Regretful price increase/reality check

[Mark Hooton]

Guys, as some of you have already hinted at I have been selling my stuff at daft prices and along with the free fitting it has been made even worse from a `commercially viable` point of view.

This has been my choice, of course, but I now need to take a reality check.

The latest product for example - the spotlight protectors - are £39.99 a set and it takes an hour just to do the hand finishing let alone the material content - stainless aint cheap by the way. And it`s a fair guess that the adjustable GS rack I do for about 50 quid can cost well over 100 quid on the TT site for something similar.

So, what I am getting to is that I am going to have to put up my prices to reflect the work and time that actaully goes into them. It is my fault because I have let my heart rule my head as I am very proud of what I do and have not put too much commercial sense to it.

I hope everyone understands - the guys who know me and who already have purchased my work will understand. Nonetheless, all my stuff will still represent very good value and I really do think that anyone would be hard pushed to find anything I do anywhere cheaper anyway.

The new prices should be on my ecommerce site by the end of the week and I hope you all understand - the new prices will still be much cheaper than the `stack them high sell them cheap` stuff anyway.

Best regards, please don`t think I`m robbing anyone because I still am not - all you have to do is look at some of the threads to see evidence of this.

Mark
www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk

 

[(RIP) Miff]

AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Get us addicted then raise the price......


Seriously though, I'm sure things will still be worth more than what you're charging.

The rate at which your making and selling bits, they'll be more "Hootoned" bikes out there than "UnHootoned" bikes

It's lovely stuff. Keep it coming.

 

[Mark Hooton]

AAAAAArgh back at cha

Yep, ta for that `endorsement` - I`ve been struggling with this one for ages now as I had built up my `rep and was worried that someone would take it the wrong way.

What tipped it was this weekends drinking binge where even when totally mashed I was entirely sure I was still giving value for money for very special parts (or so I think).

I`m hopeful that other members will see it in the same light and I am thankful I aint doing this for a living!

Nonetheless - AND TO ALL FELLOW TOSSERS - discounts are always available on merit and alcohol and what is actually `in the job` for me.

There - that makes me feel a little better

 

[neillfergie]

Sorry to hear that Mark,

Must admit im new to the forum but have been looking around for various bits for my new toy and i was really impressed with the kit you were selling. Being bespoke handmade parts I hadn't expected them to be so cheap (particularly fond of the fog light protection plates) but I guess business reality always catches up!

ps. I had seen Twalcom tank protection plates (see pic below) that fit into the GSA crash bars that looked pretty cool, do you think you might knock a similar (but obviously superior) bit of kit?

 

[neillfergie]

 

[Mark Hooton]

Side panels

Thanks for that mate.

yes, side panels are on the list as I think I can improve on the design!

Watch this space! (or some space.........)

Mark.

 

[Mark Hooton]

To be fair

Actually, the light protectors are nice too. I`d be a kn*b if I slagged off anyone else`s work so I aint going to do it - compared to mine they look very neat indeed and very nice. I hope that they have ensured the holes for the mounting of the protector are waterproof. I went for the crash bar mounting myself as I wanted a more `solidly anchored` protection (and I didn`t want to drill the body of the lights) but it`s all down to personal preference!

 

[ghiribizzo]

On a sideways tack - I have plates in that location for mounting two small Ortlieb bags. The 'lightening' (ha ha) on those is slotted, so it looks more like a cheese grater.
If you can source the plastic clips that hold the Ortlieb bags on them than that could possibly be another option Mark.

PS how are my lightguards coming along?

 

[Urban Rider]

Actually, the light protectors are nice too. I`d be a kn*b if I slagged off anyone else`s work so I aint going to do it - compared to mine they look very neat indeed and very nice. I hope that they have ensured the holes for the mounting of the protector are waterproof. I went for the crash bar mounting myself as I wanted a more `solidly anchored` protection (and I didn`t want to drill the body of the lights) but it`s all down to personal preference!

Mark, do you produce the light protectors that fit to Micro DE's on a light bar (1150GSA) as oppose to crash bar mounted.....?

 

[Yonkyo]

Fitted my lightguards earlier..great product Mark...i have Micro DE's fitted instead of the standard aux lights, and they fitted no problem (i was taking a chance in buying them without knowing they'd fit).

I love shiny things

 

[Mark Hooton]

Good!

Well done mate, they look really good

 

[Yonkyo]

I must say, that IMHO, Marks products represent outstanding value for money, when you consider this stuff is hand made, limited production, bespoke, and finished to a very high standard.

If this stuff were sold by Touratat or Blunderlick, we would be paying twice the price for it.

Keep the shiny stuff coming Mark. I'm looking forward to the crash bar bash plates next.

 

[rudiemoto]

ps. I had seen Twalcom tank protection plates (see pic below) that fit into the GSA crash bars that looked pretty cool, do you think you might knock a similar (but obviously superior) bit of kit?

Superior bit of kit... These are made from Peralluman....doesn't get much better than that

It's great, we set up a business, put loads of our own money into it, bring Twalcom to the UK and make it easier for enthusiasts to obtain, and it only takes two seconds before somebody is looking at copying the stuff....

