Fuel/Buy Local

[Anthony Abdullah]

I am a regular participant in the group fuel buy. The economics of it seem to mirror most other situations. People will generally shop for the best "value". I am a loyal PM fan (great for bearings) and can not get PM at any local hobby shop so I keep as much as is logistically possible. Even if that weren't the case I would still participate because the price is very attractive, and I, like everyone else, need to stretch my hobby dollar as far as possible. 
 
Pat, I understand your point, and still support my local hobby shop whenever I can. That is difficult because pattern equipment is rarely stocked. I have paid $2.95 for a pack of 4 steel blind nuts (worth about .06), and I understand that I am paying for the convenience of walking in and getting something that I need right away. However, your point is like saying why don't people buy American cars? They seek our value or perceived value where they can, and it is never personal. They make the decision that is best for them at that moment. Businesses that recognize this behavior and adapt thrive, (Wal Mart) others don't. 
 
Please don't be offended, that is just my .02
 
Anthony
Camaro, Jeep, and Saturn owner   

"Atwood, Mark" <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com> wrote:
It's a VERY valid Point. I'll reply since I'm the one who's organized
this. 

Originally, when we put this together, it was a local "club" fuel
purchase, and it DID go through the local hobby shop. They assisted me
in orchestrating it BY PowerMasters request that we support a store.
The shop got a small piece of the profits along with the ability to
stock their store at a discounted price even to them.

Since then...it has morphed a little. That hobby shop has since closed,
and we have been unable to get another shop to pick up the mantel. At
least in our area (Cleveland) there are NO shops that stock or carry PM
fuels. So we have continued to do an annual one time purchase. 

I'm not sure why local shops don't carry this fuel save that being from
Texas...the shipping is punitive compared to a more local manufacturer
to remain unnamed. I personally have continued to solicit local shops
to help facilitate this and carry the brand, to no avail. Pricing is an
issue...it's a more expensive fuel than the local brand. 

There's an argument to say that we saturate the local market, but in
reality, it's mostly some competition guys all buying 4,6 even 15 cases
in one case (Bob you know who you are!) I've actually lost a lot of my
local club flyers because they don't want to "over" buy, but if they run
out...there's no shop to buy more at.

Does that explain some of it??

-Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
On Behalf Of Pat Hewitt
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 11:11 AM
To: discussion at nsrca.org; discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: Re: Fuel/Buy Local

Just my thoughts. I am a local business man in the mid-west and I have a
problem when people DO NOT support their local hobby shops. Our clubs
never
have a problem going to them and asking for there help so why not
support
them, yes I know you can save 20/30% but again where will we be without
their
help or better yet with out their shops to shop in. ( I AM NOT A HOBBY
SHOP
OWNER )


Thanks for letting me have my thoughts vented.


Pat Hewitt
Paola, Kansas



------ Original Message ------
Received: 05:29 AM CST, 03/02/2005
From: "Jeff Hughes" 
To: 
Subject: Fuel

DId I miss the Fuel pre-buy at the Toledo show?



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