a penny for your thoughts.

[PRRC]

Heys guys, We are looking at several different ways of advertising.
So we would like your input.
What draws you to an ad?
Maybe a full color page?
Maybe some pricing in the layout?
Maybe just a particular part you have had your eye on?
Where do you look for your parts? ( other than here)
How do you feel about a catalog? Is it something that you look for from a vendor or is it just something that just ends up in the trash?
We have had some success in the past with some of are ads; and others well we may have just gave the money away.
So if anyone can give us some feed back that would be great.
If there is something you dont like to see we would like to hear about that too.
We would also like to hear about some ideas on differant advertising locations.
Everyone here has been great to deal with so we value your opinion.
Thanks in advance.
Paradise Road Rod & Custom

[Rolling_Thunder]

draws me to an add ? i would have to say a nice car... alot of color helps but pricing is not 100% necessary to me... I look for parts in most speed magazines and online.

I, working at a restoration/custom shop find actual catalogs invaluable. Many times i thumb through just looking for ideas, where online i easily get side tracked and have issues concentrating with it.

I would like to see a colorful catalog (not too big) with HOLES in it... as I know I put these into binders for organizational purposes.


just my own input good luck with it guys

[TonyL]

Pricing info is a major factor. Nothing turns me off quicker than "Call for pricing." While I realize that sometimes due to prices being so good that you'd rather the supplier didn't know, Joe blow rarely sees it that way. Rather they view it as "so high I'd rather not say."

a flashy car in an ad is a good draw as is color. Where? depends on what you are selling. Magazines such as PHR and the like are your best bets for reaching your target market. As are websites like ours here.

Since the parts I require are specialized I use Google a lot. you can pay to have your site bumped up on Google searches for certain keywords. Like "Coy's" and "boyd coddington wheels" etc. (actually a search for "Coy's" brings up the thread from when I put my wheels on, which has a link to your site a few times in it!) Google visibility is very important.

[rob07002]

I agree with Tony, pricing is a must. I think a well layed out add that gets your message across does wonders also.

I always like a good catalog. They all find a place of honor next to the...... Um, thrown.

[TA219]

I agree that a good picture / description of the product is a plus and pricing is a big plus. If there is no price then i assume that i cant afford it and that is the last time that i think about it.

Also, show off all of the features of the product if you can, i have been looking up gauges for my project and on one site it will show the gauge but not what it looks like at night which drives me to look elsewhere for a vendor that will show me everything i want to see / know.

example

not helpful
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=ATM%2D7513&N=700+115&autoview=sku

a little more helpful
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_372481_-1

[Steve1968LS2]

Don't make the ad so fancy or complicated that it's hard to tell what you are selling. :)

Oh, and as they say... "color sells"

[PRRC]

Thanks Guys. Keep them coming. This is great feed back.

[Bow Tie 67]

Pricing is a must for me, a starting at price works. I also will gravitate to an ad with a nice car in it. I no longer use the printed parts catalogs and prefer to shop online. Although I use the magazines I subscribe to for info on where to look. Hot Rod, Car Craft, Popular Hot Rodding, Chevy High Performance.

[PRRC]

How about setting up as a vendor at the larger shows? Does this have any influence on the vendors you buy from?

[Takid455]

Don't make the ad so fancy or complicated that it's hard to tell what you are selling. :)

Oh, and as they say... "color sells"

Def. the top one. more is less. busy websites/ ads seem garbbled and dont catch my attension. A car of your prospective clientel. I build second gen trans ams which are realy shown. instead a camaro is shown. boo. Pricing is also a factor and agree with the 'call for pricing' being a turn off. As far ads showing cars, It is ok to show a few ultra modified/ exotic cars, but also include daily drivers or typical cars that 90% of your customer base would own. not eveyone can afford or wants to do something that cost 70k. I always like to read some comentary / reviews on parts that are performanced natured as far as how much it improves of stock and / or if it worth going for in a specific application. (ex. wow these slicks realy made a difence on teh track over good street tires. I got about 2 weekends of racing out of them.) slicks for racing = good, not the greatest for street.

I shop online and catalogs. I like catalogs because they are tangable. you can take them places and read them in the 'office'. the 'office' always needs good material.
hope this helps

[roadracer55]

Cars in the ad are good, women are good, both is best. You know it's true.

Show examples of parts you sell with prices. Perhaps show "specials" for that month only, or say visit website for latest special. Nothing draws people like a sale. Website is super important - the ads and even catalogs just serve to draw me to your website where I'll buy. The buying process has to be smooooooooooth.

I keep catalogs. I have a pile within arms reach right now, and when I go looking for a part I'll flick through to get a feel for pricing and options. I have Lane Automotive catalogs but rarely buy anything from them because of the "POA" crap.

[CRCRFT78]

Calling for pricing isn't such a pet peeve but having to call for an application can be annoying. You went through all that trouble to get your company/product out there to the public through catalogs or a website, why not let us know what vehicles you supply it for. I also think setting up at a larger show is a good thing as long as the people working the show are knowledgeable and courteous. I understand that G-bodies aren't as popular as Camaros or Chevelle but thats no reason for you to act like a D*** when I ask for parts.

[TonyL]

How about setting up as a vendor at the larger shows? Does this have any influence on the vendors you buy from?

Yes. Especially if you are personally working the booth. People get to meet talk directly to you and find out how personable you are. It's a great way to build relationships with potential customers.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Yes. Especially if you are personally working the booth. People get to meet talk directly to you and find out how personable you are. It's a great way to build relationships with potential customers.

too true... perfect examples that come to mind is the guys at TTI, Ed at E-body specialties, and similar... you can go and talk to the guys and connect, discuss, and learn... when you go to the Year One booth or something you are merely talking to a salesman... not as personal to me and no drive- to them it seem to just be a job... not a passion. Personal opinion of corse...