Why buy from XXX instead of Maximal Performance?

[Terry]

First off I just want to say this isn't a bitching or whining thread in the least.

However, I've been wondering this for a while and figured you guys would be a good group to answer it. 3SX, IPS, and the other shops cleary have hand over me as far as amount of business goes and I've been trying to figure out why. My prices are cheap (cheaper than both of the above and most any other 3S shop) I like to think my service is above par (anything is better than IPS and it seems as if I have a decent reputation on 3SI (unlike 3sx).

Now with that said why do people choose them over me? Do I not have enough nut-swingers? Am I missing something else?

Terry

[pezcore]

The only thing that I've purchased that you make is the 6spd TC bracket, but I bought it used from znorris (was a great deal!). Otherwise, if you sell it and I need it, I'm getting it from you.

[Zentelis]

You have a shop?

I'm only half joking.

I typically learn about shops through word of mouth, and I rarely hear about Maximal.

In fact, as embarrasing as this is, I didn't even know you were StealthES418 until just now.
Not only that, I didn't know StealthES418 was the owner of Maximal Performance. (at least, that's what I've gathered from a quick search on 3si)

Now I freely admit that I'm not very observant, but if I'm unaware of it, there's a good chance many others are as well (think of me as an example of oblivious sheep )
Additionally, I'm one of those MA shut-ins, so take what I say with a grain of salt

But, what couldn't hurt is getting yourself into the public eye even more. You seem to have a low profile compared to the other shops..again, this is just my opinion.

[Terry]

Pez - Let me know when you need anything. I've been a little lazy with the site and carry a lot more than what's on that and what I can't get I can try to carry in the future. That is one thing I need to work on and plan on...getting a lot more products on the site.

Ryan - Yes, you are. And there are a few of you guys but they're not as hardcore as say Jeremy is with IPS.

Zent - I'm hoping you're the only one because after being on the board for 6 years and in business for 3 or so I would have figured more people would know about it. I guess I could start working on whoring myself more.

Terry

[jackhammer]

I think Zent hit it dead on. Im almost positive that was the case with me

[Terry]

Well what do you guys suggest to help that out? I already have a banner. Try to pimp my products as often as I can. Post monthly sales threads. Not sure what else is left.

Terry

[Dark-Hawk]

Hm well honestly I don't see as much buzz on the forums as I do about 3SX and IPS. I'd really just say it's a matter of whoring yourself out a bit more in General on the forums, while continuing to maintain your quality.
With IPS seeming to be disappointing more and more people, and 3SX continually being hated on more and more I'd say that leaves you with a good window to capitalize on.
Also didn't you just recently become a vendor on 3Si? I think I recall you saying you had tried in the past several times but weren't able to? With having a banner ad on 3Si now I'd say that should help a lot more as well. People also who have services done by you or have bought some products should post up some "thanks" threads or just some threads giving credit to the quality of products you sell.
Do you tend to just sell products, or do you do services as well? (engine [re]builds, tuning, turbo swaps, so on and so forth)

[Terry]

I've been a sponsor for about a year or so now. I guess that's money real spent if people are just noticing the banner.

I just sell products and do powdercoating at the moment. That might be changing to picking up a little service work though. Just got to convince my one employee to agree he'll do it and get the required paperwork taken care of. I know that's where the money is at.

Terry

[jackhammer]

[quote=""Terry""]Well what do you guys suggest to help that out? I already have a banner. Try to pimp my products as often as I can. Post monthly sales threads. Not sure what else is left.

Terry[/quote]I think the bottom line is you have to have a large 'brick and mortar' shop in this day and age of the 3s platform. They are the ones that get the most internet hype, and they are the ones that bring parts/service customers in off the street.

[jackhammer]

One thing you do have that can work to your advantage is the new 'supporting vendors' area. Put a small banner in your area like a lot of the other have, it makes you look bigger. Post sales as you mentioned, in that area. Do group buys in there if thats allowed. You have it, make it work to your advantage

[Terry]

I've been using the forum but at the same time I don't think it gets all that much traffic. As far as brick and mortar goes...maybe down the road.

Terry

[jackhammer]

I was just checking out your website, it's certainly light years ahead of what i had. Do you track the hits your getting?

[Terry]

Yeah...it varies anywhere from 50-150 a day.

Terry

[jackhammer]

Thats quite a bit, are you able to see how many are legitimate (not from your various banners)

You need to get more products put on the site if that many people are visiting. A lot of them are probably not seeing what they want.

Heres a similar thread that i started on 3si, it may have some helpfull info. Just dont post in it and revive it from the dead

http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread.php?t=263688

'AV Dude' was sepearte from 'mitsubishispecialties', I had 'mitsubishispecialties' changed to 'jackhammer'

[adamVR4]

All my future business will go through LSE & Dynamic Racing. Not to say I wouldn't buy from Maximal, but I'm personal friends with Josh @ LSE and I've always been on good terms with Monett. They actually have the ability to take down 3SX and their "racing program", too, which is a perk.

Hell, if I ever get those adjustable rear control arms, my money is going your way.

[Darkhelmet]

Start Drama, you'll get attention. it worked for us

on a side note,when I need something that I can't get from the manufacturer or distributer I do business with one of the many vendors I consider to be on the Good Guy list, such as Maximal, LSE, Supercar.....hmm thats all I can think of. short list

[Blaze R/T]

Having a link to your website in your sig is a start. I know who you are, but I have no idea what you sell, or where you are located.

[Dark-Hawk]

Having a quick dedicated race car would also probably help. I'd really say your best bet is to start offering various services though. I've also heard quite a few negative things recently about IPS' EIII 16G kit for instance (or just their general service as of late), it might be something worth capitalizing on as well.
Another thing, think of what the 3S platform needs at the moment (which you 'd be able to produce) and start up a few threads to find out what the overall interest of them would be. Of course the people on 3Si in terms of fully committing to buy something when all is said and done are spotty, but it's worth a shot as well.
Maybe hire a stupid fuck for an employee (when you start getting bigger) that will post all kinds of bullshit and cause drama and fire him after a few months? *cough* *cough* I'm also not a good gauge in terms of how much exposure your banner gets since I don't even own a 3S so I don't have a big need to constantly check out the sponsors and what not. I just don't recall having seen the Maximal Performance banner as often as I have seen the others.

[Synchro]

I'm with everybody else Terry. It's marketing that you're lacking. Everybody hears about 3SX and IPS every day and in almost every thread.

I pimped you as hard as I could, but I'm just one guy.

Sigs, avatars, hype threads, etc. You need more exposure, because if everybody else is like me, they ignore banner ads just out of habit (I don't even *see* the damn things anymore, while some other people use adblockers).

If you made products for the S2000, I'd buy them from you.