Monterey is a pretty classy place thus far, but the morning overcast fog would get old in a hurry. We are here spending time at Laguna Seca, the most-famed road-race course in North America. New to my job duties, videographer. I'll be shooting video, conducting interviews and producing movies in the next two days.
Granted I've never actually produced any movies or short media clips in my day, but I spent plenty of time on camera and writing scripts and shooting video at the ATV publications. I just received Final Cut Pro software to produce the movie clips, so I'll quickly have to learn that program too. So far I've managed Adobe Flash for our flash online ads OK, so I hope this is as easy to learn as the other Adobe programs I've studied and learned.
At this point, my skills are being tapped to their limits. After leaving the magazines I never thought I'd be using all these skill sets at KTM, nor making them even better. Crazy to say the least. Here's a taste of what I'm up to: Photographer, videographer, PR press releases, marketing programs, designing ads, creating model line brochures, designing T-shirts and various logos, creating flash ads, writing ATV / Husaberg sales programs and creating them from scratch, managing press functions, managing racing efforts, managing ATV / Husaberg product, managing dealer development functions and trying to stay sane. That's just a taste. Needless to say, my job NEVER gets boring!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
So It's November Already I Guess
Wow, where has time gone? Tracy and I have been pretty swamped here lately. It seems something always comes up to keep us busy and distracted and the time just whips by.
It's officially been 13 months since the move to California, but it only feels like it's been about 2. It's been a hectic last couple of weeks at and outside of work. I've been putting in 11-hour days at work, launching two all-new ATV programs while working on a ton of street media launch items (I have a flight up to Monterey Tuesday and come home late Thursday night).
But, it wasn't enough to get home late from work as I spent my nights wrenching on my ATV for the big sale ... it's like brand new now! I had enough of trying to sell my Suzuki virally via Craigslist and forum boards, so I put the puppy up on eBay. I was skeptical of the whole deal from the get-go, but at minimum hoped it drew some interest. I was right on both marks. Selling an auto or big-ticket item on eBay is a risk. Yet for me, in this economy, it was a risk worth taking.
I went the 10-day selling route and marketed the quad everywhere I could think of to draw up interest. After the 5-day mid-point, the Zuk had one bid at the minimum of $3995 and had more than 575 page views. As the time ticked away, the page views jumped to more than 1,000. By day 9 I had 5 bids, 36 item watchers and 1575 page views. Unfortunately the top two bidders both had zero feedback scores. From my experience, this is not a good thing.
After a short nap, I was awaken by Tracy excitedly saying, "Honey, the bid is up to $7600." Me being the skeptic that I am, I pulled up the auction and sure enough that's where it was at. Of course, my next move was to question how serious these two bidders were. Both had zero feedback scores. And this is where eBay needs improvement.
I didn't think the top bidder would come through with the purchase ... all the while Tracy was holding out hope. I didn't think the second chance offer to bidder No. 2 would move the Suzuki either, but Tracy wasn't giving up. eBay has its risks, and unfortunately my skepticism won out. This is were eBay needs to invoke a penalty to the top bidder, forcing them to pay the seller's listing fees. I dropped $22.50 listing that ATV, and non-serious bidders ripped away a sale that would have went to a lower more serious bidder who now had lost interest in the item. It happens all the time when bidders run up the price with a fake username, just to skew the auction. An authorized credit card with bidder listing fee penalty would protect the seller, and would help prevent goofballs out to ruin your auction.
I made second chance offers to all of the bidders, and only had one response. Naturally, it was the first bidder at the lowest price. Thankfully, he was still interested and we came to a fair price with a lot of bonus items included. I got the deposit in PayPal and we are arranging for pick-up next Monday. This eBay auction and ATV prep managed to eat up way more time than I ever fathomed. But, at the end of the day, I got a sale so it was all worth it. And, I managed to make 35% (less interest paid on the loan) on my investment. I'll take that to the bank.
It's officially been 13 months since the move to California, but it only feels like it's been about 2. It's been a hectic last couple of weeks at and outside of work. I've been putting in 11-hour days at work, launching two all-new ATV programs while working on a ton of street media launch items (I have a flight up to Monterey Tuesday and come home late Thursday night).
But, it wasn't enough to get home late from work as I spent my nights wrenching on my ATV for the big sale ... it's like brand new now! I had enough of trying to sell my Suzuki virally via Craigslist and forum boards, so I put the puppy up on eBay. I was skeptical of the whole deal from the get-go, but at minimum hoped it drew some interest. I was right on both marks. Selling an auto or big-ticket item on eBay is a risk. Yet for me, in this economy, it was a risk worth taking.
