David
No matter how many times the story is told about 99% of the vendors being a 2-3 person operation flyers still don't get it. I agree communication can always be better. Like if a vendor is going to have a sale maybe do it 2-3 times a year and only on a few items. That would give them time to build some stock up for the next sale. Just think if your a small person operation and in 2 day time you get orders for 500 kits. And as far as vendors adding more help that would not set well with flyers. Prices would have to be raised a good amount and flyers would not like that. Employees need a pay check no matter how much your sale are. When your a small operation when 1 person gets sick things slow down. Most people can't plan when they get ill.
I know I get it.
My wife (CATO-Chutes) is a one person operation she does part time. She keeps those who buy from her happy two ways:
1) Communication - on receipt of an order she writes and tells the projected shipping date. Then does everything possible to meet it or communicate deviations.
2) She does not have blowout sales that she stands no chance of servicing.
She does offer the same consistent pricing and service year around. This is not an ad for her, just a statement that if you are a vendor/manufacturer you should set your scale to what you can consistently deliver. As to raising prices to support operations, that is the way of business. The only other proper method is to build in efficiency. Model rocketry is a hobby and targeted at discretionary income. If a vendor cannot make money at prices that customers are willing to pay and do so in timely manner, they should take a long look in the mirror and decide if they are in the right line of work.
There are several vendors that employ similar methodologies as Karen does. As such, you never anything but good about them. I doubt if more than a scant few do so as their primary income. Those who do try to make a living off a very small population segment should be prepared to deliver, communicate, or accept that there will be bad karma in our small community.
Last year I posted that I thought the Black Friday sales were a bad idea. They set an unrealistic expectation of price and performance for what are essentially cottage businesses. I admit to buying one rocket from a vendor whom I trust (and they indicated their BF sale was limited to in stock merchandise), and a scant handful of motors that I did not need until this summer from another. My expectations were set by the suppliers and they met them. Every single person here has the right to that same experience. Regardless of what befalls them, the vendors have the obligation to either perform, communicate, or not take folks money.
My $0.02 and, of course, YMMV.
