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Jack has a way with words. Some dig it, some take offense. As an example, a couple of weeks ago he had an exchange with a competitor on the public TCC list. I'm making no comments on the merits of their dispute, though I suspect that Jack is bitter at losing a lot of business to this other vendor. Jack's language is too colorful to reproduce on this family-friendly forum, but TCC keeps a public archive of its discussions: https://www.freelists.org/post/tccrockets/Saturdays-launch,90

Ari.
Oh wow... Some very colorful language indeed! You're right though, there is plenty of friction between those 2 vendors.
 
Think about it: 11 hours driving each way plus $900 in fuel. What is the break even? Jack spent a lot of time and fuel to visit far away launches. He is a dedicated vendor and a great guy, but We have heard that the online business has picked up to a point where he cannot be away. Also, due to some unfortunate splintering of the clubs in AZ and the loss of some fields and/or waivers in AZ and CA, we also have had a drop in attendance at several western launches lately, (not Desert heat, which is always attended well) which cuts foot traffic and revenue. Jack's site being temporarily down and the sale of Polecat may indicate something else, however...

The desert also takes it's toll on inventory. Jack, Andy, Eric, Scott, Pete, and every other vendor we've had to our launches all have the same problem of the inventory getting trashed as it is constantly moved in and out of a trailer, sits in the sun all day, dust, light rain, etc. and people constantly handling but not buying. I gotta believe the loss rate on that stuff is pretty high. I have seen some amazing prices paid on old inventory...

BAR came to Desert Heat this year in addition to Discount Rocketry who always come, and the selection and support of these two vendors is excellent. Their trailers are smaller, so I presume their costs are lower. You get to a point where too much is too much I guess. Jack's trailer and Tweety Bird were so large that they couldn't go everywhere. A 20 footer behind a super duty can go just about anywhere we launch. At least they can go where I can go, and I pull a 25 foot travel trailer to launches.

I think going forward, the group buy method is going to start becoming the Norm. We're looking at this at SSS as an organized contingency if we lose vendor support. Luckily, the green guys at BAR are coming to SpringBlast later this month, and they will be serving hot dogs too!
 
Think about it: 11 hours driving each way plus $900 in fuel. What is the break even? Jack spent a lot of time and fuel to visit far away launches. He is a dedicated vendor and a great guy, but We have heard that the online business has picked up to a point where he cannot be away. Also, due to some unfortunate splintering of the clubs in AZ and the loss of some fields and/or waivers in AZ and CA, we also have had a drop in attendance at several western launches lately, (not Desert heat, which is always attended well) which cuts foot traffic and revenue. Jack's site being temporarily down and the sale of Polecat may indicate something else, however...

The desert also takes it's toll on inventory. Jack, Andy, Eric, Scott, Pete, and every other vendor we've had to our launches all have the same problem of the inventory getting trashed as it is constantly moved in and out of a trailer, sits in the sun all day, dust, light rain, etc. and people constantly handling but not buying. I gotta believe the loss rate on that stuff is pretty high. I have seen some amazing prices paid on old inventory...

BAR came to Desert Heat this year in addition to Discount Rocketry who always come, and the selection and support of these two vendors is excellent. Their trailers are smaller, so I presume their costs are lower. You get to a point where too much is too much I guess. Jack's trailer and Tweety Bird were so large that they couldn't go everywhere. A 20 footer behind a super duty can go just about anywhere we launch. At least they can go where I can go, and I pull a 25 foot travel trailer to launches.

I think going forward, the group buy method is going to start becoming the Norm. We're looking at this at SSS as an organized contingency if we lose vendor support. Luckily, the green guys at BAR are coming to SpringBlast later this month, and they will be serving hot dogs too!

Mike at BAR regularly attends OROC launches, as well. I think he once told me that his fuel costs are around $800 round-trip. (Diesel for the truck and gas for the generator.) Their lunch specials are nice, indeed!

Regarding inventory, yes, I would definitely say that weather and being hauled around can take its toll. One of our local vendors had a big end-of-season "inventory reduction" sale at a launch last fall. I bought a K250W for $150...
 
I've loved doing business with Jack. Maybe he's burned out (no puns intended here) or maybe he wants to build some rockets and fly them with no obligations! I spent little over 10 years selling meat and cheese in a grocery store and it sure burned me out badly. I don't EVER want to sell stuff as a vendor of any sort. I hold Jack in the highest regards and wish him the best in whatever endeavor he chooses to partake in.
Jack has been a tremendous mainstay in the business and a huge supporter of rocketry. I sincerely hope all is well and this is just a temporary break from the action. But I'll put this out there just in case the void can't be filled in time to meet your launch needs - Giant Leap Rocketry is ready to help fill the gaps.
And yes Rocketjoe, I also count you and Giant Leap right up there with Jack. I look forward to burning some cash this summer!
-Ken
 
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I'd like it if the catalog was still up to browse, research, and work on my wish list of what I plan on building this year. I remember there being a few Polecat kits I wanted, but cant remember their prices, sizes, options...
 
I've always been amazed that Jack would drive all the way down from Stockton to attend the monthly ROC launches, he's basically the first one there on Fridays and the last one to leave on Sunday afternoons. Jack's a great guy, and yes, he's a little abrupt at times, but regardless he will be sorely missed at ROC launches. Unfortunately there are no SoCal HPR motor vendors that I know of, certainly not any that attend launches, so I guess it's on to web ordering for us ROC flyers.
 
I've always been amazed that Jack would drive all the way down from Stockton to attend the monthly ROC launches, he's basically the first one there on Fridays and the last one to leave on Sunday afternoons. Jack's a great guy, and yes, he's a little abrupt at times, but regardless he will be sorely missed at ROC launches. Unfortunately there are no SoCal HPR motor vendors that I know of, certainly not any that attend launches, so I guess it's on to web ordering for us ROC flyers.

Don't worry yet. (Well for one month maybe) but The ROC Board Members are finishing up the details for Bay Area Rocketry to be our High Power dealer.
 
Heh, Looks like BAR's gonna have to get a second trailer and split up to cover all of us!!!
 
I'd like it if the catalog was still up to browse, research, and work on my wish list of what I plan on building this year. I remember there being a few Polecat kits I wanted, but cant remember their prices, sizes, options...

Polecat is now owned by Tim at Leading Edge Rocketry.
 
I must have missed the discussion. What ended up happening with What's Up Hobbies? The website says he is traveling, but he can't have been traveling for months now. Is he out of business?
 
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