tubing problem's!

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:31 am

the company that I get my tubing from wont deliver to me any more as it is not viable so they say.
no one in my area buy stuff from them and I don't have a big enough order for them to make it worth while even £250 worth is not enough.
others that are near to me charge twice as much for one length of tubing.
20mm x 1.5mm x 6 mtr length £7.50 all others £13/£14.
this is going to pose a problem price wise.
old delivery charge was £10 all others £25 minimum.
OK its only going to add about £5.00 but that is going to eat into what little bit of profit that I make.
I've come to the right balance on prices that folks are willing to pay.
even the chroming has gone up a little to.
I'll have to some recalculations now -again.

Suzukidave · Post by **Suzukidave** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:06 am

Its a fact, as processing and shipping costs go up these costs have it have to be passed along to the buyer or its not worth your while even making them .

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:52 am

John, NEVER be afraid to charge for quality stuff. If it costs more for you to make the correct item because you're using correct materials, your customers will just have to suck it up, IMO.
You are NOT in the business of building crap, so don't worry about what the bottom feeders and chisellers think of your pricing. Those kind of people will always buy the cheapest stuff available, no matter what.....and you do NOT need to cater to that kind of customer. They WILL drive you mad in the end.
Your other post about the weasel that you had problems with made my blood boil. You went waaaayyyyyy beyond what (to me, at least) would have been required to keep most people happy. That guy was a low-rent scumbag, IMO.
Your biggest advantage is that no one else is doing what you do, so you have TWO solid advantages: Quality AND Exclusivity.
Quality DOES rise to the top.....and Exclusivity thing is a bonus.

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:16 am

thanks chaps.
yes you will always get the odd one.
the good news is after 3 or 4 hours of ringing waiting etc.must have rang 15 suppliers all but two said no.
if they had said no that would have been it.
I found a supplier local(35 miles)who will supply what I need and a little cheaper. I was beginning to think that I won't be able buy the tubings. anyway bought £250 worth ,so that should last me.
next year I may set up a stall at the vjmc show.
so I will have to get set up

and see how it goes from there.
a couple of weeks ago I sold 2 RE5 racks and the chap was very happy with them and made some really nice comments about the racks. so that had made my day.
now that got my tubing on the way ..back in business

Suzukidave · Post by **Suzukidave** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:25 am

John , it sounds like its time for you to set up a web site like SmokeyAllan's http://gaugerestore.webs.com/ to display your ware's to the open internet , it wouldnt hurt eather to post some of those " nice comments " from your buyers

markj · Post by **markj** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:58 pm

I have to agree. I think you could have a real budding business here.

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:21 am

one thing for sure I don't have a business head.
it would be to much of a mess on with the taxman at least.
it sounds good but sales over the years have been a hit and miss.
if I thought that I could get a steady income I would have a business set up by now but I don't think it would be viable.
even putting a post in service hasn't generated that much interest.
if I could sell at least 3 racks or 4 grab rails a week on a regular basis.
yes I would go a head.
at the moment I have to keep things discreet.