Here are some insights that some of you may or may not know that probably fuel much of the debate and in some cases, back stabbing that goes on:
1. Tuner Marketing 101 - Get customers by having your current customers tell everyone how great you are while putting everybody else down. In some cases the tuner will do this on his own, but in most cases they let their customers do it. The tuner's current customer base wants him to succeed so that he can continue to be in business and take care of them. In some cases, the customers work hard selling for the tuner as it helps them justify deep discounts and freebies. In essence, nothing really wrong with all that in most cases - but in most cases the latest guy getting realed into the tuner does not know that the money he is getting ready to spend is going to help one of his tuners buddies get a better deal than he just got.
2. Tuner Marketing 102 - create a social club environment for your shop. Go to lunch with the boys, come hang out at the shop, work as a group to further tuner marketing 101. For some this gives everybody a warm and fuzzy feeling to feel connected to a cool group. Some are lonely. Some just want to be a part of something cool. Some just want to play grabass. The tuner usually takes the hit in the long run by wasting too much time stroking all his buddies all day long. But in the short term, the tuner feels obligated to make everybody happy at the expenses of his own productivity and in some cases, family time.
3. Tuner R&D options - create it and test it yourself - this allows you to bring something to market sooner than others but it costs you a lot of time and expense - in many cases to try stuff that does not work. Others sit back and see who does what and what works - and when it looks like it might have some commercial value then they jump on the bandwaggon. some will just outright steal any design they think works and copy it the best they can. others will try to use certain information to help further their own design. in either case - many times they are able to take advantage of what the first innovator had to spend much more time figuring out. at some point, the information becomes common knowledge - but the innovator wants to keep as much information to himself for as long as he can to protect his niche product. in the long run, the best designs with the best performance will out sell the cheaper products that dont perfom as well - irregardless of who came up with the idea first.
4. Tuner & Customer Ego's - drive many of the business decisions made by tuners - good or bad - pride is always at work in this industry.
5. Back Stabber's - one day a tuners customer and or employee can turn into his competitor. Happens all the time. Then the new tuner shop fires up tuner marketing 101 and tries to steal the old tuner bosses customers with the usual bashing etc. Hey tuners - watch out for your key employee being buddy buddy with some of your customers (usually the ones who want the cheapest deals) as they will try to break it off on you sooner or later. Most fail in the long term but in the short term the tuner wastes a lot of time and energy when the crap hits the fan.
At the end of the day, most of these tuners just want to make a living, feed their families while doing something interesting. Thats why they move from working at a dealership, etc. so they can have more control over what they do and what they create. unfortunately most dont have any business background or financial backing and as the market ebbs and flows they feel pressure to bring in business and money to keep their operations going. and when that happens they will sometimes increase efforts in tuner marketing 101 and 102. others will just try to be the cheapest price and keep a full shop while not making any money.
Its a hard business to be in. So next time you read some post about how great or how bad some tuner is - be sure to use the above info. to filter thru the BS.
4. Tuner / Customer Ego - many tuners think that to attract business they have to be number 1 at whatever. Most on here, want to be the king of the dragstrip or the dyno. As if holding that title will bring them more business. In some cases it does for a while. But over time they get so caught up in chasing the top guy or the top guy gets caught in protecting his turf - that both tuners make their business decisions trying to catch or stay ahead of their competitor. The young new tuner works hard with a chip on his shoulder trying to prove himself and his shop every chance he gets. In the process he puts too much effort in coddling a few cars and customers that make him look good while other projects dont get completed as efficiently. Other tuners base their business decisions based upon whatever their competitors next move is. In the long run, these reactive tuners waste a bunch of time and money trying to keep up with the Jones instead of just focusing on their own strengths and resources.
I swing on no-man's nuts...
You were swingin' pretty hard in the H.wheels thread...
Signed,
Shitbag.
Well done Rodney...
