LEVEN us out on a limb!!!
Discussion
Please read the recent thread on 'TVR badges' where a Leven representative says...."This is the reason why we do not put development effort into S-Type accessories!"
I feel he is wrong to say this and have made my comments on that thread so no need to repeat it, how many others feel the same?? If there were more products for the 'S' available people would buy them!!!
I feel he is wrong to say this and have made my comments on that thread so no need to repeat it, how many others feel the same?? If there were more products for the 'S' available people would buy them!!!
bridgdav said:
I would agree to a certain extent Mike, but....
Having read numerous threads about the 'S' before I bought mine, I knew what I was getting and what I could get...IMHO
True dave, but somehow you are missing the point! I wasnt complaining to Leven about the lack of products available, they had a dig at an S owner because they had found a cheaper option to their product!!! I was simply pointing out to Leven that they shouldnt criticise 'S' owners for not buying their products. As we HAVE to go looking for alternatives, we are obviously going to find products that are cheaper and better along the way.
I also know what is and isnt available, which is why I go elsewhaere and buy them or have them specially made. But I dont expect Leven to criticise people who dont buy a certain product, in preference for a cheaper/better option when they show no support for the S Series cars in any way shape or form!!!
IMHO of course..........
Mike
PS nice website by the way
>> Edited by mike j smith on Thursday 29th January 16:52
I read that thread and Leven were making the very important point that its not a case of buying a product and selling it to customers, they have to develop and build their products.
Each product they sell will include a bit of development cost in its price.
If they spend £1000s developing some S products, they've got to recouperate that amount of money before it becomes profitable.
Your best bet is to get a load of S owners to show an interest in a certain product or products for the S then show Leven and if its deemed financially possible then they will probably do it.
Good luck
Each product they sell will include a bit of development cost in its price.
If they spend £1000s developing some S products, they've got to recouperate that amount of money before it becomes profitable.
Your best bet is to get a load of S owners to show an interest in a certain product or products for the S then show Leven and if its deemed financially possible then they will probably do it.
Good luck
rico said:
Your best bet is to get a load of S owners to show an interest in a certain product or products for the S then show Leven and if its deemed financially possible then they will probably do it.
I (and a few others) have spent considerable time and effort working with Leven to look at S series bits and pieces.. column stalks being a prime example.
Given the costs involved, they needed at least 25 sales to break even... and not enough people would guarantee that they would buy the finished product or commit to it, and the pre-development stage.
They're in business to make money...
A local machinist is making ally bits for me at a third of the price of Leven and hes making his profit???
But this wasnt about Leven not making bits, it was about Leven criticising people for finding a cheaper alternative to their products, which I feel is wrong........... have you read the whole thread???
Mike
PS I have changed my username to a less formal V8Smith
But this wasnt about Leven not making bits, it was about Leven criticising people for finding a cheaper alternative to their products, which I feel is wrong........... have you read the whole thread???
Mike
PS I have changed my username to a less formal V8Smith
We read this and the badge topic with great interest.
We are not against alternative sources or people doing their own thing. However you must compare 'like for like' and remember we are a commercial business with overheads when passing comments.
We would like to offer accessories for all TVR's old and new at sensible prices, but to do this well we need a degree of commitment. We will never asked for payment up front when there is no product to see.
However, ours and other peoples attempts for S-Type items and quantities has always fallen flat. We do our market research and time and time again there does not appear to be a viable market for the S-Type items suggested.
We are enthusiasts as well as business people and try very hard to provide a good service to all.
Simon Eager
We are not against alternative sources or people doing their own thing. However you must compare 'like for like' and remember we are a commercial business with overheads when passing comments.
We would like to offer accessories for all TVR's old and new at sensible prices, but to do this well we need a degree of commitment. We will never asked for payment up front when there is no product to see.
However, ours and other peoples attempts for S-Type items and quantities has always fallen flat. We do our market research and time and time again there does not appear to be a viable market for the S-Type items suggested.
We are enthusiasts as well as business people and try very hard to provide a good service to all.
Simon Eager
I have in the past followed the discussion regarding S bits, especially regarding the column stalks.
I can perfectly understand that Leven have to see the profitability in any product. However, afaik, no projected prices were ever presented, not even ballpark figures. I for one would find it very difficult to commit to the purchase of a product whith an unknown pricetag.
I think, more as a suggestion than a criticism, that Leven could have been a bit more forthcoming about what's involved on their part, how many orders they would need, present some design sketches and so on.
They know where us S owners hang out (here...), so it should be reasonably easy to get some feedback from prospective buyers.
I can perfectly understand that Leven have to see the profitability in any product. However, afaik, no projected prices were ever presented, not even ballpark figures. I for one would find it very difficult to commit to the purchase of a product whith an unknown pricetag.
