Group buys - new ideas

[captain_john]

Hey guys,

You know, I think I will do my group buys here from now on.

The other place is a bit too big for it's britches. I don't have a flying RV, I am not from Texis and don't upload flying videos that I have taken over the weekend. It seems that the small timer/first time builder is pretty much ignored over there. Am I alone in thinking that?

What do you all think?

It might make this site busier. What do you all think about the additional traffic and people?

Should we have Spike start a new forum just for the group buys?

Do you have any ideas?

What would you like to see in the next group buy?

How could it be done better?

I am open to suggestion.

Fire away.

CJ

[cjensen]

First of all...shouldn't you be out at your hanger working the show!?

I think that's a grand idea, but not sure if we have the traffic availabe here yet to really facilitate a good group buy, unless it's something that EVERYONE here will use.

I like the idea of a "Group Buy" forum here.

I am still talking to the guy at Rivethead Aero about the Silver Bullet tailwheel steering link...

I don't think you are alone is feeling like the other one is too big for it's own good. It's a great source to get as many opinions as you can possibly stand in the shortest amount of time, but it ain't friendly.

All you gotta do, is get the 7 in the air, move to Tehas, shoot some videos, and voila!

You're not alone buddy!

[tshort]

On earth as it is in Texas.

I'm all for it.

So what's the skinny on your after OSH group buy? I really want to get in on the governor buy but I don't have nearly enough info about my engine to do so...

T.

[captain_john]

Chad, I think the group buys will develop more interest here.

I just got back from a seminar. I am trying to get a fridge for the hangar off craigslist right now! I got a Weber grill for FREE already!

Thomas, you really don't need much info for the guv deal. Engine, airplane model and prop should do it.

Jump in!

I am thinking fuel selectors next. You know, Andair stuff. Mebbe B & C electrics if Bill will cooperate. I will see him at OSH.

Dunno just yet, really.

CJ

[rv8or]

CJ--

I'm a little confused. Are you upset because Doug won't/didn't feature your thread? I read through EVERY single "group buy" thread and didn't see anything to take offense over. The response was/is great...guys buying well before they need whatever it is you put together. Your personal effort was acknowledged and praised often!

To see an "East-coaster" making broad brushed comments about Texans and their attitudes is a little hypocritical don't you think?

IMO, 98% of all people involved in the RV world are great folks. I don't see the point in insulting any of them. VAF is a great resource, and Doug is a very nice guy, with the best interest of RV-dom in mind...just like you.

I'm [u]not[/u] a close personal friend of Doug's, but please let me know if I can do anything for you with regards to the other site. I don't think either site is going away, and contributors like you are too valuable to alienate.

I'm in for the Andair if you set that up!!!

Hope I can still post here, living in Texas and all...

Joe

[captain_john]

Joe, I was just responding to your PM and now I see your same questions here.

As I said personally, Doug is getting kinda commercial and I think this venue should be about education and sharing of knowledge. Also, there is a definate "click" going on over there and I don't like it. I am not sure if you noticed my lack of participation over the past few months on VAF or not.

I don't want to sidetrack this thread with my rant. Maybe I should have put the rant elsewhere.

I don't care where you live, so long as you are an avaition buff you are okay in my book. Sorry if I offended anyone. Please don't misunderstand me. The RV (builders and pilots in general) groups are the best in my book!

Anyways, back on track...

How about doing group buys here from now on?

CJ

[rv8or]

CJ--

What is this? A "who can tyype faster (or slower, in my case!) contest"?

You and I are definately on the same page, as expressed in my PM. Glad we got that straight...back to airplanes!

Group hug???

J

[captain_john]

Hahaha... I think so.

CJ

[cjensen]

I want in on this!



I'd be interested in the Andair...depending on what engine I use of course...

[svanarts]

Two things: Doug is a very nice guy, he invited me to that form when they ran me off the Matronics list on a rail for my religeous email signature. Spike invited me here and he is a nicer guy.

Second, I have to agree with you CJ, the other BBS is very clickish. There are a few demigods on that board and I'm sure we could all rattle off their names. What I like about this board is that EVERYONE is in the click!

And now back to the topic...

How about a run-down on the group buys that are running at the moment?

We already have a classifieds section, would it fit there?

[captain_john]

I think we need a higher profile location for the group buysthan the classified area. A passive lurker wouldn't necessarily find it easily. With it's own area, it is as plain as the nose on your face.

Currently I have only the one group buy for the PCU5000X going on.

It is set to close next week and if you want in on it, the time is now!

Here is the scoop on it:

Hey All,

Next week the PCU5000X Prop Governor Group Buy will be ending. It seems that some people have missed the discussion in the other thread, so I am reposting it here so that no one will miss out.



