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Joining "independent pickup makers association"

12/7/2002 4:41 PM
SK	Joining "independent pickup makers association" I'm thinking maybe we SHOULD form a formal "Independent Pickup Makers Association". This is something Wolfe and I discussed and I'm starting to think there are real reasons to formalize. For one, it would give us more legitimate leverage and positioning in fighting trademark and patent issues (and yes, there may be fees involved in some of this) It would also give us a more legtimate position in purchasing supplies especially if we could arrange a "membership" which would involve "dues" which then would be applied towards bulk purchases. These bulk purchased items then would be availiable to members for purchase "at cost". IMO, this would require someone willing to handle the purchases and then storing/shipping as repurchased. I think this is the only realistic option as not everyone needs the same items at the same time causing issues with or "normal fund pooling" methods. These items could also be offered for sale to non-members at a profit which would be rolled into the fund. We also discussed taking much of our "trade secrets" such as suppliers and techniques and making them availiable to members on a member only website (or more likely, a members only section of a website) I think we would likely "move" this forum to the "new website" in order to draw more traffic. The website would be an "association website" with links to all members prominent. With reciprical links from all members sites traffic would likely increase and hopefully so would membership. I do believe this may result in a bit more "open competition" between members as all would be easily locatable from the association site (this could be avoided at the cost of prominent "member links") I am willing to do much of the work involved in this, if not all. What do you think?

12/7/2002 4:41 PM

Joining "independent pickup makers association"

I'm thinking maybe we *SHOULD* form a formal "Independent Pickup Makers Association". This is something Wolfe and I discussed and I'm starting to think there are real reasons to formalize. For one, it would give us more legitimate leverage and positioning in fighting trademark and patent issues (and yes, there may be fees involved in some of this)
It would also give us a more legtimate position in purchasing supplies especially if we could arrange a "membership" which would involve "dues" which then would be applied towards bulk purchases. These bulk purchased items then would be availiable to members for purchase "at cost".
IMO, this would require someone willing to handle the purchases and then storing/shipping as repurchased. I think this is the only realistic option as not everyone needs the same items at the same time causing issues with or "normal fund pooling" methods. These items could also be offered for sale to non-members at a profit which would be rolled into the fund.
We also discussed taking much of our "trade secrets" such as suppliers and techniques and making them availiable to members on a member only website (or more likely, a members only section of a website)
I think we would likely "move" this forum to the "new website" in order to draw more traffic. The website would be an "association website" with links to all members prominent. With reciprical links from all members sites traffic would likely increase and hopefully so would membership. I do believe this may result in a bit more "open competition" between members as all would be easily locatable from the association site (this could be avoided at the cost of prominent "member links")
I am willing to do much of the work involved in this, if not all.
What do you think?

12/7/2002 7:42 PM
Adam Ziegler	Re: Joining "independent pickup makers association" SK, I think this sounds like a good idea, I think I would be willing to be apart of this. -Adam

12/8/2002 3:27 PM
SK	Bump. Any other opinions Please. Yea or Nay

12/8/2002 4:02 PM
Gunno	SK , It sounds like a good idea to me. Just a few questions - Would this "independent pickup makers association" be open for a amateur and hobbyist like me ? Would it be a worldwide association ?

12/8/2002 6:34 PM
SK	Yes it will be open to anyone who wishes to join. I'm thinking there should be two levels of membership, like "Full" and "Associate", with "Associate" having limited benefits. International definitely...

12/8/2002 4:07 PM
Dr Strangelove	Opinion? How much money? Who holds the money? If there's enough funding, a humbucker bobbin mould for custom non-cream colors could be a reality. A good mold with replaceable inserts is about $7500 up front, and THEN you pay materials and labor on your 10k bobbins. Who handles storage and distribution of pickup materials? Is the chore distributed amongst members? -drh --

