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Daniel Holman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Daniel Holman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dinghy Show
    Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 8:36pm
Graeme, can I hire you next year?

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iiitick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote iiitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 8:37pm
In the past I have staffed the Tasar stand. I did all of the above but although many people were fascinated by the boat I doubt if I converted anybody. The Aero folk did a very good sales job on me even though I look like a no hope poverty stricken pensioner. First time a good looking young man and a charming girl followed later on by an employee I had met before who was equally professional.

The Hartleys, father and son treat us like long lost friends which we sort of are.....but so is everyone else!

Lightning sailors will understand this.....we also met a certain gentleman from the West Country as we strolled about....so that was an hour taken up! No, not Rupert but he will know who I mean!
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craiggo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote craiggo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 8:38pm
I was on the Graduate stand on the Sunday of the show and was part of a group within the Grad fleet who pushed the association to make sure they were at the show. As Rupert says there is a real feeling that if your class isnt at the show then it has probably died out. In my view while the show may have lost its original intent a little, what it does enable is an opportunity for those looking to try new things or move classes due to relocation or changes in circumstance, to have a good look and a chat. That these people are probably already sailing in other fleets and therefore attending to also chat to their current fleet mates doesn't really matter, its the opportunity to determine the next move thats important and if your class is attending then its on the radar as an active class.

The Grad fleet in recent years first had the introduction of the new sails rules which attracted a bit of attention and brought some back into the class, then Rooster gave it a real boost with the new FRP boats built by the Boatyard @ Beer (which made 5 last year I believe) and for a few years we were lucky to be exhibiting on the Rooster stand and the class suddenly felt invigorated but rather than continue the promotion it was allowed to plateau which is understandable, after all the bulk of the then committee had overseen all the improvements and development and were burning themselves out, including Steve Cockerill.
Anyway our feeling at the show, was that it was really successful. The new wooden Alpha Grad built by Tim Harper was stunning and for those who didn't see the paintjob with a light shining on it, you missed out on the twinkling stars from the flecked lacquer! We had plenty of people coming to the stand and stating that they used to sail Grads and that they were superb boats. We signed up a fair few members to the association and a fair few existing owners were encouraged to come along to this years Nationals at Chipstead SC on the Whitsun bank holiday weeekend. Yes the Sunday was quiet but we nearly always had a visitor on the stand and hopefully we came across as a friendly bunch.
One of the things we hopefully demonstrated was the great age demographic, and the fact that there are some really keen teenage teams sailing the boats including Gabe & Ben Hill from Southport who will be sailing the boat that was on show.

As for other boats at the show, I was a little underwhelmed but then I only had time to whizz around quickly after lunch. For me the only other boat worthy of note was the Idol Composites (Alex Scoles) OK on the Harken stand. Its drawing me away from my beloved RS700 every time I see it!!!!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote pondlife1736 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 8:38pm
Originally posted by Woodbotherer

If they are on your stand, it's a buying signal. That's the law. Engage with them within two minutes.
Overcome sales objections, Try for a sale, offer show discount, get a deposit, next please.
Also..
1)No eating on the stand.
2)No sitting down on the stand
3)No talking between staff if customers are present
4)Take the name and address of every person that shows interest, at least get a card or email address.
5)Dress smart and appropriately, no socks in sandals unless you'r on the streaker/solo stand.
6)No beards unless you're International Canoes..

Basically you lot to a man break every rule of exhibition attendance, you might as well not bother to attend if you don't follow those simple rules.

Pretty much describes the RS stand. Personally, I couldn't wait to get away.
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 8:58pm
The class stands aren't alowed to sell boats at the show, as far as I'm aware. Awareness can be raised, prices chatted about, but actual deals have to be made after. The company stands pay a lot more to be there.

Funny thing about the RS stand - I had a lovely chat with someone who knew I wasn't going to be buying, discussing boats, the universe and everything. They are enthusiasts too, even if they are being paid to be there. I gather they had an excellent show, so they must have done plenty of sales talk too. Good.

