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08-01-2013, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Harrisburg, Pa
Posts: 759
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I agree with both sides - yes, a very simple booth, but exactly what I like. Anyone happen to set foot in the Cirrus display???  Truly beautiful airplanes, but good grief, just a different "crowd" than I'm comfortable with. I'm pretty sure the minute I stepped into the display, they sensed I didn't have 750k to spend on a GA airplane 
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08-01-2013, 09:41 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cedar Park, TX
Posts: 3,156
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I just finished my three day stint in the Vans aircraft marketing department sitting by my airplane (not Dick's) talking about it, the build process and life thereafter for many hours with anyone that was interested. The same as many others. Truly one of the best things about an RV, the company doesn't need to sell, because it really does, "just work".
I feel just a little dirty, but I can't grow my skills and interests without exploring other models/projects as well. Maybe another RV that goes together faster and easier isn't necesserarily better for all. I'm certain the business analysis proves me wrong.
__________________
Scott Card
CQ Headset by Card Machine Works
CMW E-Lift
RV-9A N4822C flying 2200+hrs. / Cedar Park, TX
RV8 Building - fuselage / showplanes canopy (Done!)
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08-01-2013, 09:58 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: San Pedro
Posts: 1,013
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Ok
I'm trying to be positive here and probably will re-write this a few times before I submit it - so here goes.
About 15 years ago, I was an aspiring student pilot and 'knew' that I wanted to build a Glass Star. Went to the local EAA meeting and found out that most of those who were building were building Van's aircraft. I felt alone in a crowd but decided to look into the Van's thing. After educating myself I wanted to build a 9A. I educated myself, no one sold me on Van's.
Went to a Homecoming as it sounded like a way to further educate myself and maybe meet some nice people. I was amazed by all of the varieties of Van's aircraft. Again, felt alone in a crowd (no airplane) and vowed not to attend another Homecoming without an RV. The Homecoming is not a sales event - just friends sharing the love of owning and flying an RV. Van's had handouts available on a card table there - that was it but if you had questions, there were friendly but busy people there to answer your question. Took a 80K ride - the real sales pitch!
Now to OSH - a few, if not quite a few, attend airshows, etc., to try to educate themselves on the merits of the various kit aircraft. They are there to learn.
So, if you went to the Van's tent hoping to see videos of Van's aircraft flying or maybe stationary displays of the Van's aircraft or kit parts, you may have been disappointed. And, if you didn't know what to ask the very knowledgeable persons that Van's has there to answer questions, you were disappointed.
I didn't go to OSH and see the tent as described by the OP, but I can't see how it would hurt (or cost) Van's much to show videos of say an RV-7 doing aerobatics, an RV-12 being flown leisurely by a grey haired couple (LSA you know!), and a couple with children flying an RV-10. And maybe a video about the new RV-14! I'll bet that these short videos would interest and/or excite a wide range of pilots, want to be pilots, and older people who could get back into the flying game with a nice RV-12. Couldn't hurt to 'sell' a little could it? Maybe Van's did the above, as I said, I'm not at OSH. Just my 5 cents worth
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Building finally
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08-01-2013, 10:49 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E. D. Eliot
I didn't go to OSH and see the tent as described by the OP, but I can't see how it would hurt (or cost) Van's much to show videos of say an RV-7 doing aerobatics, an RV-12 being flown leisurely by a grey haired couple (LSA you know!), and a couple with children flying an RV-10. And maybe a video about the new RV-14! I'll bet that these short videos would interest and/or excite a wide range of pilots, want to be pilots, and older people who could get back into the flying game with a nice RV-12. Couldn't hurt to 'sell' a little could it? Maybe Van's did the above, as I said, I'm not at OSH. Just my 5 cents worth
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Ed,
In years past (for as long as I can remember) there has been a copy of the Van's aircraft video running. Last year someone even put a wide screen TV up on the wall to show the new RV-14 video.
Maybe the decision was made to not do so this year for some reason. I can understand why... it is often hard to hear the audio. Turn it up enough to hear it and then no one can talk across the counter.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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08-01-2013, 11:24 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 479
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I understand about the saving of marketing money, but Vans is the king of Osh, just look at the tie downs. Vans should have a tent the size of Cirrus'. They could spread their models out a little, have this year' premier model on display inside, and provide a great place where builders can congregate and tell stories. The customers would probably be more excited to answer questions to potential buyers than the actual staff. Heck, they could set up smaller booths inside or outside the periphery of the tent and allow all the 3rd party venders that sell Vans stuff to set up their own displays. Those vendors could help spread the costs out.
