I realize price is an issue. I hope to offer complete kits and also just the brackets. The problem is, for most car alternators that would fit, the supply is very scarce, meaning they have one or two at most till they get more cores. I'm not gonna run all over the world to junkyards to get cores.
Still checking on alternatives. Found one interesting one that's about $175 brand new, from a tractor. New appeals to me, cause the reliability and warranty offered by rebuilders is often unreliable.
More later.
GF
On Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at 07:16 AM, thomas halchuk wrote:
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Price is an issue. How about an approach where you provide an option as a complete kit or just the bracket, etc as a kit for XYZ alternator, proved by the buyer.. That will put the price issues on the buyer.
There maybe be a rash of missing forklift alternators.
Tom
----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg Field" <gre-@gregfield.com> To: <Loopfram-@topica.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 9:42 AM Subject: Re: Loop Alternators
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Price: Will know soon. I appreciate your input on this.
GF
Rambling thoughts that might help you, Greg Field.
Hmmmm...I thought maybe that was a little high until I started pricing alternators for cars I currently own and have owned in the past. Sure, I can pick up an alternator for a 1979 Subaru DL Sedan for $50, but my 1985 Saab 900 S would have run $150. My current vehicles, 2000 Saab 9-5 SE and 2002 Toyota Tacoma would cost $243 and $200, respectively. These prices include the core charge. So, although I'd like to keep the price as inexpensive as possible, I guess that $150 - $200 for a small alternator is probably resonable this day-in-age.
Whatever alternator you choose, I'd like it to be rock solid and easily replaced if something were ever to go wrong. The cheaper the better because I would like to be spending most of my money on the specialized bracket, pulley, belt, etc.
What are your thoughts on the price point for the finished product? What will be included (bracket, alternator, pulley, belt, etc.)?
Given that the goal is to provide increased electrical output to a relatively small group of loop frame owners, I understand that you won't be able to make money by selling tons of these at a small mark-up. Instead, you'll have to make a higher margin on each unit you sell - and even at that a person would never get rich.
I guess that I would like to see the kit priced around $200. I would certainly go up to $250. But anything over $300 is going to make me hesitate. I definitely want one of these kits, though!!!!
Greg Field wrote:
Did a bunch of research on alternators yesterday. The forklift one is over $200 and tough to find because of a lack of available cores.
Most of the suitable rebuilt car alternators (Samurai, etc.) are $150-200, counting the core charge. Still looking for a cheaper option and working on the brackets. Does this alt. price scare all of you off?
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