http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4426.msg39180#msg39180 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4426.msg39180#msg39180)
This thread sure seems like the kind of thread that gets Randy to move on bringing an item to production/ availability. "Yeah, me too! I'd buy one!" ...and all that. But do be careful folks.
Randy recently mentioned that he had been stuck with some things that appeared to have more interest than, once produced and sitting on his shelves, they actually did. He's too much of a gentleman to call anyone out, it would seem, (although I would if I were him) but my advice to you folks is this: Express sincere interest in a pre-production item, if you sincerely think you will actually take your wallet out and buy one.
I get that retailers need to carefully control inventory levels caveat emptor and all that. But, it seems to me, Randy is not just any retailer, he's an invaluable member of this group. He has offered cheap parts, help and advice to perfect strangers. Sometimes that help is even "don't buy that/ those parts, [from me] try this free/ cheaper work-around first" –clearly counter-productive for someone selling parts.
As such, again, I think we should consider and accurately express how genuine we are when we express interest in a pre-production part.
My $0.02
Dan
Quote from: Dan Filetti on July 11, 2011, 02:48:43 PM
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4426.msg39180#msg39180 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4426.msg39180#msg39180)
This thread sure seems like the kind of thread that gets Randy to move on bringing an item to production/ availability. "Yeah, me too! I'd buy one!" ...and all that. But do be careful folks.
Randy recently mentioned that he had been stuck with some things that appeared to have more interest than, once produced and sitting on his shelves, they actually did. He's too much of a gentleman to call anyone out, it would seem, (although I would if I were him) but my advice to you folks is this: Express sincere interest in a pre-production item, if you sincerely think you will actually take your wallet out and buy one.
I get that retailers need to carefully control inventory levels caveat emptor and all that. But, it seems to me, Randy is not just any retailer, he's an invaluable member of this group. He has offered cheap parts, help and advice to perfect strangers. Sometimes that help is even "don't buy that/ those parts, [from me] try this free/ cheaper work-around first" –clearly counter-productive for someone selling parts.
As such, again, I think we should consider and accurately express how genuine we are when we express interest in a pre-production part.
My $0.02
Dan
Point well taken, but I am still interested in a bigger, well thought out, complete oil cooler kit. :pardon:
Randy T
Indy
Dan,
You are correct in your words, I have to be careful what I jump on to bring to the market. I can say the last few additions have moved quite a bit slower than I expected off of the shelf and the reason for the addition of those parts was based off of the interest expressed.
That is a risk that I have chosen to take and will continue to do so, but sometime it takes a little time.
The oil cooler is coming, it just takes me a little time to get all of the investment capitol up to make all of the purchases. I need to make sure I buy large enough quantity to make sure I can offer it at a price everyone can afford and still be able to profit from the item.
Because it is with those profits I am able to bring more items to the FJ forefront.
Like I said the oil cooler is well into the works, with parts already manufactured and I am just waiting on the capitol to purchase the big ticket items. My hopes for the last few products to take off and sell would allow the addition of the cooler package sooner, but it hasn't.
The next two items to be offered are carrying some of the highest expense, thus the reason it is taking more time than expected. It is a slippery slope that I have chosen to climb, and I am doing it to the best of my ability.
This reply is not intended to request monies or pre-orders; I just want to make sure everyone understands why the time to bring things to you takes longer sometimes...
I do thank everyone for their support up to this point and I think we are still in our infancy with bigger and better things to come.
Randy - RPM
I, for one, have bought everything I have shown interest in.
Thanks Randy, I do understand the risks you take, and I believe in supporting people when they have the ablitiy to offer a specialty item to a select group of buyers.
Hell, if it weren't for FJowners.com, I don't know where I would have found all the parts I've added to my FJ.
And yes, your up coming oil cooler is something of interest to me, also.
Good luck and keep up the great work you do for us all!
Leon
The +1 is right here... let's not stiff a great guy who's trying to keep our old beasts running well and constantly coming out with new stuff, cheaper stuff, and all the help you need to get the job done. If you say you'll buy one, please buy one.