When Vans' tent looks as simple as the one they currently have, it just gives a vibe of second class compared to the certified guys, and that shouldn't be.
Just my opinion of course.
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Rick from Fresno
RV-7A
The art to flying lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
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08-01-2013, 11:26 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Townsend, Montana
Posts: 3,179
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if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I think they're doing something right, look at the completion rate and waiting period for most kits. They ship them as fast as they can package them....in a downturn economy!
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Retired Dam guy. Life is good.
Brian, N155BKsold but bought back.
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08-01-2013, 11:49 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
Posts: 1,035
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Sales 101
I've not yet been to OSH, or have seen or interacted with the Van's crew. However, the best sales approach I've seen is to actually fly in one of the beasties (after flying in a Cessna or Piper spam-can) and realize what a great plane this is. I'm an engineer, and I appreciate the performance, without the glitz. It's refreshing that it's not a hard sell, and I'm very happy with what I think I'm building. A bunch of you have already have showed off the "grin" Greatest marketing ploy ever. My first climb to altitude, roll, and wingover in a -7A convinced me that this is a special plane. Can't wait till my baby comes alive (tho I've just started on the wings now...)
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Bill Bencze
N430WB RV-7 #74152 @ KHAF, tip-up; IO-360-M1B; Hartzell CS. !! Phase 1 !!
2357 hrs over 8.5 years to get to flying. Log at: http://rv7.wbencze.com
VAF 2020 donation happily made
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08-02-2013, 06:27 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Posts: 121
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Van's display
When Van's booth starts looking like the Cirrus / Beechcraft booths then the parts prices will undoubtedly follow. Just purchased a bracket for mix and throttle cables from Van's, under $20 try that for a Beechcraft, lucky if its under $400.
I found the personal at the display were the same low key not pushy helpful folks as always.
The pretty young lady in the booth was not there just for "eye candy" that was actually Ken Kruger's daughter! Great young lady who grew up with the Van's ethic.
Van please don't change a thing!
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08-02-2013, 08:08 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 736
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Manning (and womaning) that tent has got to get old especially after doing it for so many years. On the other hand my visit to the factory was VERY good. I agree that the finished fleet and their builders/pilots sells the product.
If you want feel good fuzzies go to the factory. My wife (then Fiance) and I went to Portland for a vacation/wine tour with a planned stop at Vans. We stopped by the Factory, took a ride in the -10, checked out the Spruce Goose then on to the vineyards. Want to sway your lady make this a trip. But remember what can be swayed one way can be swayed the other! 
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Rick Sked
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08-03-2013, 12:44 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Molalla, Oregon (KOL05)
Posts: 529
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The OP (duckguy) complains that
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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.
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The Van's booth has been a pretty busy place this week. Lots of potential builders/friends as well as old. I would guess if it was that "lame" we wouldn't see too many folks. Yet nobody eats at an empty restaurant as they say...  Only hundreds continue to stop by daily...
Yup, the same old factory demonstrators continue to soldier on, proving their durability after tens of thousands of air miles and several hundred people per show (many of them very unkind to the equipment) climb in and out to try on what might become their next dream. For these aircraft to endure this treatment and continue to look and run as well as they do says a lot about the product line as well as the staff/technicians/pilots at Van's that maintains them. That, my friend, is your marketing point to communicate to your spouse. A very well built, durable product that will put up with years of wear and tear. Never mind the smoke an mirrors...
One poster complains
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Not even a TV monitor showing a loop of one of their aircraft flying over exotic places. Great airplanes..lousy marketing.
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I'm not sure what tent they were looking in, but there has been a 32" flat screen with the RV-14 teaser video and a new compilation video playing continuously all week, including at the Van's banquet. In fact I almost have it memorized by now.
If Vans were to dump $50,000 into a glitzy tent and marketing swag, who do you think pays that bill? What does that do to the affordability of the product? Does it really make the product perform any better? Does it make anyone feel more warm and fuzzy? Think about it... Van's has never been in the immediate gratification business. We have some very intelligent and savvy customers out there who know a great product, and a company founder who knows how to bring that product to market in a very efficient way. Kind of like the 'Total Performance' thing that you keep hearing about...
For those that would rather have the 'Total Marketing' experience, please visit the Icon tent, and ask about a demo ride...
Just my $.02 worth...
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Joe Blank
RV-6
IO-320-D1A
Advanced Flight Systems
Van's Aircraft Inc. Technical Support-Retired
EAA Tech Counselor & Flight Advisor
www.westcoastravens.com
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