It looks like we will get the BEST, UNBEATABLE price EVER on this prop governor that everyone agrees is the best one going!

Here is the PCU5000 website:

http://www.pcu5000.com

Here is the deal:

Details as provided by Bob Honig, Sales Manager (EAGLE BOB here at VAF) from Ameritech Industries in Redding, CA.

Here are the price breaks we can offer:

1-10 units $1,250.00
11-25 units $1,175.00
26-40 units $1,100.00
41-50 units $1,071.00

(It looks like we WILL make the 41+ unit category by next week!)

Terms and conditions:

· Customers must use the following reference to receive the special pricing:
APS-AIRFORCE #1.
· A 50% deposit shall be required, with balance due prior to shipping.
· Payments can be made via personal or business checks; credit cards will not be accepted to receive the special pricing.
· Cost for shipping shall be additional.
· Customer contact at American Propeller Services is Bob Honig or Kevin Russell (800-292-7767).
· Prices indicated are valid for 60 days beginning on May 4, 2007.

Looking forward to working with you and all the other RV builders.

Best regards,


Bob Honig
Corporate Sales Manager
American Propeller Service
bob at ameritechind.com


When you place your order, SEND ME AN EMAIL (jsannizzaro at comcast.net) so I can keep track of the total count and our respective discount!

You will also need to fill out THIS FORM when you place your order. It details your needs, wants and desires with respect to your engine/prop requirements. Fill it out to the best of your ability. American knows pretty much what you want. Even if you make a change, you can send back your governor for tweaking later. The important thing is getting the governor!

Personally, I will be submitting a $600 deposit and considering it to be 50% of the total order. May I suggest you do the same?

PLACE YOUR ORDERS!

I will keep you apprised of what I am up to next.

CJ

[jim_geo]

Chad, I thought you had to use one of those plastic composite fake props with an electric pitch control on a Subaru. Or is that once again last weeks news? Just givin ya a bad time Chad.

[spikescopilot]

As 50% of the admin team, I'm ok with a group buy forum. But this is Spike's playground so I'll let him give the final nod. A few group buys now and then might give us a bit more actual posting traffic too, which will make Spike happy.

BTW, I'm the good half.

[cjensen]

Chad, I thought you had to use one of those plastic composite fake props with an electric pitch control on a Subaru. Or is that once again last weeks news? Just givin ya a bad time Chad.

Oops! I see now how my last post looks like I was talking about the guv buy...I meant the group hug... HA!

Yeah, the Sube uses the fake plastic electric one...unless I buy a Mistral...then I'll need the hydro guv!

[captain_john]

Patti, I bet it will crate more traffic! It will give people another reason to visit and if it has it's own forum, common questions could be answered within it!

Chad, I knew what you meant... FWIW!

CJ

[Spike]

Im not opposed to a forum for it. But rivetbangers.com obviously won't take any responsibility for the conducting of such buys, nor any service or fraud related issues associated with them. What I have seen so far is that the group "buy" stuff, at least the one's that John have been involved with, span multiple sites. Im not sure we have enough members yet to soley leverage buying power (we need more active members for that) but if you want to make this the home of some of these buys, thats fine with me.

John

[captain_john]

Cool, yah...

I would like to make this site the "clearinghouse" per se.

I feel like we can speak to you more directly than Doug and you (this is really novel) actually LISTEN!



Having this place be the clearinghouse would bring people in and perhaps keep them chatting.

I would still "advertise" on my other sites, but this one would be the place people come to for a definite answer to a question or whatever.

Others?

CJ

[Spike]

Shucks, your going to make be blush.

Here's a hint, I listen cause this place is what it is cause of you people. Im just the IT and financial guy.

[JohnR]

... they ran me off the Matronics list on a rail for my religious email signature...

Whoa! Didn't realize that. Here I thought this was still a free country.

With that in mind I have made a change to my signature here. What a rebel I am.

I would agree this site is great and Spike is a great guy, I'm sure having Patti to keep him in line helps!

On the other site I would guess that the problem with the group buy stuff is it could irritates advertisers. An example would be an advertiser that sells prop governors is currently watching 40 sales go to one company and it isn't his. They probably would chew on Doug's ear some if he appeared to be supporting it strongly. Actually, I'm a little surprised it was not deleted early on. I know some other group buys were deleted a year or so ago before getting to much steam for what I believe was the above reason.

I really like the group buy stuff, thanks for your work on it CJ! I think if you start doing them here and try to post anything about them on the other site that the post will magically disappear but I hope I am wrong.

[svanarts]

... they ran me off the Matronics list on a rail for my religious email signature...

Whoa! Didn't realize that. Here I thought this was still a free country.

With that in mind I have made a change to my signature here. What a rebel I am.

Amen brother!

Now I think I better check out that prop guv.