Godsmack

The regulars are fan boys of one another for the most part. We each have our own experiences that brings a shit ton to the table, and has helped not only the forum grow, but ourselves as people. I just contribute as I can, learn what is offered as best as possible, and ask questions when I am uncertain of something. J

so the staples job is an outside sales job where you have to pay for your own gas? is there a reimbursement or you consider the contractor? It seems to be that way. I am going to go on Monday (if I do not get that DoD job) and find out for certain. I am hoping it is more of a direct campaign that is just putting a face to the name, rather than soliciting company to company. To me the best way to find out, is to go and see first hand. J

What BS would you need to succomb to? i think if the product is done right, maketing would be rather easy.JI am not interested in running any company that provides a product that isn't in such a niche that only it works. Me too and differentiation or lack there of is not of interest.I can see the desire to have a 'monopoly' on a product. On the same hand, with competition comes growth, innovation, and a better product. You could be that competitn for these companies to make them do things the right fucking way. J

What BS would you need to succomb to? i think if the product is done right, maketing would be rather easy. J

The staples interview went very well. Was asked back for a second all day 'interview' today, but as I thought the lil lady had some interviews today, and I have a DoD interview Thursday, I asked if I could do Friday instead. They informed me that they will be out of town Friday so Monday would be best. When told DoD took prescidence for me and my goals the interviewer understood, and said I would be foolish if I didn't feel that way. The all day 'interview' is me shadowing one of their sales reps for a day, and seeing what he/she does for the day. To see if its somethng I think I can do, and teach others to do as they need managers, but you must start at the bottom. The pay is negotiable, but they are talking a 40 hr week starting at 500 a week with incentive pay on top based upon performance. Could be a great thing, could be shit. Also depends on how much of this 'sales' time is spent driving to and from businesses. I could eat 500 bucks pretty quicky, especially wince its 45 mins each way to and from the office. Then add in any other clients I need to go visit.....yikes. J

That won't happen again.And this is why SSA is so successful. We allow people to see multiple viewpoints and make a conclusion based upon the information provided. Certainly helps the consumer be ome VERY informed. J

Interview here in a few hours with Staples, DoD on thursday. Found out I did not get the second interview with DirectTV's sales department, which I find kind of odd as I felt like I nailed the interview, and she sounded extremely interested in hiring me. J

Lots of low ceilings and WTF is with the laminate counter tops? So much for downsizing. Ha, right. There is actually a 2200sq ft guest house on the back side of the garage. It would give me instant babysitters as I could get my parents to move in there. If it weren't for that and the huge potential to make $$ by fixing the houses layout I'd prefer to downsize. In that house though we'd end up with an 1800sq ft Master suite & office with HUGE lake views. The kitchen and great room would be of similar size and the basement walkout/party room to the lake as well. Add the MIL suite and we could live there for a while. From the picture the 'bar' at least needs no work. J

Damn. That's one hell of a profit. J

Great advice. For me, my hobbies have excuses as to why not. Car audio - too out of it to make it profitible for me Writing- impossible to get published nowadays without a favor from a friend or tits Photography- Now that I am no longer deployed the same rules as above I may still do something with Photography. I just need to find a good niche for me. For now I amjust hoping to nail the DoD interview Thursday, and get some money going. J

Err, not true on any account.I'd take the Koreans over the Japanese on ALL of your list.The Japanese also have BY FAR the highest cost, not the Americans. The only problem with American made stuff is that our people are so fucking lazy that the build cost gets all fucked up. Not just the margin but the accessibility of parts, and cost to being them in. Add in building costs for factories, and the costs associated with running said factory in comparison and that shrinks the profit margin even more.I am just saying that for me, I am willing to spend some more hard earned money on an American product, as long as I know that it is well made, and it fits my needs or wants.JJ, there are none. American products are 90% if not more filled with things from other countries. What you should buy is the best product for your needs for the money you have. Companies then need to react to this. If they don't, they don't deserve to survive. Natural selection will always exist in the business world. IMO the things worth paying for our the ones that don't take advantage labor wise of developing countries. Not saying I am against cheap labor. I sure the fuck don't want to do it.You raise some VERY valid points Sean. I can see where you are coming from, I just hate DIRECTLY sending my money to another contry's company to pay people 2.75 an hour to make a product that costs 15 dollars in materials, takes 25 minutes to make from start to finish, and yet still costs me 375 dollars. Yes I know my example is probably grossly inflated on the figures, but you get the point. I guess American made pride needs to leave for aome areas. Still happy to have the most American made pick up though. J

