Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » The Vendor Question (What we have learned)
| The Vendor Question [message #76090] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 10:08  |
Michael Bozardt
Messages: 367
Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Several reasons have emerged from my question as to why we don't see more vendors at the GMCMI conventions.
1. Cost vs Benefit ratio is not favorable
2. Business owners cannot afford to leave their business for the week long convention
3. Vendors must belong to the GMCMI which also requires membership in the FMCA which may hinder the generic parts vendors like Zip Dee, Onan et al
4. Some mfg reps do not travel to conventions due to health reasons
5. Vendors do not make a profit at the conventions
I wish there were some ways to aleviate these issues, but none come to mind at the moment.
I should point out that most of my customers, GMC owners, do not belong to the GMCMI, therefore do not attend our conventions. While I have heard the explanation for why we do not allow non members to attend, something seems counter productive to growing the club and thus expanding the membership and club finances.
Without an effective means of growing the club and with costs ever increasing, I can see a time when there will be no more GMCMI conventions, a sad outlook.......Michael at GEMRECS
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76094 is a reply to message #76090] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 10:24  |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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On Mar 9, 2010, at 11:08 AM, Michael Bozardt <ilse@earth-comm.com>
wrote:
>
>
> Several reasons have emerged from my question as to why we don't see
> more vendors at the GMCMI conventions.
> 1. Cost vs Benefit ratio is not favorable
> 2. Business owners cannot afford to leave their business for the
> week long convention
> 3. Vendors must belong to the GMCMI which also requires membership
> in the FMCA which may hinder the generic parts vendors like Zip Dee,
> Onan et al
> 4. Some mfg reps do not travel to conventions due to health reasons
> 5. Vendors do not make a profit at the conventions
>
> I wish there were some ways to aleviate these issues, but none come
> to mind at the moment.
>
> I should point out that most of my customers, GMC owners, do not
> belong to the GMCMI, therefore do not attend our conventions. While
> I have heard the explanation for why we do not allow non members to
> attend, something seems counter productive to growing the club and
> thus expanding the membership and club finances.
>
Michael
You are incorrect in your assumption that GMCMI does not allow non-
members to attend the conventions. Where did you get that idea?
Membership has never been a requirement. The club has always
encouraged any and all GMCers to attend even if they are not a member.
We feel that people will enjoy it so much that they will want to join.
In fact, even ownership of a GMC is not a requirement to join GMCMI.
We have a few members who own SOBs.
Emery Stora
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76137 is a reply to message #76090] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 17:10 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Where the heck did you pick that up Michael. I have not seen the day
when even non-GMC owners have not been welcomed at any GMC rally.
On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 9:08 AM, Michael Bozardt <ilse@earth-comm.com> wrote:
>
>
> Several reasons have emerged from my question as to why we don't see more vendors at the GMCMI conventions.
> 1. Cost vs Benefit ratio is not favorable
> 2. Business owners cannot afford to leave their business for the week long convention
> 3. Vendors must belong to the GMCMI which also requires membership in the FMCA which may hinder the generic parts vendors like Zip Dee, Onan et al
> 4. Some mfg reps do not travel to conventions due to health reasons
> 5. Vendors do not make a profit at the conventions
>
> I wish there were some ways to aleviate these issues, but none come to mind at the moment.
>
> I should point out that most of my customers, GMC owners, do not belong to the GMCMI, therefore do not attend our conventions. While I have heard the explanation for why we do not allow non members to attend, something seems counter productive to growing the club and thus expanding the membership and club finances.
>
> Without an effective means of growing the club and with costs ever increasing, I can see a time when there will be no more GMCMI conventions, a sad outlook.......Michael at GEMRECS
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76138 is a reply to message #76130] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 17:11 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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On Mar 9, 2010, at 5:12 PM, Jim Galbavy wrote:
>
>
> Dan and Emery,
>
> Yes you are correct that non GMC owners or club members may come out
> and look the club and the coaches over on day like basis, I don't
> remember seeing non members camping out with us.
