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Three Day 3link
- Thread starter sreidmx
- Start date
Yeppers! It's official now.
Just read through this and looks like excellent work fellas! the well thought out responses were also good to read through. Good luck fellas!
Definitely do this. Information sells custom products. A lot of folks won't even buy off of Amazon without a good description. But you guys are providing so much custom value in your product, the customer needs to know what he's paying for.
Ideally you want to be able to sell to a customer like me. I've never built a link suspension system. I'm not even really well versed in the jargon. But I have some interest in such things. If you can get me hooked on how awesome this product you may find yourself a new customer. Someone with my level of knowledge is gonna need to know a bunch of technical info, for 2 reasons. First, because I only kinda understand how these systems work (clarifying things does a lot when it comes to building enough confidence to write a large check). Second, I want to make sure that you really have solved all the problems that this system may run into (to build confidence in your engineering efforts). The last thing I wanna do is drop a bunch of coin on a system that has unexpected snags.
So use the website to address such things. What will I need? Do you have specs? If I'm supplying my own tubing, do you have a set of dimensioned plans that comes with your kit? Or are you expecting me to figure it all out? Do you have good instructions for putting it all together? I'm sure you have answers to these questions, but if I just saw the website without previously following your efforts here I would not have much confidence.
As pointed out already, you're charging extra money for a custom solution that is easy and fast to install. Highlight how much time & effort that saves compared to the generic kits.
Be sure to tell folks this. In addition to all the other stuff from your posts, being a one-stop-shop is a good thing. Or even for folks supplying their own box, be sure to indicate which type of box your system uses. It might seem like a super basic thing to you, but someone who's new to this could quite easily not realize that steering modifications are required. I could even see someone being surprised when he tears his stock brake line apart under his first droop.
Providing info like this makes the difference between a cheap generic kit and a premium piece of custom engineering.
And congratulations! I wish you well on your new venture.
One more thing to think about. Lots of folks already have access to a machining shop. You may be able to sell just the plans for all the custom bracketry. Especially if you're willing to sell step files for a burn table. Not sure if you've put that level of effort into each of your brackets (though I think I remember you mentioning such in the past). Nor do I know whether you'd want to part with design info. But I do think you could make some money from the folks who just want to know how to make the parts.
I understand that you're just starting, but don't assume that your customers have looked through your instagram library. Really, don't even assume that they have instagram at all. Your website should contain all the info that folks need.
I think you hafta use the media gallery now if you wanna upload directly to CK5. It's a pain, but I have successfully done it.
@campfire Excellent feedback! Thanks for giving us the perspective of someone not thoroughly familiar with linked suspensions. We've actually been working on website version 3. Hopefully have it up and running by the end if this week. It has individual pages devoted to each bracket, the different variations currently available, and prices if purchased separately. We've also discussed adding a "tech" section, which will be a basic level information section, comparing different suspension designs, what the strength and weaknesses are of each style, basic geometry information, etc. Maybe even set up a blog with mini tech lessons.
And I completely agree about not having to have customers looking all over the web, trying to find information. The website should definitely contain all the information a potential customer would be looking for.
And yes, we are currently writing in building a fairly detailed build manual that will ship with the kit. It includes the bracket assembly, and will also have a "here's what works for us" section, which will include the link lengths that we've had success with, bracket locations, suggested caster settings, and so on.
We've discussed selling the cut files, but haven't come up with a definitive solution for that.
Once again, thanks for the information, we really do appreciate it!
And I completely agree about not having to have customers looking all over the web, trying to find information. The website should definitely contain all the information a potential customer would be looking for.
And yes, we are currently writing in building a fairly detailed build manual that will ship with the kit. It includes the bracket assembly, and will also have a "here's what works for us" section, which will include the link lengths that we've had success with, bracket locations, suggested caster settings, and so on.
We've discussed selling the cut files, but haven't come up with a definitive solution for that.
Once again, thanks for the information, we really do appreciate it!
Thanks @campfire this is excellent feedback, and by all means if anyone sees something we are missing please tell us. We really do appreciate it.
Ultimately I believe this is good for everyone in this industry because it drives innovation. Everyone can benefit from that. Especially the consumer.
Ultimately I believe this is good for everyone in this industry because it drives innovation. Everyone can benefit from that. Especially the consumer.
Good stuff. If you get into that much detail I think you will be able to find customers. Lots of potential customers have grand ideas without understanding how to make the details work.
I'm sure I'd have lots more questions, but I'm not planning a suspension upgrade right now. So I haven't thought out each step. Gather input from your customers (when the orders start coming in), they are a goldmine of marketing information.
Excellent. Strive for innovation and your customers will be happy.
And happy customers + good product = successful business venture.
One more thing - I'm happy to provide input for how you can better connect with customers. Like many folks, I'm annoyed at how few shops prioritize customer service. Serving the customer. That's what builds successful relationships. And relationships are the foundation of business. If you guys are trying to honor your customers, that is encouraging to me, even if I never get around to needing your kit.
