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backtoCaLi
Since 15 Mar 2008
74 Posts
Nor-Cal
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 Tue Dec 09, 08 1:16 pm shopatron |
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the companies that really want to support their "core" dealers will use some sort of shopatron system, where you buy it from the SS website, and you chose from a list of dealers in your area that has the item in stock and ready to ship. this way both are winners and local biz does not go away. The company does lose a retail sale, as opposed to gaining a wholesale sale, which is probably why they don't use these systems.
why should a local dealer support companies that don't reciprocate the love?
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Kataku2k3
Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
Videographer
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| Tue Dec 09, 08 1:42 pm |
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I'm not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure that's the way SS does it now. When you buy something, it credits their closest dealer, and that dealer ships it.
Am I smoking crack, Shy?
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1365 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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| Tue Dec 09, 08 2:12 pm Re: shopatron |
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| backtoCaLi wrote: | | the companies that really want to support their "core" dealers will use some sort of shopatron system, where you buy it from the SS website, and you chose from a list of dealers in your area that has the item in stock and ready to ship. |
This is similar to how Performance bike works, and it's an advantage to have the stores meet lowest prices between shop, web, and catalog (even Nashbar). You can even call their customer service line from a 'red phone' in the store, which is a great way for the shop to honor web-only or phone-only discounts and still get credit for the sale. Since they're the 'Walmart' of bike stores, though, I often call my favorite local independent LBS (Mt View  ) and offer to have them meet or beat the price in exchange for cash (not credit card to save them charges).
I believe this "shopatron" system - nice term, by the way - is the fair way to do it.
While we're plugging local shops, both Windance and 2nd Wind have been exceptional with educating me on Slingshot's and other products. Just as in the bike world, this service is worth buying locally to me.
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shymac
Since 20 Jul 2005
919 Posts
Home Valley, Wa.
Bigfoot
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| Tue Dec 09, 08 2:25 pm |
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| Kataku2k3 wrote: | I'm not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure that's the way SS does it now. When you buy something, it credits their closest dealer, and that dealer ships it.
Am I smoking crack, Shy? |
I saw that crack pipe in your car hidden under your wetsuit. So i guess you do smoke crack but until now i never made the connection.... HAhahah. But to answer your question...
We do support our dealers but some dealers don't support us. For instance not to many dealers sell our soft goods so having the swag on the store enables the customer to pick up the gear they want with this channel called the webstore. So this is the case were a customer that really wants to buy a SS product or needs support can come to us directly and get what they need.
Think of the guy in middle of know where; where does he get his support and were does he buy from? The dealer he has no clue and no relationship with or the brand that will stick behind him if he has any troubles or questions. This is were the core of sales come from on the webstore. By no means is the selling over the web the cash cow.
We have a legit product line-up and the win win is to make the product available through various channels and backing it up with support and knowledge either through the dealer or us.
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https://www.hipcamp.com/discover/washington/windwoodrivers
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arehn
Since 24 Mar 2008
166 Posts
Hood River, OR
Stoked
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| Tue Dec 09, 08 5:08 pm |
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| filthy website did you guys stop making the 30" Die Cut sticker SS logo in white. or do u have any more lying around. im looking for one for my car?
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Kataku2k3
Since 14 Aug 2005
3754 Posts
PDX-LA
Videographer
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| Tue Dec 09, 08 5:20 pm |
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Pretty sure there's no white as of right now... They only had black when I got mine a couple weeks ago. 
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arehn
Since 24 Mar 2008
166 Posts
Hood River, OR
Stoked
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| Tue Dec 09, 08 5:59 pm |
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| Kataku2k3 wrote: | | Pretty sure there's no white as of right now... They only had black when I got mine a couple weeks ago. |
oo all right well if anyone has any white ones lying around their house or anything im totally willing to pay.
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shymac
Since 20 Jul 2005
919 Posts
Home Valley, Wa.
Bigfoot
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gorgebob
Since 25 Jun 2007
259 Posts
Portland, OR
Shop Owner
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 8:42 am |
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Maybe SS didn't like how I bitched about the old hidden dealer button so they left me off
completely. OUCH.
We do get credit from the SS friends and friends of friends family plan, but not from on line sales. Many manufactures sell on line and sell to dealers its a slippery slope. It would be nice if while purchasing online a notice would pop up of who your local dealers were.(Bobs world)
At least they offer closeouts to dealers before they dump them on line or to some other closeout operation that has nothing to do with kiting.
