08-14-2012, 08:31 PM
I have given a LOT of thought to the continuance of providing the Supercharger Kit lately. There have been a number of issues and concerns with producing it, and a considerable amount of effort goes into each batch.
One of the most difficult things has been the process of gathering enough orders to run a batch. It has been a lot like cat herding. It takes months to get them all together, and I am like everyone else in that I don't want to leave a lot of my own money floating around out there for a long time. Consequently this means that I need to wait until the last order needed comes in, before I can order the parts and head units.
Unfortunately this also opens the door to scheduling complications with the various vendors. There are over a dozen of them involved in this process, and that is a lot of opportunity for backordering, stock delay, and even Customs issues.
This last batch saw a number of such complications. It has resulted in turning what should have been a 6-8 week process into more like 5 months. This is an incredible disappointment to many, and a frustration to others, including myself. After long and careful consideration, and as a direct result, I am no longer going to run these in batches.
I will continue to produce the kits, at least for the time being, but they will be in "one-off" fashion. This is a more complicated process for me, but it is really the only way I can proceed.
To make matters worse, with this last batch, I failed to consult with the vendors and get updated prices. I wanted to hold the price as it was, and did not think it was going to rise significantly. I was wrong. Nearly every item went up 10%, even in batch quantities. Still, I held the price, because that is what was agreed upon with the customers.
The head units will see the most significant price increase by doing them one at a time. They go up nearly $400 when I do that. But, I cannot afford to sit on them. We have to remember that this is a hobby for me. I cannot let it become a full fledged business. If I were to do that, many things would have to change, including a very significant adjustment to all pricing.
Now that I am close to completion of Batch 3, I decided to get moving on the future provision. I have taken it upon myself to have some of the longer lead time items made in advance. This will dramatically reduce the lead time. Unfortunately they are not the expensive items. Those will still need to be ordered at the time of the customer placing the order. However, I have made arrangements for these things to be done much faster. The lead time now will be 10 days to 2 weeks. In an effort to shorten the lead time, and not get caught up in potential Customs issues, I have also made arrangements to have a couple of head units available locally.
That's the upside. The downside of course comes in the form of a price tag.
I am no longer able to offer the Supercharger Kit at the price it was. I am still able to provide it, and there is no change to the kit whatsoever. The new price for the kit will be $4495.
It is still the only CARB approved kit for our car, and the only one proven to work. I will try to keep everything in stock. I have ordered a head unit, so as to have a system ready to go. Barring anything weird, I will be able to ship at the end of next week, right after I ship Batch 3. I can take orders now.
The new price for the Hardware only version, for those who want to try to go for more boost and tune it themselves, will be $2695.
I can also provide unmodified head units at $1995 (compared to retail of $2195).
As soon as I finish everything involved, I will post information and pricing for the Stage 2 Upgrade Kit. This will be a kit that will be sold separately, so as to upgrade the Supercharger Kit, and will not be sold as a part of the Supercharger Kit.
One of the most difficult things has been the process of gathering enough orders to run a batch. It has been a lot like cat herding. It takes months to get them all together, and I am like everyone else in that I don't want to leave a lot of my own money floating around out there for a long time. Consequently this means that I need to wait until the last order needed comes in, before I can order the parts and head units.
Unfortunately this also opens the door to scheduling complications with the various vendors. There are over a dozen of them involved in this process, and that is a lot of opportunity for backordering, stock delay, and even Customs issues.
This last batch saw a number of such complications. It has resulted in turning what should have been a 6-8 week process into more like 5 months. This is an incredible disappointment to many, and a frustration to others, including myself. After long and careful consideration, and as a direct result, I am no longer going to run these in batches.
I will continue to produce the kits, at least for the time being, but they will be in "one-off" fashion. This is a more complicated process for me, but it is really the only way I can proceed.
To make matters worse, with this last batch, I failed to consult with the vendors and get updated prices. I wanted to hold the price as it was, and did not think it was going to rise significantly. I was wrong. Nearly every item went up 10%, even in batch quantities. Still, I held the price, because that is what was agreed upon with the customers.
The head units will see the most significant price increase by doing them one at a time. They go up nearly $400 when I do that. But, I cannot afford to sit on them. We have to remember that this is a hobby for me. I cannot let it become a full fledged business. If I were to do that, many things would have to change, including a very significant adjustment to all pricing.
Now that I am close to completion of Batch 3, I decided to get moving on the future provision. I have taken it upon myself to have some of the longer lead time items made in advance. This will dramatically reduce the lead time. Unfortunately they are not the expensive items. Those will still need to be ordered at the time of the customer placing the order. However, I have made arrangements for these things to be done much faster. The lead time now will be 10 days to 2 weeks. In an effort to shorten the lead time, and not get caught up in potential Customs issues, I have also made arrangements to have a couple of head units available locally.
That's the upside. The downside of course comes in the form of a price tag.
I am no longer able to offer the Supercharger Kit at the price it was. I am still able to provide it, and there is no change to the kit whatsoever. The new price for the kit will be $4495.
It is still the only CARB approved kit for our car, and the only one proven to work. I will try to keep everything in stock. I have ordered a head unit, so as to have a system ready to go. Barring anything weird, I will be able to ship at the end of next week, right after I ship Batch 3. I can take orders now.
The new price for the Hardware only version, for those who want to try to go for more boost and tune it themselves, will be $2695.
I can also provide unmodified head units at $1995 (compared to retail of $2195).
As soon as I finish everything involved, I will post information and pricing for the Stage 2 Upgrade Kit. This will be a kit that will be sold separately, so as to upgrade the Supercharger Kit, and will not be sold as a part of the Supercharger Kit.
94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com
"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
(This post was last modified: 08-14-2012, 09:03 PM by flash.)
