Has Anyone Tried This...Demo Program

[Sweetwood]

I'm in the shop making sawdust today and this hit me...

Being a small company, I'm cursed by not having brand awareness and the ability to get my guitars in a lot of people's hands. Has any company out there tried a demo program? Thoughts? I can't be the first person to think of this...

Here are the details, you sign up for a demo on my site, or by emailing (whatever), then a guitar is shipped to you. When you are finished, you then ship it on to the next person when you are done.

I'm not sure about how to handle the money, but maybe a deposit or a paypal type of thing.

[jcj]

Soloway has been doing it for quite a while.

[DWB1960]

D'Pergo too.

[Pfeister]

There are a few builders who do that. I hear it's great for business. I'm even hoping to start something like that in a few weeks.

[acoupland]

Its a good idea - could anyone post their experience with such a process? What works vs doesn't work, what methods/deposits/etc would ppl prefer. Obviously its been done, but would be good to avoid growing pains by hearing experiences from both buyers and builders

[circusinthesky]

Another common "tour box" idea is that, if a recipient wishes to keep the item, they pay for it/keep it, and the manufacturer sends out the next one.

[Jim Soloway]

As jcj mentioned, we've been doing it for almost 8 years now and it's worked very well. Here's a link to all the details of how we do it. http://www.jimsoloway.com/TestDrive.htm And we don't take credit cards or deposits. We work entirely on the honor system and people have behaved remarkably well. It's been a great example of just how decently people can behave when they're given the opportunity.

[K-Line]

I had three go out last year into this year. It went very well, only a couple of small communication delays, happens when three parties are in the loop. Same as Soloway as far as deposits, etc. When I get a chance to get a few more built up, I plan to do again, this time it will not be the clones but the all K-Line Brand. I feel this will be a great way for people to get them in their hands if they do not live in a dealer city.

[Sawarow]

I have a Tombstone model out as a demo and will soon have a Sedona as well. I don't ask for deposits either. My guitars are different enough that I think people are going to want to play them before pulling the trigger and ordering them.

[Bluedawg]

Originally Posted by Sawarow

I have a Tombstone model out as a demo and will soon have a Sedona as well. I don't ask for deposits either. My guitars are different enough that I think people are going to want to play them before pulling the trigger and ordering them.

Hmm tempting ...

If I had a Tombstone ... I would have to get me some gigs in Tombstone, AZ ... about 30 minutes away from me

A Sedona in Sedona red would be nice as well.

[Sawarow]

Originally Posted by Bluedawg

Hmm tempting ...

If I had a Tombstone ... I would have to get me some gigs in Tombstone, AZ ... about 30 minutes away from me

A Sedona in Sedona red would be nice as well.

Should you want to see what one sounds like in Arizona, there are demo spots available . . .

[dougk]

I have 2 out there right now. I'm a little picky about who I put on my demo list but :knocks on wood: so far its been great.

One of them actually has a couple finish blems that I never got to fixing. Its very minor but enough that I encourage people to PLAY them. Play it rough, long as it comes back with the headstock still attached I'm happy.

[onvacation]

Long time listener...first time caller.

I'm going to have to say how impressed I am that not only did several builders (competition?) respond in a positive manner to this post but also went as far as Jim Soloway did and basically gave a step by step on how to implement a demo program.

I'm one of those players whose passion for the instrutment far outweighs my talent but because of this the small company is very appealing to me. Very nice that the appeal goes beyond the guitar and into the way these folks treat other people.

Living in St. Louis, I'm chomping at the bit even more now to check out a K-Line.

[Pfeister]

Yeah, competition between builders isn't really a competition. I don't think I've ever seen a friendlier industry.

It's a tough gig and a lot, if not most, of us work alone. If we didn't get a long and share advice, I don't think anyone would get anywhere.

[Sawarow]

Originally Posted by onvacation

Long time listener...first time caller.

I'm going to have to say how impressed I am that not only did several builders (competition?) respond in a positive manner to this post but also went as far as Jim Soloway did and basically gave a step by step on how to implement a demo program.

I'm one of those players whose passion for the instrutment far outweighs my talent but because of this the small company is very appealing to me. Very nice that the appeal goes beyond the guitar and into the way these folks treat other people.

Living in St. Louis, I'm chomping at the bit even more now to check out a K-Line.

Being a little worried about not getting a guitar back and being new to this, I PMed Jim Soloway and asked how his demo program worked and if he'd ever lost a demo. He responded quickly and positively. It was much appreciated.

I am currently only offering demos to TGP members. Considering I don't seem to be the luckiest person in the world, and not having dozens of guitars laying around, I'm still a little reluctant to offer this to anyone who stumbles across my website.