I went the 10-day selling route and marketed the quad everywhere I could think of to draw up interest. After the 5-day mid-point, the Zuk had one bid at the minimum of $3995 and had more than 575 page views. As the time ticked away, the page views jumped to more than 1,000. By day 9 I had 5 bids, 36 item watchers and 1575 page views. Unfortunately the top two bidders both had zero feedback scores. From my experience, this is not a good thing.
After a short nap, I was awaken by Tracy excitedly saying, "Honey, the bid is up to $7600." Me being the skeptic that I am, I pulled up the auction and sure enough that's where it was at. Of course, my next move was to question how serious these two bidders were. Both had zero feedback scores. And this is where eBay needs improvement.
I didn't think the top bidder would come through with the purchase ... all the while Tracy was holding out hope. I didn't think the second chance offer to bidder No. 2 would move the Suzuki either, but Tracy wasn't giving up. eBay has its risks, and unfortunately my skepticism won out. This is were eBay needs to invoke a penalty to the top bidder, forcing them to pay the seller's listing fees. I dropped $22.50 listing that ATV, and non-serious bidders ripped away a sale that would have went to a lower more serious bidder who now had lost interest in the item. It happens all the time when bidders run up the price with a fake username, just to skew the auction. An authorized credit card with bidder listing fee penalty would protect the seller, and would help prevent goofballs out to ruin your auction.
I made second chance offers to all of the bidders, and only had one response. Naturally, it was the first bidder at the lowest price. Thankfully, he was still interested and we came to a fair price with a lot of bonus items included. I got the deposit in PayPal and we are arranging for pick-up next Monday. This eBay auction and ATV prep managed to eat up way more time than I ever fathomed. But, at the end of the day, I got a sale so it was all worth it. And, I managed to make 35% (less interest paid on the loan) on my investment. I'll take that to the bank.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Beach in October ... Okay
I think Tracy and I are starting to like this whole California thing. While most of our friends and family are suffering from an early arrival of winter, we're planning a trip to the beach. Somehow we're OK with 90s and sunny when it's cold back in Minny!
It finally rained here this week, and things are quickly greening up. It doesn't take much here in the desert to get things looking decent again. After two weeks of high 60s, the Santa Ana's return for the next four or five days bringing with them warm desert air. After living here 13 months now I can attest to the fact it cools down fast after Halloween. By cool down I mean 60s. California, I like you today. Tomorrow when I fill up my tank and we buy groceries, we'll see if I still appreciate everything you have to offer!
It finally rained here this week, and things are quickly greening up. It doesn't take much here in the desert to get things looking decent again. After two weeks of high 60s, the Santa Ana's return for the next four or five days bringing with them warm desert air. After living here 13 months now I can attest to the fact it cools down fast after Halloween. By cool down I mean 60s. California, I like you today. Tomorrow when I fill up my tank and we buy groceries, we'll see if I still appreciate everything you have to offer!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Want some 'shine?
Today I'm spending my time in the beautiful state of West Virginia. I don't say that sarcastically. The leaves are changing and the colorful mountainside is almost enough to make you overlook the crazy people here at TrailFest in the small town of Gilbert. Hillbilly, yes ... good people, most definitely.
I've always found the small economically depressed areas of West Virginia interesting. Gilbert lives and breathes ATVs, and without them there wouldn't be much draw to make a visit here in a town of 375 people. Sure, the hillbillies get a bad wrap, but they mean well. I wouldn't know what it's like to go through a coal boom and watch the entire state fall on its face when the coal mines start to dry up. You can see that throughout the ride down in small towns built on coal and right on the highway. The drive never lacks excitement. And, it quickly reminds you of how good you have it.
Abandoned properties and ghost towns are pretty much the norm. It's hard to believe what it's really like until you see it for yourself. And it's hard to believe towns as financially challenged as found here exist in America. The town of Gilbert has done a nice job of ATV tourism and has many of the basics. The whole foundation of the trail systems were built on abandoned old coal roads.
I'm in the southwest corner of the state near Kentucky. The moonshine was out in full force last night at the camp fire outside our motel. The Moonshine of Kentucky and West Virginia is no movie myth. It really does exist; it can be really good and super potent. Last night we tried cherry and apple pie out of a Kerr jar, just like you see it joked about on TV. I only had a few sips, but a few sips were more than enough. The power of the alcohol content can sneak up on you in a hurry when you're drinking the 'shine.
