We need a list of TDR membership discounts

[MCummings]

Gary,



That's what I was thinking when I saw this thread. I don't feel like ripping somebody off, just because I don't know them, or they aren't a member of a certain place. If my profit margins were higher, I could give discounts, but you can't knock 15% off a product you are selling at 10%.



I do give discounts when several products are bought at the same time. I'm even working on some "kits" that are going to compete with Banks, Dr. Performance, and more. Should be great, if I can pull it off



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[willyslover]

I have a carrier of being in business [since '64] and felt someone need to speak for the good vendors as I'm sure they would not dare speak against this idea in print do to lost sales and lack of knowledge in business practices by our membership. . it would have been interpreted as "ripping the member off "

 

[MCummings]

I guess I could have kept my yap shut. (If you have nothing good to say, don't say nuttn')



Didn't mean to hurt any feelings, but Political Correctness isn't my strong point.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[willyslover]

Merrick... ????? not sure what your meaning is on that one. . my post wasn't a response to yours so please don't feel slighted, it was a clairification of my background for others to know that I do have some background about what I speak.



another fact of business. . the larger vendors [example for talking sake again PDR and SBC]. . have Distributors of products that buy from the above. . they use different discount levels baised on volumne ... in order for a PDR or SBC to not undercut their distributors profits they can't offer additional discounts [unless it's a exclusive product they carry and don't resale] and still have a distributor base to supply the "little guy" trying to make a living on sales and install... yes there are exceptions to this.



then another big fact there has to be some built in profits to cover warranties, additional piece of business expense / dollar.

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by willyslover

... my post wasn't a response to yours so please don't feel slighted...

Gotchya, Thanks.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[Sticks]

It all still comes down to the consumer. Just because a vendor offers a discount, does not necessarily mean that they will get my business. I will still shop around.



Vendor A may only give a minimal discount on certain items, while vendor B gives 20% off across the board. I will still buy from the most inexpensive place... at the bottom line. If Vendor A & B both come out to the same price for an item, but vendor B charges an extra $25 for shipping and handling, Vendor A it is.



This could turn into a huge economics discussion, but that is not the point of the thread, I would just like to see a list of those vendors that offer the discounts so we (TDR members) can make a good decision on where to spend our money.



Most of us when we are looking for an item, and are doing so on-line, all we see is the prices that God and everybody else with a computer sees. We don't know that there are discounts available, so if the prices are too high for our taste, off we go to the next guy, and not even bother to call to try to wheedle the price down. The same goes for those that do not post the prices on their site.



I am speaking for my shopping habits, but I doubt that I am the only one that does this.



Sticks

 

[greyghost]

Originally posted by sticks

... Most of us when we are looking for an item, and are doing so on-line, all we see is the prices that God and everybody else with a computer sees. We don't know that there are discounts available, so if the prices are too high for our taste, off we go to the next guy, and not even bother to call to try to wheedle the price down. The same goes for those that do not post the prices on their site.



I am speaking for my shopping habits, but I doubt that I am the only one that does this.



Sticks

I'll have all the sites open at the same time comparing price and specs. Then I usually will go do a search here (TDR) and see what others were doing. Man a list of vendor discounts would make life so much easier.



And the Money, well in the last 6 months I've put my share down and if I'm spending about what is average, any vendor should be willing to give some kind of discount to the TDR group. To date there are 17,000 plus members and if each spent an average of 500 bucks on his/her truck in the next year thats 8. 5 M, thats not including friends and other who lurk. Plus most of the BOMBs that are bought new average a much high price, just for grins say $5,000 average that 85. 0 M.



Sorry for the rant. I will now burn the soap box.



Free shipping would have done it for me on some items.



Garrett





Sticks for "RMTDR Treasure"

 

[willyslover]

there is the Dilemma...



many TDR members don't care if you keep your doors open or not as there are many others out there . . they want a discount and free freight . . and give back no loyalty to your or any other dealer . .



just goes to show what a good job the liberals have done to convince the populace what a rip off business are and that they don't pay their fair share. . IE taxes, health insurance, and the litany or other costs of business, a fair profit has become a dirty word... it's a shame but that's the way it is.



all a small business can do is to try to do great service and installs and build from that with fair prices and forget the mindless demands that are imposable to meet and maintain a business that allows you to keep the doors open.



NO FLAME INTENDED TO ANYONE. . just some realities of the retail world.



I for one would be opposed to a "list" as all it would do is succeed in closing the doors of many small shops , many of which are new and don't know how to manage a new business do to lack of experience in the arena... . the diesel market is a small segment and we need the vendors to at least be able to make a living... the bad ones will fall out of the mix as is the case in all retail.