And iiiiiiitick, I can guess who you bumped into!
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AlanH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote AlanH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:23pm
As part of the Osprey assn. stand, I can say we were delighted with the outcome of the Show, which was the sale of 13 boats. We acted as the warm up band, sending people onwards to the Hartley stand to proffer their cheques.
We were receiving quite a lot of love from people who used to sail Ospreys, or who currently sail slower boats but could be interested. And from people in other single string classes who lack our impressive numbers at Nationals and open meetings, and look on with some envy. All 3 groups might be there for the chat, or they might in time be converted/ return to the class. We also enjoyed receiving their chat, including from someone who knew a single digit sail number Osprey. We had a current Hartley on the stand, and a 41 yr old wooden Osprey, and we were visited early on in the Show by the two men who built that boat 41 yrs ago. Yes we think we had a good Show. Come and visit us next year.
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:38pm
13 new Ospreys! That is truly impreesive.
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turnturtle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:57pm
Wow - yep, way to go Ospreys / Hartleys!
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Woodbotherer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Woodbotherer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 15 at 9:34am
Originally posted by Daniel Holman

Graeme, can I hire you next year?


Well since there's no  Wink winky icon, I shall give it some consideration, assuming you don't want me to help you flog some lame plastic cat thing, I have a simple rule, if I can't wear the T shirt I can't sell it to someone else. Oh and it'll cost you at the very least a Punk, I'm not cheap. Wink 

As to the other points above, yes it's a class thing and yes I know you're not always there to flog your boat, but you are there to represent yourselves as an allegedly fun group of people who enjoy their particular craft. So sitting around looking bored, laying in the boat, stuffing your faces, or chatting amongst yourselves, what message does that send anyone passing by? Even worse ignoring anyone who comes on to have a look as the Canoe Beirdo's have done every bloody year I've ever been there, I don't even bother to try now.

Doing all that makes the whole exercise totally pointless, why are you even bothering to go?

Why not instead get some T shirts printed to flog, or have a competition to win a training weekend for two (nobody is likely to take you up on it but it's a focus point), have a box with a slot in it for a show draw (we used to chase business cards, you need email addresses these days) advertise the nationals and the venue they are at this year, cut out signs with the boats features and benefits and interest points stick them to it so they act as silent salesmen. Lollipops, chupper chip things, for passing kids (and me) or liquorice strips (that red strip stuff) and stickers you can never have enough class stickers think of something catchy, like that Northern Sweary b**tards sticker I see everywhere..

There's lots you can do to set yourself apart from the rest, enjoy the show as an event in itself, or honestly what is the point?
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turnturtle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 15 at 9:59am
I think you're right Graeme- talking to some of my oldest sailing mates, they haven't even heard of the D-Zero... a slick presence, with plenty of freebies and marketing collateral could help spread awareness further.

I think you need to be careful though.... if it turned into an Apprentice style selling contest then you could alienate quite a few people who really are only passing an interest at this stage, but would NEVER EVER, not in a million years, deem themselves worthy of a 'new' boat.  They are however ripe for selling on to when the second hand market develops.

Secondly, not everyone who volunteers is comfortable taking on a 'selling' role, and if all they then feel their contribution wasn't valued simply because they didn't 'shift as many units', then you might find your volunteer roster a little depleted the next year.  You still need folks to set-up and shut down, clean the boats, keep the ropes tidy, answer the dull questions, make coffee runs etc....

Unlike the TV programme, it's not 'over' if you face this from the Class Chairman:


most of us have plenty of options to respond....


Not good for class harmony... in fact, probably better to have a natter in the corner eating doughnuts.

FWIW- I would expect nothing less than professionalism from RS, Laser, Hartleys etc.  They are there to raise awareness and close deals.... it's certainly never been a 'turn off' to have a professional approach when selling me boats in the past, quite the contrary.


Edited by turnturtle - 13 Mar 15 at 10:01am
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