Selling manifolds: Why it sucks.
07-15-2006, 12:14 PM
#1
1.0 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 278
Selling manifolds: Why it sucks.
It see so many of you looking for that magic pill...the manifold that is cheap, good, and ships now.. Guess what? It's not gonna happen!!! That's like finding a new Porsche for $4000.
Why? Well, lets look at the average guy that's "starting a business" making manifolds. He's not been welding long, and he's not that good of a welder. Therefore, the quality you can give up on the hopes of getting top quality welds. Since he's new to it, he's gonna take much longer to do it than an experienced welder will. Damn, there goes the option of fast shipping.
Oh, but you still have hopes of finding a cheap option, right? You're willing to wait a little while, and get less than the best quality, because you don't have the cash to buy something better. Well, remember where I mentioned that the guy's not gonna be fast? Making these is no fun, and not a fast thing for an experienced guy. Without a lot of experience, it takes much longer. You tell me...would you work your *** off for 3 days to make $200? If so, you probably can find another way to work your *** off and make more than that. Therefore, the guys making these aren't really that motivated by the money because it's not good money, considering the time spent on them.
Now, lets look at the "holy grail" of manifolds... Full Race. hmmmm I don't think they will make you a ram horn manifold for $300. Why? Cause it's not worth the time, trouble and expense. Why have they grown, while others keep failing? ummmm cause they won't work for nothing. THEY FUKING MAKE A DECENT PROFIT AT THEIR PRICES!!! Is their work prefect? ummm no, it's not. However, better welders will typically not want to work on ---- like this that doesn't pay the welder very well. The guys at Full Race probably get about $17-19/hr. That's not a lot of money for a welder in that part of the country. That said, they are definitely one of the best options you have for getting a quality product from a company that specializes in them.
If any of you want to become manifold builders, why try to be the cheapest? Be the best, and you can name your price. What if you made a product better than Full Race? Wow!!! all of a sudden you'd be able to sell for their price. As you grew your reputation, you could probably force them to lower their prices to compete with you, or you may be able to bump your price up above theres...and make a decent profit.
As I've said before, competing in the market of cheap products is much harder than competing in the market for quality products. Quality products sell themselves. Think there's more profit in the production of a Honda or a Ferarri? Yeah, and notice who advertises more? Ferrari doesn't have to do much advertising, because the car sells itself...AT A MUCH HIGHER PRICE THAN THE HONDA!!
It may be lonely at the top, but sometimes that's good..if you're the only one selling ---- there.
You guys should think a bit more...both before buying and before becoming a seller.
Why? Well, lets look at the average guy that's "starting a business" making manifolds. He's not been welding long, and he's not that good of a welder. Therefore, the quality you can give up on the hopes of getting top quality welds. Since he's new to it, he's gonna take much longer to do it than an experienced welder will. Damn, there goes the option of fast shipping.
Oh, but you still have hopes of finding a cheap option, right? You're willing to wait a little while, and get less than the best quality, because you don't have the cash to buy something better. Well, remember where I mentioned that the guy's not gonna be fast? Making these is no fun, and not a fast thing for an experienced guy. Without a lot of experience, it takes much longer. You tell me...would you work your *** off for 3 days to make $200? If so, you probably can find another way to work your *** off and make more than that. Therefore, the guys making these aren't really that motivated by the money because it's not good money, considering the time spent on them.
Now, lets look at the "holy grail" of manifolds... Full Race. hmmmm I don't think they will make you a ram horn manifold for $300. Why? Cause it's not worth the time, trouble and expense. Why have they grown, while others keep failing? ummmm cause they won't work for nothing. THEY FUKING MAKE A DECENT PROFIT AT THEIR PRICES!!! Is their work prefect? ummm no, it's not. However, better welders will typically not want to work on ---- like this that doesn't pay the welder very well. The guys at Full Race probably get about $17-19/hr. That's not a lot of money for a welder in that part of the country. That said, they are definitely one of the best options you have for getting a quality product from a company that specializes in them.
If any of you want to become manifold builders, why try to be the cheapest? Be the best, and you can name your price. What if you made a product better than Full Race? Wow!!! all of a sudden you'd be able to sell for their price. As you grew your reputation, you could probably force them to lower their prices to compete with you, or you may be able to bump your price up above theres...and make a decent profit.
As I've said before, competing in the market of cheap products is much harder than competing in the market for quality products. Quality products sell themselves. Think there's more profit in the production of a Honda or a Ferarri? Yeah, and notice who advertises more? Ferrari doesn't have to do much advertising, because the car sells itself...AT A MUCH HIGHER PRICE THAN THE HONDA!!
It may be lonely at the top, but sometimes that's good..if you're the only one selling ---- there.
You guys should think a bit more...both before buying and before becoming a seller.
07-15-2006, 12:25 PM
#2
0.0 BAR
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 0
Re: Selling manifolds: Why it sucks.
All good points but also common knowledge. I still make manifolds. A few a month. I sell to just a few customers. It buys car parts and pays for little things. I enjoy doing it. I don't see anyone making a career out of it though.
07-15-2006, 01:31 PM
#4
1.5 BAR
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 840
Re: Selling manifolds: Why it sucks.
Originally Posted by CSaddict
All good points but also common knowledge. I still make manifolds. A few a month. I selll you just a few customers. It buys car parts and pays for little things. I enjoy doing it. I don't see anyone making a career out of it though.
Later
Randy
07-15-2006, 01:38 PM
#6
1.0 BAR
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 216
Re: Selling manifolds: Why it sucks.
The longer you make them the more you sell.I have been making them for a long *** time and every year I sell a few more than the last.I also make all types of manifolds for many brands of cars.If my goal was to sell alot of them I would design something for a car that has little aftermarket support and sell them on ebay.
07-15-2006, 02:05 PM
#9
1.0 BAR
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 216
Re: Selling manifolds: Why it sucks.
Originally Posted by rawr
200 dollars for 2 days of work = baller cash. I probably make 50 for a day of busting *** in a kitchen 
07-15-2006, 02:55 PM
#10
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,217
Re: Selling manifolds: Why it sucks.
I am not a professional welder, but I can weld. I dont see why it takes 2 days to make a manifold even if the quality is better than full-race. looking at a top mount manifold it seem like its the easiest one to make, but people take forever.