Minus the kitchen I love it. J

Not just the margin but the accessibility of parts, and cost to being them in. Add in building costs for factories, and the costs associated with running said factory in comparison and that shrinks the profit margin even more. I am just saying that for me, I am willing to spend some more hard earned money on an American product, as long as I know that it is well made, and it fits my needs or wants. J

Congrats man!!! J

It takes nothing but capital to order product from Asia. No knowledge, no defined niche to fill, no product differentiation. Just money and the ability to order from a menu.That's the truth...nobody does anything special. If SSA decides to introduce Amps that could be something special.J I've decided, but to do something special in the direction I want to go, is soooooo damn $$$.I think you should just make some ultra nonsense premium amps. Like over the top premium. even if you some how came out with amps that were 200% efficent the masses still would be like "$1200 for a 2500 watt amp nah way man" Quite possibly. That's why you make a small rn and let those who want it get it and see where the money went. Considering most of those who would be interested can remember dollar per watt being the going rate for a decent amp. Raw power is great if the amps are consistent in build quality. Korea has yet to master that.I'll take a slightly higher price for a better made product.JKorea has mastered that more than ANY other country. Their production is top fucking notch. Of course that does not mean that you can't find a shitty build house there. Some people had to get fired from Samsung.They may have mastered the production of electronics, but I would take Japan for design, quality control, and a better value for the dollar. American made typically has a higher cost and some companies still have production and design issues, but I believe if given a chance American made products could be built just as well or better for a comparable price. J

Raw power is great if the amps are consistent in build quality. Korea has yet to master that. I'll take a slightly higher price for a better made product. J

Might be an idea to also show what these amps fo at 16 and 18 volts since they are rated to take that higher voltage. Show where that extra cash goes? J

It takes nothing but capital to order product from Asia. No knowledge, no defined niche to fill, no product differentiation. Just money and the ability to order from a menu. That's the truth...nobody does anything special. If SSA decides to introduce Amps that could be something special. J

I forgot about the rack. Really good place. I just cannot find boss or Armani in my size. Sounds perfect. J

Look for a rescue organization. They may be able to help you find one. Hell troll the Crigslist animals section. J

Sounds good. Thanks for all the help guys. Means a lot to me. J

I bought the $200 works suit from Jos.ABanks and got it professionally tailored and it works great for the interview. The pants don't feel as nice as my $150 pair but I rarely have to wear a jacket so I wear those generally. I like the Jos A Banks materials on the suits, but they seem to be more money for lesser quality on a lot of their other products. J

Now is that 600 if on sale or regular price? I ask because some are a nice chunk off (Donald Trump, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren) and are reduced to about 400. Nice job man.J My DM was in the store and I killed him in sales too. 7000 vs his 2000 or so. BOOMSHAKALAKA He also wanted to mention to me that he and the other DM's are looking at me for some growth opportunity. His words were "something bigger and better", and that when talking about the chance my name kept comming up. Wooooooha! Damn man. That is one hell of a day. J I always buy during a big sale. BOGO or something similar. I will look at the label on my favorite RL and tell you if there is some designation to the line. It isn't purple label, I can tell you that. I also ended up with a shit more sales after close tonight. I did more than twice my stores goal budget in my numbers alone. About 14000-16000 myself. And another 2 for my DM. Too bad the manager called in today. :-) In one day I did about a week or so of business. It was a lot of good worked for sales too. No lambchops, everyone took work. I am looking mainly at sales. But my question is should the 600 dollar min price tag be while on sale or regular price? If BOGO wouldn't that be 1200 per suit, or 300? J

Now is that 600 if on sale or regular price? I ask because some are a nice chunk off (Donald Trump, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren) and are reduced to about 400. Nice job man. J My DM was in the store and I killed him in sales too. 7000 vs his 2000 or so. BOOMSHAKALAKA He also wanted to mention to me that he and the other DM's are looking at me for some growth opportunity. His words were "something bigger and better", and that when talking about the chance my name kept comming up. Wooooooha! Damn man. That is one hell of a day. J

As a side note, I despise buying a suit. I need. 44 or 46 regular jacket depending on brand, and 36 or 38 pants. It seems like suits expect the pants to match the jacket size. Aside from BOSS as Sean recommended, does anyone recommend anyone else? I don't need 1000 dollar suits, but I don't see the point in buying a cheaply made suit with poor materials. J