Jim Bailey no longer with 928 International
02-26-2009, 07:31 PM
#226
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Amsoil clogs bearings. I'm switching to Mobil 1 0w-10 for my car.
02-26-2009, 07:36 PM
#227
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Some very good points made by Greg Brown above.
I have a running joke with the revlimiter, about taking her to old haunts of mine. When we first met, I had been out of circulation for some time -- rather, circulating in another town 40 miles away for a few years. When I wanted to take her to the Swenson's ice cram parlor that I had enjoyed as a kid, a pizza parlor in my hometown of Mountain View, a hole-in-the-wall music shop, a camera shop where the old guy who did my camera repairs would take the time to talk to me about whatever needed discussing. -- they were all gone; out of business. Now, when I tell her I want to take her someplace special, she usually responds with, "are you sure it's still there?"
I've learned my lesson from that, and I try to make it to all of the little places that I enjoy so much on a regular basis, and tell others about them. There is a taqueria that I visit weekly, a pizzeria that I visit at least every other week, and so on. I think that if I feel so strongly about these places I should do my part to keep them in business -- and I do. Even when money is tight, I find a way to make it happen.
I have tried to do the same with my 928 business, spreading it as much as possible among the vendors -- I could do a better job of that, and have resolved to do so.
I realize that this might be the best approach for everyone, but it's what I'm doing to support the people and businesses that make 928 ownership doable for me. I encourage all of you to think about it when you need a part -- a few bucks here and there to support those who support us is very cheap. If you're not so sure of that, ask yourself: If there was no 928 International, 928 Specialists, 928 Motorsports, 928sRus, how much would you give to have a reliable source other than the dealer who understands your car? (not that any dealer gives a crap about the 928) When I think of it that way, spending an extra $2 on a relay, an extra $3 on an oil filter, etc. to get it through one of these tiny organizations that have dedicated themselves to the 928 sounds dirt cheap.
I have a running joke with the revlimiter, about taking her to old haunts of mine. When we first met, I had been out of circulation for some time -- rather, circulating in another town 40 miles away for a few years. When I wanted to take her to the Swenson's ice cram parlor that I had enjoyed as a kid, a pizza parlor in my hometown of Mountain View, a hole-in-the-wall music shop, a camera shop where the old guy who did my camera repairs would take the time to talk to me about whatever needed discussing. -- they were all gone; out of business. Now, when I tell her I want to take her someplace special, she usually responds with, "are you sure it's still there?"
I've learned my lesson from that, and I try to make it to all of the little places that I enjoy so much on a regular basis, and tell others about them. There is a taqueria that I visit weekly, a pizzeria that I visit at least every other week, and so on. I think that if I feel so strongly about these places I should do my part to keep them in business -- and I do. Even when money is tight, I find a way to make it happen.
I have tried to do the same with my 928 business, spreading it as much as possible among the vendors -- I could do a better job of that, and have resolved to do so.
I realize that this might be the best approach for everyone, but it's what I'm doing to support the people and businesses that make 928 ownership doable for me. I encourage all of you to think about it when you need a part -- a few bucks here and there to support those who support us is very cheap. If you're not so sure of that, ask yourself: If there was no 928 International, 928 Specialists, 928 Motorsports, 928sRus, how much would you give to have a reliable source other than the dealer who understands your car? (not that any dealer gives a crap about the 928) When I think of it that way, spending an extra $2 on a relay, an extra $3 on an oil filter, etc. to get it through one of these tiny organizations that have dedicated themselves to the 928 sounds dirt cheap.
02-26-2009, 08:13 PM
#229
The Parts Whisperer
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02-26-2009, 08:21 PM
#230
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This is branching out a bit from the original thread. I'll keep it short and sweet. Mark and Jim are the personalities at 928 Int'l that I know. I also know Tom, and can say that he's very capable. Better or worse is a judgement call, depending on what you are expecting. I usually stopped to banter with Jim for a few minutes, but during that time I was keeping him from making money from phone sales. He spent the extra time and attention, and Tom was doing the phone sales. Stop by when Jim was at lunch, Tom would take care of me. I just happened to spend more time at Jim's desk. Now my commute to 928 int'l just got maybe six feet longer. I get to walk that much farther to get to the next cubicle.
