Gotta love that website and You gotta love the CMDI line of products and services. People don't realize it but part of a branding experience is customer service... and that experience last all the way until the customer comes back again.
If you have to worry about being in the "In-crowd" or the manufacturers production quantity is so low that the product should be considered precious stones rather than race boats that is really not a choice. Sure sometimes the waiting list is quite long but that would be because a hundred boats or more are being ordered from around the world not just 10. (They must be good to have such a high demand) John Brown's craftmenship is hard to duplicate (it takes months to train someone and that's only if they have the patience to learn) so he is hard at work knocking them out one by one every day... And then there are things like a website that tell you best pipe, prop combination as well as hull and engine upgrades.
This lets you know that the manufacturer is creating a fair playing field for all not just a few choice friends. As a matter of fact the people that have the worst times with the product are the people that choose not to take advantage of all the information CMDi provides them. I didn't even know about the stronger wood options. (Hey Andy, I guess we should get that on the website too) That really makes it a no brainer. Where else is anyone taking the diverse needs of the customer into account and satisfying those diverse needs with practical options. I understand that RoadRunners are pretty attainable but what do you do when that time comes and you want to go faster. Can you pick up speed tips on their informative website? No... Do you get on the phone and call customer service? The Answer is still No...
So the answer should be pretty clear. When it comes to competition riggers CMDi's motto should be "We make going fast... Easy"
Ok,,,here's the deal the way "I" see it.....there is alot to be said about the way a business is run, and yes for a lot of builders this "IS" a business...and I find in business you get back what you give. I happen to be in a business that relies 100% on our ability to service our customers at the drop of a hat and produce results that are tangable and reliable or a lot of money and product are lost...To that end, I look for associates that also cater to me when I look for a product I am in the market for. I "want" the supplier to have easy access to his product,I "want" a clear and precise website to review product information on. I don't "want" to be in a clique or have to be with the "IN" crowd to get proper service or a question answered or have to be on a waiting list and then get some product that has been rushed out the door.
A lot of people may not agree with me but I feel my time and money is spent more wisely by paying for a professional service than by "doing it myself"...case in point ,,I have built many a rigger and have allway's
wished I could have done a better job..not that I lack the skills or shop to do it ,,for me first- it's a time element thing,,and secondly why should I spend a bunch of money on building and painting equipment that I may never use again. Believe me,, one only has to look in my shop to see all of the equipment I have pruchased over the years that sits idle. That money could have been spent elsewhere..
So for me personally I have decided to go with CMDI and turn over the entire build to the pro's.
I'm sure Andy and his team will produce a product I will be proud to own.
Thanks to all that responded here, and to all of the other builders,don't take any of this as a sign of an inferior product or design, but only a personal choice that fits my needs. From what I've read here , most builders make great products and it all boils down to what works best for each one of us.
Thanks,
WW
