Stay on as a vendor?

[tfalk]

I've been a vendor on the forum for several years now and our business has dropped to
virtually nothing. If I sold 10 shirts outside of the Summer Run last year, that would be a lot.

So, I find myself asking, why? Is it people don't know about us? Is it people don't
like the type of designs or products we have? Price?

Looking for your thoughts, thanks in advance!

[mikeinatlanta]

I bought from you way back from the other forum. IMO, You have nice product but your visibility is very low.

[jwsnake56]

I've been on this forum since spring '16. This is the first time I was aware of your business. I could not even tell what it was that you sell until I searched around and clicked your link. Your shirts look nice. Wish I would have seen them in December when I was telling my kids to get me a couple of t-shirts for Christmas. You should try to promote your product more. Maybe a sale message and some kind of logo on your posting that identifies you.
As a small business owner myself I wish you the best but get out and let folks know that you have a good product.
John S.

[wareaglescott]

I didn't know about you either.
I am aware the vendor tab is up there but I never really click on it and look to see what is offered. The vendors I have used are generally because someone recommends them in a build thread or something.

[RoadRacer]

Never heard of you either, and when clicking on your link I see this..

"You've attempted to access or hot-link to a file from an un-authorized referring site. http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?23624-Stay-on-as-a-vendor&p=269716 / www.replicapromotions.com"

Not sure what that means, or where the problem is, but it happens if I try to visit your website directly from my phone too. That's not going to help :)

[MPTech]

Actually, your timing is great! I have a hat and button-shirt I purchased a couple years ago and wanted to order a replacement hat and another shirt, but I didn't know or remember where to begin to look.

So to answer your question, I would agree that you are a good vendor, but need to work on getting your name and product out there.

(I'm going to go home and double-check sizes, then will be re-ordering this week!)

[Hotyacht]

Non of the links to your site from here work for me - just get an error message.

[tfalk]

Thanks guys! I think I have the access fixed for those who I see tried to access the site today from this forum. I've had
to resort to blocking all IP ranges outside the US because of the damn hackers who seem to think they can find something
useful on my website... I will be updating it over the next couple of weeks which should help as well.

I hear you about 'advertising'... at the same time, I find it annoying when vendors keep pushing products at people which
is why I've stayed pretty silent before. I absolutely HATE spammers and even this thread bothers me that way.

[mikeinatlanta]

Just an Idea,

I used to sell paint protection film and advertised on several forums. What I would do to generate more attention than the banner ads was product giveaways. EG, I would go to Roadfly and give away a set of headlight protectors to the first however many responders. The forums loved the traffic, the members loved the free stuff, I loved the advertising and nobody ever accused me of spamming. It was cheap and a win win for everyone. I gave away a little and made a bunch because when anyone on the forum wanted paint film they would call me first.

[Hotyacht]

Thanks guys! I think I have the access fixed for those who I see tried to access the site today from this forum. I've had
to resort to blocking all IP ranges outside the US because of the damn hackers who seem to think they can find something
useful on my website... I will be updating it over the next couple of weeks which should help as well.

I hear you about 'advertising'... at the same time, I find it annoying when vendors keep pushing products at people which
is why I've stayed pretty silent before. I absolutely HATE spammers and even this thread bothers me that way.

I guess I cant buy anything from New Zealand then? No access from here.

[RoadRacer]

I find it annoying when vendors keep pushing products at people which
is why I've stayed pretty silent before.

My 2c - it's not spamming if you're a sponsor here and you do it occasionally (monthly?). I haven't looked up what rules you sponsors have here (I'm sure the admin can help you there), but new members appear all the time, and they're the most likely to buy.. new car.. new hobby, etc. I think you did well to post this thread.. and I'll be looking at your site next.

[mikeinatlanta]

For anyone who hasn't looked at them. The "camp shirt" on his site is very high quality, super comfortable, and his price is less than the same shirt as Summit. I travel for a living and the cobra roadster shirt has been my go to travel shirt for a very long time and I still get complements on about every other flight.

[CraigS]

I think that you and the other vendors need to talk to FFR. I have been on this forum since the beginning and never clicked on "Vendors" until just now. Maybe they could work out something where that banner across the top could rotate through all the vendors. Better, the vendors could use the right most 1.5 inches vertically of the screen as a vertical billboard. They would need to move so all vendors get exposure. The other forum is a bit too commercial but I think there could be something between that and nothing. Seems to me that, if you are paying a fee to be a vendor, you should get more than an OK to be somewhere that I need to search for. Requiring me to do something to see you is not advertising.

[tfalk]

Again, thanks for the feedback! Hotyacht, I sent you a PM and I added what I believe is your IP
range to the site so you should be able to see the site now. Unfortunately, I can't include free
shipping overseas because in most cases, it costs more than the shirts do, but if you let me know
what items you might be interested in, I can see what our options are.

I will have to do some updates on the website, looks like some of the campshirts are no longer
available from the supplier. I will have to take them down later today.

[Railroad]

tfalk, check your pm
thanks,

[Jdav]

I do think a new website would help conversion (once people reach your site).
As far as awareness, most of the vendors I have discovered are very active on the forum - giving tips, advice and posting on their own builds. I understand your product isnt a part of a build, so that might be a bit more difficult, but I do think it would help.