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by willyslover



all a small business can do is to try to do great service and installs and build from that with fair prices and forget the mindless demands that are imposable to meet and maintain a business that allows you to keep the doors open.



NO FLAME INTENDED TO ANYONE. . just some realities of the retail world.



I for one would be opposed to a "list" as all it would do is succeed in closing the doors of many small shops , many of which are new and don't know how to manage a new business do to lack of experience in the arena... . the diesel market is a small segment and we need the vendors to at least be able to make a living... the bad ones will fall out of the mix as is the case in all retail.

Willyslover



I do know what you mean. By choice, whenever I can, I like to buy from the small "Mom and Pop" retailers. Unfortunately, the corp-rat food chain works both ways. You have the manufacturer that will sell it's product to "Conglom-O-Mart" for $10 a unit, but the price they give "Family Pride" is $25 per. "They (Conglom-O-Mart) get the lower price because they buy in bulk... PLEASE. If you know that you are going to make 360K this year, what does it matter who buys how much? Greed makes the world go round.



By your statement, Service is where the small shops need to build their business. Very true, customer service is in my opinion job #1. You get/give the best service by being with them face to face, and that is where the business will be built, by walk in's, not on-line shopping. I seriously doubt that loosing business from the TDR because they will not/can not offer a discount will close their doors. TDR is not the only source for their business, and if it is, well they are going to go under anyways. You can't run a business with only one source of advertising.



However on our end of things (CTD toys) there are not too many small "Mom and Pop" retailers, nor are there huge Corp-rats with outlets in every city. Most of our stuff comes from fairly large retailers that have been in business for some years, and cater to ALL brands and flavors, not just our beloved Dodge CTD's.



I know of three vendors that advertise on this site that all sell the Edge EZ, yet the prices range from $459. 00 to $595. 00. Somethin' don't smell right in webland. The same three vendors have gauges for about the same price (with in $25), now starts the dilemma. $595 for an Edge EZ, no thank you. How much over cost have you run your gauges? $459 for an Edge EZ, why I think that is lower than Edge sells to the public. Are you selling the EZ as a loss leader hoping they buy gauges at the same time to off set the selling at cost of the EZ?



I need to replace my OEM shocks and have decided on Rancho 9000's. There is a local shop in town here that I went to because I was told "He'll give you a special price" (long story). It is family owned and operated, and they work on everything 4x4 and then some. Nice people and they are definitely not hurting for business. My special price was $80 per. I can go on-line and get them for $270 delivered. I am not about to stand on the mans sales floor and try to wheedle him to match the on line price. He is in the business to make money, I am in the business to get the most for my money. My hypocrisy only goes so far.



Greyghost,



You did not burn the box enough, I could still stand on it. I'm gonna go soak it in #2 for a few then light it up.



Sticks

 

[willyslover]

where to start... .



well since I have responded to this thread I have received 3 reasonably large supplier/retailer and 1 start up business reply to me via PM / e-mails... all have either asked some pertinents questions about how to better explain how hard business' have to work to eak out a living or for suggestions on how to grow their business better and make some profit... .



some with remarks like . . they don't have a clue what it takes in todays climate, do they think were getting rich, geees why don't they start a business and see what it takes... ect ect



Sticks... in all my posting on this subject I have spoken of FAIR pricing, great service and quality installs... . in the real world those that are over priced or have poor service/install will fail in the market place... . and IMHO should.



you are 100% correct that TDR isn't their only business... if it was slow starvation would be the result as a very large percentage of our family is at stock or close to stock levels... non stock are using mostly non-diesel specific parts ie. shocks, trim pieces, bumpers ect. ect. and most Diesel performance shops don't deal in these parts.





Bill said "People using the line "the liberals caused" it has gotten so overused lately that it doesn't carry any weight and is starting to sound like joke to most.

If someone wants their opinion to be taken seriously don't treat it like a joke. "



I call it as I see it after 40+ years in business watching excessive regulations imposed on business . . you see I'm retired and no longer have to be PC. . if you don't like my words please feel free to put me on your ignore list as I have most of the zealous Liberals who post here. . you however haven't made my ignore list

 

[Sticks]

Well said willyslover.



