Toptul's Web Site: Why No Prices?

[milkovich]

I'm one of those idiots that thinks you start a business by carrying inventory. I guess I'm not "wall street" enough to understand the new american business model of forums and drop-shippers.

:grabs popcorn:

 

[Bo Heck]

He did have inventory; he didn't have FULL inventory because frankly, that would be outright stupid without testing the waters first.

 

[The Muffin Man]

I guess I'm not "wall street" enough to understand the new american business model of forums and drop-shippers.

Mike Wren does not drop-ship.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Can this thread just die? I don't see how any one has a leg left to complain about Mike at all, every one who deals with Mike is always happy.
I don't recall ever seeing a negative comment on this forum from any one who bought from him.

 

[Taylor J.]

Ken, you wrongly assume the aim to fill current orders is to maximize profits.
The true aim is to make current customers who have placed faith in me.....happy.
Or said from the other side, the true aim is to try not to make a current customer mad!!
I know some HAVE to be frustrated in my reponse time to filling their order......

ANd I've even said you were right to criticize my site for not having prices. I don't know what else I could say other than "yes...you're right".

As for the Wall Street crack, I don't even know what to say.......
I can tell you that ANY human that has ever OWNED and RUN their own business will tell you it is much better and more important to keep the current customers that you have before you go and try to get more customers. This is true for the mom & pop business and for the large international conglomerate.

I'm a car and tool guy at heart, not some "suit". I'm here because I want to be and it's fun dealing with you guys.

Sincerely,

Mike, what is the best email to reach you on. I tried [email protected] will that do?

Thanks,
Taylor

 

[john w]

[email protected]

 

[milkovich]

Mike Wren does not drop-ship.

I was refering to the typical forum seller. I realize he's not drop-shipping from taiwan.

I know it sounds like I'm bashing but I'm just trying to understand the mind-set of the modern internet consumer. I've seen the **** storm a nick in the chrome of an SK wrench or a failed promotional price lottery can generate around here.

Some of you guys are jumping in with unbridled optimism and I don't understand where the fanaticism came from.

I applaud Mike's efforts and wish him nothing but the best. I'll go back to lurking now.

(BTW Mike, I'm a huge fan of Ko-Ken tools, if you ever think about picking up another line, I'd gladly be a customer).

 

[vette-kid]

What's wrong with the general manager?

 

[wrenhandtools]

Hopefully................by Wed, this thread can die since the prices will be up and shopping cart working. I can guarantee you that there will be other things wrong and plenty for some to complain about.

Since "Wall Street" has such a bad reputation, (deservedly so by the way...100%), and since these tools aren't made by US workers, I was going to go for the trifecta and expand my business with the use of undocumented workers.....that would really make 'some people' on this forum happy!!!!

Oh GAWD relax...I'm just messin' with you all.

Everyone knows I'm to thrifty (cheap) to hire help yet.

I get the "American" thing too. Nothing would please me more to be able to open a manufacturing facility here in the US, hell in my own state even, and make quality tools. It just ain't that hard and it takes no great skill or technological know how to make a great tool.....just the commitment to do so. I also would love to make these tools and sell them for 50% of what the truck brands sell for. That would be the "perfect storm" but I don't have that much money...and guess what.....the people "throwing stones" then would be those well known brands that so many in this country covet. That would be ironic. to say the least. I'll shut my trap now.

 

[global72]

I was refering to the typical forum seller. I realize he's not drop-shipping from taiwan.

I know it sounds like I'm bashing but I'm just trying to understand the mind-set of the modern internet consumer. I've seen the **** storm a nick in the chrome of an SK wrench or a failed promotional price lottery can generate around here.

Some of you guys are jumping in with unbridled optimism and I don't understand where the fanaticism came from.

I applaud Mike's efforts and wish him nothing but the best. I'll go back to lurking now.

(BTW Mike, I'm a huge fan of Ko-Ken tools, if you ever think about picking up another line, I'd gladly be a customer).

Drop shipping works well when done correctly. We buy large qty's of tool boxes. However to pay to ship them from the factory in Kansas to me in Florida just to sell and ship to some other point in the US makes no sense at all. Rather they hold my inventory and drop ship for me.

The hand tool side is different. By drop shipping it gives me access to millions of dollars in inventory. There are very few tool companies that can afford to hold stock in 18,000 skus.

The problem with the Yahoo and other companies posting low is 2 fold. First S#$% happens mistakes can get made. Secondly many of the companies online treat this business as a hobby. They have day jobs and return emails and phone calls when time permits. Sometimes there prices are so low people are willing to take the gamble and accept the level of customer service that a company like that can provide.