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Gorge Performance
http://www.gorgeperformance.com/
Surf, Snow, Kite, Sail, Skate – Since 1983
Portland
503-246-6646 |
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 9:25 am |
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| Why not offer all the retailers a store-front on Slingshot's website? Then the retailers could have a button "Click Her to Buy Slingshot Sports Gear Online" on their site. The button would link them to a store-front that Slingshot controls, dual branded with Slingshot and the retail shop in question? Slingshot could handle the transaction and the retailer could get credit for the purchase. Wouldn't be to hard to do and maybe Slingshot could charge a licensing fee to help pay for getting the program off the ground.
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Pepi
Since 16 Jun 2006
1832 Posts
Pure Stoke Sports
Shop Owner
CGKA Member
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 12:35 pm Re: shopatron |
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| backtoCaLi wrote: | the companies that really want to support their "core" dealers will use some sort of shopatron system, where you buy it from the SS website, and you chose from a list of dealers in your area that has the item in stock and ready to ship. this way both are winners and local biz does not go away. The company does lose a retail sale, as opposed to gaining a wholesale sale, which is probably why they don't use these systems.
why should a local dealer support companies that don't reciprocate the love? |
Very good point!
As Bob mentioned Slingshot does not follow this program, but does throw the dealers a bone via there bro-deal program, but we all split this up between everyone, so it ends up being enough to buy a couple latte's each month.
It's definitely not a local dealer friendly situation.
As for the Shop-a-tron program, yes, the more successful manufacturers and distributors do follow this program with the intent of making their dealer base stronger than their competitors and to grow loyalty and customer follow through. We benefit from Shopatron with other suppliers via continued sales into the off season and better confidence in the strength of the companies we work with. Loyalty is definitely a two way street between distributor, retailer and customer.
With regard to Shy's remarks about dealer's not fully supporting all products, well the situation can sometimes be that a manufacturer makes too many items that do not sell, or in Slingshot's case, people know they can get it for free or for $5 at the swap meets.
Shy's point does bring up how and why other distributors do use the Shop-a-tron method, to expand their product visibility and increase dealer confidence in supporting products that the local dealer might not normally have strong confidence in sales for.
The advent of direct sales this past year with some distributors has been made in the attempt to regain more direct control of their sales, expand their sales margin and to tighten up their forecasting issues with manufacturing over seas. This is what we have been told from one of our local direct sales companies, and have been told to accept as the inevitable acceptable norm.
As for internet effecting our local retail business, yes it does effect us negatively (either direct sales or ebay closeouts), but that only strengthens our conviction of working only with companies that support local riders and retail shops.
I know that I can speak for both Bob (Gorge Performance) and I on this next comment.
I'd like to personally thank each and everyone of you local (and non-local) riders that come to us to for either help with your gear, or help with your kite purchases. The friendliness, loyalty, comaraderie, and willingness to stick with us is not forgotten and keeps us believing in the values of providing retail customer service and promoting local parties/events.
Thank you
Pepi, Erica and your 2nd Wind Crew!
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Pure Stoke Sports
Hood River, OR
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hood-River-OR/2nd-Wind-Sports/35891485558?ref=mf
www.Purestokesports.com |
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blowhard
Since 26 Dec 2005
2027 Posts
Windward
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 2:46 pm |
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you are welcome
thanks for the service
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tstansbury
Since 06 Jun 2006
649 Posts
Rowena and P.C
Addicted
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 3:29 pm |
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| how does the friends and familly deal work for the shops. Can you list a shop on your friends and familly acount or is it just divided up locally or nationally.
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Pepi
Since 16 Jun 2006
1832 Posts
Pure Stoke Sports
Shop Owner
CGKA Member
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 4:33 pm |
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| tstansbury wrote: | | how does the friends and familly deal work for the shops. Can you list a shop on your friends and familly acount or is it just divided up locally or nationally. |
I actually don't think there is a system, since we have had locals say that they requested their friends and family credit to go to us, but we never see it. I believe it is up to SS's discretion about who gets it and whether it is applied to any dealers.
Bob might have more insight?
Pepi
_________________
Pure Stoke Sports
Hood River, OR
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hood-River-OR/2nd-Wind-Sports/35891485558?ref=mf
www.Purestokesports.com |
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gorgebob
Since 25 Jun 2007
259 Posts
Portland, OR
Shop Owner
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 5:39 pm |
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I think there was a time when SS needed a family.With influence, or core types. I don't know if they are growing that family ? I do know that some have been kicked off the island for abuses in re selling. The family members I know are well off and good for kiting as well as slingshot.
_________________
Gorge Performance
http://www.gorgeperformance.com/
Surf, Snow, Kite, Sail, Skate – Since 1983
Portland
503-246-6646 |
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$ociopath
Since 28 Nov 2007
523 Posts
Twilight Zone
Addicted
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| Wed Dec 10, 08 6:39 pm INEEDMONEY |
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Hey gorgebob, I'll take 3, 2007 ss chicken ropes  pm me with info and I will buy thanks. 
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