[Rhodes22-list] general boat's dilema

Rick sloopblueheron at gmail.com
Tue Jul 28 19:24:02 EDT 2009 

$1.97

On Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 2:21 PM, Arthur H. Czerwonky <
czerwonky at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Rick,
>
> Good idea, buddy!  Somehow to add a unique personal touch.  I would add,
> however, that Mary Lou really does not need to dance on table tops at the
> Annapolis show.  Fred,  Pleassse!
>
> I agree with the blazers, but, as we are in shoestring mode, what about a
> Hanes T-shirt,  and of course, hospitality hot dogs with lots of mustard and
> relish.  Seriously, I embroidered some nice looking T-shirts for the '07
> show, different color each day, some were 'Name, and rhodes22.com', and
> some were 'name, boomroom, rhodes22.com', each comma'd section above the
> other.  They were noticed by our visitors, never a comment or compliment
> otherwise.  You might have to get used to it... rhoadies are tough.
>
> Let's gel some more ideas for Stan to use.  At least it engages the
> imagination of the smart cookies in our magnificent Rhodes fleet.
>
> No commissions or royalty this time either, guys.  What do you charge,
> Rick?
>
> Art
> s/v Mary Jane
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Rick <sloopblueheron at gmail.com>
> >Sent: Jul 28, 2009 2:00 PM
> >To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] general boat's dilema
> >
> >Art,
> >
> >Using owners at shows sounds like a good idea.  Carver has success with
> that
> >at the Cleveland show, dressing everyone up the same way in blue blazers.
> >
> >I doubt any mass media advertising would have payback.  Since all the
> major
> >sailing magazines have been pushing for so long the Catalina wave that you
> >start at 22 feet and buy up from there, a GBI ad would be swamped.  Maybe
> >direct mail to long-time owners on state and Coast Guard sailboat
> >registration lists, pushing the R22 as a quality downsize option?
> >
> >Rick
> >
> >On Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 12:18 PM, Arthur H. Czerwonky <
> >czerwonky at earthlink.net> wrote:
> >
> >> John, Rob,
> >>
> >> You may recall that Stan proposed a stripped down version, call it a
> racing
> >> model, on the list a few years ago, and although I expressed interest in
> >> this new boat option to him, maybe others too, no further information
> was
> >> provided to my knowledge.  Back at that time Stan expressed his ability
> to
> >> produce, and now maybe he will further reconsider and tell us more about
> >> what he had in mind.  I still am interested, speaking for myself as a
> >> potential buyer.  I will watch for any response.  Did anyone get
> detailed
> >> information on this boat?
> >>
> >> I have suggested the value of baseline ad exposure.  If nothing else,
> >> targeted reinforcement to the boat show displays that are so important.
> >>  Maybe followup visits by experienced skippers.  I have been told by one
> of
> >> our newer skippers that my 'hot dog hospitality' aboard Mary Jane at the
> '07
> >> show tipped the sale toward his boat purchase with him and his wife.
>  BTW,
> >> no commission provided or requested.  The presence of skippers at the
> show
> >> is valuable - a third party evaluation of their own boat, and with 'no
> axe
> >> to grind'.  Consider it for yourself in support of Stan, as I did twice.
> >>  You would have one very positive impression of how GB and a huge number
> of
> >> other boat makers reach their customers.  Our skippers who are so
> willing to
> >> give demos, whether at shows or not, are such valuable ambassadors for
> GB.
> >>  Having done it a number of times, it is really fun as well as being
> >> productive.  Try it, you'll like it!  Let's be specific - Can some of
> you
> >> skipper demos at Annapoli!
> >>  s or St Pete or elsewhere?
> >>
> >> Cutting to the chase, who has some real connections to options and
> selling
> >> /advertising connections that could help get Stan and GB out of this
> 'black
> >> hole' that the company appears to be in?  It could be just a few
> positive
> >> levers to pull that would enable better results, even in our current
> puuuny
> >> economy.  Who is willing to pen letters of endorsement to
> prospects/suspects
> >> that could tip the scales, one by one.   Time to get the horses out of
> the
> >> barn, guys.
