  V.5.0 What's new in this catalog 1. more and better case commentary - each case section now includes a comprehensive list of the modifications offered for each case, and a typical example for a given case. Hopefully, the text is better written as well. 2. revised 'recommended' packages - The 'recommended' package is one that is similar to what customers may order, or have been ordering recently. If it is not exactly what you think you want, it should be close enough to give you an idea of what you may need to get. 3. revised items and current pricing - for example, the Enermax PSs are now updated to the new models. As most of us know, there is a bit of hidden inflation going on as we adjust to higher energy prices for gasoline, fuel, etc., etc., and it has been rippling through our economy for over a year now. This shows up in many ways, but in a business like this, it immediately shows up in the shipping costs. Only one case company has actually raised their direct prices--but the shipping has gone up dramatically, over 100 % from two years ago. Because of increased sales here, I have been largely able to hold my pricing, but there is a true creep in actual pricing to cover those shipping costs. For example, the first load of 6896 120s came in at $121.00 retail, but the subsequent loads came in at $3.00 more, the nominal freight cost increase--and now there is another kick up to $127.00 to include the most recent shipping increase and to reflect a different schedule. Since Addtronics now ships two fans with each 6896 as the factory pack, I show the factory pack price. For shipping, the cost is now no more than $2.99 over the UPS-quoted tariff rate. As some of you know, the actual quoted shipping rate is just the 'tip of the iceberg' for what UPS charges are each month, and this 'markup' on shipping is to cover the actual expenses I incur from UPS. I do not consider shipping to be a profit center, and we do our own warehousing and shipping, so there is no middleman expense involved. 4. a revised quote format: Each quote should have a section header, and the items listed under it. As many of you know, I have offered 'internal' discounts on certain combos--for example, a P120L1A sells for $16.00, and a FG120 sells for $3.00--but in a case quote, it has been $18.50. As we get ready to go to automated invoicing, I am trying to do invoices using strictly the individual (accounting inventory) pricing, and then increase the package discount price. The bottom-line pricing has not changed, just the way I show it in the quote itself. 5. revised policies: The revision is in the writing, not in the practices. 6. expanded storage, configuration and assembly, and shipping space. Those of you who check this site for news updates know that we have completed our expansion now, but still have all those little loose ends to deal with--more tool racks, another set of workbench shelves--that sort of thing. Jim H. 763-479-3099 (voice/tape & FAX) PRIMARY BUSINESS LINE 763-479-6248 (ISDN & voice) jfh@coolcases.com jfhanson@hansonslan.org continue |