Call From Factory...

[tawadc95]

Re: Call From Factory...

Sears doesn't have the appeal they had because somewhere along the line they don't offer what people need in a competitive market where the buyer has multudiness options for the very same product.
I did not mean to limit this to a tcraft factory only.
We are in a different market Ed. We are part of a niche market thus leaving us at others mercy more often than not now, not the same relational dynamics as selling soap where many companies are competing for your dollar for like item.There are fewer companies willing to take the risk to sell to us therefore we have less consumer power meaning we do not invite them to our club...we treat them like partners so they will stay with us.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Call From Factory...

Ed,
My thoughts exactly. The BL-65 that we are bringing back from the grave is a case in point. Seven of the fuselage tubes had to be replaced, and I have a good friend who used to work at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome who is an AP/IA who stood over my shoulder and supervised my replacing all the bad tubes, even AFTER, by watching me, he knew that I was a competent welder.
The fuselage is welded up now, and is straight and true. The next step is to completely build a set of wings, and that will be done too. (No need for the factory).
There are PLENTY of EAA members out there who are very competent at building parts for their aircraft. With the proper people looking over our shoulders and signing off our work, the only "subassemblies" that we would have to have made are complicated castings and the like.
I am currently saving up for two sets of struts for the BC65 I have, and the BL65 that I'm building. I'll get them from who ever took over production from Alaska Airframes. Brie

[David Price]

Re: Call From Factory...

Bill, I agree.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Call From Factory...

Tawadc65 said: We are in a different market Ed. We are part of a niche market thus leaving us at others mercy more often than not now, not the same relational dynamics as selling soap where many companies are competing for your dollar for like item.There are fewer companies willing to take the risk to sell to us therefore we have less consumer power meaning we do not invite them to our club...we treat them like partners so they will stay with us.

Ed O'Brien says: It IS precisely that we are a niche market that attention should be paid. With so small a customer base... (niche market by definition) you can't afford as a factory to lose one of us because of deceptive practices, poor quality, blaming others, disregard of best practices, or thoughtlessness. My point is... we all offered Harry our good will and help. We offered it in some cases for free. Some members of this board went to work for Harry.
I made 3 trips down to see him and offered him encouragement... I planned on offering him more... but his progress never matched his words. SO, I think we should wait. Let the factory do what it wants... analyze it... if we like it, say so. If we don't like give constructive criticism. BUT, performance is the key to restoration of the Factory's credibility. I didn't tarnish, steal, or ruin their credibility in the first place... so it's not up to me to initiate its restoration. Tough love is better than no love. As with any
former friend who did you dirty... and for no reason except their own... let the Factory make the first move. Let them pay this not so high price. Let them come to us... or let them die. It's not up to me. It;s not up to you. It's up to them. I won't bad mouth them while they work. I hope to notice and acknowledge them doing right. I doubt I'll worry either way until I see them prove themselves.

With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[tawadc95]

Re: Call From Factory...

I am not refering to the factory as it it not a factory...it is non existent so I can't refer to it,there is no factory.
What I am trying to say Ed is our planes are only special to us in the grand scheme of things and to sound like people should feel lucky to make parts for us (which is the way I took what you meant by saying we rent our hobby to them) might rub people we currently buy quality products from the wrong way.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Call From Factory...

Do I think anyone should be rewarded for doing business with me? Wag-Aero
and Univair are happy to do so. My appreciation and money seem to be enough. So thanks Wag-Aero and Univair. I think in the scheme of things... making the factory (in name only) go away, might be the only solution. If someone buys the assets it'll be a start from scratch operation.

Harry's been at this for 6 or 7 years. In the meantime Legend has built the Cub, American has built the Champ, and Adams has built their micro-jet. I own 2 Taylorcrafts. One of mine flies and one doesn't (parting out)... I think that's double what the factory's got. So if you're saying we should all wish the factory well... then, I wish the factory well. If your saying we should spend brain cells to keep Harry's promises or engage in a capital preservation scheme for Mr. Patrick... I guess I'm out. I'll wait for the factory to make stuff, ship stuff, keep promises, do business, walk the walk, really provide something more than scattered showers of blame.... you know standard things I expect from everybody else I send money to... with the exception of my granddaughters, of course. I'm out of further good ideas on this thread. Anything else and we'll just need to agree to disagree.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN