| Re: [GMCnet] GMC Vendors [message #75860] |
Sun, 07 March 2010 06:18  |
Curtisunlimited
Messages: 57
Registered: April 2004
Karma:
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Member |
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We can't say why the "big" GMC vendors do not attend the conventions, but
we have seen Gustke, and Gateway at some rallies in the not to distant past.
Some of the gerneric vendors - Blue Ox, Zip Dee, etc. propabaly do not
come either because they are "not in the loop" regarding time and place of the
events, are not members of GMCMI, etc. so are not "allowed" to sell, or
feel it is not in their finaicial interest to participate. Western States
did have several non GMC specific venders at one of their event in Temecula
several years ago, but haven't seen any of them come back. Do not know why.
We, Curtis Unlimited, aka Bert and Fay Curtis, have not made many rallies
in the last couple of years for several reasons:
1) we are a two person shop - if we are not at our place of business, we
are not producing product, and hence not making money to stay alive. This is
not to say that the exposure at a rally is not invaluable, because it is
and we really enjoy talking with everyone that wanders by. And, most times we
can make enough to cover the rally fees and the cost of getting there and
back. But we do not make any profit on the time spent away for production.
2)the time and distance problem, which relates directly to the above. If we
need to spend 4 to 7 days getting to a rally and the same to return, it is
a big block of time away. Again, If we are not home, nothing is being
produced. And the further we have to travel. the more expensive fuel cost
becomes. Living at the end of the earth is nice in some ways, but needing to
travel 150 - 200 miles to hit an Interstate and be able to get fuel for less
than $3.25/gal can get costly. That first get out of town tankful is
expensive!! And if a rally is only 5-6 days long, it is hardly worth the effort to
get things together and go.
3)if we had to depend on GMC goods to stay alive financially, we would be
dead. There just isn't enough of you out there ruining t-skirts, steering
col boots, needing body pads, etc. to keep us solvent. Hence, we have another
line of business, reproducing Lotus car replacement frames, bodies and
suspension, to fill out the time. This, however, also keeps us grounded
during some of the rallies. Racers want their parts two months ago!
We know there are no good solutions to our problems of attending every
rally (excepted for winning a big Lotto and "retiring"). And we do try to come
as often as we are able. We are sure there are other GMC suppliers/shops
that face these same problems and concerns and hence aren't able to justify
coming as often as they would like to either.
Not complaining, just telling it like it is in Curtis land. And we would
like to thank each and everyone that has came up at a rally and spent time
and money with us. Without all of your support, we could not continue to
provide the items that we do and work on expanding our GMC product line.
Bert and Fay Curtis
1976 Glenbrook '78 exRoyale now 5th wheel trailer
Kneeland, CA
If you are ever in the area. please call and stop by
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