Check out Jeff's new marketing and huge discounts to the average
racer , not just team drivers.

Like always , you'll never beat there customer support and service.

www.promatchracing.com


I'm just a customer but have found no better :thumbsup:

bump up

The customer service was even better through a dealer network, which they no longer have.

The customer service was even better through a dealer network, which they no longer have.

I have to agree. I dont like what they did to their team drivers and customer support. I miss Erika!:cry: I went ahead and bougt another batch for the season to see how they are though...

~Brad

I understand that their business direction has hurt some, but has opened a large door for others. The cells are awesome and for $35 to get top shelf stuff, I'll continue to buy from ProMatch until LiPo takes over.

I don't care what some labels claim...these cells can win anywhere. :thumbsup:

Nothing like giving a big middle finger to tracks and hobbyshops. :rolleyes:

Maybe every company could sell direct at disti prices and then we could race in our driveways for really cheap.

I had a feeling this thread would end up here... :rolleyes:

*Everyone uses different sales channels to receive product

*Almost no one uses their LHS exclusively

*I spend as much as I can in my LHS until it's no longer fiscally responsible(e.g. $60 4 cell batteries)

*It's no different than buying direct from Lefthander, Muddslide, Windtunnel, or even making your own chassis.

Point - ProMatch going direct will not put any LHS out of business by itself. While it may hurt some, it will help more IMO - especially people like me who will take those savings and put it back into the industry anyway.

-waiting for rebuttal

Nothing like giving a big middle finger to tracks and hobbyshops. :rolleyes:

Maybe every company could sell direct at disti prices and then we could race in our driveways for really cheap.


lol Pat.

I had a feeling this thread would end up here... :rolleyes:

*Everyone uses different sales channels to receive product

*Almost no one uses their LHS exclusively

*I spend as much as I can in my LHS until it's no longer fiscally responsible(e.g. $60 4 cell batteries)

*It's no different than buying direct from Lefthander, Muddslide, Windtunnel, or even making your own chassis.

Point - ProMatch going direct will not put any LHS out of business by itself. While it may hurt some, it will help more IMO - especially people like me who will take those savings and put it back into the industry anyway.

*Not looking for an argument.

You're right it doesn't matter when one company does it. What about 2 or 3, maybe 14 companies? Define for me exactly when it becomes a problem.

The comparison to mail order like Lefthander isn't valid because Lefthander purchases their product through the same channels a local hobby shop does and while they may be somewhat cheaper on some things it isn't nearly as drastic. Lefthander also is the local hobbyshop for a track and so is Murdock. FYI

The making your own chassis dig was just stupid.

Sorry, but I think it's lame. The distribution channels exist for a reason.

And no you can't argue with me and then put in an asterisk and say no arguing back! If you don't want to argue don't say anything!

Promatch Has Been A Race Supportor For Alot Of Years, Did Anyone Think Maybe The Direction They Went Was An Effort To Keep Them In Business.

Maybe Their Sales Were Lower Than Distributor Minimum Requirements And They Were Dropped.

That Happens To Companies, What Are They Supposed To Do Then Roll Over And Die?

Promatch Always Had Great Products But Did You See How Fast People Went Away When They Lost Their Deals.

O.K. then, I'll change my argument then...

I ran Promatch before JBR and got sent home. They just happen to change their business strategy but I still like their product. I also love ordering from Hays myself.

The chassis comment was not a dig - don't be so defensive. It was a contrast to the companies mentioned - an attempt to show that neither will kill a LHS.

Unlike Hanson, I only have 2 degrees...when I finish my business degree I'll be more equipped to let you know how many direct companies are bad for RC. Until then, it's not fair to pick and choose which ones can do it.

Argument line removed. lol.

As long as you continue to give Hanson crap we're good!

As long as you continue to give Hanson crap we're good!

:thumbsup:

Wow!!!

You're just that good.

Wow, look what I started...

They do make good stuff. Just felt it odd that dealers were suddenly scratched- without notice, even if you just got a bunch of stuff in (at the previous higher cost).

By the way "eoval"- dealers were able to buy direct until recently, distributors, I believe, had little to do with it. Not even sure you could buy Pro-Match from Great Planes or Horizon...

Other than my feelings, the product is still good, and does give a great "bang for the buck".

The product is the same product he offered before he cut distribution and team drivers. I think what has happened is people are bitter that he's not giving away free or 50% off product. I was sponsored by Jeff years ago when I left the hobby. Now that I am back, I still use his stuff, it's still just as good. As far as the LHS, You couldn't buy them anywhere around me anyway, so we'd have to buy them off the site. The fact he's dropped the prices has led to more people being able to afford quality packs.. Personally, I won't strap a different battery in my car unless I have no other choice. Just because he made business decisions he felt would put himself in a better position is no reason to bash the guy.

The question you need to ask yourself is would this be ok if every company did it? If the answer to that question is no, then logically it can't be ok for one company to do it.

Most every company will sell direct. What they won't do is sell direct for less than what the hobbyshop could ever sell for. That is the problem.

I couldn't care less what pro-match does with their team, was never on it. Most companies ought to dump at least 75% of their sponsored drivers, the whole hobby would be better off.

