SHOULD PRODUCT MFG MATERIAL BE AVAILABLE ON MY WEBSITE?

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SHOULD PRODUCT MFG MATERIAL BE AVAILABLE ON MY WEBSITE?

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scratcher

posts: 7

Jul 23, 2009 1:35 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I believe in honesty and transparacy to my customers and prospects. I have been in business for 16 months and this time I am going to have my product made in the USA instead of China. I am changing materials from silicone rubber to a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) because it is less expensive (and tougher) as the silicone rubber costs have risen greatly.

I am considering adding another page to my website strictly on manufacturing information so that my customers can be made aware of the progress I have made and why I am choosing the "new and improved" route. The product will look exactly the same except for the back where it will be slightly cored out or "waffled" (NOT hollowed out) which makes for less weight and less cost than the original design. This change will allow me to keep my retail price close to the level where it is now.

QUESTION: Is it a good idea to make every website visitor aware of this change by way of a special page where the foregoing information can be found? Thank you.

wtgg

posts: 257

Jul 23, 2009 3:25 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Scratcher good day;

I think that the concept of disclosing the manufacturing, and materials used is solid. yes your competitors may use that information but the way I think about it you still need to sell the customer, and if the competitors are mining in your yard you must be leading.

the thing is in the above post you almost make it sound like a bunch of compromises which could give the customer an uneasy feeling, rather hype the positives, "now made in the usa so we can respond quicker to new material advances and better quality" or even spin it a bit "now made in the usa to reduce our companies environmental impact by reducing fuel usage world wide"

same with the elastomer don`t say it is cheaper say it is better and adds more value to the product maybe even if applicable say safer or healthier for something or someone (the customer has no right to know how much anything costs, just that it is better).

same thing spin the waffled out as a shipping cost and fuel savings which the customer enjoys the benefits reaps the rewards as it were.

I just got off the phone with a potential client that read a bunch of details from one of my products and asked about all the details, I don`t know if I can be more transparant but it certainly gave the client subject matter to discuss as she decided how to feel about buying from me. and at the end of the day I think there are a bunch of other people using the same materials, making similar products and the sale is based on a certain level of customer comfort.

just a thought,

scratcher

posts: 7

Jul 23, 2009 4:03 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate it.

scratcher

posts: 7

Jul 23, 2009 4:10 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Dear Stan: Your input is invaluable. Thank you so much for your words of advice - points well taken and I will employ them. Cynthia

scratcher

posts: 7

Jul 23, 2009 4:12 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I really appreciate your objectiveness and putting yourself in the place of the prospects. This is a super suggestion. Cynthia

patentandtrademark

posts: 1332

Jul 24, 2009 11:39 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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anything you say can and will be used against you - and not just by the bulls.

-------------------------

James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

egumball

posts: 45

Jul 24, 2009 10:25 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I think using a manufacture spec sheet on your website is not only great for the consumer but a fantastic canvas to perform some search engine optimization (SEO). Creating reference "tags" within your spec sheet that reference other on site material within your site, or javascript pop up descriptions, will be a web crawlers delight.

-------------------------

eGumBall, Inc.
8687 Research Drive, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92618
"Local Internet Marketing"

Call 1.800.890.8940

http://www.egumball.com

scratcher

posts: 7

Jul 25, 2009 7:52 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Dear Egumball: What a SUPER idea. That should drive more traffic and I really appreciate your taking the time to respond. Thank you very much. Cynthia

KingdomMines

posts: 50

Jul 25, 2009 12:02 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi,

Look at kingdom mines website, i do not write the formula of beryllium treatment for gemstones. Why? Because it is a heavily guarded secret, the formula will not be given to you by anyone, only a few mines and burners know it in thailand and cambodia, they will never tell you ever. We are one of those mines that have that formula :)

This is down with business secrets, don`t ever put your business secrets (specs) on your site, you can be vague to give an impression but thats all.

Hope this helps

Ricky

scratcher

posts: 7

Jul 25, 2009 2:18 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks, Ricky. There are so many types of rubber and many types of plastics. Thanks for your good advice. I will give a general description of the material but never in detail. I appreciate your response. Cynthia

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