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08-01-2013, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: WI
Posts: 9
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The vans OSH booth
Guys I have to say after visiting the booth this and last year, this one in specific with my fiancee hoping it may light a fire under her to start a RV8 build that Vans really needs to work on it. For such a huge community and following that booth is lame city. Nothing going on, not super friendly folks and the same tired planes, with the exception of the new 14. I cant believe they don't have some exceptional builds in there to really get people excited. Heck there wasn't one taildragger in there. I spent my time looking at that incredible 8 over in the vans parking in the front row.
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08-01-2013, 03:56 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
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I have given up on the Vans tent. Most unfriendly people on the airport! Never have figured out what is really going on there.
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08-01-2013, 04:21 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
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Well, they are different, and in terms of marketing, sales and promotions they are not the overachiever bunch. Having said that, I have found them, one-on -one, to be personable, and honest. For me, as a builder, at each encounter they have been willing to help and provided adequate followup.
During their get together at the tent at SnF last year, Van himself came and sat down on a bench next to my wife and I. A low key, soft spoken guy, but his friendly unassuming style sure impressed my wife for the founder of such a successful company.
All in all, a pretty low pressure, but competent group. I think I'll keep them on my Christmas list.
__________________
Bill
RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
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08-01-2013, 04:26 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Townsend, Montana
Posts: 3,179
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not my experience, either. They've always been receptive to my questions...if they weren't swamped. I talked with Scott at Arlington in 2007....he remembered my name in 2008.
I sure Vans would allow any of you to take your exceptional build award winning RV and park it at the tent. Just remember those planes get poked at, crawled on, leaned on, stepped on, etc.
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Retired Dam guy. Life is good.
Brian, N155BKsold but bought back.
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08-01-2013, 04:27 PM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Locust Grove, GA
Posts: 2,627
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Want flash or longevity?
Yep, have known Van and the team since I built my RV-4 in 1980. Most unassuming bunch you will ever meet in aviation. Also the most ethical. I've seen lots of flashier booths and sales literature (even got caught up in the Prescott Pusher pizazz myself because I so badly needed a 4 place), but many of them aren't around. I predict Van's will be around a long time.
Vic
__________________
 Vic Syracuse
Built RV-4, RV-6, 2-RV-10's, RV-7A, RV-8, Prescott Pusher, Kitfox Model II, Kitfox Speedster, Kitfox 7 Super Sport, Just Superstol, DAR, A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor, CFII-ASMEL/ASES
Kitplanes "Unairworthy" monthly feature
EAA Sport Aviation "Checkpoints" column
EAA Homebuilt Council Chair/member EAA BOD
Author "Pre-Buy Guide for Amateur-Built Aircraft"
www.Baselegaviation.com
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08-01-2013, 04:33 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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There was an awesome 10 parked there from Sunday to at least Wednesday built by a customer....
Van's bunch have never been known as the glitz and glamour cruise director types....
They do know how to design and produce some awesome kits at an affordable price however.
All of Van's planes are flown like crazy so they show the wear and tear.
The best examples of what Van's has to offer is just to the West of the tent. Most of em parked in HBP and HBC.... 
Last edited by Brantel : 08-01-2013 at 04:35 PM.
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08-01-2013, 04:39 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pensacola, FL & 2R4, Loveland, CO
Posts: 222
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I think the best sales people for Vans, are the people who make and/or fly Vans aircraft, especially VAF.
Seemes to be an effective approach. That and the 'free' test flight.
-Dave
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120500
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08-01-2013, 05:18 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Victoria B.C.
Posts: 1,266
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That FREE test flight will cost you tens of thousands of dollars! Don't take one unless you can cough up a lot of hard earn ash. So don't let them kid you it ain't free.
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08-01-2013, 05:40 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DuBois,Il
Posts: 144
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Mixed feelings
I have never had a problem with their salespeople, and they have always answered my questions....but I totally agree that their setup is lacking...small, utilitarian....no more impressive than a card table with an umbrella over it..!..I suppose they are "riding on their reputation" (I love my 7A!)..I'm not a marketing guy, but I suspect a great deal of the sale would involve getting the spouse involved and excited about the build....and their current setup just doesn't cut it. Not even a TV monitor showing a loop of one of their aircraft flying over exotic places. Great airplanes..lousy marketing.
__________________
Brian K. Morrow
DuBois,Il
N433BC RV-7A Flying
RV-12is EMP done, FUSE in progress!..Official Repeat Offender
"Maintain thy airspeed...Lest the earth arise and smite thee..."
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08-01-2013, 05:48 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,324
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vic syracuse
Yep, have known Van and the team since I built my RV-4 in 1980. Most unassuming bunch you will ever meet in aviation. Also the most ethical. I've seen lots of flashier booths and sales literature (even got caught up in the Prescott Pusher pizazz myself because I so badly needed a 4 place), but many of them aren't around. I predict Van's will be around a long time.  Vic
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We have an interesting cultural thing here, most of the American public expects to be "sold." Van and company are, for lack of a better term, old fashioned. Come up with a great product, sell it at a fair price, do what you promise, and you don't need a tent full of slick types "selling," just some knowledgable people to answer questions. My first experience in Van's tent, in 2004, was perfect. Only cost me $100K.
John Clark ATP, CFI
FAAST Team Representative
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA
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