Pssst! We make some of the best lubrication products in the world ... but let's keep it a secret. DON'T pass it on.
Ken2, even at $250 they don't make it easy. You have to order entire case lots or drums of a particular product. How many of us want to order a case of 6 - 1 gallon containers of Nuetra 131 or a 5-gallon pail of Soy Neutra 131C? Even if I owned a working shop, I would want smaller quantities than that ... to eliminate large batches getting contaminated over time, reduce employee pilfrage, reduce costs associated with etc ...
The exception is Tim Mills in Arkansas. He is a stocking dealer who ships oneseys and twoseys of particular items ... but you pay a fair amount for shipping. This can offset some of the cost effectiveness of some of the products. Micron Moly, for example, is a really cost effective oil at $2.46 but add another $1.00 in shipping per quart and it ceases being a really good deal.
I really believe that Schaeffer would do well if they were to break their case lots down and ship out any amount of a given product within their current batch sizes. If you can put together a combined $250 order of greases, motor oils, gear oils, fuel additives, and some other specialty products, etc ... why not?
Even for amounts less than $250 they should be able to adjust the price and make it attractive to order. Obviously, they feel this is the case with their company store ... but why limit it to just a dozen or so products?
Many companies have figured out there is a lot of money (including better profit margins) with smaller amounts shipped directly to consumers at a higher price. And Schaeffer could use their existing network of dealers to initiate each order. With internet sales, this would be ideal. I could call any rep across the country and have them phone the order in for me. Orders placed directly to the factory by non-dealers would be not allowed.
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Bror Jace