Louisville boat show questionaire, your votes needed

[Tony Reynolds RPM]

For the past several years i (reynolds marine) go and set-up a "boat repair shop" We take our roll-around tool boxes, workbenches, engines in midst of repair, and set it all up in a 20'X30' booth, it looks just like a "smaller" version of an actual boat repair shop, And we are actually there performing repairs to boat motors while you watch. I take a few of my technicians, and we usually take in a blown-up outboard and tear it down and rebuild it during the course of the show, then offer it for sale towards the end of the show. This allows the boatshow goers to see the internal workings of an outboard motor and how they get toredown and reassembled better than new! I usually have pretty heavy crowds around my booth, most with lots of questions about how and why and how to prevent. Some just come to us with questions about a particular boat they are getting ready to buy from another dealer at the show. We do not offer new boats for sale at the show, so our answers are un-biased and appear to be helpful and appreciated by the prospective boat buyer. Have any of you guys seen my booth, or did you miss it, or did you just not find it interesting or helpful?
Do any of you have any suggestions for what i could do to make it better? (other than selling tackle-i am just a boat repair facility and dealer for mercury-yamaha-honda-nissan-mercruiser)
last year i gave out business cards with a big discount on the back.
for first-time customers with warranty repair needs, you got a $40 in store credit.
(in other words, if it was your first time here, and your new merc, yam, honda, nissan, or mercruiser you bought elsewhere "broke down" and needed me to fix it under factory warranty i gave you $40 to spend on anything in my store!the other offer was for first-time customers who had a insurance repair to there boat, I gave them $250 off there out-of-pocket expense.
alot of new people responded by bringing the cards and redeeming them, but i am wanting to increase that volume of response.
Maybe i will try a drawing for something like a new all-star rod (that was the king-daddy when i used to fish--Is it still??) or maybe a drawing for a GPS or fishfinder?? Maybe a drawing for free boat repair Labor??
How bout a vote, what kind of give-away or other promotion would attract you or other boat-owning fisherman/recreational boaters the most to visit my booth?

[Joe Skeeter]

I'd say repair or pm work would be you're best grabber.

[Scott@KeelShield]

Tony, what you did last year is a good way to get new customers. We all know good service sells these days. Nothing quicker to get someone to stop at a booth is free draw for a prize , no matter the prize or prizes.

[A.J.]

I'm with Joe repair or work. Or maybe something along the lines as a discount on a once or annual computer diagnostic checkup. What ever you go with good luck to ya.

[basshole45]

i must have missed the discount cards last year of course i had a woman puylling me away but yeah even that or a free spring maintenance /set up or winterization would be a cool draw too.Personally i could use a drawing for a new boat cover for a 17 foot hydra sports,lol.Other than that maybe use something along the lines that you see the most business from as your drawing /giveaway

[buzzking]

You could do something like a short quiz from a demo you give, all that complete the "quiz" on your demonstrations will be eligible for certain drawings. This would allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and willingness to communicate openly and without bias. It will also get an extended touch with perspective clients rather than just stop in, sign a card, drop it in the box and move along. I love the idea of a non bias boat part store/mechanic. Nothing always pisses me off worse than the preferential treatment to those who buy boats from dealers. Now granted the dealer will feel a little more obligated to take care of their boat clients over their repair clients but if you price your boats right you will get me as a client anyways. Its the whole "pay a little more and we will be your buddy" mentality. Hope you do well

[S.Curtsinger]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by buzzking &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You could do something like a short quiz from a demo you give, all that complete the "quiz" on your demonstrations will be eligible for certain drawings. This would allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and willingness to communicate openly and without bias. It will also get an extended touch with perspective clients rather than just stop in, sign a card, drop it in the box and move along. I love the idea of a non bias boat part store/mechanic. Nothing always pisses me off worse than the preferential treatment to those who buy boats from dealers. Now granted the dealer will feel a little more obligated to take care of their boat clients over their repair clients but if you price your boats right you will get me as a client anyways. Its the whole "pay a little more and we will be your buddy" mentality. Hope you do well </TD></TR></TABLE>...I like this idea...wait,,I'm agreeing with kyle ...seriously ..good idea though...now get back to bashing scott about his cards

[slickstick]

I like the idea of a rod/reel combo or some type of electronics. Most people will respond better to something that they can touch. As far as drumming up more business, Just getting the word out that you do warranty work is all you need.

[catch5]

I still like the free winterazation or spring tune up. I could sure use it. Plus it wouldn't really put you out a big expense. mostly labor. Anything would be great though. Its nice to see a business really care about a customer nowdays.

Thanks for the great service Tony

[Tony Reynolds RPM]

thanks for the suggestions. I think I will do both a service give-away on a few nights of the show, and something else-probly electronics, one night.
I'm not closing the thread, still looking for more creative ideas, so keep the suggestions coming!