Randy - I will take the oil cooler for my '92 when you're comfortable shipping one to me.
Frank
Agreed,
I believe my pod filters are already in the mail! :yahoo:
I really would love a bigger oil cooller that i can bolt on without making up new brackets etc etc!
Especially with the Aussie summer coming along fast
And the next thing is looking at riser bars for the rear wheel... do you do those Randy?
Quote from: Tengu on July 11, 2011, 10:15:44 PM
And the next thing is looking at riser bars for the rear wheel... do you do those Randy?
I am not sure what you are referring too.
Randy - RPM
Dogbones?
Randy , what is not moving off the shelves ?
Quote from: Mark Olson on July 12, 2011, 01:12:17 PM
Randy , what is not moving off the shelves ?
I asked that same question a while back -either Randy did not see it, or he decided not to answer. Of course at the time I think I did say, jokingly (mostly), something about publically humiliating those that had expressed interest and not actually ordered... Maybe he thought that was too extreme? :)
Inquiring minds do want to know though.
Dan
Quote from: Dan Filetti on July 12, 2011, 01:29:43 PM
Quote from: Mark Olson on July 12, 2011, 01:12:17 PM
Randy , what is not moving off the shelves ?
I asked that same question a while back -either Randy did not see it, or he decided not to answer. Of course at the time I think I did say, jokingly (mostly), something about publically humiliating those that had expressed interest and not actually ordered... Maybe he thought that was too extreme? :)
Inquiring minds do want to know though.
Dan
yeah , just to send out a little reminder to those that maybe forgot.
yeah Randy, dog bones
Ive been reading some other threads and now Im not so sure if I want dogbones or a new rear shockie!
Im also not sure if how easy either idea is to make happen!
Quote from: Tengu on July 14, 2011, 05:05:02 AM
yeah Randy, dog bones
Nope, no dog bones and no interest in venturing that way at this point & time.
Randy - RPM
I am fairly new to the FJ's and have been to Randy's site. What custom goodies might I have missed? I am in for the Oil Cooler upgrade. I have the Spin On Oil Filter setup. I need to get the oil pressure adapter, the shift forks and the clutch upgrade.
:pardon:
Looking for a second FJ so I can ride while updating the 84. Any one known of anything no further then a days drive from Las Vegas?
Quote from: Mark Olson on July 12, 2011, 01:12:17 PM
Randy , what is not moving off the shelves ?
Well, the biggest disappointment was the LED tail lights. I had the smoked units with the turn signals made based on the interested and I still have 90% of them. I have 5-6 requests from my website for the clear lights with turn signals but I have to order a minimum of 20 and based on the slow movement of the smoked ones, I will have to make a determination if I can afford to order those and sit on them.
The second thing is the newest item I had manufactured, the fork brace.
I am not complaining as it is the risk I took going in each of these direction and over time I am sure I will sell them all, but the interest shown on the forum lead me to believe they were in higher demand.
I do see the oil cooler and fork valves as more popular items, but both are requiring testing to make sure they are ready for sale and use. I do not want to offer something I would not put on my bike and have any concerns.
Randy - RPM
That sux about the lights Randy, considering the PITA it was for you to get them after the f-up with shipping on the first order.
I'm glad I got mine.
I would have jumped on the fork brace if I hadn't already had one, but I do like the design of yours!
Leon
I don't believe I was one of the members who led Randy on. Sorry if I did.
I think I kept my mouth shut (I know hard to believe)
I did offer my opinion of the smoke/clear discussion, but only after I read this.............................................
Quote from: racerrad8 on March 02, 2011, 07:52:07 PM
Out of the 1255 members on the site, only eight people have an opinion of the clear or smoke taillight lens. Even if you are not considering buying one at the moment, I would ask if you could take a moment and vote on your choice so I can have a better idea of what the masses would like to have.