[UnhipPopano]

It would also help your site traffic to keep the site up to date and change it frequently. In addition there is information on the internet of how to get your site linked to other sites.

Also, I did not see a design for the 818.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I have some of the hats, T-Shirts & Sweat shirts. Very happy with the quality & like the custom FFR 8234 chassis number beneath the COBRA designs in my cars colors. Would recommend the products 100%

[cwrandolph]

I have some hats and shirts from you - very nice quality! I think a monthly post with some good pictures of your products would boost sales. Maybe a monthly special?

[tfalk]

Also, I did not see a design for the 818.

Good point... I had a design drawn up by a friend, never got it digitized, would this work as a base?

64570

[MisterAdam]

I've been a vendor on the forum for several years now and our business has dropped to
virtually nothing. If I sold 10 shirts outside of the Summer Run last year, that would be a lot.

So, I find myself asking, why? Is it people don't know about us? Is it people don't
like the type of designs or products we have? Price?

Looking for your thoughts, thanks in advance!

i bought a few tshirts a few years ago but the quality is so good they are lasting forever! kidding aside, I am due for an order. What happened to the "ibuilt" shirts that had serial numbers?? those are great and everyone comments when i wear it.

also i gallery section would be nice. tough to know what a 'large" design is compared to a standard one, etc. just a thought

[vnmsss]

Ted at Replica Promotions has been supplying quality race gear and vintage race car apparel to the Thunder Valley Racing team for more than 10 years! Five time competitors at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, and many years as competitors in the FFR Challenge Series, our crew has always sported race wear from Replica Promotions. Ted is a gem to work with and the quality of his products have always been outstanding! As a long-time supporter of the Forum and a fellow car builder, Ted is a true brother in these car adventures.

Karen Salvaggio
Team Owner
#28 Thunder Valley Racing

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2011%2025%20Hour%20Thunderhill/IMG_7815.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2010%20Coupe%20Build/DSCF0914.jpg

Daughter (and FFR spec racer owner) Tracy Marshall with our grandson Evan at his first enduro...
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2011%20Coupe%20Build/DSCF1418.jpg

Team Thunder Valley Racing's Roman Vaisman (Lead Data Team) and Ryan Althoff (Lead Fuel Team)
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r27/snkbtn/2011%20Coupe%20Build/DSCF1390.jpg

[Mustang Man]

I too have an "iBuilt" shirt from the original forum. I honestly did not know if you were still around, as that shirt is too big for me now. As a paid vendor, reaching out with a monthly sales/discount post, contest, new product line addition/news type of thing is certainly not out of line and I see other vendors do it as well. Mother's Day sale in May, Father's Day sale in June, etc.

A new website, while a nice thought, isn't as critical as simply getting people there and exposing your brand on the forum more. As long as the site works and people can easily place an order without having to reach out to a CSR email or phone number they'll come and order.

Look at something like FFMetal. Very basic site but ordering is easy.

All that said, I need to get a smaller shirt and will be happy to buy again next week (going out of town for work tomorrow).

Best of luck Ted!

Mark

[mikeinatlanta]

Another idea. The blipshift.com model where a single design goes on sale for a limited time. Orders filled after the sale so no excess inventory. I think guys would enjoy it and not see it as spam.

[R. Button]

can I add my comments... that Your clothing is some of the best I've purchased! Way higher thread count compared to other polo shirts! And my fleece blanket has served as a pillow or a blanket covering as I curl up in my car when traveling. Jake takes great pride wearing the Pride and Joy hat he "stole" from my car! I'll place a new order for another blanket and other stuff shortly.

[WIS89]

Ted at Replica Promotions has been supplying quality race gear and vintage race car apparel to the Thunder Valley Racing team for more than 10 years! Five time competitors at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, and many years as competitors in the FFR Challenge Series, our crew has always sported race wear from Replica Promotions. Ted is a gem to work with and the quality of his products have always been outstanding! As a long-time supporter of the Forum and a fellow car builder, Ted is a true brother in these car adventures.

Karen Salvaggio
Team Owner
#28 Thunder Valley Racing



Ted-

That's high praise right there! I think many others have posted some good suggestions as well. Frankly, I think it's a matter of awareness of your company. Perhaps incorporating a few of the ideas here, and some other creative ideas might make a significant difference. I hope you decide to stay, and I hope you ultimately find that it was worth your efforts!

Best of luck!

Regards,

Steve

[tfalk]

Again, thank you all for the comments and suggestions!

Unfortunately, I had to discontinue the iBuild printed shirts even though they were our best seller. The garment printer
I have is based on an Epson 2200 which was discontinued by Epson over 5 years ago. Parts are virtually impossible
to find and the print head alone is $350+ if you can even find one. Combined with the cost of the ink, it's just not
feasible to keep it running any more and I can't justify $15K for a new one. I can look into doing that type of design
as something like a jacket back/front but due to the stitch counts, I don't believe anyone would want to spend the kind
of money it would take to make it worthwhile. T-shirts won't hold that high of a stitch count. Maybe I will digitize
the design and put it up on the site for sweatshirts and hoodies, they are heavy enough to hold a higher stitch
count, I'm just not convinced people would want to pay $60+ for a sweatshirt or hoodie, but I could be mistaken.

We don't just do car stuff, we can do company logos, etc. If you like our designs but don't see a particular style
or garment on the website, please ask and I will see what I can come up with.

Again, thanks everyone!