QUOTE(IM101 @ Jan 26 2015, 06:51 PM)
Hi all,
I have been getting inundated with requests for information and orders but, as many of you may have noticed; I have been slow to respond, fill orders, and get stuff shipped out.
My sincerest apologies for that.
I truly wish I could devote more time to Cold Water and my customers but am not able to at this point. When I started Cold Water, I had no wife, very little rent, a part time internship (which I quit when CW got big enough) and few important responsibilities. However now, as I’m sure many of you are familiar with, I have a wife, a corporate job, bills, and all the other responsibilities that come along with maintaining life.
However, this is not the part where I tell you I’m quitting… There are just too many guys trying to build up a dream car with CW parts.
I have a plan…
1) Consolidate/Relocate the shop
I am finally in a rental that has a garage; starting this weekend I’m going to be moving the shop from its disparate locations (a friends garage, Storage, spare room) and setting up at my place.
2) Inventory
With the shop in so many places it’s hard to keep track of inventory levels, which has become a major issue lately. To remedy this I will be implementing some sort of inventory management once I get the shop relocated to the garage. This will allow me to respond quickly to questions about parts being in stock or not and hopefully have a positive impact on turnaround times
3) Get Help
Whether it’s a partner who can help share the load, or a part time contract worker who will help with shipping and maybe some simple fabrication; I have come to realize that I can’t do this on my own. I can’t afford much but will hopefully be able to work something out.
4) Get Even
While I am not in a position to be efficient at the moment, that doesn’t mean I’m going to hang customers out to dry. Therefore during this entire process I will be making sure to help those customers who need me most. The ones who have inquired about ordering or have already ordered will be taken care of, I’ll ship what parts I have and make sure to update everyone on timelines and inventory levels.
5) Move forward
With the shop organized, inventory levels transparent/controlled, and help I’m hoping that I can be much more effective at supplying and assisting my customers.
If any of you have more ideas, feedback, or know of good inventory management systems please speak up. Also If you know of someone in the Boise, ID area how has some shop experience, or a son who is willing to learn send them my way.
Best,
Ian
Ian - you have done an amazing job with this venture. Keep doing what your doing. Your truly an asset to the 914 community and an all around nice guy! Thank you.