> >>
> >> Like Mark Twain or someone else once said, let's get the P in our Pot!
> >>
> >> Respectfully,
> >>
> >> Art
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> >From: John Shulick <jsbudda at verizon.net>
> >> >Sent: Jul 28, 2009 11:02 AM
> >> >To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> >> >Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] general boat's complaint (continued)
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >Rob,
> >> >
> >> >Yep that pretty much covers it. Now what would the price point be for
> such
> >> a
> >> >boat? I have the origional literature that came with my 71 and you
> should
> >> >see that show package special price!!!
> >> >
> >> >John S.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >Rob Lowe wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Drop the IMF, ditch the head, the water tank, the fancy motor lift,
> and
> >> >> re-model the interior?  Now you have my 1976 boat! I do have battery
> >> >> though. - rob
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> >> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> >> >> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of John
> Shulick
> >> >> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:52 AM
> >> >> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> >> >> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] general boat's complaint (continued)
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Rick,
> >> >>
> >> >> I see your point clearly on the subject but I also see Davids idea of
> >> >> options to increase sales. How about dropping the IMF, ditch the
> head,
> >> >> the
> >> >> on board water tank, the batteries, the fancy motor lift, re-model
> the
> >> >> interior and selling it as a "sport model" My wife and I live on the
> >> >> boat
> >> >> almost every weekend and find a porta potty and crank lights
> sufficient.
> >> >> Being a camper before a sailor I have found the R22 to be a first
> class
> >> >> floating campground without the pain of hiking in. I also have had
> the
> >> >> perverse pleasure one weekend of sailing rings around a macgregor 26
> >> >> using
> >> >> it like a no wake buoy as the kids pleaded at their father to make
> the
> >> >> mac
> >> >> go faster. Racer/Cruiser is more fun than Cruiser/Racer. Even if
> you're
> >> >> not
> >> >> racing its fun to be faster.
> >> >>
> >> >> Respectfully submitted,
> >> >> John Shulick
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Rick-139 wrote:
> >> >>>
> >> >>> David,
> >> >>>
> >> >>> I hate to be the wet blanket again.  But racing sailboats is a whole
> >> >>> 'nother
> >> >>> market.  The key to convincing a customer to buy a sailboat for
> racing
> >> >> is
> >> >>> to
> >> >>> convince him or her that they will have lots of other sailboats to
> >> >> race
> >> >>> against.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> In the one design game, it involves high volume production and a
> >> >>> distribution system that can execute geographically concentrated
> sales
> >> >> and
> >> >>> support. J Boats has been successful doing that in the Great Lakes
> >> >> with
> >> >>> the
> >> >>> J 22 and other longer models. Plus, J Boats has a respectable
> history
> >> >> of
> >> >>> maintaining one design integrity.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Of course, there's always PHRF racing.  But how many 20 - 25 foot
> >> >> cruising
> >> >>> sailboat owners are left with an interest in racing?
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Unlike 30 years ago, most people today who buy cruising or day
> sailing
> >> >>> boats
> >> >>> in the low 20's length are first timers.  From there, they either
> drop
> >> >> out
> >> >>> or they move to larger boats more popular for cruising, racing or
> >> >> both.
> >> >>> Catalina and Hunter have turned the market into that by making cheap
> >> >>> starter
> >> >>> boats people can easily abandon for yachts.  Stan's main problem is
> he
> >> >> now
> >> >>> has a product that goes against the prevailing mindset that has
> >> >> evolved
> >> >>> for
> >> >>> his market.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Did you read the article "The Little Boat that Could" in August
> issue
> >> >> of
> >> >>> Sailing?  The title itself is a reflection of that mindset.  And
> >> >> despite
> >> >>> all
> >> >>> kinds of compliments about the R22, the piece ends with:  "More
> >> >> important,
> >> >>> where does one get a new tiller for a Rhodes 22?"  That's some
> insult
> >> >> to a
> >> >>> builder who has admirably supported his product for decades.  But
> >> >> again,
> >> >>> that's part of the same mindset.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Rick
> >> >>>
> >> >>> On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 1:04 PM, David Culp <dculp at hsbtx.com>
> wrote:
> >> >>>
> >> >>>> Rick:
> >> >>>> What I am saying is that this boat is unique and I can't go down to
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> local boatyard and get some of the major parts that I might need.