I think, more as a suggestion than a criticism, that Leven could have been a bit more forthcoming about what's involved on their part, how many orders they would need, present some design sketches and so on.
They know where us S owners hang out (here...
), so it should be reasonably easy to get some feedback from prospective buyers.Well, I seem to have put the cat amongst the pigeons with my innocent piece of advice about maintaining the appearance of badges. However I agree whole-heartedly with what you are saying Mike, the original comment by Leven was certainly out of order. As it has been previously mentioned, they are in business to make money. But if every supplier were to have a whinge about a cheaper option to their product, then these forums would be full of unprofessional retorts. Sorry Leven not good PR.
If you flip the business coin over from the fact that you are there to make money, we find, you have to speculate to accumulate. Remember, one day we may part exchange our S’s for another TVR model – it’s easier to keep an existing customer than to gain a new one.
Melvin
If you flip the business coin over from the fact that you are there to make money, we find, you have to speculate to accumulate. Remember, one day we may part exchange our S’s for another TVR model – it’s easier to keep an existing customer than to gain a new one.
Melvin
Toys back in prams boys.
Simon from Leven made the perfectly valid point that the process their badges go through is quite rigorous and that is why they cost what they do. I've seen the end result and it's fair comment IMHO. If you don't want to pay that then fine but be sure to compare apples with apples before making disparaging remarks about someone's products.
As for the remark about not catering to the S's, that may have been a bit flippant but let's retain a sense of proportion here. What was being aluded to was the fact that small quantities don't make it viable.
'nuff said. Let's not get petty...
Simon from Leven made the perfectly valid point that the process their badges go through is quite rigorous and that is why they cost what they do. I've seen the end result and it's fair comment IMHO. If you don't want to pay that then fine but be sure to compare apples with apples before making disparaging remarks about someone's products.
As for the remark about not catering to the S's, that may have been a bit flippant but let's retain a sense of proportion here. What was being aluded to was the fact that small quantities don't make it viable.
'nuff said. Let's not get petty...
Completely agree that Leven, being a business have to make a profit to not only stay in business but to cover development costs, I for one hope they do hang around 'cos one day a Griffith....mmmmm. This still leaves us with a few other machinists to support like Lee, Karl and those owners getting one-offs done as we speak. Maybe we should let poor old Leven concentrate on their core business and get some organised orders into these other guys? all IMHO of course
Simon
Simon
leventech said:I might just be speaking for myself here, but...
However, ours and other peoples attempts for S-Type items and quantities has always fallen flat. We do our market research and time and time again there does not appear to be a viable market for the S-Type items suggested.
I'd love to treat my S to lots of shiny bits'n'bobs, but I have a limited TVR budget, which is one of the reasons for running a V6 as opposed to a V8. Therefore, in my case, the purchase of trinkets will always be dictated by available budget rather than availability of parts.
It may be the case that this, combined with the realtive scarcity of the S models (e.g. compared with the Chimaeras) is what limits the demand.
Or maybe this just applies to me.
RichardR said:
boys boys.. you S owners are mostly cheap skates. Keep your cheap cars with your shiney lightweight plastic bits.
Very sorry to offend your sensibilities.
You and Terminator should get together for a beer sometime.
I wouldnt let it bother you Rich, he obviously has an inferiority complex having a "Max Power TR7" to drive around in!!!
As Simon Eager from Leven is kindly reading our forum, purhaps a good way forward would be for Leven to put up a post saying....
How many people would like S Series Stalks & be prepared to buy them now ?
Then leave the post at the top of the forum rather than letting it drop out of date order and when say 25 people are reached (to cover development costs) then they email them all to confirm & go ahead and produce.
Remember alot of people dont read the forum every day and therefore miss stuff, so if Podie had 25 interests then maybe 35 are achieveable in say 3 months.
Obviously Leven would need Teds permission or cut a deal, but anything is possible !
You can tell i wanted them cant you !!
Cheers
Giles
How many people would like S Series Stalks & be prepared to buy them now ?
Then leave the post at the top of the forum rather than letting it drop out of date order and when say 25 people are reached (to cover development costs) then they email them all to confirm & go ahead and produce.
Remember alot of people dont read the forum every day and therefore miss stuff, so if Podie had 25 interests then maybe 35 are achieveable in say 3 months.
Obviously Leven would need Teds permission or cut a deal, but anything is possible !
You can tell i wanted them cant you !!
Cheers
Giles
mike j smith said:*snigger*
pistolar said:
boys boys.. you S owners are mostly cheap skates. Keep your cheap cars with your shiney lightweight plastic bits.
Very sorry to offend your sensibilities.
You and Terminator should get together for a beer sometime.
I wouldnt let it bother you Rich, he obviously has an inferiority complex having a "Max Power TR7" to drive around in!!!
I'm calm.
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