It's a question your brain answers
for you (without you even asking) every day of your life. You
form a judgment about anyone you must do business with. However;
when you are excited about something, many people would rather
be lied to.
What?!! Outrageous! Never. Actually
... I find it's often true.
Can you imagine the advertising which
read: "$100 rifle shoots 1,000 fps (during first 9 feet of
flight with 4.6 grain non-commercial pellet)". Gosh ... a
bit of a let down there. It's just alot more fun to read, "$100
rifle is 1,000 fps Superstar!" And, that's mostly what you
read. That way, even if you don't want one, it's Internet water
cooler "chat material".
I'm compelled to explain the truth
about dozens of subjects related to the manufacture of my airguns.
Frequently, folks write with assumptions which just do not match
the reality of the issues. I try to explain where the logic left
the tracks and make every effort to paint an accurate picture
of the issues. Quite often though, I can sense that I've "sat
on the birthday cake" in doing so. And the e-mail just fades.......... away.
There are a number of things we've
discussed here for years. I'll just mention a few without giving
the whole debate (which is printed elsewhere in site pages). But,
there's the "shots per fill"
issue. There's the "weight of the rifle"
issue. There's a page with most of the issues spelled out
which relate. It's called "Playing
One String". If you've never read it (or it's been awhile),
I encourage you to take a cup of coffee and wander over and read
it.
The main theme of this page follows: I go to the bother to explain the reality of my experience
with airguns. That doesn't always make everyone happy. If I sense
you've "left the tracks" on any particular issue, I
try to explain where (based again, on my own experience). In this
way, I sometimes provide people with the excuse they need to simply
move on and go to the next guy (who'll tell them what they wanted
to hear). Since I have to deal with the realities of building
the product to spec., I won't take on the baggage of meeting unrealistic
expectations.
There are two types of these unrealistic
expectations: 1). Fantasy Characteristics. These are the
"it never needs air", "you can't ever miss",
"it's ultra feather light", "50 fpe is enough for
anything", etc. 2). Unbalanced Emphasis projects.
This is where someone wants me to tell them that I'll spend most
of the effort on their particular pet area of interest (and still
toss in the rest). The various models offered, are a balance of
features for a given cost. The overpowering temptation is to try
to get me to agree to take a lesser model, and then "shoe
horn" in, one particular higher ticket feature not offered
on that model. It becomes extremely difficult to explain why I
can't just "plug in" that one little goodie. It becomes
the "dual wheels" on your Corvette - ask your local
Chevy dealer for a quote on that one ... ha ha ;?)
I subsidize my own work by doing
whatever is needed to meet my commitments.
What many people find difficult to realize is this: the cost of
running the business, the web site, manufacturing the product,
and supporting the product in the field, requires this subsidy
in the form of my being on duty 18/7. Therefore, I explain what's
real and what's fantasy. I display and demonstrate my products
in public at whatever venue is suitable. And I don't commit to
unrealistic expectations. If you pay attention, you'll find that
those who do, never show up to prove them anyway. (But they are
more fun 'cause they always agree with you, and accept every story
as Gospel ... ;?)
I've said before, people know very
soon if they desire my work and can work with me. I make no effort
to twist anyone's arm. Mostly folks tell me that they find the
"no BS" approach to be refreshing. It does take alittle
getting used to, because BS is so much a part of our normal daily
routine. However; once you adjust, you'll find that... I can provide
the 500+fpe if you have a place to use it. I can provide the MOA@100
yards if you have the discipline to follow instructions. I can
provide the deep relief carving and engraving if you care to purchase
it. I provide a product you can use all you want and then sell
it for a profit. I think those are pretty solid reality items.
As I've mentioned before, I mostly
build my work for those who have found a kindred spirit here (or
at least one they can respect), and those folks have recognized
that (rather than being a vending machine), I've become a friend.