One of my competitors steps ot of the game

WolfeMacleod · 01-30-2008, 11:18 PM

Learned a couple days ago that one of my competitors has stepped out of the game. Both of us are small-fry compared to the larger companies that do what we do, so we compete against each other in the "boutique" area of our field.
I've known this guy through email and such for several years...watched his name and reputation grow since he first started, and he developed a killer following for his stuff.

I'm saddened to see him stepping out. Sort of like the loss of a loved one, I guess.

Is this odd, considering he's one of my direct competitors? I know I should should I be jumping for joy and yelling "Wohoo!" but I'm not...

It was an honor to be his rival...

Sapporo Guy · 01-30-2008, 11:21 PM

This is why:

Quote:

It was an honor to be his rival...

And because you are a man of honor.

Did you email him and tell him so? Or even better yet, add a link to this thread in the email!
Nothing like to know that you were considered a "worthy rival"!

KFC911 · 01-30-2008, 11:27 PM

Was that the guy pictured with you in the NAMM thread? Out of curiosity, why is he "getting out"? I'm sure you both have a lot in common with your niche market, so I can sure understand why you're not wohooing about it. Good luck!

WolfeMacleod · 01-30-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapporo Guy

This is why:

And because you are a man of honor.

Did you email him and tell him so? Or even better yet, add a link to this thread in the email!
Nothing like to know that you were considered a "worthy rival"!

I did tel him I was sad to see him go, and, just posted it in the Les Paul Forum thread about his stepping out, which we both have a heavy presence on.

Wayne, many of his customers are also my customers. Most come from guitar forum word-of-mouth and neither one of us does any advertising. I've never done an ad once, ever, and I've been running on word-of-mouth for about ten years now.
Customer lists aren't of much use to me, because I don't and won't do any cold-contacts...they come to us or another builder when they want something.

WolfeMacleod · 01-30-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

Was that the guy pictured with you in the NAMM thread? Out of curiosity, why is he "getting out"? I'm sure you both have a lot in common with your niche market, so I can sure understand why you're not wohooing about it. Good luck!

Nope, wasn't him. The guy in the pic has been doign this more than 20 years and is pulling in about a million bucks a year currently. He's one of the largest in the "boutique" market. Hell, I'd be REALLY sad if he stepped out, as he's partly responsible for my being in this niche in the first place. He's one of my best friends, and one of my best rivals, at the same time.

He stepped out due to family reasons and his day job...something with NASA engineering if I remember correctly. Just not enough time to do it any more, I guess.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

Your post speaks miles about you and your character!
Good for you!
I'm sure you'll be equally missed by him.

I tell my partner all the time, "Nobody can be No.1 without the support of their peers"
We're No.1

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Wolfe,

You're an honorable man and a skilled craftsman who appreciates skill and integrity. That's why this bothers you...

lm6y · 01-31-2008, 04:46 AM

Tell him if he gets bored, he can always drop by you place to wind some bobbins. I'm sure he knows a few "tricks" that you don't.

But yeah, you are a craftsman, and it's natural to be saddened to see another gifted craftsman bow out. I have a feeling both of you don't do it for the money.

Jeff Higgins · 01-31-2008, 05:53 AM

Wolfe, I know exactly how you feel. When the competition is honorable, and your competitor is a friend, it's hard to see them go. One of the reasons you try so hard is often the friendly rivalry that develops.

On a kind of related note, I used to be extremely active in long range (out to 1,000 yards) match shooting, using old black powder rifles. After about ten years of learning the game, I was actually pretty much unbeatable. Except for one guy, my buddy Martin. When the two of us were at a match anywhere in the Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia area, one of use was going to win. The other guys were all shooting for third place and down, and they all knew it. It was as intense a rivalry as you would ever want to see. We were good friends, and having a lot of fun pushing each other.

Then Martin quit. He lost interest and moved on to other pursuits. I was very, very bummed. My scores started to slip, as I was no longer out to beat Martin. Eventually I was down in the pack with the rest of them and, finally, pretty much stopped competing. Oh, I still go to the occasional match, but my heart just isn't in it anymore.

Anyway, the only reason I bring all of that up is to say "don't let this happen to you". I know the circumstances are different, but I do see parallels. And most important of all, keep in touch with the guy. I let Martin slip away; I have no idea how to find him anymore. That bums me out even more than losing him as a competitor.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Great post Jeff. That is the primary factor in competition, it makes you rise to a level you probably wouldn't have reached otherwise.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

iron sharpens iron

My Dad said to me, "Rob, always be careful who you compare yourself to. If you're going to compare, compare only to the best. You might not be the best, but never fool yourself by comparing to anyone but the best."

My whole life I've loved to be the Best at whatever I do. I think my Dads quote put that in me?

Cheers Wolfe! Good post Jeff, Thanks!

Superman · 01-31-2008, 01:27 PM

Jeff, what can a black powder rifle hit at 1000 yards? A barn?

Wolfe, I also regard you as a class act but there is another more objective reason to decry the loss of a good competitor. Namely, the potential for a bad competitor. Your industry is so boutique-y that perhaps there is little danger but....

One of the best things for a company is the presence of good competitors. A "good" competitor is not necessarily one that screws up and send you business. A good competitor might just be someone who does not confuse customers and prospective customers about what the product is, what it does, what it does not do, and what are the differences between. The presence of large, multi-national pickup makers who make "Wonderbread" pickups and stay out of the niche corners of the pickup market are also "good competitors" because they create and protect your niche market.