Why the Middleman?

Just purchased a set of SSI's thru EuroProducts. The price was better than everyone else and the delivery time was great. So what's my *****? The box comes directly from SSI in California. Same thing happened when I bought a Permatune CDI. Why can't the manufacturers of these kind of parts sell direct to me? I understand on small parts what a pain in the ass it would be to try and handle thousands of orders, but how many orders a day could SSI have on 911 heat exchangers? Or other exhausts for that matter? Seems to me if they sell direct to the customer they would see a greater profit and it would cost the customer less than having to go thru a middle man.

Kurt V
72 911E

Kurt,

There is nothing wrong with your logic. It's just that SSI is used to dealing with a traditional distribution network, and not having to advertise or deal with the public directly! Distributors advertise in all of the print media, and feature SSI in their ads and in their catalogs ... so SSI gets exposure to a customer base with overlapping coverage in Excellence, Panorama, etc.

For SSI, to make a fundamental change, they would have to start advertising to makeup for the loss of exposure to that customer base, and, of course, the occasional peruser of ads from the distributors!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Has anyone gone directly to SSI and purchased heat exchangers? If so, where they discounted?

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78SC Targa
Black, low, fast and fun in the sun

kurt,
don't be shy. what did you pay?
bob
68 911L

I don't think John sells retail, he protects His customers.

Randy Jones
1971 911

How do you find EuroProducts ?

They advertise in both Excellence and Panorama. GPR Parts are good to deal with as well.

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'76 911S

'80 924 M471

Most companies that rely on resellers have agreements with the reseller network that they will not sell direct to the public. I suspect that if you call SSI they will tell you that they cannot sell to you directly unless you become an authorized reseller.

This arguement could be used for any commodity. Why not go to the farm to get your beef instead of the supermarket? I understand your frustration but you have to allow for the free enterprise system to operate. If you would check, I think you would find that Europroducts is not making a substantial amount on the sell of SSI's. They frequently have "sales" on Ebay at a reserve that they have told me is below there cost. They do this as a means of advertising. I think the last SSI's the had for sale were for $775 on Ebay? What did you pay, $800? The point is, they make $25 to $50 with one phone call. These are not like furniture or other items which may have 100% markup at the retailer. At most , I see that SSI's are generally the same price $800 to $900. If you could get them for $500, I'm sure somebody out there would be selling them for $600 to $700 to take all the business.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

I have seen sets of SSI's advertised in Excellence for $750 within the past year, but I don't remember the advertiser.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I question how the price gets to $800 in the first place? They better be hand built by geniuses.

I am just mad because our (NZ) dollar is so crap that a set of SSIs would (will?) beggar me.

Cam

Here is Europroducts web page. http://www.europroducts.net/
I got mine for $750 on ebay last week. Do a search on SSI. Search all of ebay because sometimes europroducts doesn't put it under ebaymotors. They have everything you'll need. New oil lines for the conversion, Mufflers, install kit. ect.... I'll have the exhaust complete for around $1200.
I'm sure I'll be back on here with some questions if I happen to be bit by the broken exhaust stud gremlin!!

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85 Carrera Targa

I have repeatedly heard that the quality of these are very high and they have very high quality control. This is not some fabricating plant that hires minimum wage workers to bend steel in a jig.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

A lot of manufacturers will sell to the public, but will not discount the item below the retailers price. To do so is bad business.

I think S.S.I.'s are way overpriced. If you do your homework, You can usually find a custom muffler/exaust shop to fabricate headers/heat exchangers for your specific application. On an earlier 911, I had custom S.S. equal-length headers and test pipe fabricated for $500. If you go this route, make sure you find someone who is farmiliar with 911's. References are a plus too.

-EJ

Kurt,

In addition to the points already made, look at it this way:

Let's say that you happen to possess some type of technical expertise in either the design or manufacturing arena. The stars were in alignment for you and you figured out a way for this expertise to earn a profit (or so you think). You are fortunate enough to find capital, a facility, reliable suppliers and reliable employees (this is not as easy as it sounds). Keeping in mind, of course, that 9 out of every 10 new businesses fail. Now, you don't possess any marketing knowledge or experience. You could hire it, at significant cost, or simply let others do it for you. This will give you near instant distribution nation or world wide. Your product will immediately accrue the reputation of retailers who have established customer bases, not to mention customer service departments.

Your bottom line will be substantially the same either way (because if you handle distribution you will have to increase unit price to cover the marketing costs). You have sunk every nickel you can get your hands on into this company and have pledged everything down to your kid's Pokemon card collection to secure financing. You are the CEO. What is your call?

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Steve Eidson
81 SC