> >> >> Also,
> >> >>>> I
> >> >>>> can't send an email or make a phone call to the guy who built the
> >> >> boat at
> >> >>>> most places and expect a response.  That's probably worth something
> >> >> to
> >> >>>> keep
> >> >>>> the operation rolling as long as Stan does his part.  I don't think
> >> >> you
> >> >>>> ought to pay royalty/loyalty if you don't get anything for it.  If
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> group
> >> >>>> feels we are getting something worth paying for, then I'm just
> >> >> suggesting
> >> >>>> a
> >> >>>> small stipend annually to Stan which if everyone participates might
> >> >> be a
> >> >>>> better solution then a percentage up front facing new owners for
> >> >>>> loyalty/royalty.  The 5% on the seller side will figure into the
> >> >> price
> >> >>>> and
> >> >>>> it gets the new owner out of any obligation to pay a
> royalty/loyalty
> >> >> up
> >> >>>> front for two years.  Then, continued association membership will
> >> >> require
> >> >>>> the annual dues.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Imagine if you bought a Ford or Chevy used and then were asked to
> >> >> send a
> >> >>>> 5%
> >> >>>> fee to the factory.  Nobody would... but this is not a Ford or
> Chevy.
> >> >> I
> >> >>>> figure some type of ongoing support is probably reasonable as long
> as
> >> >> we
> >> >>>> get
> >> >>>> good owner support and parts availability.  For example, if someone
> >> >> comes
> >> >>>> along and hits my rudder in the slip and I need a new one, there
> >> >> ought to
> >> >>>> be
> >> >>>> a spare waiting at the factory to ship out.   If someone blows a
> sail
> >> >>>> out,
> >> >>>> there should be one ready to ship and the right color too.  I don't
> >> >> know
> >> >>>> if
> >> >>>> this is the case at GBI because spare parts mean overhead and I
> don't
> >> >>>> know
> >> >>>> how much overhead Stan is willing to carry.  Maybe parts for
> >> >> non-members
> >> >>>> ought to carry a premium that members don't have to pay-so another
> >> >> added
> >> >>>> incentive to be one of the family.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> I hear what you are saying about the market.  Long term, owners are
> >> >> not
> >> >>>> going to be the ones to keep GBI afloat.  You have got to get new
> >> >>>> customers
> >> >>>> through the door.  There have been a lot of good suggestions given
> by
> >> >> a
> >> >>>> lot
> >> >>>> of experienced people on the list.  My experiences with family run
> >> >>>> businesses are that we are very happy to take your money but you
> can
> >> >> keep
> >> >>>> your advice to yourself.  However, Stan seems open to some
> >> >> suggestions.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Stan has an excellent product, more people need to know about it as
> >> >>>> someone
> >> >>>> has mentioned.  A new boat is becoming cost prohibitive for most,
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> recycling is a good second market but I think you need a "less
> >> >> frills"
> >> >>>> model
> >> >>>> to get younger couples through the doors.  You would have to be
> able
> >> >> to
> >> >>>> build it with the same quality, using the same molds at an
> attractive
> >> >>>> price
> >> >>>> point and I don't know if that is possible.  I thought maybe a
> >> >> stripped
> >> >>>> down
> >> >>>> racing version might be a solution.  Racers don't need much down
> >> >> below
> >> >>>> and
> >> >>>> will pay for quality above.  The Rhodes is faster then a Catalina
> to
> >> >>>> being
> >> >>>> with and that would appeal to a lot of people.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Just my thoughts,
> >> >>>> David
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:28:36 -0400
> >> >>>> From: Rick <sloopblueheron at gmail.com>
> >> >>>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] general boat's complaint (continued)
> >> >>>> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >> >>>> Message-ID:
> >> >>>>       <52e9a140907261428v6feebf53l4e923711b987ec30 at mail.gmail.com>
> >> >>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> David,
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> When I was considering buying my R22, the PO said, "I can give you
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> home
> >> >>>> phone number of the guy who makes the boat and he will talk to you
> at
> >> >> any
> >> >>>> time."  Of course, that tilted me to buy his boat and subsequently
> >> >> buy
> >> >>>> many
> >> >>>> things from Stan.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Are you suggesting Stan discontinues this attractive offering in
> the
