[TheForge] Re: Pure Iron

[GHS]

Ralph, after such a glowing testimonial,
which I will not contradict as you are
right on the money, I would like to
throw in my own two cents as to why PI
has not caught on.

As a group, it is my sense that the
smithing community is neither casual
with its money nor overly inclined to
jump on every bandwagon that comes
along. (Those who know me, and my tool
habit are now spitting up there coffee
or rolling on the floor laughing.) When
you add these to the general American
feeling about being entitled to have it
NOW you have a very hard market.

In order to market against these things
I can suggest two things which might
have helped. Let me say first that I am
certain that there are very valid
reasons why these things were not done.
I in no way want to demean Mikes efforts
to bring us this product.

My suggestions? 

1.Samples lots and lots of samples.
Every smith could have had a 6 inch
piece of 1/2 inch square. One of this
countries most successful markets is
driven by the first taste being free.

2. A local or regional supply network. I
would have picked up a piece, even at
inflated prices, if it had been sitting
there at Centaur.
Wanting it NOW and impulse buying are
closely allied concepts.

Instead I waited until I could piggy
back with Mark Mondloch for my first try
at it.

My gut tells me that all of the
groundwork is laid and nearly everyone
in the potential market is at least
aware of PI. If I had the money to
purchase the business and take step #1
above I would take it on myself. Step #2
I would set up with small (initially)
consignment orders through as many
commercial outlets and chapters as I
could get. I would also as a cost saving
move initially limit sizes and only sell
square stock. We are after all primarily
in the business of changing the shape
and size of this stuff.


Just my two cents, I spent the rest on
tools


Mike Graf