Please support businesses that support tlca

[Chef]

Howdy folks;
In chatting with some of tlca's advertisers and associate business members a "sorta problem" has come to my attention. They have a hard time percieving the value in supporting/advertising with tlca. This is in part because lots of times people don't say "I saw it in Toyota Trails," or, "thanks for taking the time to support tlca."
It would be really helpful if, when you're talking to or ordering from a tlca advertiser or supporting business member, you could take just a moment to say thanks please.
It would also be helpful if, when you can get the same product several differnt places, to please try to support a business that supports tlca.

You can see a list of some of these fine folks at:
http://www.tlca.org/tlca/businesses.shtml

thanks, alan

[Green Lantern]

In business... More is better! All of us need to say "Support TLCA!"

These businesses (http://www.tlca.org/tlca/businesses.shtml) and our advertisers in Toyota Trails often take our business for granted because we are soooo dedicated to this hobby (aka cult).

It really helps if you grin and say "Remember to support TLCA!" as you sign that check for parts or whatever.

Happy Trails! N

[Kaderabek]

It would be much appreciated from the folks at Toyota Trails. We're not as big as some of the other magazines but we are the core of Land Cruiser enthusiasts. Make your voice known to vendors. It's very important.

TJK

[Radd Cruisers]

I support the TLCA, even though I have tappered back on cruiser biz, my other support is mud and will hopefully always pay to advertise even though I do little cruiser biz.


My wife questions why I advertise, I do it for one reason and that is my commitment to the cruiser following and TLCA. Great group of guys and gals who wholey love and support the sport and love driving a cruiser.

Me and the wife may argue about few things, but she understands why I need to spend the money once a year even if I am not working full time on crusiers.

PEASE SUPPORT THE VENDORS........

[65swb45]

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

In business... More is better! All of us need to say "Support TLCA!"

These businesses (http://www.tlca.org/tlca/businesses.shtml) and our advertisers in Toyota Trails often take our business for granted because we are soooo dedicated to this hobby (aka cult).

It really helps if you grin and say "Remember to support TLCA!" as you sign that check for parts or whatever.

Happy Trails! N

Amen brother Nick!

Heck, I'd even be happy with a 'thank you for your recent TLCA support; thats one of the reasons I called to order from you.' Right now I for one haven't seen ANY correlation between donating to TLCA this last year and an increase in business attributable to TLCA.

I HAVE had a couple of VERY good customers come forward in the last year that are members of TLCA and let me know that up front. But their patronage was NOT based on advertising or donating to events. I may post more thoughts on that to bodreps.

BTW, I clicked on your link and noticed a couple of things. One is at least one business that has been out of business for over year. Another is the conspicuous absence of a couple of business that have gotten generous coverage in TT. While I know that we as an organization pride ourselves on not pimping 'infomercials' for advertisers, the businesses I am thinking of are run by TLCA cruiserheads that must have just overlooked keeping an associate membership.

I'll PM you the names.

[Green Lantern]

Thanks Mark!

What with this Enternet thingy and the demise of the rotary dial telephone... I'm not surprised the Associate Member list is out of date. I forwarded your notes on to Eric Vogt, our Premier of Marketing & Sales! :-)

For the rest of you guys, Mark has got me thinking again. We all go about our business expecting everyone else to be updating, repairing, and improving whatever they're working on. Some of us have reached the High Level of Squeaky Wheels. That is, things only get fixed if you know they're broke. Now, my dear friend and Cruiser Guru, Mark Algazy, has achieved Zen. He sees the Big Picture and really doesn't expect too much of people.

Y'all take this lesson to heart. Use the venders you see at the events. Thank them for coming and bringing raffle items. Pat 'em on the back on the BBS for taking the time to answer newbie questions. If it wasn't for folks like Mark Algazy, we would all have to go on meds because the only mechanics at the dealerships are Banana Peel level.
Big Thanks Mark!

Happy Trails! N

[45Kevin]

Hi Chef,

I am not an expert but I do have some experience with small market advertising. I was very involved with university newspapers in the early '80s and in particular the marketing side. We did a survey of our readers, learning their spending habits. Questions like, "how many records do you buy in a month?" gave data to use when selling ad space to record stores. Has the TLCA ever done a comprehensive survey of it's members? The TLCA has a very small but dedicated membership as far as markets go, but if our vendors didn't think they got value for thier ad dollars, they would not spend them on TT.

A survey might reveal that most TLCA members take a winter holiday, and we could solicit ads from travel companies. It may also show 100% of members spend on mods each year, maybe we could raise our ad rates and still give good value to our advertisers. The survey we, the Canaian University Press, commissioned was independant, comprehensive and quite expensive. We wanted the validity of independance from the surveyor.

Even a self administered, on-line survey would give us an idea of what kind of people belong to TLCA and read the TT. This data can then be used on our rate card to make vendors feel better about advertising with us. The only type of advertising that gives direct feedback is coupons.