> >> >>>> shrunken marketplace for pocket cruiser sailboats?  I think it will
> >> >> just
> >> >>>> turn customers toward high volume boats where technical information
> >> >> and
> >> >>>> spare parts are readily available.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Rick
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 4:49 PM, David Culp <dculp at hsbtx.com>
> wrote:
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> > Stan:
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Thank you for your insight into the business.  I dare say that
> most
> >> >>>> > sailboat
> >> >>>> > owners don't get the inside track on happenings at the factory;
> if
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> > factory is even still in business that is.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > I want to comment on the loyalty/royalty program concerning the
> >> >> Rhodes.
> >> >>>>  My
> >> >>>> > experience in boat ownership over the years is that a used boat
> >> >>>> purchaser
> >> >>>> > always spends the maximum funds set aside for the purchase.
>  Either
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> > purchase price and the taxes consume the entire amount or the new
> >> >> owner
> >> >>>> > takes any funds left and applies them to things the boat needs.
> >> >> And we
> >> >>>> all
> >> >>>> > know that used boats need something all the time.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > It is a bit of a sticky wicket let's say, to request from a new
> >> >> owner 5
> >> >>>> %
> >> >>>> > of
> >> >>>> > the purchase price be paid to GBI when they have probably spent
> >> >> more
> >> >>>> money
> >> >>>> > then they intended to begin with.  The Rhodes 22 is the top of
> the
> >> >>>> scale
> >> >>>> in
> >> >>>> > 22' boats and used prices are not cheap.  We see it all the time
> on
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> > list...  Folks are interested in the Rhodes but they are trying
> to
> >> >>>> purchase
> >> >>>> > it on a "Catalina" budget; so they "lurk" on the list either
> saving
> >> >> up
> >> >>>> > their
> >> >>>> > cash or hoping to see a cheap boat come up for sale whereby they
> >> >>>> promptly
> >> >>>> > go
> >> >>>> > off-list and complete the transaction.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > You will remember in my case, that I sent GBI a check for $
> 200.00
> >> >> to
> >> >>>> cover
> >> >>>> > the promotional materials you sent me-but that was not 5% of the
> >> >> price
> >> >>>> I
> >> >>>> > paid.  In the meantime, I have enjoyed the technical support that
> I
> >> >>>> have
> >> >>>> > received as a member of the list from the owners and from
> yourself.
> >> >>
> >> >>>> That
> >> >>>> > is
> >> >>>> > worth something, even though I didn't realize it in the
> beginning.
> >> >>
> >> >>>> This
> >> >>>> > boat and this list are pretty unique to the boating world.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > I propose and this will make some people on this list unhappy, in
> >> >> fact,
> >> >>>> > very
> >> >>>> > unhappy.... An Owner's association with an annual fee.  For that
> >> >> annual
> >> >>>> > fee,
> >> >>>> > you have got to provide something however.  Which is another
> >> >> problem
> >> >>>> with
> >> >>>> a
> >> >>>> > royalty fee upfront; people always need to feel that they are
> >> >> getting
> >> >>>> > something for their money.   In this case, for the annual
> >> >> association
> >> >>>> fee:
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Admission to the list
> >> >>>> > Technical support either from members or the factory
> >> >>>> > Availability and a price list of parts, sails, etc. that is kept
> up
> >> >> to
> >> >>>> date
> >> >>>> > so I can purchase it from you if I need something.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Except for the parts and prices, this is pretty much what we are
> >> >> doing
> >> >>>> > already.  Maybe you could come up with some member specials on
> >> >> pricing
> >> >>>> from
> >> >>>> > time to time for sails or parts or write an occasional article
> that
> >> >>>> only
> >> >>>> > members would get.  I don't want to burden you with a bunch of
> >> >> extra
> >> >>>> work,
> >> >>>> > but there needs to be something unique about membership.  In this
> >> >> way,
> >> >>>> the
> >> >>>> > new owner would feel they are getting something and it would
> >> >> generate
> >> >>>> > revenue for you over the longer term.  As part of the membership,
> >> >> if we
> >> >>>> > agree to give you 5% of the selling price when we sell, then I
> >> >> don't
> >> >>>> have
> >> >>>> a
> >> >>>> > problem with it; especially if the list helps my estate sell the
> >> >> boat.
