Autopia Product Line
- Thread starter Bobby G
- Start date
I voted Autopia Brand just because I think it would hurt Autopia's image of impartiality towards products if one particular brand was sold. I imagine this is less convenient than simply shipping products in their original (manufacturer's) packaging though.
I'm not exactly what "best of the best" constitutes, but if that means picking different products from different brands I think that would be best, and really reflects the Autopian mentality anyway. :xyxthumbs
P21S and 303 would be my 2nd choice.
I'm not exactly what "best of the best" constitutes, but if that means picking different products from different brands I think that would be best, and really reflects the Autopian mentality anyway. :xyxthumbs
P21S and 303 would be my 2nd choice.
detailbarn
Professional Detailer
This is interesting , an Autopian Product line. I'm not sure if I like the idea of just slaping the a new name on an old product , there are no real benifits. I do understand that it will support Autopia , and I'm all for that. IMHO I think Autopia would be better selling detailing tools with the Autopia name on them , such as the PC , MF towels , Tires swipes , brushes , metro vac-n-blow ect. Putting the Autopia name on these seems more appropriate , tools are more universal then chemicals , alot of time and money goes into making chemicals and personally I'm not a fan of relabeling. This is not a flame just my thoughts and I will continue to support the board.
Green Monster
New member
I also voted for the Autopia Brand, the best of the best.
I think packaging the best products in packages for particular areas. The original lables could stay too. Just an idea. :nixweiss
Kinda what the Autopia product review suggests. We all review the products and suggest the best product for the job.
Kinda like what CMA does. I am not a marketing guy but I know Autopia has a major influence on what I purchase!!! :bow
I think packaging the best products in packages for particular areas. The original lables could stay too. Just an idea. :nixweiss
Kinda what the Autopia product review suggests. We all review the products and suggest the best product for the job.
- Paint cleaning package
- Compounding and polishing package
- Carnuaba wax package
- Sealant package
- Claying package
- Spot remover package
- Glass cleaning package
- PC Polisher package
- Ect . . . . .
Kinda like what CMA does. I am not a marketing guy but I know Autopia has a major influence on what I purchase!!! :bow
I do not think autopia should sell deetailing products. From what I have read, Autopia was set up for information, not products.
If autopia did have a product line, then where would supporting vendors like CMA, and the like go? They wouldn't need to be here! There would be no sense for them. Autopia would be pushing its own lable and not the CMA anymore.
Should Autopia be a brand? Is it going to be the next Adam's, Clearkote, or P21S?
I feel if you brand autopia, or directly sell any products made for detailing out of the autopia store, the community will become biased.
I vote none.
If autopia did have a product line, then where would supporting vendors like CMA, and the like go? They wouldn't need to be here! There would be no sense for them. Autopia would be pushing its own lable and not the CMA anymore.
Should Autopia be a brand? Is it going to be the next Adam's, Clearkote, or P21S?
I feel if you brand autopia, or directly sell any products made for detailing out of the autopia store, the community will become biased.
I vote none.
samiam513 said:
I thought about that, and I feel that I can treat "Autopia Car Care" with the same level of bias that I do other product lines and manufacturers. If you don't think I would hold myself to the same rules and ethics in the Autopia community that I hold others, you don't know me very well. You would not see Autopia become a brand X forum... by no means. Bash me, thrash me, throw me to the wolves!
I have tried to attract advertisers... no luck. I pitched the idea of a members' forum... I got hate mail. I have the books, but sales are only modest. Something has to pay for this community and all of the effort that goes into it. Good products seem reasonable.
What say Ye?
Lowejackson
New member
I think it is a great idea, I can see why people think there could be a conflict of interest but if it helps the forum and the products are good then I will buy some.
Steven
Steven
Detail Chic
New member
Heck yeah! I voted yes! My garage wouldn't be complete without some Autopia products on the shelf!
Gimme some a dat!
Gimme some a dat!
You got hate mail for offering a members forum?!?DavidB said:
Sheesh.....What happened, by the way, to the idea of creating an Autopia Donation Box using PayPal? I would not be adverse to chipping in a few bucks every so often. I think a lot of forums do something like this, and it might be a step to try first and see what kind of revenue you get from it before stepping up into the hairy world of selling products... just a suggestion. :nixweiss
David,
I DO think you can be as critical of Autopia products (if not more so) than you are with others. I hope fellow Autopians can feel free to do the same. Everyone has their favorite products. Many will continue to use only certain products. Take a search around the site and you will see members using and experimenting with new ideas and products. Autopia has a huge influence on the products I purchase. I always mention Autopia to the vendor when I am making a purchase.
If I can purchase a quality product and at the same time help support the website, then I am all for it. Without this site I would be lost (and have a little less credit card debt).
A sidebar....
I can't imagine how much personal time goes in maintaining a quality forum like this. The standards are set high and IMO remain high. Thank you and kudos to all involved with the website.:xyxthumbs Nice job.
I DO think you can be as critical of Autopia products (if not more so) than you are with others. I hope fellow Autopians can feel free to do the same. Everyone has their favorite products. Many will continue to use only certain products. Take a search around the site and you will see members using and experimenting with new ideas and products. Autopia has a huge influence on the products I purchase. I always mention Autopia to the vendor when I am making a purchase.
If I can purchase a quality product and at the same time help support the website, then I am all for it. Without this site I would be lost (and have a little less credit card debt).
A sidebar....
I can't imagine how much personal time goes in maintaining a quality forum like this. The standards are set high and IMO remain high. Thank you and kudos to all involved with the website.:xyxthumbs Nice job.
Preachers Sheets
New member
Well.......... If that's the only way you can keep the web page going then I would open an on-line store. I am sure (well at least I hope) those were not your initial intentions but I understand as the web page continues to grow, so does the demand for costly resources (servers, bandwidth, time, software etc).
I don't see the difference in buying my Meguiars, Blitz, Klasse, pads, polishes and other detailing products from you or an other on-line store. You've got to make money somehow right?
Just keep your prices in line with others and I am sure you will make some money. If I were you; I would keep the forum and the store totally separate. Don't even use the word Autopia in the store, it just sounds like your using the forum to lure people in. Set it up like the relation you have with CMA. The forum is the informational part and the store is a place to buy reputable detailing supplies. I wouldn’t even let the moderators pump your products, if other stores can’t sell their products on your web page, you should follow the same rules. It would just create a more professional “feel�.
CMA has alot of loyal customers, I don't know how well those people will feel about this and if they will indeed buy from you instead of CMA. That's up to you to work out; we are just tossing out some ideas. I don’t know how you are but it sure would be tough for me to leave CMA on the curb because I want to run my own store. I know that’s the nature of business; guess I don’t have the heart for it.
I don't see the difference in buying my Meguiars, Blitz, Klasse, pads, polishes and other detailing products from you or an other on-line store. You've got to make money somehow right?
Just keep your prices in line with others and I am sure you will make some money. If I were you; I would keep the forum and the store totally separate. Don't even use the word Autopia in the store, it just sounds like your using the forum to lure people in. Set it up like the relation you have with CMA. The forum is the informational part and the store is a place to buy reputable detailing supplies. I wouldn’t even let the moderators pump your products, if other stores can’t sell their products on your web page, you should follow the same rules. It would just create a more professional “feel�.
CMA has alot of loyal customers, I don't know how well those people will feel about this and if they will indeed buy from you instead of CMA. That's up to you to work out; we are just tossing out some ideas. I don’t know how you are but it sure would be tough for me to leave CMA on the curb because I want to run my own store. I know that’s the nature of business; guess I don’t have the heart for it.
imported_Aurora40
New member
What is the drive for those of us who have products already readily available be to purchase rebranded stuff? I don't mean this in an argumentative way, but maybe I don't get it. I can see how it would be good for people in other countries where they just can't get the stuff. But if you can get it already, what does this solve?
Would the products be the same price as from the direct manufacturer, and Autopia would just be cut in on the profit from it, or is the profit just added on top? I'd rather just pay a direct fee to support Autopia than pay a fee affixed to rebranded product. Unless the rebranded product were the same price and Autopia made the money from buying in volume or something.
Also, just curious, will we know what the products are a rebrand of, or will it be a mystery?
Would the products be the same price as from the direct manufacturer, and Autopia would just be cut in on the profit from it, or is the profit just added on top? I'd rather just pay a direct fee to support Autopia than pay a fee affixed to rebranded product. Unless the rebranded product were the same price and Autopia made the money from buying in volume or something.
Also, just curious, will we know what the products are a rebrand of, or will it be a mystery?
Preachers Sheets
New member
Aurora40 - I'm thinking the same way, I think Autopia should open a store and re-sell products like other detailing sites. People who use the forum would PROBALY buy from Autopia's store.
Aurora40 said:
I have my own thoughts on what chemicals and products are good and which are not, what works and what does not work. I don't expect everyone to like everything that I like, but I sure can meet the requirements of many.
The value I will bring is in the information and education. I have spent a lot of time testing and writing about how to use products to care for your car. You can pretty much be sure that Autopia product documentation and training would be second to none. As we all know, the results are 90% technique and 10% product. Combine good products with good documentation and you'll get great results.
I have also spent a good amount of time investigating chemical formulas that can be distributed in concentration. I like this idea a lot. Would you rather buy an 8 oz. of concentrate that makes a gallon of detailing spray or pay for water and shipping? So, while the chemical mixture may be the same, don't expect packaging to be the same. I'm looking for best results followed by best value.
Also, you can't assume that because you buy a polish from a company like Meguiar's, for example, that the polish is the same as #9 or #7. Most companies that mix chemicals will vary the formula to meet a companies requirements. A slight change can make a big difference in performance. Even small things like fragrance make a huge difference in how a product performs (don't laugh).
Finally, not everyone makes kits. Mothers doesn't. Meguiar's doesn't. P21S has a limited kit. No kits from One Grand or Eagle One.
Members that have been with Autopia since the beginning, when Autopia sold products A through Z, might remember that I put together some very nice kit combinations. I got the idea from Zymol... others soon followed. Kits allow you to create a system that works, and that's what I would continue.
ClimberGuy4
New member
If they were totally new products, I would buy them seeing as the Autopia brand would guarantee quality. However, if they were rebranded I wouldn't bother. Why not do like CMA with their EF, Pinnacle, and Blackfire lines? For example, I heard that the amount of polymers (or oils?) in sealants dictates the shine and the durability of the product. If one guy can develop Zaino, surely it would be possible to create a product and have Autopians chime in on what they want most out of it (i.e insane shine or longer protection).
I've been thinking about your question for awhile and it's kind of a tough one for me. I understand the need to generate income to support this Great Site. I think the donation idea was pretty good, but I also think the donations would have dropped off after the initial enthusiasm wore off. Rebranding products, to me, seems to only add to the confusion of what products to use for any particular task. Building kits with various products targeted towards specific tasks might work, although opinions vary on what works best. Selling kits depends on the buyer trusting Autopia(aka David Bynon) to be exactly what they need and not more than. Personally, when it comes to car care advice, I trust what you say without any second thoughts and I think the same holds true for all the regulars here. For the new people to Autopia, trust comes with time and in the mean time they may have stocked their shelves with other stuff. Thing about kits is you have to stock a lot of stuff to put one together. Do you have the facilities to store the products and packaging or will you need to add to your overhead to acquire some place?
I didn't offer any solutions, just some things to think about.
I didn't offer any solutions, just some things to think about.
subterfuge... good points, but you assume products branded by a company are designed and manufactured by that same company. Let's be very clear that very few companies make some or even all of their products, yet this community believes that brand "A" is better than brand "C" when in fact they are the same product under a different label. What the community really likes is the reputation and service of brand "A" more than brand "C". What you'll never know is who actually makes the products or how brand "A's" formula is slightly different. Frankly, who cares as long as you have a product that you like? Does it really matter?
HellrotCi, I agree with everything you said. People do like different things. I think the difference I will bring is that I listen to what you all have to say... or I wouldn't be here getting all of this useful input. In the long run, that will translate into Autopia making or buying products people want.
HellrotCi, I agree with everything you said. People do like different things. I think the difference I will bring is that I listen to what you all have to say... or I wouldn't be here getting all of this useful input. In the long run, that will translate into Autopia making or buying products people want.
I think HellrotCi (inadvertently) brought up another issue that's been lurking in the back of my head. What if a newbie comes in here cold, asks what kind of clay kits are good, and we give him the usual suspects plus "and the Autopia clay." Or worse, someone tries to help and only says "The Autopia clay kit". How would that look to the newbie? Wouldn't that seem a bit "weird" and raise suspicions of bias? We'd have to explain the whole situation to everyone who asks and just wonder about those who don't...
Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud.... I'm a bit conflicted about this whole issue now.
Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud.... I'm a bit conflicted about this whole issue now.
Clearkote sells their products repackaged! 
I don't know Dave. I can see how new members would feel the site might be biased towards the 'Autopia brand' and maybe think they won't get fair evaluations on other products.
If you are going to do something like this though, I think using the best from several companies would be the best, since I know most here do not rely on one product line exclusively.
I don't know Dave. I can see how new members would feel the site might be biased towards the 'Autopia brand' and maybe think they won't get fair evaluations on other products.
If you are going to do something like this though, I think using the best from several companies would be the best, since I know most here do not rely on one product line exclusively.