MOTM

I am at the point now (8 years down the road) where I *have* the money to 'tool 
up'.

The issue is: there is a threshold mentally where people get basically pissed 
off when you 'have their money' and don't ship. That threshold is $50 and 4 
weeks. Seriously.

I don't have 5 full-time, expense paid by another revenue stream employees like 
Roger has. I work in a 11 x 17 room in my house with a full-time job.

I am trying to remember if anyone has really flamed me for not shipping when I 
*did not* have their money.....nope. However, you should see the emails/hear the 
phone calls when I *do*. Funny thing is, I've only been asked for a refund on 
the balance *2 times* and both times the folks had 80% of their modules and 
didn't want to wait for the other 20% which were *assembled*.

So, starting in 2006 unless you *want me to* (and some folks do because they 
have the funds currently), I'm not 'pre-charging' or getting deposits or 
whatever you want to call it. MOTM is self-funded (no borrowing from the bank, 
not charging to a credit card, no dipping into the college fund) and that's my 
stand.

The reality of having an 'Internet business' is that now, (not 5 years ago, but 
NOW) everyone expects the same 'on-line experience' as amazon.com They want 
confirmation emails, tracking numbers, and 24 hour shipping. When this doesn't 
happen, something is "wrong". If people send me emails amd I don't get back in 2 
hours, they think something is "wrong".

What other manufacturers do (or don't do) is NOT TO BE DISCUSSED HERE. Go to AH 
to GasStation or where-ever. If you want to gripe about me, go at it.

Paul S.

>
> I don't have 5 full-time, expense paid by another revenue stream 
> employees like
> Roger has. I work in a 11 x 17 room in my house with a full-time job.

This speaks to what I brought up in my previous post about not 
comparing Synthtech to other companies.  I take it as confirmation, 
whether it is or not, hehe.  :)

>
> So, starting in 2006 unless you *want me to* (and some folks do 
> because they
> have the funds currently), I'm not 'pre-charging' or getting deposits 
> or
> whatever you want to call it. MOTM is self-funded (no borrowing from 
> the bank,
> not charging to a credit card, no dipping into the college fund) and 
> that's my
> stand.

A wise policy, IMHO.
>
> The reality of having an 'Internet business' is that now, (not 5 years 
> ago, but
> NOW) everyone expects the same 'on-line experience' as amazon.com They 
> want
> confirmation emails, tracking numbers, and 24 hour shipping. When this 
> doesn't
> happen, something is "wrong". If people send me emails amd I don't get 
> back in 2
> hours, they think something is "wrong".

Well, FWIW, I don't expect that kind of turnaround.  Every once in a 
while I think about diy'ing the rest of my synth - I have the technical 
background and I think it is theoretically possible.  It would (might?) 
be cheaper than buying MOTM kits, and I wouldn't have to wait for 
them...   Those thoughts last for about 10 seconds.  I still have an 
unbuilt 800 EG sitting in a drawer, lol - quick delivery time is not an 
issue for me.  And though I want to do some diy, I don't want to do it 
to build my synth cheaper or faster - this is a "luxury" item for me 
anyway, so if it takes years to build, fine.

> What other manufacturers do (or don't do) is NOT TO BE DISCUSSED HERE. 
> Go to AH
> to GasStation or where-ever. If you want to gripe about me, go at it.
>
> Paul S.

No gripes!!  You're doing a great job, and a great service to us all!  
One suggestion:  we need more swag!  How 'bout a black T-shirt with the 
Synthech logo on it, and/or another cool design?  A picture of a big 
MOTM system on the back?  Or front?  Have a contest and let other 
people design it and you pick the one you like best... or something 
like that so you don't have to spend a lot of time on it.

Larry David

I detect some testiness here.   Unfortunate.   I haven't been particularly 
active in MOTM circles lately, but I do remember my 1st experiences, maybe 5 
yrs. ago: after an internet search for analogue   synths, and came across this 
little itty-bitty outfit, in TX of all places.   My initial inquiries were 
promptly and thoroughly answered, so I figure what the hell.   In the wild and 
wooly 'good' ol' days of the 'net, I send my $4,5,600 bucks, whatever, off into 
cyberspace and hope for the best.   And what did I get?   Beautifully designed, 
meticulously packaged, solid kits w/ overkill instructions and documentation.  
 All at a very, IMHO, reasonable price.   I remember working on a pretty 
basic Moog, back in the '70's, and I think it cost, like, 10 grand back then.   
Factoring in inflation......So in this season lets celebtate little acts of 
faith and count our blessings.   Thanx,   E. Steck

Yup, that pretty much squares with my experience...

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, eiii@a... wrote:
>
> I detect some testiness here.   Unfortunate.   I haven't been
particularly 
> active in MOTM circles lately, but I do remember my 1st experiences,
maybe 5 
> yrs. ago: after an internet search for analogue   synths, and came
across this 
> little itty-bitty outfit, in TX of all places.   My initial
inquiries were 
> promptly and thoroughly answered, so I figure what the hell.   In
the wild and 
> wooly 'good' ol' days of the 'net, I send my $4,5,600 bucks,
whatever, off into 
> cyberspace and hope for the best.   And what did I get?  
Beautifully designed, 
> meticulously packaged, solid kits w/ overkill instructions and
documentation.  
>  All at a very, IMHO, reasonable price.   I remember working on a
pretty 
> basic Moog, back in the '70's, and I think it cost, like, 10 grand
back then.   
> Factoring in inflation......So in this season lets celebtate little
acts of 
> faith and count our blessings.   Thanx,   E. Steck
>