Gene, thank you for the acuity you have demonstrated with your explanation
of how things are in the real world of business today.
Marketing methods are changing and many companies including TEN-TEC, are
exploring new ways of reaching customers all over the globe. Many companies
make strategic business decisions in order to stay on the cutting edge and
to keep ahead of the rising cost of goods, taxes and inflation.
TEN-TEC Inc. always strives to remain loyal to their customers and this is
why they remain accessible through in person visits to their headquarters in
Sevierville, TN, through emails, and phone calls directly to the Tech
Engineers and also to the Vice President of the company.
Gene, I can see that you have been "around the block" and can put yourself
in the shoes of any large company, without second guessing why they make
certain changes in their marketing strategy. In these days of inflation,
higher taxes, higher fuel costs and regulations by the government, many
companies are struggling to remain in business.
Every company has been downsizing, streamlining and working smarter instead
of harder and changes have to be made. We all know that very few people are
willing to adapt to change quickly and this is where they separate the "men
from the boys". I can tell you that TEN-TEC is alive and well.
DISCLAIMER: In answer to all of the emails asking me if I work for TEN-TEC:
My answer is that I am NOT an employee of TEN-TEC, nor do I receive any
compensation from TEN-TEC. I am an ambassador for Amateur Radio! Thank you.
John, K3UR
http://www.qrz.com/db/k3ur
John D. Occhipinti, K3UR
Net Control, TEN-TEC SSB Nets
http://k3ur.com
The Voice of Atlanta
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gene Story" <gfstory@earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 1:16 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] LAST WORD ON ORLANDO HAMFEST
Dave -
Did you call Jim?
Hi Dave -
My apologies if I got this wrong but I think a non Ten-Tec employee
provided a conduit to an appropriate person at Ten-Tec to address your
question directly? If so, I believe the opportunity to talk to Jim
directly on the subject matter is a terrific offer.
About six years ago, I stopped budgeting for trade shows for a US branch
of a company I was controlling with the blessing of the home office
overseas. Instead we sent a rep to "walk the floors" of a select few
shows to maintain and make new contacts. We rented a suite a couple of
times to discuss contracts and do a few demos but otherwise, completely
slashed the expense of shows. And most magazine ads were cut too.
Focused marketing campaigns via the Internet paid off far better. Unlike
trade shows, we could quantify the effort/expense and profit results.
Rather than bleed money and time with key employees at trade shows, we
took advantage of the Internet.
None of us knows why T-T has changed their marketing efforts for shows and
hard print ads. They are a privately held company and they (frankly)
don't have to tell us. While the current T-T Net on 40 and 20 meters is
just a sliver of all users worldwide, this and other personal on the air
contacts I have made and the Internet suggests to me the enthusiasm for
the T-T product is alive and well. I know I love my 565 Orion and
accessories. I am betting most of us will continue to support their
efforts.
Heck, take this offline and give Jim a call. I would have jumped at an
invite like that. The rest of us may puzzle a bit but I do not think most
of us can afford to make it to shows anymore. Not 100% of us use the
Internet either but it is where most of the marketing effort is directed
these days.
Gene. /. K7TXO
Sent from my iPad
On Feb 15, 2013, at 7:59 PM, David and Dianne on Comcast
<dhhdeh@comcast.net> wrote:
"But, it sure is an odd way of doing business." -- Ya think??
Coupled with the fact that TT has not advertised in QST for the past two
months and has had no product advertising (except for promoting its own
web site) in QST since last August, it all does not inspire much
confidence with customers (of who I am one since 1996) about the current
condition or future viability of the company.
How can anyone be expected to try their products if there are no dealers,
no print advertising, IMO, a less than optimum web site and they don't
appear at all but the one big show. I don't take much comfort in their
committing to Dayton. Would you expect less? They need to assure us that
they will be there? Wow.
Elecraft, a similar sized company, seems to understand that the shows,
big and small, a voluminous, technically oriented web site, Dxpedition
sponsoring and word of mouth satisfaction are all their significant
source of sales leads and they do not offer a 30 day trial. As for "no
questions" on the TT 30 day trial returns ...not exactly true.... as I
can attest from the past. Lots of questions as to why. The refund was
made, but IMO begrudgingly. I would not want to try it again.
This mystery surrounding the need for their customers to e-mail Jim
Wharton about their recent decision, IMO its simply no way to treat
customers who have growing legitimate concerns based on TT's very public,
recent corporate decisions. Having run a successful business for 34
years, I can attest that it is not the customer's privilege to do
business with the company but rather the other way around.
I bought an Omni VII last year and do like and enjoy it very much, along
with my K3. But I will have had hard time convincing others to give it a
try in light of these recent peculiar corporate marketing decisions, the
questions they imply and TT chooses to leave unanswered, evoking
legitimate concerns .
73 de N1LQ-Dave
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