Hi, I'm a nosy Laser class member. Can you give me a plant tour and open your accounting books? I won't tell anyone on TLF what I see, I swear!
Actually, LP did have an Open House (focused on the Sunfish section) in 2008. In addition, staff offered to repair small problems and provided a 'show and tell' on hull repairs. The outreach was very well rec'd.
http://www.sunfishforum.com/content.php?pg=construction
I read some place that LP was absent at the recent Newport boat show; what's that telling us, if true?
This link will get you the Google Map...I looked on Google Earth..
Don't know my way around Rhode Island so I didn't find a damn thing...
They are not on the exhibitors list for the friggin Annapolis boat show! I just checked and they are not under the "L's". Do they go by anything else?
I seem to recall that at most boat shows it is often the local Laser dealer who represents the Laser brand and promotes the Laser (and other boats from the same manufacturer.) And it turns out that APS is at the United States Boat Show and is offering boat show discounts etc. on Lasers and other LaserPerformance boats.
Check out http://www.apsltd.com/c-5049-boats-on-sale-at-aps.aspx
I didn't go to the Newport Boat Show but I do see that another local Laser dealer Sturgis Boat Works was on the list of exhibitors.
I agree w/ Tillerman, and LP did have many of their boats on display in Newport. You can see that here:
http://www.newportboatshow.com/newport-boat-show-exhibitors/boats-by-brand.htm
It would be interesting to get the perspective from APS on how LP is doing.....That may help answer some questions.
I agree..., you don't cut your own throat by denigrating the supply side or shaking the confidence of the demand side.General business common sense - you work with your suppliers.
During the Sunfish Worlds in Italy there was hubbub about LP partnering with Simon/Cooke for new daggerboard designs. At that time some of the boards were listed at the Simon/Cooke website. Mention of this partnership now appears absent from both SC and LP news. ??
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Thanks, I was looking in the wrong place (company).. . . the news articles posted in that thread are still in the LP web site, as well as this one...
General business common sense - you work with your suppliers.
Ian
Would anyone disagree that this is a 2 WAY street????????? I mean, hell, if your supplier is not shipping you goods for re-sale how are you filling orders, keeping your customers happy,(as well as YOUR reputation) and uh, ya'know, MAKING MONEY?
There is a time and place for everything in life and when your supplier is screwing you, (although that may not be the case here) there is a time to stop taking bullets for them to keep your own reputation in line.
AND, if you are the supplier would you cut off a company like APS, (which is arguably one the largest US based parts warehouses with an infrastructure and support team that is doing a great job) just because they might say something like, "LP is having issues getting us goods." (assuming that could be case)?
NO! Anyone with decent business sense would correct the problem, issue a statement for damage control and mke sure everyone was happy and still wanting to buy their stuff! It's called PR for pete's sake!!!!!!!
But Nooooooooo! Let's just sit silent on the sidelines while everyone gripes about us not delivering stuff, begin speculating on our demise, and just hope it all fixes itself.
I've been through this several times in the corporate world and when the corporate communication shuts down something is up and 9 times out of 10 it ain't good. (just in my experience).
I would agree with aspects and disagree with other aspects. Maybe business operates differently in the UK from in the US.
From my experience, if your supplier is letting you down you need to correct the problem. Going public and adding to rumours will neither resolve the problem nor help your reputation. In practice, if a retailer cannot supply everybody will be aware that they are having problems getting the stock so it would only reflect on any individual supplier when they are unable to fulfil orders whilst others have plenty of stock.
Customers "sending bullets" hopefully does not reflect on US gun laws (a source of amazement to us here in Europe) but rather refers to customers getting angry with a retailer. When a customer starts giving a retailer grief about supply problems it is normally a sign of frustration and if the retailer cannot get stock then they will normally say why - but that is different from going on a public forum and being critical of your supplier.
As you say, LP is unlikely to cut of APS but were a major retailer to start being making public announcements about supply problems (maybe adding to any problems the manufacturer may be in), come next price/discount change they might not get the same margins as before (not as "punishment" but more because of how they show they "work with you").
I agree that most companies in LP's position would make some sort of statement about any supply problems - but with us they have a mostly tied-in customer base. I would make sense for them to quell any rumours starting but then they have never been the most communicative of companies (maybe again because in the Laser they have a massive customer base who have little choice about supplier).
I guess there could be many underling reasons for supply problems. Is it particular types of components or everything ? Did Vanguard keep very bid stocks and LP have changed to a "Just Nowhere Near In Time" system. Are their personnel issues (e.g. somebody leaves in purchasing and the stand-in never gets orders to manufacturers by deadlines, etc.). Again, some sort of announcement would help massively but they [LP] do seem to have their heads very high in the clouds and don't give the impression of being customer focused.
Ian
...The phrase is "taking bullets". It means you are getting hammered trying to protect someone/something. I also hate the lack of US gun regulations. ...
Given the tight-knit nature of the Laser community and the mutual dependence between the class and the builder, I think some sort of explanation is due to the class membership.
LP is waiting for all current stock including boats are gone so they can bring out all the replacement goods being made in South Africa.
LP is waiting for all current stock including boats are gone so they can bring out all the replacement goods being made in South Africa.
LP is waiting for all current stock including boats are gone so they can bring out all the replacement goods being made in South Africa.
LP is waiting for all current stock including boats are gone so they can bring out all the replacement goods being made in China.
LP is waiting for all current stock including boats are gone so they can bring out all the replacement goods being made in South Africa.
[lumpy] LP is waiting for all current stock including boats are gone so they can bring out all the replacement goods being made in South Africa.
[49208] I read it on the internet, it must be true...
[lumpy] LP is waiting for all current stock including boats are gone so they can bring out all the replacement goods being made in China. [torrid] Fixed
[Wavedancer] Tests on the replacement goods will be conducted in the now empty soccer (football to the Brits) stadiums (remember the World Cup?) that will be flooded. Should be quite a sight.