Side bonus - I know who to refer friends to, once you get up and running.
I come from a very service oriented background, so being customer centric is a big deal for us as a company.
Customers generally know what they want and are looking for, it's up to us to listen and ask the right questions to make sure they meet their goals, after all we are literally in the business to help guys make their dream vehicles come alive.
Suspension has always had this mystifying thing around it and it does not have to be that way and Scott and I are all about educating people to help them understand how things work, and we're all here because we want something more from our vehicle right?
What we're doing isn't a new idea or groundbreaking, it's how we do it, how we execute the task. We will get better with every single build, fine tune, fortify.
That's our nature, we know no other way. If you know us personally you can speak to this.
We have our own opinions and they might not always be right but were damn quick to admit if we are wrong and even quicker to fix it if something is not right with a product.
We started this project because we felt there was something missing from his segment.
Function and form together, and as Apple, Bmw, etc have all shown us that you can have something beautiful but also serves a purpose without the compromise.
Suspension is the function in this case and the steel is the canvas, you can make it as good or bad looking as you like depending on the amount of effort you put in. This is where we come in, as you all very well know something as simple as a shock mount can consume your day, to cut, grind, and weld some of these brackets by hand would take 20 hours, just because of the complexity, and not everyone has access to plasma tables, or even torches. I know I didn't for a long time. So for us to be able to provide these items and these services to you guys just made a lot of sense. We're talking about the guy who's maybe not well connected or may not have close access to a plasma cutting service or know about suspension and wants to take his truck to a serious level. We're here to answer those questions, and be that mediator between the concept and the finished product.
The last thing I feel is a cornerstone, communication. Scott and myself I feel are excellent communicators, this business does not work without being able to visualize what a persons end goal without that. Listening giving feedback, getting the feedback as well.
Again thanks guys, we can't thank you enough for supporting us in this venture. We're passionate about what we do.
"There is no try, just do and do not" -yoda
Customers generally know what they want and are looking for, it's up to us to listen and ask the right questions to make sure they meet their goals, after all we are literally in the business to help guys make their dream vehicles come alive.
Suspension has always had this mystifying thing around it and it does not have to be that way and Scott and I are all about educating people to help them understand how things work, and we're all here because we want something more from our vehicle right?
What we're doing isn't a new idea or groundbreaking, it's how we do it, how we execute the task. We will get better with every single build, fine tune, fortify.
That's our nature, we know no other way. If you know us personally you can speak to this.
We have our own opinions and they might not always be right but were damn quick to admit if we are wrong and even quicker to fix it if something is not right with a product.
We started this project because we felt there was something missing from his segment.
Function and form together, and as Apple, Bmw, etc have all shown us that you can have something beautiful but also serves a purpose without the compromise.
Suspension is the function in this case and the steel is the canvas, you can make it as good or bad looking as you like depending on the amount of effort you put in. This is where we come in, as you all very well know something as simple as a shock mount can consume your day, to cut, grind, and weld some of these brackets by hand would take 20 hours, just because of the complexity, and not everyone has access to plasma tables, or even torches. I know I didn't for a long time. So for us to be able to provide these items and these services to you guys just made a lot of sense. We're talking about the guy who's maybe not well connected or may not have close access to a plasma cutting service or know about suspension and wants to take his truck to a serious level. We're here to answer those questions, and be that mediator between the concept and the finished product.
The last thing I feel is a cornerstone, communication. Scott and myself I feel are excellent communicators, this business does not work without being able to visualize what a persons end goal without that. Listening giving feedback, getting the feedback as well.
Again thanks guys, we can't thank you enough for supporting us in this venture. We're passionate about what we do.
"There is no try, just do and do not" -yoda
Seen you guys are on F/B I liked your page.
I think the stickers you had made up look great! Gotta love round eyes!
I think the stickers you had made up look great! Gotta love round eyes!
Our bump travel limit is typically the diff top hitting the engine crossmember. 6-7" of bump travel at a 4" lift height is easy to set up. Past that and it's a custom engine crossmember and past that you're moving a lot of stuff.
Hi Stephen! Thanks for chiming in, we really appreciate your input obviously because you have been there!
@max 02
Thanks buddy! It's a lot to keep up with, we'll have some pics up soon of some neat developments.
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
i feel like if you pay for a vendor spot i should be able to click your vendor ribbon and it should take me to your site...
Maybe something that can be done? If not the site should be in your sig...
Maybe something that can be done? If not the site should be in your sig...
Good eye!! I totally missed that!
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
No problem!
The site looks great. The only thing i would change is the part about the steering box. Although its honest i think it may deter people from pursuing you guys about a steering box. I think coming up with a few prices would really help. That way people can do their own research and see if its a good price or not. If someone buys one of your kits they may not be concerned with what the price difference is with the box...they just want it...
Anyways keep up the good work!
Man that damn steering box.. Right now they're super hard to come by and the prices are wildly variable. Basically where trying to say call us and we'll talk about it.. Hard to put out rock solid pricing.
