irish44j said:
These "25% off and run our sticker" discount programs have become more and more prevalent. It's an easy way to deal with all the "will you sponser me, everyone will love my car when its done" noise that all vendors get. A few years ago I posted a great article discussing it, but I'll let someone else dig it out again if they're interested.
Hell, that's a "program?"
Over my years of racing (primarily rally/rallycross) when I want to order a part from a smaller vendor or specialty vendor, I'll usually shoot them an email first just straight-up saying that I'd be happy to throw some stickers on the car and on the trailer in exchange for whatever discount they feel like giving (on parts that i was gonna pay full-price for anyhow). I usually just mention to check out my build thread (about 500,000 views between the one here and the one in the BMW forum). The vendor almost always gives me some kind of deal on whatever I'm ordering....5%, 10%, 25%, sometime more. I throw some of their stickers on the car, tag them in some social media posts here and there just as a "thanks" and that's it. The guy who made my skidplate has gotten a dozen orders from local e30 rallycrossers alone just from them seeing my car. Hell, ARB (the offroad company) hooked me up with some free replacement parts when I basically destroyed my awning on the tow rig in a wind storm just for telling them that the truck towed a race car. I don't push, but I'll certainly ask. Only thing it costs me is a couple minutes to put a couple stickers on the car. My one "real" sponsor started that way, and since I've gotten a lot of others into his products, now he gives me free or heavily discounted stuff when I need it - though I don't ask often.
I don't bother asking with larger distributors (i.e. the eEuroparts, or FCP, or the ones who do "discount/sponsorship" deals), since they have written requirements, etc. But for smaller companies who aren't well known, sure, why not. I like stickers, and if I get them a couple future sales I suppose it's worth it.
It's the difference between "looking for sponsors" and just taking a minute to see if me and a manufacturer can do a quick, mutually-beneficial transaction that doesn't cost either of us anything but could help both of us.
It helps that I'm not doing stupid E36 M3, that I'm fairly well known in the rally/rallycross community on this coast, and that I'm known as a big supporter of the e30 scene who shares/writes about products I like.
Hell, I have a Flyin' Miata sticker on my toolchest. I don't even own a Miata, and never have :)
The Redline program is simply a big company putting what you’re doing in writing. A few social media posts, stickers and you get a bit of a cut. Because they’re big enough that they can’t just make it up on the fly, they have to come up with a proper description and terms. But really, it’s just “tell you what, if you order $250 worth of stuff we’ll give you wholesale pricing and ship it for free if you tell people to use our stuff”.
That does cost the manufacturer something - they’re discounting their prices and taking a pay cut with the expectation that their support of you will benefit them.
For every guy like you - able to spend money, a reasonable public profile and with the right attitude - there are a dozen kids who are planning to be Instagram stars as soon as their car is done, and they’ll totally tell all their friends that your stuff is the bomb and they’ll be at all the car shows and even visit the SEMA if their buddy can hook them up with shirts. That’s the reason the programs exist.