12/8/2002 7:08 PM
SK	Sorta answers and LONG Those are all good questions, and I don't have the answers. I think one person would be "primarily responsible" for the money and the materials. This will definitely be a headache of sorts. Anyone with connections could make the arrangements and payment, but the funding would be issued from one place. Like most associations it would require certain members take on minor administrative roles as a "check and balance". Whoever were to take on the financial aspect would have to be willing to have his personal information distributed to all members and be willing to submit to any type of backround check others felt necessary. The funds would have to be pooled into a formal; legitimate bank account in the associations name. I suppose more than one person would need to be registered with said bank. As far as the amounts, I'm thinking there will be two levels "associate" and "full" with different levels of benefit. The cost would depend upon number of people interested, and exactly what we wish to accomplish. Like you said, real money opens up real possibilities... I think a flexible "dues" system will be required as well. Ithink the "reasonable aproach" would be to start small and hope that "retail profits", increased membership and recognition would eventually boost things to where we could really do things. I do realize some already do some of this in limited scale; I do realize there are compromises many will feel they are making. (loss of personal profit, competition, sharing of information, etc...) I also think that without this we are basicly the same as the big companies which have always frustrated us so, just on a smaller level; because we ARE on a smaller level. Without something like this we will likely always remain on a smaller level. As far as someone willing to be put in such a difficult position as "manager", along with all the requirements I mentioned before (and others I imagine); I am willing to do it, without reimbursement. As far as my info, I am 36, married 15 yrs w/ 4 children. We are a "single income family". I am a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) AGR (active duty National Guard) in Pennsylvania. My primary "Job" is that of Helicopter Flight Instructor/Academic Instructor. Secondary duties involve the management of personnel and projects. I have a "Secret" clearance. Prior to taking this Job I was self employed for 12 years in construction trades (I was part time guard pilot then). I have a "9" credit rating whenever someone runs a credit check on me. I have a standing charge account with A-Z and other suppliers. For my personal and business accounts I use a Federal Credit Union where establishing an association account would be relatively easy. Beyond that, I will not "publish" my personal information on the web, but I will release it to anyone interested in this association who contacts me directly thru e-mail or otherwise, WHEN it becomes appropriate to do so (like when I really think this might fly). I think I'm a reasonable candidate, but I don't necessarily "want" the position/job. (I think if you "want" the job, you probably don't realize what really is involved)

12/8/2002 7:08 PM

Sorta answers and LONG

Those are all good questions, and I don't have the answers. I think one person would be "primarily responsible" for the money and the materials. This will definitely be a headache of sorts. Anyone with connections could make the arrangements and payment, but the funding would be issued from one place. Like most associations it would require certain members take on minor administrative roles as a "check and balance". Whoever were to take on the financial aspect would have to be willing to have his personal information distributed to all members and be willing to submit to any type of backround check others felt necessary. The funds would have to be pooled into a formal; legitimate bank account in the associations name. I suppose more than one person would need to be registered with said bank.

As far as the amounts, I'm thinking there will be two levels "associate" and "full" with different levels of benefit. The cost would depend upon number of people interested, and exactly what we wish to accomplish. Like you said, real money opens up real possibilities... I think a flexible "dues" system will be required as well. Ithink the "reasonable aproach" would be to start small and hope that "retail profits", increased membership and recognition would eventually boost things to where we could really do things.

I do realize some already do some of this in limited scale; I do realize there are compromises many will feel they are making. (loss of personal profit, competition, sharing of information, etc...) I also think that without this we are basicly the same as the big companies which have always frustrated us so, just on a smaller level; because we ARE on a smaller level. Without something like this we will likely always remain on a smaller level.

As far as someone willing to be put in such a difficult position as "manager", along with all the requirements I mentioned before (and others I imagine); I am willing to do it, without reimbursement.

As far as my info, I am 36, married 15 yrs w/ 4 children. We are a "single income family". I am a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) AGR (active duty National Guard) in Pennsylvania. My primary "Job" is that of Helicopter Flight Instructor/Academic Instructor. Secondary duties involve the management of personnel and projects. I have a "Secret" clearance. Prior to taking this Job I was self employed for 12 years in construction trades (I was part time guard pilot then).

I have a "9" credit rating whenever someone runs a credit check on me. I have a standing charge account with A-Z and other suppliers. For my personal and business accounts I use a Federal Credit Union where establishing an association account would be relatively easy.

Beyond that, I will not "publish" my personal information on the web, but I will release it to anyone interested in this association who contacts me directly thru e-mail or otherwise, WHEN it becomes appropriate to do so (like when I really think this might fly). I think I'm a reasonable candidate, but I don't necessarily "want" the position/job. (I think if you "want" the job, you probably don't realize what really is involved)

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