I went up to Bushnell for a few days and did two more seminars for the Holiday Rambler members at their spring picnic. It was a decent sized rally - about 90 coaches. I also did two seminars while there and then staffed a vendors booth for a day. It was a good rally for me as I got a full order for slide toppers from my free inspections.
But what surprised me was that I sold so many little things like mirror covers, windshield wiper covers, ladder buddies, etc. These things paid for all my expenses for the rally including fuel for my coach.
What I am doing in Indiana is that I am going to make more of these products to sell and am also going to order two cases of Aerospace 303 products to sell there ( fabric guard and the original 303 ).
I think though that what made me feel so good was when two of the association honchos came up and thanked me and told me " you have an awesome reputation. Your reputation among all the members is rock solid and we want to thank you for taking such good care of all of them. " That made me feel good because to be honest I have busted my ass and went overboard on building a reputation of 1st class service and exceptional quality but I wondered - How Am I Doing ? . I guess just to hear that your accomplishing your goals is a good thing. I am always doubting myself and wondering - " am I doing everything I can ? Am I building a good name ? ".
I have a month of shop time before hitting the road to Indiana and am going to enjoy it. Just wanted to give this report. :)
Chris
Thats cool. Chris.
I can see the wilers and ladder being general size. BUt what about the mirror covers i see sll sizes big and tall One size fits all?
Typos edit
Way to go Chris.
Sounds like you got your Mojo working.
Good luck in Indiana.
Mike:
My mirror covers come in 3 different sizes - small, medium and x large. The extra large is for the mirrors that have cameras mounted on the bottoms of them.
I use a marine vinyl ( I forgot the name now ) that I get from Miami and then I sew a liner inside it. This liner is the car cover material that resists mildew and scratches. Once I get started I can sew them pretty quick.
My ladder buddies I make all out of my throw away scraps of textilene. I was surprised to see they were such a hit as I sold out of them. They have one large pocket, one medium sized pocket and then numerous pockets for small tools, etc. The top wraps around the rung of a ladder and then folds back over and close onto 2 inch commercial velcro. They work awesome.
The windshield wiper covers protect the wipers from UV rays and degradation. They also are made up from scrap textilene I have around the shop. They slip over the wiper and then close over on one end.
I will post some pictures of these things if I have any.
I had numerous requests for fabric or vinyl remote control holders they can lay over the arm of a couch or seat and will explore making those as well for this next rally.
Chris
Here are the photos:
http://stonevos.com/index_files/Page1051.htm (http://stonevos.com/index_files/Page1051.htm)
Chris
Before i moved and had my win ibeagl i saw theeee covers tetaline like a window cover they also had mirrors and sipers and tired cover in the same. On e i saw a guy driving his toad that advertised his custom cover buisness making theese. Your competion i gueese
Have you ever seen miami outdura trio ? Acrylic looks like sunbrella outside. Ut has a soft almost flannel like liner? Bresthable tok might. Ake good mirror cover option and a soft liner in one step
Less sewing
I will have to check my book on the Outdura Trio. is that the real expensive stuff ?
Chris
Yes but maybe its comparable to you covers witha liner material wise it would have to be faster i would think