One thing I would like to point out... I'll make this quick, the box is still burnin'... the TDR has 17k members. I am betting that we only have 2k that use the TDR web based forum, the rest are quarterly magazine readers. I base this estimate on the meeting we (RMTDR) had this week. Huge list of TDR members in the Denver area, 300-400. Only about 35 actually use the web forum, the rest either don't have a computer, don't know how to use one, or don't know it's there. All of us get the quarterly issues, and a nice big fat copy of Genos Garage catalog... . I wonder who gets the fair chunk of TDR business - no slight intended towards Genos. Fair prices, excellent customer service, and a well made catalog.



Any of you guys smell rubber burnin'?



Sorry but this kind of puts a gaping hole in the piece of the $8. 5m increase in revenue for the business that offers the discounts to TDR. Only way that works is to publish that list in the quarterly. Man I've got a way of working against myself.



OUCH... FEET HOT... MUST JUMP... .



Three pages down on the thread and I think we have 2 vendors that have stepped up, and a well mannered debate.



Moderators, do we need to do some more wait & see, or pound a nail in it? I know that there are existing (not new because of this thread) discounts, and special pricing... (now there's a double edged sword) out there for the TDR. I still want to see a list of them in one place.

 

[TDRadmin]

Input

I am not ignoring this thread/suggestion. I am trying to give consideration to it fairly.



We have been discussing this issue all week. And, we will continue to do so over the next few days.



Many of our long-term vendors don't offer "discounts" because their prices do not allow for additional incentives. They are consistently fair vendors without enough margin to offer special TDR pricing. They would, perhaps, be penalized by such a "list. "



And, we do try to offer easy access to vendor specials via the TDR Classified Ads (on the website).



I will continue to review this issue and discuss it with the staff. It will be some time next week before I post anything definitive because I will be away fromt he office (thus, off the website) until Monday.



In the meantime, keep it clean and within the guidelines . . . please (snicker).



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

I am not a business owner, just a consumer. I think a list would be good to start with but, one of the most important things for my decision on buying from anyone is SERVICE. I may get it cheaper somewhere else but if I have a problem with the product and have to call them back, I expect help, customer service. Example: I have dealt with my local DODGE dealer now for going on 15 years, may not have always gotten the cheapest price or even the best deal, but when it comes time that I need help with any of my vehicles, they are there, and with a on their face. I have loyalty to those that treat me like I'm # 1. I would like to see them have some type of rating for the business too, from the customer rating their service with different business on the list. Just my . 02 Don

 

[Sticks]

Oo.

 

[Scot]

I would like to just have a list of: This is my company, this is my handle and thiese are the products I sell. I would rather give my business to someone I know raher than an unknown. If the vendor wishes to give a discount, wonderful. If not, I still would rather deal with someone I know.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Well, any decisions yet ... . ?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Robin is out of town until monday.

 

[csevers]

my opinion

I hope the people that are worried about the vendors making money are the same ones that continue to go to the Dealerships for there parts needs to support "the mom and pops" of the world. I don't spend all my money with any one vendor due to the fact none have every thing I want, it is pretty simple I spread my money around regard less of the service provided if the "toy" is needed really bad. We have vendors on the TDR that have CULT like followings and that over shadows good or better products or service from others, is this any better than having this list ?? Just some random thoughts. I am not for nor against a list of this kind.



Craig

 

[TDRadmin]

Vendor List

Well, I had a few days off to get some R&R. First thing back, I was reminded that this was an open issue on my to-do list.



Unfortunately, we will not be creating a list of vendors within the TDR Discussion Forums.



Considerations.



1. We want - as much as possible - to keep the TDR Discussion Forums as free from commercial solicitation as possible. And once we start "a list," that line becomes very gray.



2. I believe there would be an implied seal of approval or recommendation each time we were to add a name to the list. I know someone will argue with me over this, but I already have to intervene in disputes that arise on the Classified Ads. Our policy is to stay out, but sometimes we cannot. So I'd say I have some pretty legitimate first-hand knowledge about the expectations of those making purchases based on leads generated on the TDR website. This should not be the case because we do not endorse or take responsibility for those transactions, but members' expectations don't always match that mindset. I have scars to prove it.



3. I've talked to several folks regarding this request (vendors, members, staff), and the consensus is that "a list" is somewhat already available within the TDR Links section and classifieds (where vendors can post promotional offers).



4. We added a "Vendor Affiliation" field just below your user name on the website so we can add that affiliation for everyone to see - once we become aware that a member is affiliated with a related enterprise.



I trust you will understand and support this decision.



If you have additional thoughts, concerns, considerations, please e-mail me directly at: rpatton@ix.netcom.com.



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[Sticks]

Bummer



Thanks for the consideration.



Sticks