What direction is VPI headed?

Good posts, fsonicsmith. Slaw's too, of course.

@fsonicsmith I totally agree about the name and I'm loving calling it a "stabilizer" because it does exactly that. Wouldn't be bale to use the word outrigger since we have a part that is referred to as that.  But stabilizer certainly works.   We weren't going for marketing BS on the name we picked... we just didn't have a better name at the time.  Your suggestion makes  a lot of sense.

I also agree about Bill, he had a great design but working with him seemed next to impossible.  Actually... I'm agreeing with the majority of your post :p  The B&M guys are key for the growth of VPI and all companies.  The online guys have lost access to our reference line.  Some still have inventory before we limited their product access.  Having a strong B&M can make the difference between a positive and negative experience and we always try to support them first.  

I'm not sure about the wink-wink part but whenever we have special offers we open it up to the B&M first for at least a week before opening it up to the online dealers.  But still, I'm a huge advocate for the B&M and their support.  We did run into some early day 3D arm issues that have since been worker out.  Also feel free to call us anytime.  We actually answer phone and Mondays and Fridays now also   

@stringreen I'm  sorry it has been a bit tougher for you, we have been trying and I can only guess its because of the growth.  Myself, Marc, Jane, grandma, and sometimes dad (Tuesdays and Thursdays usually), are always on the phone trying to work with everyone and we have drastically stepped up quality control and testing on all products.  We just need a few more hours in the day :)   

Again, anyone who doesn't like the uni can always swap it with a gimbal.

@testpilot you made our day!!!

I also agree about Bill, he had a great design but working with him seemed next to impossible.

It's not that difficult really.  You just need an attention span longer than 5 minutes and someone that can understand what they're looking at.  Not loosing the equipment I sent to you for evaluation would have gone a long way as well.

I think what sealed the deal for me was when you couldn't make any decisions so Harry stepped in, requested equipment to evaluate, never got around to it, and after 3 months of yanking my chain told me: "I'm retired now, talk to Mat about it". 

Yeah, and I'm next to impossible.

Actually, you have been... Bill you are rewriting history a bit as usual but that's fine, I'm used to it from you and not going to waste time with a fight.

Speaking of which, I see it is a waste of time for me to hang out on this thread any longer. I hope I answered everyone's questions. The direction is leading us to more focus and quality products that we will still be able to service for everyone 20 years from now.

Mat, I pretty much bled my pancreas of bile upon you (undeservedly) and rather than blast something back, you responded like a true gentleman. A true gentleman you are. In particular, I know many think very highly of the 3D arm and my attack on it as a "plastic gimmick" was a bit much. I do happen to think my 9T sounds 98% as good but that is my subjective opinion in my particular Thorens rig. Thanks for being a nice guy running a great (but imperfect) company. On the topic of B&M retailers, I will not drop his name but I live in Columbus OH so you can probably figure out his identity-it happened to be me who informed him of Sheila's passing which I had just learned from one of the boards-this particular guy was on the verge of tears-such was his fondness for Sheila developed over many years of phone conversations. And yes, you are wise not to engage too much in these forums-they are like zoos run amuck by the inmates, of which I am undoubtedly one of the elephants.