[CVRC] FIELD DAY SPECIAL-HONDA INVERTER GENERATOR

[Dick Flanagan]

COFFMAN  ELECTRICAL  EQUIPMENT  CO.

3300 Jefferson 
Ave. 
Phone:  (616) 452-8708
Grand Rapids, 
MI  49548 
           Fax:  (616) 452-1337
[]



Dear Radio Enthusiast,

In 2008 we were contacted by John Miller, K6MM, 
president of the Northern California Contest 
Club.  To make a long story short we negotiated a 
deal with John’s organization to provide the 
Honda EU2000iS inverter generator at a special 
price to his members.  The program was a huge 
success – the members purchased approximately 70 
of these generators through the club.

John sent a message regarding this program to 
several other clubs.  Please read some comments from his letter:

“In the spirit of "Sharing The Wealth", I wanted 
to let you know about a large group purchase of 
Honda generators that our Club has just completed.

In early June, many NCCC members discussed the 
need for a reliable inverter generator for Field 
Day, Emergency Preparedness, and general home 
use.  After some research, we decided upon a 2KW 
generator -- the Honda EU2000i.

Perhaps you are familiar with this generator, 
which has received excellent reviews from 
contesters, DXpeditioners, and on 
eHam.net.  Because of Honda's inverter 
technology, the EU2000i provides clean "sine 
wave" power, making it safe for use with 
computers and our sometimes-sensitive radio 
gear.  I used this generator at two different 
Field Day sites this past June with excellent results.

The EU2000i lists for $1080.  After some research 
online, and many phone calls, I found a supplier 
in Grand Rapids, MI who was willing to work with 
us on a lower price if we could get at least 10 
units ordered.  Their name:  Coffman Electric 
Equipment Company -- and their online store is 
Steadypower.com: 
<http://www.steadypower.com/catalog/honda_eu2000.php>http://www.steadypower.com/catalog/honda_eu2000.php

  I did an extensive interview with Coffman 
Electric, which has been in business for over 50 
years, and was founded in the early 1950s by 
Perry Coffman, an electrical engineer and ham 
radio operator (I'm trying to track down his 
callsign).  According to AH (American Honda), 
they are one of AH's best dealers in the US with 
virtually no customer complaints.

Coffman Electric was the only supplier I 
contacted who was willing to ship individually 
via Fedex Ground to each buyer's shipping address 
(with a tracking number).  The other suppliers 
(including Mayberrys who advertise in QST) all 
wanted to ship a large palette to one location 
and have them distributed from there.

The price we settled on for a minimum purchase of 
10 generators:  $880 per generator (includes 
Fedex Ground shipping).  I sent out the request 
for 10 units.  What came back was an amazing 56 
orders.  Yes, 56.  We re-negotiated to a price of 
$860 -- which, after a little coaxing from me 
included a free high-quality $20 Honda storage 
cover.  We then collected $860 from each member 
(personal checks) - a total of $48,160.  I wired 
the money from our Wells Fargo account to Coffman 
Electric on Thursday, July 10, 2008 (praying that 
I wouldn't have to buy a one-way ticket to Bora 
Bora).  True to their word, CE starting shipping 
the next day, and over a two week period, all 
units were shipped.  As of Thursday, July 31 
(exactly 3 weeks from when we wired the $$), all 
units were safely in the hands of our Club 
members. Average delivery time from MI to CA:  4 business days.

So, why am I passing this information on to 
you?  Well, why not share the information with 
you guys?  We're all in this great hobby 
together, and if your Club members have a need 
for a reliable 2KW generator, the Honda EU2000i 
may be a good solution.  If so, feel free to follow up with Coffman Electric.

Disclaimer:  I have no personal interest in 
Coffman Electric whatsoever.  No relatives there 
and no hidden agenda.  The Club is not benefiting 
in any way from this recommendation and neither 
am I.  I'm just sharing our successful experience with you.

If you have any questions, I'm happy to 
help.  Best of luck, and CU in the next contest!”

The above comments were received in a letter from 
Mr. Miller in August 2008 and used with his 
permission.  I shortened them somewhat and 
removed any personal information on individual 
club members but I believe the essence of the experience is intact.

A couple of comments here.  The actual number of 
units purchased by this club was closer to 70 by 
the time we were through.  Also, the list price 
of the Honda EU2000iS is now $1,149.95.  However, 
we are prepared to offer the same deal from now through July 31.

PROGRAM:

If your club orders 10 or more Honda EU2000iS 
generators we will sell them at $860.00, 
including shipping (Continental U.S.) and a free Honda generator cover.

DETAILS:

    * Generators must be purchased through your club.
    * Club must be a registered non-profit organization.
    * Generators will be delivered to the individual members.
    * Offer is good through July 31, 2010.

If you are interested please give us a call at 
(888) 331-5344.  Any of our staff would be happy 
to discuss the program with you.

Sincerely,

Don Delaney
Marketing Director
Coffman Electrical Equipment Co.
<mailto:djdelaney at steadypower.com>djdelaney at steadypower.com

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Dick Flanagan K7VC
dick at k7vc.com