STEPDOWN PLASTICS shutting down; at least temporarily

Rob Fayette

Hi Guys,

I find I have been enjoying the casting hobby less and less and am thinking seriously of taking a break.  It is a lot of work to make these parts, mostly because so many little things can go wrong.  It can take a lot of work and lots of rejects to finally get a part that meets my standards.

I also find myself getting behind on the other things I want to do, such as finish the Pacemaker Convertible.

I have toyed with the idea of trying to sell my casting stuff and molds to somebody else that may be interested in giving it a shot.  I will say that it might be more challenging that you would expect.

I am trying to decide what the appropriate way to do this is,  if I do shut down temporarily.  Do I leave the ad in the wtn?  Do I leave my name in the member services section?  I am thinking I should remove them, and then later if I start up again, I could put them back in.

If you guys have any thoughts you'd like to share I'd like to hear them.

Rob Fayette

Lance

Rob, Do what is best for you. If this is not fun anymore,take a break. No one is ever going to tell you to stop so you need to access where this is going for you. Finish your Pacemaker and while you are completing it you'll have time to consider where your next step will be. Good luck to you in any event.

Jon B

You might go to the Eshelmans and Doug Wildrick to see if they were interested in buying your molds.  You might also place an ad in the WTN classifieds, offering to sell the molds and current stock of parts -- you never know who might be interested.

Meanwhile, I'd keep your website and advertising up, merely say "when current stock of parts is exhausted it will not be replenished" or some such thing.

hudsontech

When something you enjoy doing becomes a chore, then it's time to back off for a while and do something else. I have been scanning documents for an online library for more years than I can remember and it is becoming a chore.  At the moment I am taking a break, tho not because I want to - my computer is about shot and so I'm just cleaning up files, etc, until the end of February when I plan to buy a new computer.  My hard drive is full - I can't do much of anything. I've also lost most of the programs I use in my scanning.  In all fairness those programs are older than Moses - I do have the disks to re-install the programs unless I find new programs with the new computer.  However, than may mean the work I've done won't work on the new 'puter.  No loss - everything is pretty much online or backed in adobe.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

DavidC

Hey, Rob, I completely understand, but know you will be missed. Your work is superb. I hope it's temporary, but either way, thank you for your contribution

TOM-WA-

ROB:

MY 2 CENTS......TAKE A BRAKE, BUT LEAVE YOUR ADDS UP..JUST ADD
SOME WORDING TO THEM INDICATING THAT YOU ARE ON A HIATUS (SP) AND
THAT YOU ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSING PRODUCTION.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DELETE THE ADDS IF YOU DECIDE "NOT" TO RESUME PRODUCTION

EssexAdv

There might be a compromise.  If you enjoy doing the work but keeping up with demand is a problem,  Create a small batch of parts and list them for sale.  Then do it again. Say 1 set of knobs for a certain car, or a set of window switches, etc.

 That way you will control the time outlay rather than the customers. 

I hate to see someone who is good give up a much needed project. And if you sell it off, who knows how the new owner will work out.  We have had many people over the years try to remanufacture parts and most don't work out too well.  You are one in a very small exception group

That's my thought.... but yours is the most important.  Do as makes your life right.

Lew

Kevin_Ch

Rob,

Finish your convertible.  Drive it for a while and enjoy it.  If after a period of time you get the itch to restart your business, then go for it.  There will always be a market for your products.  If the desire to restart the business doesn't return, then sell.  Do what gives you the most satisfaction. 

Kevin C.

Rob Fayette

Thanks guys for your comments and ideas.

I never did have any real inventory in stock.  I pretty much made parts to order.

I don't have any left over parts.

I am thinking I will leave the ad in the WTN for one cycle with a note that I am shutting it down.  Then I will remove the ad from the WTN. I feel if I left the ad in the WTN it my cause some confusion and possibly resentment if people thought they could get parts when they couldn't.   I will leave the website up for the time being.  I will put a notice on the front page of the site that says  I am going out of production until further notice.

Thanks again everyone for your support

Rob