Thanks, Randy
when i can afford one, after the other parts i want ill get a SMOKE tail light
Quote from: racerrad8 on March 02, 2011, 07:52:07 PM
Even if you are not considering buying one
Travis,
I am glad you did post your preference for which color would be the best and I knew that those numbers would be skewed as I asked everyone to give their opinion.
With that said, please do not take my replies a complaining, I was only answering the question asked of me. I am the one making the choices on what to buy, manufacture and stock on the shelves.
I will say that I am a little disappointed in my judgement of some of the products that I have chosen to stock as I personally thought they were "cool" & "bad ass" and "everyone will want one of those..."
An example of a product I decided not to tackle was the auxiliary fuel supply tank which was recently discussed. I checked on my cost for a Motion Pro tank and it was too much money at cost, let alone paying shipping and adding the markup to sell it.
I am truly grateful and satisfied about the direction I have gone and I will continue to bring new products to the FJ owners as I see a demand for an item. Some items will fail and others will take off like a rocket; and that is the chance I am willing and gladly take.
Randy - RPM
Quote from: racerrad8 on July 14, 2011, 12:27:02 PM
Quote from: Mark Olson on July 12, 2011, 01:12:17 PM
Randy , what is not moving off the shelves ?
Well, the biggest disappointment was the LED tail lights. I had the smoked units with the turn signals made based on the interested and I still have 90% of them. I have 5-6 requests from my website for the clear lights with turn signals but I have to order a minimum of 20 and based on the slow movement of the smoked ones, I will have to make a determination if I can afford to order those and sit on them.
The second thing is the newest item I had manufactured, the fork brace.
I am not complaining as it is the risk I took going in each of these direction and over time I am sure I will sell them all, but the interest shown on the forum lead me to believe they were in higher demand.
I do see the oil cooler and fork valves as more popular items, but both are requiring testing to make sure they are ready for sale and use. I do not want to offer something I would not put on my bike and have any concerns.
Randy - RPM
thanks for the info randy , and I appreciate the effort and time you put into R&D of the products.
I will remind some people that the parts are now available and in stock.
QuoteI will remind some people that the parts are now available and in stock
That may be part of the problem, I was one of those who expressed some intrest in the superbrace but was not inform of the availability.
I found out by looking at someones post showing a part from RPM's website and there I saw, the superbrace just below.
There must be a way to put a icon or a child board that will tell us what's new at RPM
My 2 Canadian cents
Alain
Everyone,
I just spent a considerable amount of time last week at the RPM shop (see An Excellent Day - July 9th in this section).
If ever there was someone who supports the FJ group as a whole and as individuals, it is Randy.
Never having met him before, except for a short time at the WCR, it was a pleasant surprise to find he is as sincere in person as he seems to be on this Forum.
As I stated before, his attention to detail in working on the bike itself was first class (even assuring that the spark plug ends were tight, which was a first). He checked out each and every detail on the bike, assuring as many additional miles as possible.
Having 112,000 [sometimes hard] miles on the bike it was a good confidence builder... knowing that he is not attempting to "hard sell" any items is refreshing.
I was also introduced to members of his family - this is truly an all encompassing effort by Randy and his family.
He appreciates the support given by those on this Forum (Marsh, Pat et al) and as I saw first hand, is committed as ever.
Mike Ramos.
Heh, heh, looks like Mike drank the Cool Aid..... :good2:
[edit] as did I and several others....
Quote from: delarbreavous on July 14, 2011, 04:57:07 PM
QuoteI will remind some people that the parts are now available and in stock
That may be part of the problem, I was one of those who expressed some intrest in the superbrace but was not inform of the availability.
I found out by looking at someones post showing a part from RPM's website and there I saw, the superbrace just below.
There must be a way to put a icon or a child board that will tell us what's new at RPM
My 2 Canadian cents
Alain
+1
I wish I could take the time to read each and every post on this site, but it has grown so much that I can only read as much as I can, as often as I can... and yeh...that IS more than one post at a time :biggrin:.