Wiardgroup

Hello Everybody,

I am just finishing the third to last order from 2007.

I finally looked at orders from 2008, and again there is 2 years or more of assembly 
booked in a single year. My prices must be set too low. But still, $800 for a VCO whose 
BASIC functionality can be replicated by a rack of cheap modules for half the price?

This was never anticipated in the design of the modules, or the design of the assembly 
process, or the design of the business model, or what the future was SUPPOSED to be like. 
Success is going to put Wiard out of business, if I don't manage it realistically.

I always operate in good faith. If I talked to you on the telephone, and guessed at a 
delivery period, that was the reality at that moment. The fact that next week, 18 months 
work of business came in one week, who could anticipate that?

Wiard is based on and "old world" hand crafting methodology. There is basically no way to 
increase production, without changing the product into something different. European's 
have no problem with this, but it drives some American's into hissy fits.

At Wiard we use EE volunteers as technicians. This kind of assembly is an art form. Anyone 
who possesses the skill level to do it is unaffordable to the business. There is no practical 
method to increase production, again without redesigning the entire thing.

I am going to have to contact each individual and negotiate with them. I haven't deposited 
the down payments yet, so returning them is no problem (for the most part).

Here is the adjustment to business practice. I can only offer six modules per person, per 
year. You have to be willing to wait as long as it takes, no more delivery dates or promises. 
No more multi-rack orders. All module modifications after today are $100 per module.

Also, this is not a conspiracy to prevent access. I am ten years older than when I started. I 
am not physically or psychologically capable of the marathon bench sessions which were 
routine in the early years. And I am NOT willing to die for my art. That is just stupid.

Barack Obama say's American's must learn to live within their means. I think this also 
applies to your physical means. Acting like your 40 when your 52 may be Macho, but 2 
days of bed rest afterwards is not Macho. It's also stupid, and sure wrecks your weekends.

Nobody panic! Wiard is not going out of business. I am adjusting the business practice to 
fit the current state of affairs. <humor>And I am not even asking for a Government 
bailout to do it.</humor>

I'm not going to spoil anyones Christmas, we will work something out to each customer's 
satisfaction.

With gratitude for the uber-fantastic support, and humility for my limitations,

Grant Richter
Wiard Synthesizer