I never see Lista Ads in Motor or PTEN Magazine , you have no reps visiting in the shops, don't see lista toolboxes in manufacturers midway at racing events or car shows
And
If a cabinet manufacturer were to deal in the fashion you describe those $3,000 cabinets would become $10,000 cabinets.
..snipped..
I wouldnt expect Lista to come to my place of work to sell me a box as much as I would expect Square D to come to my shop to sell me circuit breakers or General Mills to come to my house in an attempt to switch me from oat loops to cheerios.
I think that you both bring up very valid points - - - - Seems like most companies in the US today have to decide just who their "Customer" will be going forward - and then chose a channel of distribution to reach that customer.
LISTA may have to open new channels - to sell the the Automotive Enthusiast. Lots of these guys have $50K+ in their cars, not to mention the serious Collectors with hundreds of thousands of dollars in their collections.
Let's face it - there are perhaps 1000 of them for every "Professional Mechanic / or Bodyman" working in commercial shops. Of course LISTA may have to do that in a hurry to beat US General to the market.
I think it is Very Important today - for LISTA or any company - to do a complete reconsideration of their old business models. Global Competition is now driving many markets that previously were somewhat insulated.
The best example on this forum that I have seen is Harbor Freight & US General - vs - all previous tool box offerings. Their 13 Drawer Roll Cabinets along with their top and side boxes - have set the bar for "Customer Value". An amazingly good enthusiast tool box - at an incredibly competitive price. If they can produce that box and sell it at a profit for $399.00 - just think of what they could do for three to four times the price. No reason they couldn't just copy LISTA's entire product line...
NO - I'm not saying that "Professional Mechanics" will switch over night from Snap-On. What I am saying is that as the market progresses in the next few years - IF US GENERAL wanted to compete, and if they offered the BEST that they have proven themselves capable of - "Professional Mechanics" could in the future - - go to their local Harbor Freight Store - and by a Roll Cabinet with Top & Side boxes that would equal or better any Snap-On offering for less than 1/4 the price. That $5,600.00 Snap-On box wouldn't look quite so appealing if the same quality box could be purchased with VISA/MC for $1,400.00 at a local store.
Likewise with the coming cuts to the Federal, State and local Government budgets - they just aren't going to be as willing to buy off the GSA vendor lists. Every department will be looking for money saving opportunities.
I think LISTA is very wise to start looking for new customers and considering new channels of distribution - at the same time looking for ways to deliver consistent LISTA Quality at ever lower and lower prices.
Unless we either close our Ports or greatly increase import duties... a lot of former US Companies unwilling or unable to change - will go out of business in the coming years.
FWIW,
Carl B.