> >> >>>> >  I'll
> >> >>>> > even stipulate it in my will.  I figure if I owe a "loyalty fee",
> >> >> it is
> >> >>>> > probably to the list members who have taken their time and been
> so
> >> >>>> helpful
> >> >>>> > over the years.  If paying you a "royalty" fee helps keep GBI in
> >> >>>> business
> >> >>>> > then that helps them and you.  As a seller, if I pay 5% then it
> >> >> gets my
> >> >>>> > buyer on the list free for two years.  Then he/she can do the
> >> >>>> responsible
> >> >>>> > thing and start paying their own royalty/loyalty dues.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > The other situation which started the discussion in the beginning
> >> >> has
> >> >>>> to
> >> >>>> do
> >> >>>> > with after-market products or other parts unique to the Rhodes.
>  If
> >> >> a
> >> >>>> > member
> >> >>>> > has an after-market item to sell to the list which is unique to
> the
> >> >>>> Rhodes
> >> >>>> > and/or would normally be available from GBI for sale, then he/she
> >> >> goes
> >> >>>> > through you.  They can advertise it and discuss it; but I buy it
> >> >> from
> >> >>>> you
> >> >>>> > after you have added your mark up or it cannot be advertised on
> the
> >> >>>> > member's
> >> >>>> > list by another member or by a third party.  Simple as that.
>  They
> >> >> are
> >> >>>> a
> >> >>>> > supplier of General Boats and you are the distributor to me.
> >> >>>> Obviously,
> >> >>>> > the
> >> >>>> > list membership information is kept proprietary to prevent direct
> >> >>>> marketing
> >> >>>> > by a third party.  If a member tries to go behind your back... we
> >> >> can
> >> >>>> take
> >> >>>> > care of that.  If something comes up for sale on the open-market
> >> >> that
> >> >>>> is
> >> >>>> > unique to the Rhodes 22 and there are legal issues, then that is
> a
> >> >>>> > discussion for lawyers and not for this forum.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Right now MJM is administering the list.  I think he or whomever
> >> >> takes
> >> >>>> on
> >> >>>> > those duties gets their membership free.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > I hope you will take these suggestions under advisement and if it
> >> >> is of
> >> >>>> > interest, let us know what you think the annual membership fee
> >> >> should
> >> >>>> be.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > For everyone else, let the flaming begin....  But just keep in
> mind
> >> >>>> what
> >> >>>> > the
> >> >>>> > purpose is here.  Trying to come up with something palatable to
> >> >> help
> >> >>>> GBI
> >> >>>> > now
> >> >>>> > and us in the long run.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > David
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > PS:
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Other thoughts:  The Rhodes 22 website is "technically" one of
> the
> >> >> best
> >> >>>> I
> >> >>>> > have ever seen as far as the boat information goes.  However, it
> >> >> needs
> >> >>>> some
> >> >>>> > polish to be a more effective marketing tool.  More timely
> >> >> information
> >> >>>> and
> >> >>>> > more emphasis on the recycle program and availability of used
> boats
> >> >>>> comes
> >> >>>> > to
> >> >>>> > mind since new boat sales are down.  Also, have you ever
> considered
> >> >> a
> >> >>>> new
> >> >>>> > "entry level"  boat without all the bells and whistles which
> >> >> someone
> >> >>>> could
> >> >>>> > purchase at a bit lower price?  You've talked about a racer
> before.