Beyond the personality considerations, remember always that it is in our best interests to keep our dedicated sponsors/suppliers in business. I purchased stuff from Dave Roberts when he first started up, and the service was excellent. An early Autothority chipset group buy hit a snag when the car didn't like that particular set, and Dave stepped right up to make it right with Autothority and get the right stuff into my car. A few months ago, Roger had a deal on some parts, so I bought some for the shelf. But the absolute king-size slice of my 928 business goes to 928 International. Why? I'm cheap, stingy, greedy and self-interested. It only makes sense to back the guys who have --by far-- the largest and most complete parts inventory, the guys I can depend on to have stuff when I drop in to get stuff for a project for my own car or for an upcoming clinic, the guys who take can care of me now and well into the future. I don't get too pushy, but generally the folks who have taken care of me get taken care of in return, with both my own and my referral business. I want them there, taking care of me, so long as I own the car. Looks like it's Tom's turn to carry the flag for a while. Everything will be OK, so long as we support those who support us.
You guys that are between gigs, welcome to the wild and wonderful world of consulting. You are the best at what you do, and there are folks who need your services. Twice in my life I've been turned loose to find a new direction. One of those was voluntary, the other was not unexpected and had an escape clause I didn't exercise. Both events turned out to be very positive. I refocused my attentions to things that I enjoy doing, polished up my marketing skills so that others would feel like paying me to do what I love. It took a while the first time to get the ball rolling again. Second time I didn't miss a step. I hate to say things like "you'll be better and stronger for this!" but it really is true. It may not be better tomorrow or the next day, but you will pop up and be better in the long run.
Beyond the personality considerations, remember always that it is in our best interests to keep our dedicated sponsors/suppliers in business. I purchased stuff from Dave Roberts when he first started up, and the service was excellent. An early Autothority chipset group buy hit a snag when the car didn't like that particular set, and Dave stepped right up to make it right with Autothority and get the right stuff into my car. A few months ago, Roger had a deal on some parts, so I bought some for the shelf. But the absolute king-size slice of my 928 business goes to 928 International. Why? I'm cheap, stingy, greedy and self-interested. It only makes sense to back the guys who have --by far-- the largest and most complete parts inventory, the guys I can depend on to have stuff when I drop in to get stuff for a project for my own car or for an upcoming clinic, the guys who take can care of me now and well into the future. I don't get too pushy, but generally the folks who have taken care of me get taken care of in return, with both my own and my referral business. I want them there, taking care of me, so long as I own the car. Looks like it's Tom's turn to carry the flag for a while. Everything will be OK, so long as we support those who support us.
You guys that are between gigs, welcome to the wild and wonderful world of consulting. You are the best at what you do, and there are folks who need your services. Twice in my life I've been turned loose to find a new direction. One of those was voluntary, the other was not unexpected and had an escape clause I didn't exercise. Both events turned out to be very positive. I refocused my attentions to things that I enjoy doing, polished up my marketing skills so that others would feel like paying me to do what I love. It took a while the first time to get the ball rolling again. Second time I didn't miss a step. I hate to say things like "you'll be better and stronger for this!" but it really is true. It may not be better tomorrow or the next day, but you will pop up and be better in the long run.
02-26-2009, 08:21 PM
#231
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I think that if I feel so strongly about these places I should do my part to keep them in business -- and I do. Even when money is tight, I find a way to make it happen.
I have tried to do the same with my 928 business, spreading it as much as possible among the vendors -- I could do a better job of that, and have resolved to do so.
I have tried to do the same with my 928 business, spreading it as much as possible among the vendors -- I could do a better job of that, and have resolved to do so.
02-26-2009, 08:23 PM
#232
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EVERYONE has made mistakes. Every vendor that I mentioned above, and I have made more than my share as well. That's life. What sets the vendors I mentioned apart from most others, past or present, is how they handle it when a mistake gets made.
02-26-2009, 09:25 PM
#233
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02-26-2009, 09:42 PM
#234
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Based on his number of posts, he should be a lifetime member soon....
James Bailey. I'm still not used to that. Funny being my name is as well James.
02-26-2009, 10:30 PM
#236
Road Warrior
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didn't jim once say something about centrifical vs twin screw vs turbo? or devek? hahaha
02-27-2009, 12:06 AM
#239
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I'm sure it has been noted in this thread already, but without customer relations, you have half of a business. I truly believe that Jim's chatter and face time brought in more business and made for repeat business.
