Date:         Tue, 9 Mar 2004 14:37:04 -0800
Reply-To:     James V <tornadored@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         James V <tornadored@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Berg Shift Kit Group Buy [OFFICIAL UPDATE -Denied!]
In-Reply-To:  <BC6E4107.BC85%tornadored@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Bad news...

I finally got a call back from Berg and they said that they won't do ANY
discount  because the "cost to manufacture is too high and there isn't
enough profit."  Unfortunately, I couldn't even talk to the owner - she was
"out of the office" when I went there, and then had the employee call me
back today.

I had mentioned to them before that no shipping would be necessary on their
part and I explained today that we had potentially 60+ buyers, but she
simply rebutted with the same reasoning.  It was pretty much a brick wall.

I could try more diligently to contact the owner directly, but she really
sounds completely uninterested.  I'm doubtful that the profit margin is as
small as they say, considering the simplicity of the unit and the 300% price
increase in recent years.  I think they simply don't want to do a group buy.
Even if we could coax them into offering a discount, it would likely be very
insignificant and most people would opt out.

I apologize to everyone.

But, I think there may be alternatives.  A few have suggested the
possibility of fabricating something themselves for the group, and BenT is
currently in contact w/ a UK supplier.  I'll maintain the list of people
that are interested and would gladly help out in any other way I can.

Sorry folks.

James V
90 Carat


PS: If you feel some urge to contact them yourself about this, contact me
off list and I can give you the information.  But I really don't think it
will do much good and would probably reinforce their position.