Darren, I'd only wish we had at least one shop like yours here in Norway! Your commitment and service is on the borderline to madness!
But you and Chazz really should reconsider saying anything negative at all about other manufacturers. That's the first rule you learn in sales. Never do it! It always comes around...
No matter what you're selling, always say that the other brands make great stuff! (Even if it IS a lie!) There is 0,0000% to gain on doing otherwise!!! And bragging about the competition also makes it natural to brag about your own stuff!
And look back in time and compare the old cars with todays! Today's cars are top notch, all of them!
Let me do a quick explanation of the psychology behind it... I started my working life as a car salesman. When someone walks into your store they're obviously interested in buying cars that you sell. A natural question to ask the customer is what car(s) he has previously owned. And what other cars he's considering. If you say anything at all negative about one of the cars he's had or is considering buying your implying a lot of things:
-he's an idiot for choosing that car. And if he's had it for 10 years he's really...
-if he's been really satisfied with it he feels you're lying. And won't trust you...
-you give a first impression of being somewhat of a nagging negative person...
-he gets the feeling you're pissed because they're selling more than you...
So... K.I.S.S.! (Keep It Simple Stupid) - Be nice, always positive and give them a hell of a test drive! If they like you AND the car they simply buy it...
I've had X-Factory parts break on some tracks like you woldn't belive it, whilst AE and Losi cars were in one piece (not crashes, just driving). But I still highly recommend your cars & service! Why stick your heads so far out ?
And I 100% agree with Grelland! Don't blame the Chinese either! They make EXACTLY the quality you ask them to AND pay for! If the quality has gone down after moving production to Asia then it's because they've been asked to "make it cheaper" (actually a lot cheaper in that case, since production costs are lower in Asia). That being said I've not experienced any drop in the quality of AE parts, and I haven't heard any other guys around here say so either...
And we all know that times are hard. It's often a matter of moving production to Asia or going bankrupt... Take Serpent for instance, I know they've been struggling for a while. OTOH I've been to their production facilities in Holland. Neither was I impressed with the technology, speed or quality - even if it was NOT made in Asia. You still had to drill and heat parts to get a good fit. From my experience the best build quality, fit and durability I've experienced is Mugen Seiki (Japanese).
@Paul: Uptravel yes, that makes sense!
It already has some SERIOUS downtravel!
@Chazz: Cool! I liked that answer...