Come on Earl, you have swung from a few nuts in your day havent you? I am sure that you will help pimp for SVS once your car is done. Dont be ashamed to admit to being a nut swinger at some point in time.
4. Tuner / Customer Ego - many tuners think that to attract business they have to be number 1 at whatever. Most on here, want to be the king of the dragstrip or the dyno. As if holding that title will bring them more business. In some cases it does for a while. But over time they get so caught up in chasing the top guy or the top guy gets caught in protecting his turf - that both tuners make their business decisions trying to catch or stay ahead of their competitor. The young new tuner works hard with a chip on his shoulder trying to prove himself and his shop every chance he gets. In the process he puts too much effort in coddling a few cars and customers that make him look good while other projects dont get completed as efficiently. Other tuners base their business decisions based upon whatever their competitors next move is. In the long run, these reactive tuners waste a bunch of time and money trying to keep up with the Jones instead of just focusing on their own strengths and resources.
I don't completely believe this one. It's true for the most part that the "win on Sunday, sells on Monday" works. Who was the top points winner last year? As long as they maintain focus, it's all good.
I don't completely believe this one. It's true for the most part that the "win on Sunday, sells on Monday" works. Who was the top points winner last year? As long as they maintain focus, it's all good.
I agree with you and did not mean for the post to sound like any kind of an absolute. Just commenting on where some (not all) tuners thinking and stategy comes from. Look at Roe Racing - they dont go to any races, but they have a great business from what I can tell. They seem to do well with good products and good pricing and dont depend on their internet nut swinger customers to pimp for them every chance they get.
You don't know me at all... I haven't posted here much so I cant blame you. I am a straight shooter. I'll pimp for no one.
Re: SVS and My turbo setup...I'll call it like I see it...Good/Bad/Ugly. If SVSi does a good job, I'll say just that. If someone else has a problem with SVS...they aren't automatically wrong, just have a different story to tell. My Viper Story thus far has been quite an interesting one. From the purchase of my car with a bad engine(from VCA member no less)to the installation of my TT setup. Oh well, thats all part of the hobby.
You don't know me at all... I haven't posted here much so I cant blame you. I am a straight shooter. I'll pimp for no one.
Re: SVS and My turbo setup...I'll call it like I see it...Good/Bad/Ugly. If SVSi does a good job, I'll say just that. If someone else has a problem with SVS...they aren't automatically wrong, just have a different story to tell. My Viper Story thus far has been quite an interesting one. From the purchase of my car with a bad engine(from VCA member no less)to the installation of my TT setup. Oh well, thats all part of the hobby.
Earl H - I stand corrected. Please accept my apologies.
Here are some insights that some of you may or may not know that probably fuel much of the debate and in some cases, back stabbing that goes on:
1. Tuner Marketing 101 - Get customers by having your current customers tell everyone how great you are while putting everybody else down. In some cases the tuner will do this on his own, but in most cases they let their customers do it. The tuner's current customer base wants him to succeed so that he can continue to be in business and take care of them. In some cases, the customers work hard selling for the tuner as it helps them justify deep discounts and freebies. In essence, nothing really wrong with all that in most cases - but in most cases the latest guy getting realed into the tuner does not know that the money he is getting ready to spend is going to help one of his tuners buddies get a better deal than he just got.
2. Tuner Marketing 102 - create a social club environment for your shop. Go to lunch with the boys, come hang out at the shop, work as a group to further tuner marketing 101. For some this gives everybody a warm and fuzzy feeling to feel connected to a cool group. Some are lonely. Some just want to be a part of something cool. Some just want to play grabass. The tuner usually takes the hit in the long run by wasting too much time stroking all his buddies all day long. But in the short term, the tuner feels obligated to make everybody happy at the expenses of his own productivity and in some cases, family time.
