[SECC] Fw: [MRRC] Honda Generator Group Buy

Sun Aug 3 22:08:22 EDT 2008

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Jimk8mr at aol.com>
To: <mrrc at contesting.com>; <ncc at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2008 8:55 PM
Subject: [MRRC] Honda Generator Group Buy


>A note from NCCC President K6MM about an interesting group buy by that club
> and friends. Might there be any similar interest here (not that I'm about 
> to
> play banker myself...) :
>
>
>
>
> In the spirit of "Sharing The Wealth", I wanted to let you know about a
> large group purchase of Honda generators that our Club has just completed.
>
>
> In early June, many NCCC members discussed the need for a reliable 
> inverter
> generator for Field Day, Emergency Preparedness, and general home  use. 
> After
> some research, we decided upon a 2KW generator -- the Honda  EU2000i.
> http://tinyurl.com/4ohn57
>
>
> Perhaps you are familiar  with this generator, which has received 
> excellent
> reviews from contesters,  DXpeditioners, and on eHam.net.  Because of 
> Honda's
> inverter technology,  the EU2000i provides clean "sine wave" power, making 
> it
> safe for use with  computers and our sometimes-sensitive radio gear.  I 
> used
> this generator at  two different Field Day sites this past June with 
> excellent
> results.
>
>
> The EU2000i lists for $1080.  After some research  online, and many phone
> calls, I found a supplier in Grand Rapids, MI who was  willing to work 
> with us on
> a lower price if we could get at least 10 units  ordered.  Their name:
> Coffman Electric Equipment Company -- and their  online store is 
> Steadypower.com:
> http://www.steadypower.com/catalog/honda_eu2000.php
>
>
> I did an  extensive interview with Coffman Electric, which has been in
> business for over  50 years, and was founded in the early 1950s by Perry 
> Coffman, an
> electrical  engineer and ham radio operator (I'm trying to track down is
> callsign).   CE's main business today is fabricating backup industrial 
> generators
> for  hospitals throughout the State of Michigan.  They expanded their 
> online
> business with Steadypower.com, and became an authorized American Honda 
> Power
> Equipment dealer 6 years ago.  According to AH, they are one of AH's best
> dealers in the US with virtually no customer complaints.  After a 13-month
> application period, CE also became a GSA approved government  contractor.
>
>
> Coffman Electric was the only supplier I contacted who  was willing to 
> ship
> individually via Fedex Ground to each buyer's shipping  address (with a
> tracking number).  The other suppliers (including Mayberrys  who advertise 
> in QST)
> all wanted to ship a large palette to one location and  have them 
> distributed
> from there.   Even more important, CE had both  the California model 
> (meeting CA
> emission requirements) and the 49-state Non-CA  model in stock for us.  We
> needed to have access to both  models.
>
>
> The price we settled on for a minimum purchase of 10  generators:  $880 
> per
> generator (includes Fedex Ground shipping).  I  sent out the request for 
> 10
> units.  What came back was an amazing 56  orders.  Yes, 56.  We 
> re-negotiated to
> a price of $860 -- which, after  a little coaxing from me included a free
> high-quality $20 Honda storage  cover.  We then collected $860 from each 
> member
> (personal checks) - a total  of $48,160.  I wired the money from our Wells 
> Fargo
> account to Cofflman  Electric on Thursday, July 10, 2008 (praying that I
> wouldn't have to buy a  one-way ticket to Bora Bora).  True to their word, 
> CE
> starting shipping the  next day, and over a two week period, all units 
> were
> shipped.  As of  Thursday, July 31 (exactly 3 weeks from when we wired the 
> $$), all
> 57 units were  safely in the hands of our Club members.  54 units were 
> shipped
> to  California and 3 were shipped to WA, NV, and AZ.  Average delivery 
> time
> from MI to CA:  4 business days.  My online tracking chart is here - 
> you'll
> recognize many of the callsigns.  See the Comments column:
> http://tinyurl.com/4ydd2r
>
>
> So, why am I passing this information on to  you?  Well, why not share the
> information with you guys?  We're all in  this great hobby together, and 
> if your
> Club members have a need for a reliable  2KW generator, the Honda EU2000i 
> may
> be a good solution.  If so, feel free  to follow up with Coffman Electric.
> My contact, Steve Coffman, has said he  is willing to honor the same deal 
> for
> you -- even if you just order ten (10)  generators:  that is, $860 per 
> unit
> with free cover and Fedex  Shipping.  A nice gesture on his part.  If you 
> need a
> different model  generator, talk with Steve, and you may be able to 
> working
> out another  solution.  I'm copying him on this email.
>
>
> Disclaimer:  I  have no personal interest in Coffman Electric whatsoever. 
> No
> relatives  there and no hidden agenda.  The Club is not benefiting in any 
> way
> from  this recommendation and neither am I.  I'm just sharing our 
> successful
> experience with you.
>
>
> If you have any questions, I'm happy to  help.  Best of luck, and CU in 
> the
> next contest!
>
>
> 73,
> John  Miller, K6MM
> President, Northern California Contest  Club
> www.nccc.cc
> email:  k6mm at arrl.net
>
>
> Coffman Electric  Contact Information:
>
>
> Steven Coffman
> Coffman Electrical Equipment  Co.
> 3300 Jefferson Ave.
> Grand Rapids, MI  49548
> Phone:  (616)  452-8708
> Fax:  (616) 452-1337
> Toll Free:  (800)  852-7699
> E-mail:  steve at steadypower.com
>
>
>
>
> **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your 
> budget?
> Read reviews on AOL Autos.
> (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017 
>  )
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