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  #41 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 04:40 PM
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If Costco had a deal like that one here in Hawaii I think I would be moving
my time frame up and jumping on it now! (Hope my wife doesn't see this!)
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  #42 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 05:02 PM
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No kidding, Costco had a 911 for sale out in front of ours just a month or two ago. I've seen smaller Mercedes there also.
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  #43 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 05:12 PM
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Brand dilution? I can see the thinking there, but Costco IS making great strides to better their image, and I gotta tell you, I think it's working! Another killer move by Costco and for Kirkham, no worries!
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  #44 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 05:28 PM
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I completely agree with Excaliber; The Costco image in the marketplace and within their specific industry is of superior customer service, great products at a great value.
The other thing to keep in mind is that Costco was running an ULTIMATE CAR GUYS GARAGE promotion and only 1 of these very special items was available. If I were the Kirkhams, I would be very proud that the only car they ever considered was their fantastic handcrafted roadster. I think the fact that a replicar ( no engine / no trans ) sold for $80k in less than 18 hours is very positive for the entire industry. As a Kirkham owner myself, I am very happy to see such a response
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  #45 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 05:31 PM
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Gatorac,

In the best relationships BOTH parties are happy.

David
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  #46 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 06:24 PM
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Never meant to imply that Costco, (Or Kirkham), isn't a class act... sorry.

I guess that I am basing my opinion on a article published a few years ago where Vlasic pickles got killed. In summary, Vlasic had spent an enormous amount of resources to convince the consumer, (us), that it was worth paying a premium for their product, (kept in the refridgerator section - not the pickle isle). When they sold their pickle at Walmart, in a 1 gallon jar, it decimated their higher margin grocery store sales.

So my point is, assuming I'm actually making one , is that Vlasic didn't need WalMart (larger sales at lower margins) and it may have contributed to their demise.

That's what I meant by diluting the brand... again, my experience is very limited in this area, so maybe my example is using a baseball bat to swat a fly

- Dan
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  #47 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 06:47 PM
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Dan,

From recent personal experience, the Kirkhams are certainly great to work with and always make absolutely sure their customers are happy. I highly recommend them!

I understand what you're saying; I sell plastic resin and some of my customers are manufacturers of items that go to these large and powerful chain stores and I have seen some absolutely destroy any profit margin these producers had and drive some into bankruptcy. However, I don't have any experience with Costco per se. But if david stands by them, I'm sure they are not like that.

The US auto industry has done the same thing will most of their suppliers and now they are all in trouble. In some cases the broke US auto makers must lend money to their suppliers, so they don't go chapter 11 or worse, chapter 7.

However, I think we’ve gone on a tangent.

I saw the Costco car in person and it is gorgeous, the new owner will love it.

No matter what you get from the Kirkhams, you can be assured that it is of the highest quality, even if it was bought at a discount store!

Last edited by rsimoes; 03-23-2007 at 06:51 PM..
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  #48 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 07:48 PM
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Not really a 'tangent' as much as an interesting discussion of 'marketing'.

Did you guys see that article about 'Snapper Mowers' saying "NO" to Walmart? Just like the Vlasic pickle thing, except Snapper pulled out to preserve their quality and customer service before it was to late. Perhaps a risky move? Hard to say how that will go long term, but I sure admire their courage to make a go of it on their own. Marketing is a real bear to nail down at times.

...by the way, difficult to compare Walmart to Costco, not in the same league in my book!
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  #49 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 08:11 PM
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Rob,

Thanks for your kind words. The Costco car really is beautiful.

Costco was very nice to deal with. They were nothing like the horror stories I have heard from people who have worked with other big companies. I have spoken to other vendors to Costco and they all like Costco. From what I have heard, competition to even be a Costco vendor is fierce as they are always searching for better products and better value for their customers. Anyone who has been around us for very long knows that we subscribe to the same philosophy. We are always trying to make our cars better and give our customers better value for their money. I think we make the finest cars in the industry now.

Like I said above, relationships are always better when both sides are happy. From what I have seen Costco works hard to keep their vendors happy. I know Costco won't buy from you if you break the law, use child labor, use illegal labor, destroy the environment or engage in other unsavory activities. It only makes sense. Think about it. If Costco's vendors are unhappy they won't work hard to make Costco or Costco's customers happy.