3. Tuner R&D options - create it and test it yourself - this allows you to bring something to market sooner than others but it costs you a lot of time and expense - in many cases to try stuff that does not work. Others sit back and see who does what and what works - and when it looks like it might have some commercial value then they jump on the bandwaggon. some will just outright steal any design they think works and copy it the best they can. others will try to use certain information to help further their own design. in either case - many times they are able to take advantage of what the first innovator had to spend much more time figuring out. at some point, the information becomes common knowledge - but the innovator wants to keep as much information to himself for as long as he can to protect his niche product. in the long run, the best designs with the best performance will out sell the cheaper products that dont perfom as well - irregardless of who came up with the idea first.
4. Tuner & Customer Ego's - drive many of the business decisions made by tuners - good or bad - pride is always at work in this industry.
5. Back Stabber's - one day a tuners customer and or employee can turn into his competitor. Happens all the time. Then the new tuner shop fires up tuner marketing 101 and tries to steal the old tuner bosses customers with the usual bashing etc. Hey tuners - watch out for your key employee being buddy buddy with some of your customers (usually the ones who want the cheapest deals) as they will try to break it off on you sooner or later. Most fail in the long term but in the short term the tuner wastes a lot of time and energy when the crap hits the fan.
At the end of the day, most of these tuners just want to make a living, feed their families while doing something interesting. Thats why they move from working at a dealership, etc. so they can have more control over what they do and what they create. unfortunately most dont have any business background or financial backing and as the market ebbs and flows they feel pressure to bring in business and money to keep their operations going. and when that happens they will sometimes increase efforts in tuner marketing 101 and 102. others will just try to be the cheapest price and keep a full shop while not making any money.
Its a hard business to be in. So next time you read some post about how great or how bad some tuner is - be sure to use the above info. to filter thru the BS.
Good night!
Rodney, You are either a tuner, a tuner customer, or the smartest sob to come along in a long time. This post is dead on. :thumb:
Nice summary Rodney. Interesting, and obvious as well (to some).
I'd like to add that I did not pick my tuner because of any BIG dyno numbers or being top dog at the drag strip etc. I wasn't looking for king of anything, I wanted reliability and professionalism. Whether it was a 550hp all motor car or a 1000+hp twin turbo.
I sat back and watched and listened to customers of all tuners to see what they had to say at events as well as on the boards. Not once did I hear any negative feedback about my tuner. He seemed to be respected by all and said NOTHING negative about any other tuner (even today with a close relationship).
I do however admit that I took into consideration the success his customers had at the V-10 Nationals.
I believe the viper com has a good bunch of knowledgeable tuners.
In the end I picked my tuner because of his customer service, reliability, knowledge, attention to detail, and his PROFESSIONALISM.
I swing on no-man's nuts...
You were swingin' pretty hard in the H.wheels thread...
Signed,
Shitbag.
Well done Rodney...
Cock hole, have you been reading up on all the problems that the nutsack trapeze that you've been swinging from is having??? Wheels falling apart on people and shit. Great product, huh? Here's an old thread I dug up. http://www.viperalley.com/showflat.p...l/fpart/1/vc/1
Here are some insights that some of you may or may not know that probably fuel much of the debate and in some cases, back stabbing that goes on:
1. Tuner Marketing 101 - Get customers by having your current customers tell everyone how great you are while putting everybody else down. In some cases the tuner will do this on his own, but in most cases they let their customers do it. The tuner's current customer base wants him to succeed so that he can continue to be in business and take care of them. In some cases, the customers work hard selling for the tuner as it helps them justify deep discounts and freebies. In essence, nothing really wrong with all that in most cases - but in most cases the latest guy getting realed into the tuner does not know that the money he is getting ready to spend is going to help one of his tuners buddies get a better deal than he just got.
2. Tuner Marketing 102 - create a social club environment for your shop. Go to lunch with the boys, come hang out at the shop, work as a group to further tuner marketing 101. For some this gives everybody a warm and fuzzy feeling to feel connected to a cool group. Some are lonely. Some just want to be a part of something cool. Some just want to play grabass. The tuner usually takes the hit in the long run by wasting too much time stroking all his buddies all day long. But in the short term, the tuner feels obligated to make everybody happy at the expenses of his own productivity and in some cases, family time.