When you look back on the places you've visited in life, a few stand out for their own reasons. West Virginia stands out. For the most part the people are nice, be it a little strange. I'm sure I'm strange to them. But the landscape is so overwhelming. The forest feels like it is growing right on top of you everywhere here ... almost jungle like. And the abandoned towns and 'shine are impossible to forget.
After this trip, travel is just about done for awhile. It's occupied a lot of my time lately, so I haven't had the ambition to write a lot after a long day at work in front of the computer playing catch-up from traveling. Tracy is doing great. She planned to fly to Oakland to visit her friend Missy over the weekend but that fell through when Missy came down with the flu bug. Thankfully, Southwest Airlines is great with crediting back flights when plans change.
I've always found the small economically depressed areas of West Virginia interesting. Gilbert lives and breathes ATVs, and without them there wouldn't be much draw to make a visit here in a town of 375 people. Sure, the hillbillies get a bad wrap, but they mean well. I wouldn't know what it's like to go through a coal boom and watch the entire state fall on its face when the coal mines start to dry up. You can see that throughout the ride down in small towns built on coal and right on the highway. The drive never lacks excitement. And, it quickly reminds you of how good you have it.
Abandoned properties and ghost towns are pretty much the norm. It's hard to believe what it's really like until you see it for yourself. And it's hard to believe towns as financially challenged as found here exist in America. The town of Gilbert has done a nice job of ATV tourism and has many of the basics. The whole foundation of the trail systems were built on abandoned old coal roads.
I'm in the southwest corner of the state near Kentucky. The moonshine was out in full force last night at the camp fire outside our motel. The Moonshine of Kentucky and West Virginia is no movie myth. It really does exist; it can be really good and super potent. Last night we tried cherry and apple pie out of a Kerr jar, just like you see it joked about on TV. I only had a few sips, but a few sips were more than enough. The power of the alcohol content can sneak up on you in a hurry when you're drinking the 'shine.
When you look back on the places you've visited in life, a few stand out for their own reasons. West Virginia stands out. For the most part the people are nice, be it a little strange. I'm sure I'm strange to them. But the landscape is so overwhelming. The forest feels like it is growing right on top of you everywhere here ... almost jungle like. And the abandoned towns and 'shine are impossible to forget.
After this trip, travel is just about done for awhile. It's occupied a lot of my time lately, so I haven't had the ambition to write a lot after a long day at work in front of the computer playing catch-up from traveling. Tracy is doing great. She planned to fly to Oakland to visit her friend Missy over the weekend but that fell through when Missy came down with the flu bug. Thankfully, Southwest Airlines is great with crediting back flights when plans change.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Charlotte, New York Next Weekend
After a season away from the races, I've got a full slate next weekend as I travel for the GNCC race north of Charlotte next Saturday. Immediately after the race, I head to the Charlotte airport for a flight into Newark, NJ for the NEATV (New England ATV) motocross race on Sunday. We are a sponsor of the series and haven't had representation there all season.
I'm looking forward to the weekend, but travel from the West Coast to East eats up a lot of time. Flying from SoCal to NC is like a fat guy at the buffet, gobbling up all my time on Friday. I get in around 9 p.m. after leaving here at noon.
Saturday will be fun. I used to attend about four to five GNCC races a year, and this is my first one this season. We will clinch our second championship in the Women's class, which gets a lot of publicity, so it's good to be there to celebrate.
Sunday is more of a meet and greet to get to know the series promoter and several of our support racers. I'm also on the hunt for some talent to ride Orange next year, so we'll see what turns up.
After the race, I'm off to Albany, NY, 100 miles north of Walden so I can visit a Husaberg dealer early Monday morning before flying back to San Diego. It should be an action filled three days that's for sure.
I'm looking forward to the weekend, but travel from the West Coast to East eats up a lot of time. Flying from SoCal to NC is like a fat guy at the buffet, gobbling up all my time on Friday. I get in around 9 p.m. after leaving here at noon.
Saturday will be fun. I used to attend about four to five GNCC races a year, and this is my first one this season. We will clinch our second championship in the Women's class, which gets a lot of publicity, so it's good to be there to celebrate.
Sunday is more of a meet and greet to get to know the series promoter and several of our support racers. I'm also on the hunt for some talent to ride Orange next year, so we'll see what turns up.
After the race, I'm off to Albany, NY, 100 miles north of Walden so I can visit a Husaberg dealer early Monday morning before flying back to San Diego. It should be an action filled three days that's for sure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