As for marketing, I think everyone needs to remember the first line on the opening page of the website...

Only 1 Available

David
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  #50 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 09:04 PM
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MY Costco sells caskets!!! lol !!! (as in "burial" caskets).
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  #51 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 10:12 PM
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You can't compare selling product through Costco vs through WalMart. Two entirely different animals. I wouldn't sell product through Walmart unless my only objective was to sell a million of them a month for very little profit.
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  #52 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 11:40 PM
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Costco has the most liberal return policy I have ever heard of. Return it, no questions asked, full refund. How and when, or does it apply here?
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  #53 (permalink)  
Old 03-23-2007, 11:46 PM
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You mean like when the wife finds out what he bought?
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  #54 (permalink)  
Old 03-24-2007, 06:10 AM
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In addition, Costco pays their workers a very decent wage with full benefits.

...can't say the same for Wal Mart. I try to avoid Wal Mart at all costs.
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  #55 (permalink)  
Old 03-24-2007, 09:45 AM
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I think its a good idea.I know people that live and work in Provo and they have never heard of Kirkhams.Just change the seiral number with and S for sears and C for costco ,at the end though.You want to see a kirkhams Cobra you need to go where they are being shown.That is a big WHERE!
The only trouble with china's knock offs are the guys that hire them to make cheap to maximize profit.Those people sent a man into orbit.The right company could make the best there is.
just been trolling
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  #56 (permalink)  
Old 03-24-2007, 02:15 PM
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Xlr8or hit it on the head- you can not compare Costco to Sams just like you can not compare Target to Walmart. I personally have done business with many of the major retailers in the world and Costco truly is a class act who cares about their customers as well as their vendors.
I believe Costco was trying to create some 'Buzz' with the offering of a very unique and high cost margin. What Kirkham got out offering "a" vehicle at a discount was direct marketing tool reaching over 22 million households, I can assure you there are a lot more people who know about Kirkhams Company and the industry in general...They would have been crazy to walk away from this as I am sure one of their competitors would have jumped at it ( despite what anyone says now after the fact)

just my $.02
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  #57 (permalink)  
Old 03-24-2007, 02:17 PM
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Oops! I meant "PRODUCT" not margin, qoute>"offering of a very unique and high cost margin"
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  #58 (permalink)  
Old 03-24-2007, 05:37 PM
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What kind of beer do they sell at walmart,smudwiser or boors.No its name brand all the way,its all about mass quanity.Even they can do a better job then your local guy.Our locals have no benifits at all, where walmart does.Costco is just up scale from them.I think those guys at kirkhams should keep up those tactics here and there.I think its brillant on there part.( is that an up scale word for smart) still trolling
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  #59 (permalink)  
Old 03-24-2007, 06:38 PM
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Troll,

Thank you for your kind words.

You are actually right. People come in here every week saying the can't believe something like this is actually going on in their back yard. A lot of people know about us...but a lot more do not.

I do think we need more exposure and marketing. We are willing to try about anything.

Jorgen,

I think you are right. Costco is a nice, clean store. People like shopping there. Other stores you can't wait to get out of.

I have spoken several times now with the man who purchased the car. He is very excited. He didn't have to wait for a top-of-the-line chariot of fire.

David
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  #60 (permalink)  
Old 03-25-2007, 12:27 AM
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Default New Owners.....

First off, hello to everyone.

My wife and I, avid Corvette Owners, are now the proud new owners of this AWESOME Kirkham Cobra. This is the best product that they produce. Everyone from both Kirkham Motorsport and Costco have been a pleasure to deal with on this car. Being an Engineer, I can easily say that Kirkham is one of the "Best of the Best". Being married to a model (a very smart one), I can say that I have an eye for beautiful things and that this car stands out.

We cannot post new pictures considering the car is sitting in Utah. We will be out on the site gathering information in the months to come. We just have to get used to driving something without "Crossed-Flags" logos.


With this said, I am also looking for another leather jacket. It will look a little strange driving this car with the "Crossed Flags" on the jacket. Please advise if anyone can point me to a vendor.

It has been interesting to see all of the interest and postings on the car. We just wanted everyone to know that we exist and are very happy with the deal.

We look forward to hearing back.
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