[Rhodes22-list] Rhodes22-list] might be a mistake here

[Rick]

David,

I think the rule is, or ought to be, that we each get one post to sell
something--an R22 or something related to it.  After that, it is just spam.

Rick

On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 9:18 PM, David Culp <dculp at hsbtx.com> wrote:

> Deena:
>
> You haven't done anything wrong.  Some have voiced some ideas recently to
> try to help keep the boat building business going at GBI.  I just did a few
> posts back in fact.   We are making suggestions with good intent, but very
> little experience or knowledge of the boat business.  The latest edition of
> Sailing Magazine has a column about just how dismal the sailboat building
> business is these days.  Most of the manufacturers say that they "are going
> back to basics".  I don't know what that means exactly.  The article said
> that larger boats have a bigger margin and a lot of builders got into that
> end of the business.  Of course, in this economy the larger boats aren't
> moving well and the builders are hurting.  So are the smaller boats coming
> back into favor?  We'll see.  They never lost favor at my house.
>
> In the meantime, GBI is a family owned and operated business with a
> business
> plan nearly as old as me.  There is no mass advertising and there are no
> dealerships.  Stan owns it and operates it the way he sees fit and that is
> his privilege.  Art apparently offers a product as an add-on that is
> specifically for the Rhodes 22.   Apparently, the two gentlemen had an
> agreement at some point that fell apart for whatever reason and that
> discussion has spilled over onto the list.  I say again, IMO  that is their
> problem-for themselves and/or their lawyers to work out if need be.
>
> GBI participates in the boat show circuit.  They attend the shows that they
> want to and they market the boat the way they see fit.  They probably don't
> want a bunch of amateurs around mucking things up and I don't blame them.
> Marketing and selling the boat is their problem, not mine; so henceforth,
> no
> more good ideas from me.
>
> My problem and your problem and every other owner's problem is who is going
> to support us with expertise and parts when the time comes?  The answer
> is probably nobody... but maybe the people on this list.  If boat owners
> could save a manufacturer of a boat they own from going out of business it
> would have probably happened sometime and we would have heard about it.
>  The
> good news is that the interest in this boat will not die even if the
> factory
> does.  There are plenty of owner associations and forums out there involved
> in boats that are no longer being manufacturered.  A boat designed as well
> as this one and with such a loyal following is going to be supported by the
> people who love it and enjoy sailing it for many years to come.
>
> I said in an earlier post that I would be willing to do a royalty/loyalty
> fee when I or my estate sells the boat.  I will do that for the present
> owners of the boats if the factory is still in business when either the
> boat
> or I go.  I doubt seriously that this is going to be the case, because I
> have no plans to sell and at 53, I plan on hanging around a few years
> longer.  I also plan on doing my major purchases through GBI as long as
> they
> are in existence.  That helps GBI which helps us all and I know things will
> work right and fit, like sails for instance.  I also said that I would pay
> dues to an owner's association.   All this to help GBI and support my
> fellow
> Rhodies.  That's all I can do.  It's all anyone can do in this
> circumstance.
>
> Note:  I personally don't think it to be proper for a list member to
> solicit
> sales of a product which he has an interest in on this list which hurts
> GBI's bottom line.  Seems a little self-serving when the rest of us rely
> upon GBI for support and parts at present.  On the other hand, if GBI were
> no longer in existence then that opens the door to all such solicitations
> and I would be foolish not to welcome anyone willing to provide products
> which support my investment.  This could be a slippery slope. Does that
> mean
> that none of us should advise the other list members of good after-market
> products that the factory also provides regardless of what it is?  Everyone
> must decide on their own.  Anyway, I would say to all members who are
> interested in providing "major" after-market products... Thanks for the
> efforts but probably better done "off list" for the present.
>
> Deena, I am sorry if you have not been made to feel welcome.  But, I am
> sure
> that I speak for all when I say we are very glad to have you or anyone else
> with an interest in the Rhodes 22 as part of our group.  In the long run,
> enlarging the group and supporting each other and our interest in the boat
> is going to be the future of the boat.  So don't let a couple of guys
> getting their panties in a wad upset you.  That happens around here from
> time to time, "but it too, shall pass".
>
> David Culp
>
>
> Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 17:07:55 +0000 (UTC)
> From: captainpy at comcast.net
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] might be a mistake here
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Message-ID:
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> Dear All,
>
> I made a mistake interpretting some?of the comments here when I joined the
> list.? Most of the? subjects were already in progress when I arived.? I
> thought you guys were all working with Stan coming up with ideas to help
> him.? My thoughts and comments about promotions and pricing? where only
> general practices from years ago? as a store manager brought up only to
> help
> you all.? I DO NOT DO OR PROMOTE ANY BUSINESS HERE!??? I am not interested
> in making any money or commssions off any product to take away from you or
> general boats.? I thought this was a rhodes forum and based on the comments
> already here thought I had something to contribute.? The dig "like Deena"?
> and "was like Deena"?inaddition to the?false accusations directed at me are
> uncalled for.?
>
> Deena
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