It's adieu.

[Macktheknife]

Either way Lou, I will still be in to see you when I need stuff.
What we know is that you are still there to provide the great service we have come to expect, cheers mate.

[scumdog]

Thread hi-jack here: Why do people (including outfits like Motohaus) insist on using the term "sort after model" when selling a bike.

What the hell is a "sort after model"????

[merv]

Thread hi-jack here: Why do people (including outfits like Motohaus) insist on using the term "sort after model" when selling a bike.

What the hell is a "sort after model"????

I think they mean sought after not "sort" and it means every one wants one so they reckon.

[Big Dave]

I think they mean sought after not "sort" and it means every one wants one so they reckon.

Nah - it's what I do after I take photos of an agency girl.


I'll pass it on scummy.

[Ixion]

I think you over-rate it.
It's like selling stuff on talk back radio.
Soon as a product is mentioned someone pipes up with a better/cheaper alternative or a horror story about using it.

For bike salesmen and blokes like Quasi championing a product and meeting people it's pretty good.

For general retail and product sales there are much better returns on the time and effort.

I disagree. In terms of specific advertising, you may be right. But in terms of public relations and marketing , the sort of exposure that Lou and Sarge gave their respective establishments could not be bought for many thousands of dollars. and in the long term marketing always outweighs advertising.

[scumdog]

I think they mean sought after not "sort" and it means every one wants one so they reckon.

Sorry Merv, I knew but was just being pedantic. (again!)

[merv]

Well I guess the joke would be do they call models they aren't selling very well sought after?

Like in real estate the "delightful bungalow" and the "attractive villa" that you have to be quick for.

[Big Dave]

I disagree. In terms of specific advertising, you may be right. But in terms of public relations and marketing , the sort of exposure that Lou and Sarge gave their respective establishments could not be bought for many thousands of dollars. and in the long term marketing always outweighs advertising.

Actually - I think you said the same thing as me in more words.

[Lou Girardin]

I think you over-rate it.
It's like selling stuff on talk back radio.
Soon as a product is mentioned someone pipes up with a better/cheaper alternative or a horror story about using it.

For bike salesmen and blokes like Quasi championing a product and meeting people it's pretty good.

For general retail and product sales there are much better returns on the time and effort.

Sorry, I disagree on that. The dollars prove otherwise.

Ixion is right again. After sarge got his marching orders, Colemans almost vanished from the KB radar. The same will happen here.

[Big Dave]

Sorry, I disagree on that. The dollars prove otherwise.

Yeah well - I'll show you my numbers on bang for buck when appropriate.

[Patrick]

At least your employer didn't covertly filter your internet usage / e-mail content and then spring it on the media for browny points.

Or was that "Brown Eye" points???

[Big Dave]

I disagree. and in the long term marketing always outweighs advertising.

I just went upstairs and had a great conversation with mrs MBA on that statement.
After several twists of semantics involving concepts of interdependency, componentry and a spirited debate over whether word of mouth was indeed advertising 5000 words I'll never type later - I stand unmoved.

[Ixion]

Hm. Too complex a subject for this venue, methinks. And me is just a simple chemist. But if we were talking commodity type stuff, I'd agree with you. But selling bikes is a more complex matter. Sausages is commodity - advertising is what does it, hit the consumer between the eyes, best price, buy NOW. But selling the sizzle is another matter. Starts years before. And people don't buy bikes on price or even specification, they buy on the sizzle factor. That brings in lots of stuff like trust, confidence, peer acceptance , heaps of shit like that. Which is what Lou and Sarge were doing, and what can never be done by buying advertising space. Becos people will BELIEVE a Lou or a Sarge (fools that we are), but noone believes advertising claims.

N'way, tis a moot point, cos we aren't going to change things no matter what we say. I suspect the real problem is that the owners of bike shops are too old, Old people are always suspicious of new technology, I remember how difficult it was for that fellow Gutenberg to get the orthographers to accept his moveable type.

End of the day it's Spankme's fault. Seriously. Once upon a time the only way for a biker to find out the latest buzz , was to hang out round the bike shop. Where he could also chew the fat with fellow bikers. Now we don't have to go to the bike shop for that, we can do it online, in forums. Like this. But the bike shops keep clinging to the outdated paradigm. Time will fix it.

[Big Dave]

And part of it is quantifyable data.

Accordingly I was looking for a quote half way down this page - but on reflection I subscribe to all of them I think:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/au...id_ogilvy.html

[Motu]

I have never bought accessories at AMPS from Lou - it's not because he's on KB or not.I don't go to AMPS because I can't park my Pajero....simple as that,it's a shit location and I don't go there.I can park at Mt Eden,Red Baron and the old Motomail.I don't ride bikes to shops because I want to carry what I buy home again.

I know I am a little different from you lot....but how many are like me??? huh????