Sponsor seeks member feedback

[thepipetray]

Hi all. We are a sponsor for the PipeTray - you may of seen our ads on here. First off I love the site, members are great and Kevin does a great job. Since we have been advertising here - to a very targeted group, we are disappointed in the sales generated. So I would appreciate your feedback as to why you think they are low. Is it the concept/function, price or something else?
Thank you in advance for your comments, Scott

 

[lonestar]

Speaking for myself alone, its an issue of $ and laziness.

The money part stems from being out of work at the moment, and the laziness part means I typically just toss my pipe in the console of the truck or back into the camera bag I tote them around in.

I know those probably arent very constructive answers, but thats what it comes down to for me.

I'd like a nice pipeholder for traveling around, just dont have money to spend on any extras, and used to just tossing the pipe anywhere it will sit.

 

[jankomatic]

I do not smoke in my truck so the Bowsprit is out for me. I have too many pipes already even being a newish pipe smoker to make the Executive useful for me. They both look nice, I just wouldn't use them.
Wes

 

[nabottle]

I think they look nice and all, but the price might be a little high. I would probably try the Bowsprit first and if it was good, then maybe the Executive.

 

[marmal4de]

They're way too expensive, that's the single thing holding me back from getting one for the fishing boat.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

I'd found your product a good bit before you guys became a sponsor here, but like lonestar, I haven't been able to afford one, was lazy, or whatnot. Then I was laid off in December making things harder.
Do I find your product interesting? Most definitely. When I was commuting 100+ miles a day, I'm sure the Bowsprit would've been handy. For home, I don't have too many places where I could place the Executive and leave it, however, I'm hoping that will change soon.
In some respects, one could look at your product and say that it just looks like a different pipe holder and not know exactly how true it is. By this, I mean that looking at it, I wouldn't be able to tell someone how it functions. How does it hold the pipe in place in the car? How well does it hold the pipe in the car while turning, going over bumps, etc. For this I would suggest maybe a demonstration video placed on your site.
Another tip would be to have links to Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites.

 

[bigvan]

I think it's a great looking web site. The products are unique and I think they're fairly priced (considering they're hand made).
I just don't have a need for either. I don't smoke in my car and after 20+ years with a pipe, I have just about every possible stand, rack, rest, etc.

 

[eaglerico]

All honesty, I think it is a great product but as most here I am on a budget. When it comes to what bit of extra money i have to spend on pipe stuff, if I have to choose between more tobacco and pipes or an accessorie I may use once in a while. I will always choose the pipes and tobacco.
I think it is something that would be great as a gift or for someone who actually smokes all day and drives a lot. I would compare purchasing your product to purchasing any accessorie. Convient to have but not necessary.

 

[kf5eqv]

Your product is an awesome solution to a problem that really doesn't exist. No offense.
I usually just stick the lip of my stem into the vent in my dash, and it holds very nicely over rough terrain. Not as classy as the solution you offer, but the convenience of it makes it hard to justify spending any cash on something for my pipe in the truck.
If you want my advice, try to sell your stuff directly to whatever pipe shops are in your area. People are generally more likely to splurge on something like this in person than over the internet.

 

[duncan]

I also would have to jump on the price bandwagon. The price you are asking is very fair for a fine product that is handcrafted. Although in today economy, I myself have even stopped spending on pipes/accesories and just horde tobacco. Never know when the next tax hike is coming!

 

[unclearthur]

The design is excellent. Would I buy one? No. Because I have built several similar pipe holders in the past. One that was mounted as a swing out affair to the bottom of the dash of a 50 Chevy pickup.

 

[cortezattic]

I usually have a cup of coffee occupying my cupholder. :laughat: Silly me.

 

[romeowood]

I think it's a great product at a fair price, personally. I've been on the production side of this problem, and know what kind of work goes into all sizes of production runs.

Bootleg had a good point about a demonstration video and advancing your InterWebs presence--perhaps eBay as well, though the fees incorporated may affect your price point. The looming specter of Father's Day could be a highpoint for you too.

kf likewise had a good point about repping to B&Ms, which would however entail a full-time salesman on the ground--not a cheap proposition. Set aside a day to personally contact local and national B&Ms and bite the bullet on sending out a few gratis samples. Who knows, maybe Nat Sherman in NYC or Iwan Ries in Chitown could be hotbeds for you.

Personally, I would buy one--if I had a vehicle, or a pipe-smoking friend who did. I wish you best of luck with the enterprise, and hope that you can stick out the initial phase of introducing your product to the market--it certainly is there, in my opinion.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

kf likewise had a good point about repping to B&Ms, which would however entail a full-time salesman on the ground--not a cheap proposition.

Not necessarily. If you look on this site and some other pipe related sites, there are B&M location lists with contact info and websites, if they have them. Another thing I tried to do at one point was create a map of just Pipe and Cigar shops. It's nowhere close to being complete, but I can post a link to it if anyone wants it to help add to. I haven't updated it in awhile, but I think it still exists.

 

[fatman]

Scott, simply put, the price point was somewhat of a shocker for me. I haven't held one, or seen one up close and personal and buying 'blind' so to speak is not my style. Awaiting PipeTrucker's review of the freebie, if it'll take a beating in a rig, it'll work fine in a golf cart.

 

[fredvegas]

1) Add some photos of the pipe stands with pipes in them.

2) Maybe some videos (as previously mentioned) of the stands in use.

3) A price cut. I know you need to make money, but from what I can tell of the pictures on the site, there's nothing super complicated in the manufacturing of those things. Anyone with a miter saw, a router, and a drill could make their own in about an hour. I think I'd have a hard time spending $20 for a stand like that, let alone $60. If you don't think you can drop the price, you could...

4) Add some more art. For $60, it needs to be prettier. Maybe offer custom color schemes, or engrave some pipe quotes on the side, or add a brass nameplate. Add something to make it more than a box and a few dowels.
Basically, for that kind of money, it needs to be something useful, and it needs to be something I can't make for myself.
I hope I didn't hurt any feelings, but those are my opinions.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

For me it's the money issue. Living on unemployment is very difficult. When I get working again though, and finances are more stable I'll probably end up ordering one.

 

[jasongone]

it's an act of balancing want with need. do i smoke in my car? yep, all the time. but my dash console, e-brake, change holder, and vents plus a few more areas all have/create resting places that work very well. all the racks i use in home are self--made or modified from other items.

i do agree with others that pics and videos of your racks in use would help increase want in most. i would also send out a few freebies to some older and well-known b&ms.

 

[fullbent]

All in all,I think it boils down to,how much it is worth to the individual.Those of us on a budget,we get by on creativity,as vents,car ashtrays,ect..I think you have a grat product,I know it being handmade bumps the price.The site really doesnt win me over.I tend to pay a bit more for something,if I know its worth.A video of the making,sparks my interest greatly on a pipe.When I see the craftmanship that goes into something,it is easier for me to drop the cash on it.

 

[collindow]

I would probably be considering one of these except that the truck I drive, an '01 Dodge Dakota, has a console that PERFECTLY fits a pipe. Doesn't work for freehands, but it is just right for a smaller sized pipe, which is what I tend to smoke, especially while driving.

I'll agree with others, the price seems a tad high, but it is a nice looking product.

I'd say that a B&M presence would probably help you innumerably.

Good luck.