careless about providing anything other than the lowest price.
Again, it's a revolving door. The Distributors need to sell, and bring on new Dealers. These Dealers go under, don't pay the Distributors for the product, and leave the customers high and dry. The solid companies attempt to compete, but can't, and disappear. In the end, we all loose.
In 2010 you'll see many great online companies closing their doors (we're already seeing it), new shaky companies will come on-scene and fail, and those that remain will have taken a beating. Oh, don't forget all these new taxes that will create more wounds.
Personally - I personally look forward to 2010. I've always thrived on challenges, and what better way to see what you're made of, than to take on today's market with a smile. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel, only this time the tunnel isn't straight.
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