>
> I also think you are missing Michael's main point which is why we
> don't see venders like Zip Dee, Fantastic Vent or the like at a
> GMCMHI rally? When was the last time they were made aware of a
> rally and where they INVITED? There are the GMCMHI members who sell
> Fantastic Vent products but I do not remember ever seeing them set
> up a table. I have met the factory folks from Zip Dee and Fantastic
> Vent at FMCA rallies and got some information tips on uses from them
> but never heard of at any of our own rallies. Maybe this fall since
> we will be closer to these factories. .....if asked ..... they will
> come.
>
> jim galbavy
> '73 X-CL (ANNIE)
> Chesterfield, Va
Jim
You would not know who were members and who were not as we don't give
non members a patch or anything to show they are non members BUT
having been in charge of managing eight conventions for 4 years I
can positively tell you that we have had quite a few NON-MEMBERS sign
up for the whole convention. As part of their convention notebook
package we gave them an application form and many of them gave them
back to me filled out with a membership check attached.
And, yes, I did invite vendors such as Zip Dee (I personally know the
owner) but they usually just said that there wasn't enough of a market
for them at a convention with only 200 or 300 motorhomes in
attendance. They go to the FMCA conventions because there are a few
thousand motorhomes there. As Jim Bounds has pointed out a couple of
times -- its a matter of economics. They are business people and they
don't want to spend the money to send someone if there isn't much
possibility of making any money on it.
We did get Royal Globe insurance to attend one year but after trying
to get large vendors there for the first few conventions that I was in
charge of I decided that it was a losing proposition and devoted my
time to other planning and pushing to get more GMCs there.
The club could probably use a committee of members such as you that
would volunteer to take the time to contact those vendors and line
them up to come. I am sure that our convention manager would welcome
your assistance.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76140 is a reply to message #76138] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 17:18 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Emery,
Sounds like a GMCMI convention needs to be held AT a FMCA convention.
Heck, they're always pinging on us to show up enmasse, lets give 'em
what they're asking for.
On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 4:11 PM, Emery Stora <emerystora@mac.com> wrote:
>
> On Mar 9, 2010, at 5:12 PM, Jim Galbavy wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Dan and Emery,
>>
>> Yes you are correct that non GMC owners or club members may come out
>> and look the club and the coaches over on day like basis, I don't
>> remember seeing non members camping out with us.
>>
>> I also think you are missing Michael's main point which is why we
>> don't see venders like Zip Dee, Fantastic Vent or the like at a
>> GMCMHI rally? When was the last time they were made aware of a
>> rally and where they INVITED? There are the GMCMHI members who sell
>> Fantastic Vent products but I do not remember ever seeing them set
>> up a table. I have met the factory folks from Zip Dee and Fantastic
>> Vent at FMCA rallies and got some information tips on uses from them
>> but never heard of at any of our own rallies. Maybe this fall since
>> we will be closer to these factories. .....if asked ..... they will
>> come.
>>
>> jim galbavy
>> '73 X-CL (ANNIE)
>> Chesterfield, Va
>
>
> Jim
>
> You would not know who were members and who were not as we don't give
> non members a patch or anything to show they are non members BUT
> having been in charge of managing eight conventions for 4 years I
> can positively tell you that we have had quite a few NON-MEMBERS sign
> up for the whole convention. As part of their convention notebook
> package we gave them an application form and many of them gave them
> back to me filled out with a membership check attached.
>
> And, yes, I did invite vendors such as Zip Dee (I personally know the
> owner) but they usually just said that there wasn't enough of a market
> for them at a convention with only 200 or 300 motorhomes in
> attendance. They go to the FMCA conventions because there are a few
> thousand motorhomes there. As Jim Bounds has pointed out a couple of
> times -- its a matter of economics. They are business people and they
> don't want to spend the money to send someone if there isn't much
> possibility of making any money on it.
