Justin, Very nicely said! There seem to be a lot of very nice people
on this list, however , a lot of them have no concept of the amount of
labor , cost or effort that goes into many of these projects. Many
also do not remember the days when even some of the most common items
were not available do to being out of production and there weren't
even any inferior after market items available to help. This is a
declining market, and to be putting forth this effort with that
realization is to be commended. Charge what you need to make the
venture worth doing. Those who realize the value will buy. Those who
don't wouldn't have bought anyway unless you gotten close to giving
them away. Good luck in this endeavor. Dave
jmwagner wrote:
> For every e-mail I receive, I have to assume there's a dozen of people
> with similar feelings that did not respond. Therefore, I felt a need to
> share some of the responses I have had and my feelings about them. So
> far, those that have responded that already have a TR running with my 4
> cylinder version, want one for their 6 cylinder TR, all are pretty much
> saying they'll buy the gasket regardless of cost, though, of course,
> they think near $60.00 may be prohibitive for others. Another grouping
> tried too hard to compare the two gaskets in terms of proportional
> differences, and therefore thought the price should only be like $35.00
> to $40 tops. Another grouping can only see beyond the price of a cork
> gasket which sells for around $5.00. Therefore, the price of this
> gasket should have some direct correlation to the cork price and how
> long that particular person seems to think a cork gasket lasts, as in 4X
> the price, etc. etc.
>
> Let me say something here...
>
> Triumph is a dwindling market. The reason so many unique parts have
> become available over the years for our cars is not because of
> entrepreneurs, it's because of enthusiasts with an entrepreneurial
> spirit, there's a difference. I believe my profit on the TR 2-4A gasket
> has come down to less than $1.00 an hour for my time. I don't really
> want to think about how much less. It's a labor of love. If I was being
> a true entrepreneur, I would have chosen a more profitable venture. At
> the very least, if in 1997 I had invested in the stock market, the way I
> would have invested, I'd be better off today, even with the recent
> crash, rather than starting that gasket and this side business. Yes,
> when I sell a gasket, it's pocket money that I can finally use, but
> behind every gasket sale is hours and hours of my time. I have to make
> these gaskets. I have to promote these gaskets. I have to process
> orders. I have to ship these things. The hours add up, it's pathetic.
>
> Now I'm making this 6 cylinder gasket. I haven't even begun to update
> my web page or to put together the new "directions" and packaging.
> (This gasket will require special packaging, because unlike it's
> predecessor, it will need to be shipped flat.) I haven't even begun to
> put together an advertising campaign. I don't have any photographs.
> Nothing has been scanned. Materials will need to be purchased and I
> can't just buy a little to get by, a price break doesn't occur until I
> buy a lot. I just don't know how to convey the amount of work required
> to get a product from one's mind to the market... a small market at
> that!
>
> Meanwhile, I need to consider that my product is, in fact, too good.
> There won't be repeat customers a year from now. After 4 years, I have
> only had a couple repeat customers, and that's because they admit to
> damaging their gasket through mishandling. Other than that, people are
> still using the gasket. It lasts a long time. Sure, one day, some
> day, a second round of orders will start to filter in, but it's way out
> there on the horizon. This is why light bulbs still burn out so fast,
> batteries don't last long, and tires go flat. Those guys know what
> they're doing!
>
> The market for these cars is limited, and only so many people are going
> to be willing to replace a part with a more expensive version, when they
> were brought up with the idea "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It
> only makes sense. Not everyone is going to buy this gasket. Sales will
> fall on a bell curve, sales will reach a certain peak, then sales will
> dwindle to next to nothing until many many years down the road, when,
> perhaps, the first gaskets finally begin to wear out. Predicting what
> the bell curve will look like is risky business!
>
> What this all comes down to is pricing. Yes, up to $60.00 may be what
> is necessary to cover the myriad of costs involved with this product.
> To those of you that picture in your mind a groove in a slab of some
> material and a few dollars of silicone... it doesn't make sense...
> then I'm sorry, you just haven't faced the big picture before. There
> is no "make it up on volume" here. There is no volume. Volume is
> 100,000... maybe even 10,000, but not under 1,000 units over years. I
> am hopeful that I can keep the price in the $40-something range, but
> while I'm in this side-business as a hobby... I have the same concerns
> as the next guy, like making a living... having a house one day. Kids
> would be cool. My time has value. I take a great hit concentrating my
> efforts on a hobby invention instead of a purely profit motivated
> venture.
>
> If I must charge $60.00 a gasket to make this whole venture remotely
> worth my time, and to assure that I won't have to carry the weight of
> the initial investment for years, than that's what i'd have to charge.
> I have donated gaskets left and right to racers and to club events. I
> discount my gasket occasionally to those around me... such as the
> newsgroup. The one thing I will never accept is being accused, even
> remotely, of gouging. I would put the molds through a bandsaw and
> never look back if I thought that was an underlying feeling amongst what
> I thought were my fellow enthusiasts.
>
> No doubt, this gasket is a luxury item. I never suggested otherwise.
> Cork does work. It has a way of leaking that can be very annoying.
> Replacing cork can be a chore (scraping sealants,etc.). Avoiding engine
> maintenance (checking valves) because of human-nature (wanting to avoid
> replacing the gasket!) can be costly. Subsequently, to get a gasket
> that may possibly be the last gasket one will buy for many years and
> does away with all the above, may be attractive to some people, but it
> would come at a cost. I had to develop some new technology not found in
> the earlier gasket to overcome problems presented by the small surface
> area and extra long length of this gasket. It's an improvement not
> needed on the shorter 4 cyclinder, but required for the 6. This adds
> costs.
>
> This invention is a product of my enthusiasm for Triumphs and their
> owners. I don't even own a 6 cylinder TR!
>
> --Justin
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