> >> >>>>  Could
> >> >>>> > you come up with something without having to have new
> >> >> molds-marketed as
> >> >>>> a
> >> >>>> > "Sport" Rhodes 22?   Lower the interior weight, put a standard
> mast
> >> >> and
> >> >>>> > racing sails on it and a spinaker.  Catalina has a "sport model"
> >> >> and it
> >> >>>> > does
> >> >>>> > pretty well I think.  Just some ideas I have batted around. dc
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:46:52 -0400
> >> >>>> > From: "stan" <stan at rhodes22.com>
> >> >>>> > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] general boat's complaint (continued)
> >> >>>> > To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >> >>>> > Message-ID: <038FA83D95464CCFB609CA722206B2D8 at rhodes>
> >> >>>> > Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Rose and I want to thank you all for indulging GB in the use of
> >> >> your
> >> >>>> forum
> >> >>>> > on an issue that is so basic to GB.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > We want to thank those that take issue with our position but
> >> >> attempt to
> >> >>>> be
> >> >>>> > evenhanded.  (If academically interested, we can provide exhibits
> >> >> and
> >> >>>> > witnesses that prove the accuracy of our facts.)
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > We are empathetic with those who chafe at this sort of thing and
> >> >> remain
> >> >>>> > silent - in our younger days we probably would have done the
> same.
> >> >> It
> >> >>>> was
> >> >>>> > not until 50 that we adopted our tribe's slogan of  "never again"
> >> >> and
> >> >>>> took
> >> >>>> > on anyone who wronged us:  A policeman.  A lawyer.  a station
> wagon
> >> >>>> full
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> > nuns (just kidding about the station wagon), a giant corporation
> to
> >> >>>> > docketing at the US Supreme Court.   We prevailed in all these
> pro
> >> >> se
> >> >>>> > actions simply because we do not complain unless the facts and
> >> >> logic
> >> >>>> are
> >> >>>> > solidly on our side - but we digress.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > And, in particular, we want to thank those who understand the
> >> >> logical
> >> >>>> side
> >> >>>> > of our position and offered suggestions.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Re the issue of the Loyalty/Royalty program:   Its reasoning
> seems
> >> >> so
> >> >>>> > correct that it is hard to comprehend dissent.  Those thinking us
> >> >> crazy
> >> >>>> for
> >> >>>> > such radical thinking have to sit in this chair for just one day.
> >> >>>> > Interestingly, dissenters enjoy products from many segments of
> >> >> industry
> >> >>>> who
> >> >>>> > have already worked out such support programs, yet these
> dissenters
> >> >>>> seem
> >> >>>> to
> >> >>>> > be drawing their own grandfather clause line as to which
> industries
> >> >>>> should
> >> >>>> > not be entitled to residuals on their efforts.   Those in this
> >> >> group
> >> >>>> have
> >> >>>> > but to request and we will expand on the good sense of this
> >> >> program.
> >> >>>> It
> >> >>>> > has been emotionally gratifying seeing former members of the "You
> >> >> must
> >> >>>> be
> >> >>>> > crazy" society, when, becoming members of the "List" family,
> seeing
> >> >> the
> >> >>>> > light and converting.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > Re the issue of the 50 years creating a unique product now having
> >> >>>> others
> >> >>>> > take bites of its parts for their unilateral gain, if not
> resolved,
> >> >>>> will
> >> >>>> > come home to bite us all.   ( When I walked out of the hallowed
> >> >> halls
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> > ole
> >> >>>> > PU I vowed not to go into business because I could not stand the
> >> >> ethics
> >> >>>> I
> >> >>>> > saw, and assumed, had to go with that territory.  But it was
> >> >>>> pre-ordained;
> >> >>>> > I
> >> >>>> > ended up spending most of my life a driving capitalist.   And it
> >> >> has
> >> >>>> been
> >> >>>> a
> >> >>>> > blast, for me and my partner of 60 years - because we made the
> >> >> making
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> > money our secondary goal.   (The effects of that kind of
> religious
> >> >>>> fervor
> >> >>>> > has surprisingly turned out to be rough on our opponents.)