Cheers for that

 

[Coolcarbon]

It's great, we set up a business, put loads of our own money into it, bring Twalcom to the UK and make it easier for enthusiasts to obtain, and it only takes two seconds before somebody is looking at copying the stuff....

That is the nature of the beast unfortunately, some on here may remember 'Motorrad Concepts'....

A lot of original ideas that were eventually copied by some of the larger accessory suppliers..... that's life...

 

[rudiemoto]

i surppose
but if twalcom copied marks stuff he wouldnt be happy

 

[Stevie73]

Yeh, and I don't suppose Rugged Roads would be chuffed if Twalcom or Mark decided to blatantly copy a product either, and even poorer form by stating it on UKGSer....

Oh well..........

 

[Mark Hooton]

Mmmmm

I wouldn`t normally reply to a post such as twalcom`s as it would be unprofessional but I do feel some regret over it because we are all bikers at the end of the day and I do see and experience that `loose affiliation` amongst us all (I am yet to allow a chq to clear from a fellow biker before before I make the stuff and I`ve never been let down yet - foolish? I will let you decide).

What I would say to the guys at twalcom is that I feel sincerely sorry that you feel that way and would offer some advice based on over 2 decades of business and with what little morality I do have................... (hopefully what forum members have dealt with me won`t counter this about how I conduct myself)

I would say that your product looks absolutely fantastic and bearing in mind mine will be at a lower `price point` I am sure is actually far superior to mine to justify the expense. Mine certainly won`t be made out of `unobtainium` nor will it have the same properties. Believe it or not (time will tell) but I will actually promote your items as an alternative but will let the customer decide and respect that decision - life is too short for anything else.

Also, and the same `believe it or not` applies but shortly after getting my GSA I had decided to make some side panels for it wayyyyyy before I saw the post another member put up about them. If I did not have the ability to make my own I would certainly have purchased yours!

In summary, sell on quality and reputation (both of which must be very good for you otherwise you wouldnt be on the forum, for long.......) and you won`t have to worry about just one `small man` copying your idea. The big manufacturing giants are another matter but no one can ever do anything about that - it`s the catch of the `free market` we all live in.

If you don`t already know - what I do isn`t my `day job` and is driven by my passion for bikes, making low volume `objects of art` which are appreciated by other forum members and my particular love of the GS. Mine is not a full on commercial venture like yours! It`s easy for me to say but I would possibly be more assistance than a threat to you!

Whatever - but all the best and as a fellow biker I am always here for advice and help.

Mark Hooton.

 

[Stevie73]

I wouldn`t normally reply to a post such as twalcom`s as it would be unprofessional but I do feel some regret over it because we are all bikers at the end of the day and I do see and experience that `loose affiliation` amongst us all (I am yet to allow a chq to clear from a fellow biker before before I make the stuff and I`ve never been let down yet - foolish? I will let you decide).

What I would say to the guys at twalcom is that I feel sincerely sorry that you feel that way and would offer some advice based on over 2 decades of business and with what little morality I do have................... (hopefully what forum members have dealt with me won`t counter this about how I conduct myself)

I would say that your product looks absolutely fantastic and bearing in mind mine will be at a lower `price point` I am sure is actually far superior to mine to justify the expense. Mine certainly won`t be made out of `unobtainium` nor will it have the same properties. Believe it or not (time will tell) but I will actually promote your items as an alternative but will let the customer decide and respect that decision - life is too short for anything else.

Also, and the same `believe it or not` applies but shortly after getting my GSA I had decided to make some side panels for it wayyyyyy before I saw the post another member put up about them. If I did not have the ability to make my own I would certainly have purchased yours!

In summary, sell on quality and reputation (both of which must be very good for you otherwise you wouldnt be on the forum, for long.......) and you won`t have to worry about just one `small man` copying your idea. The big manufacturing giants are another matter but no one can ever do anything about that - it`s the catch of the `free market` we all live in.

If you don`t already know - what I do isn`t my `day job` and is driven by my passion for bikes, making low volume `objects of art` which are appreciated by other forum members and my particular love of the GS. Mine is not a full on commercial venture like yours! It`s easy for me to say but I would possibly be more assistance than a threat to you!

Whatever - but all the best and as a fellow biker I am always here for advice and help.

Mark Hooton.

No worries. Thanks for the explanation Mark. Back scratching counts for a lot....

 

[neillfergie]

Superior bit of kit... These are made from Peralluman....doesn't get much better than that

It's great, we set up a business, put loads of our own money into it, bring Twalcom to the UK and make it easier for enthusiasts to obtain, and it only takes two seconds before somebody is looking at copying the stuff....

Cheers for that

Sorry about that

I can see exactly where your coming from, it was a stupid thing to say now i think about it.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Don`t be daft

Dan`t be daft - we are more fellow GS enthusiasts and fellow bikers than anything stupid like competitors. With respect, I think we are far too small to be indugling in any of that nonsense mate.