The problem here is the same basic problem in all parts of this hobby. Everyone just cares about what's good for them, not what might be good for the whole hobby.

Why I'm debating this I have no idea. This is rudimentary business 101. Undercutting the retailer is a no no. I have a problem with it here and I have a problem with it in regards to other companies who do it under the guise of a "sponsorship". Unfortunately that is how the game was played by some, so now all have to do it to get sales.

I wonder if Danny would even sell cells to another matcher who did this. I'd suspect not, which makes it even more unfair.

So selling direct, at a cheaper price is not a good thing? I've seen 2 drivers at my track get batteries from Jeff. Both of which would not go buy a $60 pack from the LHS. Sorry, but with the economy the way it is, any quality product that sells cheaper will survive, even luxury items like batteries. With all the layoffs happening around the country in the last few days, hobbies are going to get hit hard. Many people simply will not have that disposable income that supported what they did. I know I'm almost right there myself.

You're stuck in a little picture viewpoint and I'm trying point out the big picture. I don't think I'm going to get through on this.

Again, would it be ok if Associated, Trinity, Novak, BSR and SMC all did this? If not, then what is special about Pro-Match that it is ok for them? Do you think if the above companies all did this there'd be a hobbyshop left or a racetrack left for you to play on?

I completely understand where your coming from, no little picture viewpoint. Here's the thing though. Direct sales, cheaper prices, more sales. Tracks can exsist without a full blown hobby shop, In fact I've raced at many tracks set up that way, including my current home track.

LHS=
Protoform Body $29.16
LRP Sphere $215
HD chassis $378.00

(prices include tax)

Online=
PF Body $18.00
LRP $169.00
HD Chassis $300.00

Savings $135.16

Ad shipping (lets say $12) your still saving $123. Now imagine those prices @ direct pricing.
My LHS only gets paid a visit when I have to have something immidiately. Most people buy all the big ticket items online anyway.

Your hobbyshop is price gouging which is their own issue. I'm not down on mail order as I purchase most of my equipment that way. This isn't an issue of mailorder versus hobbyshop. Like I explained earlier lefthander will purchase product through the same channels a hobbyshop does. If they are able to charge less by minimizing overhead or purchasing in larger quantity then that is simply how business goes. By having extremely fast shipping and knowledgeable people to help you they are a business who is apparently able to beat your hobbyshop.

This situation is different in that pro-match has an edge which they are exploiting that no one else can touch no matter how well they run their business. It's unfair and it is bad for for the industry. That is why nearly every company does not do it. It is not a novel idea that pro-match just thought up. Danny at SMC realizes he could put everyone else out of business, but looking at the big picture that is not good for anybody, so he doesn't do it. Same could be said for Barry Hill or John Foister or anyone who manufactures or imports a product.

So if everyone did it, wouldn't that put everyone on the same playing field? I mean Jeff isn't giving them away, and I'm sure he's not doing it for free. I would have to believe there is profit even at those prices.


I could go on an on as this is the perfect example of what has happened to the economy. Inflated prices on everything we buy is just the result of someones greed.

So if everyone did it, wouldn't that put everyone on the same playing field? I mean Jeff isn't giving them away, and I'm sure he's not doing it for free. I would have to believe there is profit even at those prices.


I could go on an on as this is the perfect example of what has happened to the economy. Inflated prices on everything we buy is just the result of someones greed.

Ah but I don't believe everyone else can do it. If you remember when the Energ cell came out it was promoted as a collaberation between SMC and Pro-Match. I have no idea the business agreement details, but I'll bet you Pro-Match has rights to the cells that the others do not.

SMC is pretty protective of their pricing for things they distribute. Become a dealer and then try to sell their LiPO packs for under their min price and see what happens. I have trouble believing they would allow another matcher to do what Pro-Match is doing.

On a more fundamental level business is done this way on everything we purchase in our daily lives. Dewalt makes drills they then sell them to a distributor who sells them to mom and pop hardware store or they sell them direct to HomeDepot. You go to the store and buy them. That is how the whole system for everyhing is based. It would be terrible for everyone if you bought everything direct from a manufacturer. Whole economy blows up.

I realize that is mellow dramatic, but you brought in a real world topic to make your point so I flipped it.

As for greed, trust me in the RC battery business no one is getting rich. Most of your oval matchers do it because they like it, and it makes a few extra side bucks to pay for their own racing. Also, it allows them to write off racing on their taxes! :)

I'm not judging you or anyone for buying from them, but I am judging them for doing it. The other companies are playing fair or semi-fair and Pro-Match is not. If they needed an edge to stay in business then they should do it like everyone else does. Cut their costs, promote their product, grow RC racing etc.

Unlike Hanson, I only have 2 degrees....

lightweights....
I have 98. :rolleyes:

Wow, look what I started...

troublemaker.

lightweights....
I have 98. :rolleyes:

.6 :)

......

I deal with Euro instrumentation....37.0 :)

I keep it absolute at 310.15! :p

This one time.... at band camp __________________.

Anyone for Rankine or Reamur?

Anyone for Rankine or Reamur?


Or Romulas and Remus?

It appears this is not a support thread. Thread closed.