Wind Turbine Home Furnishings? [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

Dear Roy,
If you do real good in New York and I do real good in California, then it's just a
matter of us being patient until the folks who live in between get their act together.
I love riding the future shockwave, but this RE Monday has got to end and I'm ready for
limeade - with Tequila.
Happy Trails,
Joel Davidson


"Roy Butler, Four Winds RE" wrote:

> Hi Joel,
>     Actually, I thrive on lemonade! Why else would I still be in this business,
> ehh? And I'm not worried at all about losing business to Target and the like. My
> concern lies with what damage will be done to the industry by all the shoddy
> installs done by folks who are led to believe that it's all plug 'n play.....and
> then we're called on to pick up the pieces. I'm also concerned that legitimate
> installers will not be able to get product because the D.I.Y. crowd is buying 'em
> to put under the Christmas tree!
>     And I've done all the things you list for improving my business....and work
> hard at making additional refinements each day....and tend to take it personally (a
> bit too much I admit!) when a company or individual does anything to give RE a bad
> name. Because I do believe it reflects on all of us when that happens.
>     As a side note....The farmers that bought wind generators back in the '30s and
> '40s from the Sears Catalog are not the same type of folks who would buy an XL.1
> from Target now. Those depression era folks were incredible resourceful and
> mechanically inclined.....not as many of 'em about these days!
>     OK....gotta go squeeze some more lemons....that pucker factor is kicking in!
> Roy Butler
> Four Winds Renewable Energy
> Arkport, NY
>
> Joel Davidson wrote:
>
> > Wind generators and "Hip Hues Personal Fans." And you thought Surplus Center,
> > Lincoln NE product mix was strange :-)
> >
> > Wind generators have been available by mailorder for decades. Sears sold wind
> > machines. That's how most farmers bought them before WWII. At one level, the
> > Internet is just another mailorder catalog. Many people have dreamed of the day
> > when renewable energy equipment would be low priced, readily available and easy
> > to install. We are not there yet, but getting closer.
> >
> > Don't worry about losing business to Target, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.
> > There will always be a need for skilled workers. Plumbers had similar
> > discussions years ago when Home Depot, etc. began selling residential water
> > heaters at 30% off list. Plumbers complained that they would lose business to
> > the DIYers and that people would die from tainted water. The truth is DIYers
> > never were customers and Mr. and Mrs. Allthumbs still hire plumbers to install
> > water heaters. Real plumbers (not roto-rooters) make more money now than ever
> > before. Don't worry. Be happy.
> >
> > Businesses compete by being better, faster, cheaper. It is hard to be cheaper
> > unless you are Sam Walton's kin (WalMart) or own Costco. It's hard to be faster
> > unless want to tie up your money in a warehouse full of expensive wind machines
> > and PV. But is is impossible for discounters, warehousers and mailorder houses
> > to be better than you. Your real competition is other Wrenches. Don't worry. Be
> > better.
> >
> > Don't waste time with Target - unless you are giving your business card to the
> > Target manager to snag referrals. Are you listed with Bergey as their local
> > installer? What differentiates you from the competition? How have you
> > positioned your company to optimize your competitive advantage? Stop sucking
> > lemons and enjoy the lemonade.
> >
>
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