This is a tough business.

[L8 APEX]

When I was starting out in this business JDM wouldn't talk to me so I carried PSP products. Sal was really breaking it off in me and I wasn't making a dime. I was going through some old receipts and found this. It should give you guys an idea on how hard it was to make a buck. Notice the FTVB I was paying 185 a piece, Pulleys with belt 200, 4 way chip 375, set of Densos 80. Those were my "dealer" prices. Not to mention the very high shipping charges. It has been a long hard road and three years later there are twice as many wholesalers of L parts on the net.
http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/15CIMG1362.JPG

[00Bolt]

wow.... you should try and work a deal with LFP... he seems to have good prices....

[L8 APEX]

wow.... you should try and work a deal with LFP... he seems to have good prices....I do carry a few LFP items unfortuneately Mark already sells stuff cheap as you say and there is not much room in there for dealer markup.

[dboat]

I am assuming that you get better pricing now.. Can you make a decent living do it?
Dana

[L8 APEX]

I am assuming that you get better pricing now.. Can you make a decent living do it?
DanaLOL that is the question I ask myself often. It depends on what is considered a decent living. It has been a hard first year of full time work. I had to sell most of my toys to keep it rolling no more Lightnings or Corvettes for me. I drive my brother's 12 year old college truck. I stay in Duncanville because Jimmy lets me work off rent. Folks say get a North Dallas location and don't realize the overhead that brings. I barely have enough biz to keep afloat down here. I have dreams that eventually my hard work will pay off but it may just leave me broke and tired, we'll see. I really appreciate the loyal PR customers that buy and have their parts installed by me they give me hope. I am done harping on those who mail order and ebay to save a few bucks. It is their choice and if I can't make a profit and have to do something else so be it. I will always remember these years and experiences good and bad:beer: .

[BC Lightning]

i'll stay loyal, i want it done right, so my truck will stay a PR truck :bows

[George G.]

Is there anyway to skip the middle man? If I had more money to spend, I'd send some work your way...but I'm broke.

[L8 APEX]

I have done a lot of buy ins but keeping them curent is hard. They won't look at you unless you maintain a lot of volume. I have always been about quality over volume. I don't have time to mail/ebay whore and run a shop.

[Crawford]

I guess the installation is where you make your living. These parts can be a pain to install especially if you dont have the equipment/tools to get the job done. The instructions that come with most of these bolt ons leave a lot to be desired. In many cases you have to already have good knowledge of these trucks and general wrenching abilities to pull off some of these installs. I think this club is lucky to have you around Terry to continue to give more than fair deals and quality workmanship to its members. http://www.talonclub.com/forum/images/smilies/beerchug.gif