>
> We did get Royal Globe insurance to attend one year but after trying
> to get large vendors there for the first few conventions that I was in
> charge of I decided that it was a losing proposition and devoted my
> time to other planning and pushing to get more GMCs there.
>
> The club could probably use a committee of members such as you that
> would volunteer to take the time to contact those vendors and line
> them up to come. I am sure that our convention manager would welcome
> your assistance.
>
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76143 is a reply to message #76137] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 17:37 |
Gary Berry
Messages: 1002
Registered: May 2005
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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When the old, OLD guard was in charge of the GMCMI conventions, that
is the way it was. In fact, one was usually harassed for even showing
up for a couple of hours and was told they had to pay fees and leave
by 5pm (my brother and his wife had this happen to them at the Mt Hood
rally, and they haven't been to one since). Once Emery took over and
Ray followed him, it's been a kinder, gentler rally management, and
non-owners and single-day attendees are treated just like any other
attendee. I sure like it better.
On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 3:10 PM, Steven Ferguson <botiemad11@gmail.com> wrote:
> Where the heck did you pick that up Michael. I have not seen the day
> when even non-GMC owners have not been welcomed at any GMC rally.
>
--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76151 is a reply to message #76143] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 18:30 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| Gary Berry wrote on Tue, 09 March 2010 18:37 |
When the old, OLD guard was in charge of the GMCMI conventions, that is the way it was. In fact, one was usually harassed for even showing up for a couple of hours and was told they had to pay fees and leave by 5pm (my brother and his wife had this happen to them at the Mt Hood rally, and they haven't been to one since). Once Emery took over and Ray followed him, it's been a kinder, gentler rally management, and non-owners and single-day attendees are treated just like any other attendee. I sure like it better.
--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
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I'm glad we missed those run by the old guard.
When we bought the coach we had other things going on and could only make it to the last day at Berrien Springs. My wife had contacted Emory about the rally and been urged to attend. We were not members of anything and had not even owned the coach for a whole week when we arrived that Sunday morning, but we were welcomed warmly. I am quite sure that if the coach had been there it could only have been better.
One of my very best GMC memories.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: The Vendor Question [message #76154 is a reply to message #76090] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 18:51 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Hell, with a GMC contingent smack dab in the middle of SOB land, we'd probably be the envy and/or talk of the show. Lookee all them thar old coaches. I sure do hope our $300K wooden box lasts as long and looks as timeless as those in 30 years...
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76179 is a reply to message #76142] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 20:13 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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We might as well merge with the Tin Can Tourists!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Choffat" <cchoffataz@yahoo.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 3:28:31 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question
Or what about holding one with the Airstreamers? Their group has to be very large, and they still build new ones...
For shits and giggles, invite the Revcon folks too... (Ducks) :d
--
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD U S S Kobiashi Maru: The Engineer's Motorhome
S T I L L - U N D E R - C O N S T R U C T I O N
Scottsdale, AZ
Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Vendor Question [message #76189 is a reply to message #76144] |
Tue, 09 March 2010 20:57 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Jim Galbavy wrote on Tue, 09 March 2010 18:47 |
Ok, without replowing the same ground. Like Emery said, we are too small of a group for them (the major venders) to come to our rallies. It's been tried without success and we were told by themselves why. .....so I would agree with Steve (if what we really want is to see the major venders), we then would have to hold a GMCMHI rally inside of a FMCA rally where those venders do show up. ....but then we don't really have a rally that is of the flavor that we have with our own stand alone GMCMHI rallies.
jim galbavy
'73 X-CL (ANNIE)
Chesterfield, Va
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Jim,
We have been invited to attend the FMCA rallys and not only that they have agreed to providing a separate area for the GMC coaches. I think the clubs should take them up on the offer. There is a lot to offer at those rallys.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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