3. Tuner R&D options - create it and test it yourself - this allows you to bring something to market sooner than others but it costs you a lot of time and expense - in many cases to try stuff that does not work. Others sit back and see who does what and what works - and when it looks like it might have some commercial value then they jump on the bandwaggon. some will just outright steal any design they think works and copy it the best they can. others will try to use certain information to help further their own design. in either case - many times they are able to take advantage of what the first innovator had to spend much more time figuring out. at some point, the information becomes common knowledge - but the innovator wants to keep as much information to himself for as long as he can to protect his niche product. in the long run, the best designs with the best performance will out sell the cheaper products that dont perfom as well - irregardless of who came up with the idea first.
4. Tuner & Customer Ego's - drive many of the business decisions made by tuners - good or bad - pride is always at work in this industry.
5. Back Stabber's - one day a tuners customer and or employee can turn into his competitor. Happens all the time. Then the new tuner shop fires up tuner marketing 101 and tries to steal the old tuner bosses customers with the usual bashing etc. Hey tuners - watch out for your key employee being buddy buddy with some of your customers (usually the ones who want the cheapest deals) as they will try to break it off on you sooner or later. Most fail in the long term but in the short term the tuner wastes a lot of time and energy when the crap hits the fan.
At the end of the day, most of these tuners just want to make a living, feed their families while doing something interesting. Thats why they move from working at a dealership, etc. so they can have more control over what they do and what they create. unfortunately most dont have any business background or financial backing and as the market ebbs and flows they feel pressure to bring in business and money to keep their operations going. and when that happens they will sometimes increase efforts in tuner marketing 101 and 102. others will just try to be the cheapest price and keep a full shop while not making any money.
Its a hard business to be in. So next time you read some post about how great or how bad some tuner is - be sure to use the above info. to filter thru the BS.
Good night!
UNDERCOVER RODNEY YOU HAVE SUMMED UP THE TUNING BIZ DEAD NUTS ON................ THATS WHY U ARE THE MARKETING PRO THAT YOU ARE.YOU HAVE AN IN DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLAYING FIELD AND THE PLAYERS. :thumb:
Cock hole, have you been reading up on all the problems that the nutsack trapeze that you've been swinging from is having??? Wheels falling apart on people and shit. Great product, huh? Here's an old thread I dug up. http://www.viperalley.com/showflat.p...l/fpart/1/vc/1
Once again you type before you think. I'm not sure why you posted a thread referencing HRE. I don't own them and based on their customer service reputation and recent quality issues, I probably never will. I own CCW wheels and would own a second set if he offerred the new ones in 18" size. I meant the Henneseywheels.com thread.
Dude, I hope you and I can meet up at a Viper Event. I'd like to see if your balls are as big when you meet up with someone face to face. Its easy to be an internet smart ass, proximity has a way of fixing things. Until then run your mouth as much as you like, call me as many names as you like...
Once again you type before you think. I'm not sure why you posted a thread referencing HRE. I don't own them and based on their customer service reputation and recent quality issues, I probably never will. I own CCW wheels and would own a second set if he offerred the new ones in 18" size. I meant the Henneseywheels.com thread.
Dude, I hope you and I can meet up at a Viper Event. I'd like to see if your balls are as big when you meet up with someone face to face. Its easy to be an internet smart ass, proximity has a way of fixing things. Until then run your mouth as much as you like, call me as many names as you like...
UNDERCOVER RODNEY YOU HAVE SUMMED UP THE TUNING BIZ DEAD NUTS ON................ THATS WHY U ARE THE MARKETING PRO THAT YOU ARE.YOU HAVE AN IN DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLAYING FIELD AND THE PLAYERS. :thumb:
:thumb:
