(ET) Bill

["Dean A. Stuckmann" <dstuck lakefield net>]

Hi,
I spoke with Bill for a while today and he stated that he was hoping that 
he
would have been out of the ET business by now.  Not because he doesn't want
to be involved with it, but because his return is so poor for the time he
has to stick into it.  Lots of trouble shooting and sources for some parts
are slowly drying up and he researches replacements.  He is a bit too proud
to take grant money to subsidize the ET business.  He also stated that he
would entertain some options to help him out, but seems a bit skeptical
about the outcome for 3 major reasons.  One, it still would take a lot of
his time to convert documents and parts lists for the web or other
distribution. Two, the problems involved with documenting his knowledge.
Three, it sounds like most of the offers he received for help were for a 
few
hours a week and he thought that it would take a much larger commitment to
do some good.  

I brought up some of the ideas that were brought by our group.

The 900 number for tech calls -  While I think it is a great idea, he 
seemed
indifferent.

Web site for parts, ordering, FAQ, tips etc.  - He felt that it would take 
a
lot of server space and time to enter the volumes of photos and other info.
Maybe if we started a club and the club could own the server? He had a bit
of a problem with the concept of ordering parts on the web for many 
reasons.
ETs were made in many models and configurations. The same model may require
different parts depending on the year.  Some have been repaired with odd
components or had parts transplanted from another machine.  Some machines
have serial number plates that can't be read.  Bill can ID the machine by
identifying boards and/or the wire harnesses.  It may be a bit too easy to
order the wrong stuff.  He does not want to sell parts unless proper
troubleshooting has been done.  Maybe connections just needed cleaning.  Or
people will order a part that they think will fix the problem to find out
that they need something else.  That makes an unhappy customer and they may
want to return the "unused" part.

Personally I think that these problems could be worked out with some
organization and that forming a club is an essential first step.  By the
way, how many of ET users are on the list server? We could find out what
resources (time, talent, hardware, etc) the group can put together.  Once
that information is known, options can be presented to Bill.  Large tasks
may be able to be split over many individuals.  Hopefully Bill would be
involved with the club from the start.  I think that a web site is the way
to go and that some sections (ie: Manuals, FAQ, Tips) should only be
available to club members.  Or that club members get "special discounts"
when purchasing parts.  Something that would entice ET users to join the
club. Maybe the club could design, build and sell "upgrade kits" or even a
complete ET, if everyone thinks that the Electric Tractor Corps products 
are
too pricey or not up to the task.  (I would love to see a front drive, zero
turn radius machine:)

I think that a nice feature of the club is that it will help Bill stay in
the business, but most importantly, it will help keep ETs going if Bill 
goes
away.

Dean A. Stuckmann