I am sure there is a cruiserhead out there that has some experience with survey design and would be able to help plan one. In an anonymous setting most people are quite honest with thier answers. Our supporters may seem generous with thier ad dollar and raffle donations but most are running a business and understand the value of ad and promo spending. They have already seen the benefit of it.

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally Posted by 65swb45

.... Another is the conspicuous absence of a couple of business that have gotten generous coverage in TT. While I know that we as an organization pride ourselves on not pimping 'infomercials' for advertisers, the businesses I am thinking of are run by TLCA cruiserheads that must have just overlooked keeping an associate membership...

Leave my name off your list Mark... I'm the forgotten stepchild

Seriously though, I am both an individual member (through Wasatch Cruisers) and an Associate member (Cruiser Outfitters), though it has never made it to the website...

[TRT2]

I'm not Chef but I play one on day time TV...

Yes, TLCA did do a reader survey specifically for member demographics and advertising. It was some time ago (late 90s), but response was very good.

Not sure if the info is still valid... and it cost a bit of money to have a vendor tabulate the results.

Tony



[quote=45Kevin]Hi Chef,

I am not an expert but I do have some experience with small market advertising. I was very involved with university newspapers in the early '80s and in particular the marketing side. We did a survey of our readers, learning their spending habits. Questions like, "how many records do you buy in a month?" gave data to use when selling ad space to record stores. Has the TLCA ever done a comprehensive survey of it's members? The TLCA has a very small but dedicated membership as far as markets go, but if our vendors didn't think they got value for thier ad dollars, they would not spend them on TT.

A survey might reveal that most TLCA members take a winter holiday, and we could solicit ads from travel companies. It may also show 100% of members spend on mods each year, maybe we could raise our ad rates and still give good value to our advertisers. The survey we, the Canaian University Press, commissioned was independant, comprehensive and quite expensive. We wanted the validity of independance from the surveyor.

QUOTE]

[hatfieldcb]

Saatchi just asked me for demographic info. I would dearly love a new study. Any idea how much it costs to do one?

[Kaderabek]

Probably not as much as it costs to not do one.

TJK

[fj40charles]

The only vendor I will not support is Trail Gear. I do not agree with their business practice.
Business ethics are important to me.

[65swb45]

Originally Posted by fj40charles

The only vendor I will not support is Trail Gear. I do not agree with their business practice.
Business ethics are important to me.

Second that. In light of recent events, I am embarrassed that we are running an ad for them in TT. I would like to put some distance between TG and TLCA. We are entitled to have higher standards.

[TUFFTORQ]

Originally Posted by fj40charles

The only vendor I will not support is Trail Gear. I do not agree with their business practice.
Business ethics are important to me.

I did a search and couldn't find a problem with Trail Gear. What's the deal with their business practices?

[orangefj45]

here's a link to the threads regarding that subject. i will not get into it more than that cause this thread needs to stay on track!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=444016

and related:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494663

one of the problems i see is that we're such a small community. a lot of the TLCA members are also shop owners and become associate members just as another form of support for this organization. do they really generate a lot more revenue thanks to their adds in TT?! who knows, i guess it's different for everyone of them.

i'm in the process of starting my own shop and will definetly become an associate member of the TLCA to show my support. and when that happens, i would like for my customers to tell me "thanks for supporting the TLCA". in turn, i will do the same when dealing with other vendors who support the TLCA.

[Hulk]

Originally Posted by cruiseroutfit

Leave my name off your list Mark... I'm the forgotten stepchild

Seriously though, I am both an individual member (through Wasatch Cruisers) and an Associate member (Cruiser Outfitters), though it has never made it to the website...

You're forgotten no longer!
http://tlca.org/tlca/businesses.shtm...ser_Outfitters

Matt Farr
TLCA.org webmaster guy

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally Posted by Hulk

You're forgotten no longer!
http://tlca.org/tlca/businesses.shtm...ser_Outfitters

Matt Farr
TLCA.org webmaster guy

Thanks dude

[JuttyShabango]

This Saga with TG and Marlin will never end till one company is gone IMO.

I met Matt and Marlin at the Globe WEROCK this spring and was impressed with both men. I don't know much about the split other than it was messy.

Spent thousands with Marlin and he sends Christmas Cards, took the time to talk to me at Globe, handed me a Tshirt and posed for a pic. The fact he used to work for TT in the day is just icing on the cake.

It's a shame Matt brought on this drama by association with Geiger. I truley feel Matt is a stand up guy but that's just my impressions with a shallow background on the matter

Regardless, the vendors I've seen here with TLCA are awesome. Cruiseroutfitters busted their ass to send me a FJ80 knuckle kit in a pinch about a year ago and even followed up with a phone call to make sure I got it. And that's really the point. IMO, most people will spend their money with vendors like C.O., Marlin, SOR who are known for putting time into the community instead of turning into a Trail-Mart style of business.

If you don't get the "warm fuzzy" feeling when you place an order with a vendor...look for a different one to give your money too.

My2C