dyzzypyxxy
Member
Well, I'd agree they are listening. It's giving them ulcers and headaches and pain where they sit, but yeah, they're listening.
Bottom line is, I agree with Fred, there's nothing the Class can do. The builders hold all the cards. They own the Laser trademark, and have the exclusive right to market everything for the Laser toy boat.
Fred's also right that we could form a US Laser group, make our own rules and allow any brand of sail to be used in our US regattas (built to specs, of course). But . . . we're sailors and we just want to go race our Lasers, not get involved in petty politics, right?
For all the years I served as a Class officer, I tried my damnedest to be the consumer advocate that the Class reps should be. Made myself E X T R E M E L Y unpopular with the builder, who viewed me alternately as a pain in the patootie or an outright threat to his profit margin.
I'll never forget a wise fellow once sent me an e-mail saying "the more they try to slap you down, the more you should be convinced you're doing the right thing for the Class members"
But it takes SO much energy to keep on spitting into the wind. Your elected Class reps are doing as much as they can, that is to convey the needs of the members to the builder, and to keep hammering away for changes, like a moth against a light bulb.
I would pin my hopes right now on the economic downturn. If the builders think they can boost sales of sails this next year or two (while those of us without sponsors or wealthy parents scrape to buy anything discretionary) by introducing the new sail design, they'll do it.
But don't look for a price reduction until everybody gets together and boycotts sail purchases for a year or two. (It's possible to herd cats, too) Lainie
Bottom line is, I agree with Fred, there's nothing the Class can do. The builders hold all the cards. They own the Laser trademark, and have the exclusive right to market everything for the Laser toy boat.
Fred's also right that we could form a US Laser group, make our own rules and allow any brand of sail to be used in our US regattas (built to specs, of course). But . . . we're sailors and we just want to go race our Lasers, not get involved in petty politics, right?
For all the years I served as a Class officer, I tried my damnedest to be the consumer advocate that the Class reps should be. Made myself E X T R E M E L Y unpopular with the builder, who viewed me alternately as a pain in the patootie or an outright threat to his profit margin.
I'll never forget a wise fellow once sent me an e-mail saying "the more they try to slap you down, the more you should be convinced you're doing the right thing for the Class members"
But it takes SO much energy to keep on spitting into the wind. Your elected Class reps are doing as much as they can, that is to convey the needs of the members to the builder, and to keep hammering away for changes, like a moth against a light bulb.
I would pin my hopes right now on the economic downturn. If the builders think they can boost sales of sails this next year or two (while those of us without sponsors or wealthy parents scrape to buy anything discretionary) by introducing the new sail design, they'll do it.
But don't look for a price reduction until everybody gets together and boycotts sail purchases for a year or two. (It's possible to herd cats, too) Lainie