> There
> >> >> are
> >> >>>> ways
> >> >>>> > we can go to stop the taking of free bites of the profitable
> parts
> >> >> side
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> > GB's business::
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > When we sold Venture Sailboats (Macgregor), dealers could buy
> sails
> >> >>>> > elsewhere and make an additional profit on Roger's creation at
> >> >> Roger's
> >> >>>> > expense.  Roger, who graduated at the top of his class at
> Stamford,
> >> >>>> simply
> >> >>>> > raised the price of his boat and included sails.  Being the tough
> >> >>>> business
> >> >>>> > man he is, he did it without notice and dealers had to eat their
> >> >> sail
> >> >>>> > inventories they bought elsewhere.  We are slow learners but
> could
> >> >>>> price
> >> >>>> > Rhodes sales to include a part an outside seller has latched
> onto.
> >> >>
> >> >>>> Or,
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > We could simply be unresponsive to boat owners who purchase
> parts,
> >> >>>> unique
> >> >>>> > to
> >> >>>> > the Rhodes design, from others in competition with GB or who fail
> >> >> to
> >> >>>> honor
> >> >>>> > agreements with GB.   We inherently do not like this retaliatory
> >> >> type
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> > solution, but it is a solution.   Or
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > We could simply close shop and that would close the market for
> >> >>>> unauthorized
> >> >>>> > parts vendors.   This "cutting off ones nose" solution is not our
> >> >>>> choice.
> >> >>>> >  However, not taking on rogue suppliers, eating away at the life
> >> >> cash
> >> >>>> flow
> >> >>>> > of the company, makes it an inevitable solution.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > In an effort to avoid any of the above solutions, based on the
> >> >> thinking
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> > List members in this particular complaint of GB vs. Art C, we
> have
> >> >> some
> >> >>>> > proposals that we will present to the List next week for your
> >> >>>> appreciated
> >> >>>> > feedback.  The pro bono time we are having to devote to the
> >> >> problems
> >> >>>> and
> >> >>>> > questions of private sale Rhodes is becoming so overwhelming (and
> >> >> we
> >> >>>> hate
> >> >>>> > to
> >> >>>> > be mean spirited enough to tell them where to go) that we just
> >> >> can't
> >> >>>> seem
> >> >>>> > to
> >> >>>> > manage all of this issue in one sitting.
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> > ss
> >> >>>> > __________________________________________________
> >> >>>> > To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list
> go
> >> >> to
> >> >>>> > http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> >>>> > __________________________________________________
> >> >>>> >
> >> >>>> __________________________________________________
> >> >>>> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go
> >> >> to
> >> >>>> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> >>>> __________________________________________________
> >> >>>>
> >> >>> __________________________________________________
> >> >>> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go
> to
> >> >>> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> >>> __________________________________________________
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> View this message in context:
> >> >>
> >>
> http://www.nabble.com/general-boat%27s-complaint-%28continued%29-tp24660
> >> >> 048p24697834.html
> >> >> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> >> >>
> >> >> __________________________________________________
> >> >> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go
> to
> >> >> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> >> __________________________________________________
> >> >>
> >> >> __________________________________________________
> >> >> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go
> to
> >> >> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> >> __________________________________________________
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >--
> >> >View this message in context:
> >>
> http://www.nabble.com/general-boat%27s-complaint-%28continued%29-tp24660048p24700483.html
> >> >Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> >> >
> >> >__________________________________________________
> >> >To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to
> >> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> >__________________________________________________
> >>
> >>
> >> __________________________________________________
> >> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to
> >> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> __________________________________________________
> >>
> >__________________________________________________
> >To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to
> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >__________________________________________________
>
> __________________________________________________
> To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to
> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> __________________________________________________
>

More information about the Rhodes22-list mailing list