Bascoms

[Chicopee Sap Shack]

So I'm about done with going to Bascoms all together.

Every time I go I spend way to much money and find other things that plant a new bug I'm my head that will cost more money.

Today's class was very informative and I'm glad I went just not happy with my self inflicted bills.

Scott

[Bucket Head]

Well, you know what they say- the first step in overcoming an addiction is admitting you have one.

If its any consolation, all of us on this site suffer from the the same addiction. Unfortunately, we are all too busy with "off-season preparations" to meet once a month or seek professional help, so all we can do is talk about our problems on the forum.

Amusing post Scott!

Steve

[morningstarfarm]

Our biggest problem is that whenever we do get together, we realize we need more!!!

[Flat47]

Bruce Bascom or his father (can't remember which) once said you had to, "Spend 2 million to make a million."

[maple flats]

If that is the case, I should make a million soon (it seems)
It sure is easy to spend more than we want when we attend a seminar or even just visit a well stocked maple dealer. I think we all suffer that addiction.

[Drew Pond Maple]

Sometimes our imagination is bigger than our wallets.

[68bird]

I did good! Went to Bascom's yesterday, and kept it under $100.00. The bad part was I proved I could make the trip in less than an hour!

[red maples]

yeah there about 4 hrs round trip for !!! so when I go out there I try to keep it under $1000. Def. in this business it seems we spend way too much to make nothing. Its rough getting started!!! this will be my 5th year and every year when I go through the books its seems like I still "just starting out" I love it but I hope I can make some money some time!!! ;)

[Drew Pond Maple]

yeah there about 4 hrs round trip for !!! ;)
How long of a drive is it from Kingston? You must spend ALOT of time there? I'm 4 hours round trip from Plymouth
I agree with the "spend too much to make nothing"


Good thing the wife don't know what I spend on maple equipment

[Chicopee Sap Shack]

3 hours one way for me. I try to keep it under $500 but it's not easy.


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[BreezyHill]

Sounds like you guys need to have a better system. Jar up the sales money and use that for your purchasing. This will make you into better salesmen of your finished products. It is great to have all the latest toys but try not to be salesmenized. Classes are designed to produce impulse purchasing. A good salesmen can lead you down the maple trail to the poor house. We all could use a new tool but the wise tapper spends what is truly a necessity and skips the nicety.
Personnally I have to explain to the wife why it was needed...see the maple isn't the only bush I like to tap. LOL But I have been told it is if I drain the checking account to low.

Ben

[unc23win]

I think some people need to spend less time worrying about others and realize that others are capable of making up their own minds. It is nearly impossible to have an operation without some investment and the same goes for expanding unless you want to expand at a snails pace that is.

[DrTimPerkins]

Classes are designed to produce impulse purchasing.

I must disagree with this statement. If you intended to make such a blanket statement about all classes (perhaps you didn't) then I also find it modestly insulting.

Classes we give are meant to educate producers. Given this information they can make their own choices about how to best manage their operations. In a good deal of our presentations we don't talk about any particular equipment at all.

In many cases the sessions put on by equipment manufacturers are also primarily educational, however since most of their experience is with their own equipment it is not surprising that they discuss that the most.

Obviously not everyone feels this way, as most conferences are fairly well attended by maple producers.


We all could use a new tool but the wise tapper spends what is truly a necessity and skips the nicety.

In my opinion, the better approach is to assess any type of change from a cost/benefit perspective (which might not be purely economic, but also include time, effects on home life, effects on tree health, environment, etc.). If it improves the operation and produces a net profit or net change for the better, then the change should be considered for implementation. Even things that aren't necessities can sometimes improve the situation.....otherwise we'd all still be living in caves.

[markct]

Well said Dr Tim, I have learned many things from Bascoms seminars where you and many others spoke, and many of the things have saved me money I would say thru better understanding how things work and then being able to make items or better choose equipment purchases. I have never been to a maple seiminar that came off as a sales pitch at Bascoms, even the ones done by equip manufacturers are usualy done as unbiased as possible.

[madmapler]

My own opinion about classes presented by manufacturers is that they are almost entirely educational. The benefit for the manufacturer is residual. They get to meet and forge relationships with producers and often times earn their respect regarding their knowledge. They introduce their latest technology but that is also beneficial to both parties. By educating producers they promote the industry on which we "all" depend. Everyone benefits.

[BreezyHill]

Dr T. are you saying that when you present at a class that you are not delighted when a person grasps your information and sees the benefit of upgrading to new tech or latest data findings?

The best sales tool is education of the customer. The educated customer is the one that will, generally, purchase the latest and greatest equipment. If this were not the case we would be still using the 7/16 taps, those nasty little white tablets, no high vacuum, leaded soilder, etc.

Just look at the level of SS barrels being purchased. Never underestimate the power of a good presentation or the lives that are enriched by the knowledge that is gained thru a good presentation.

Some people are looking at the glass half empty.


I say it is half full and a great presenter will teach you how to fill your sap tanks all the way...but you must spend some $$$ to do it. By the way of higher vacuum, larger mains, fewer taps per tubing lateral, seasonal taps, replacing drops more often, CVs, etc.

We are all in this to make the best of our operations...the way to profitable advancements is thru education and the investment in the operation. Just don't break the bank doing it. Do it thru sales of product at higher returns.

Every class should be very well attended...there are a lot of people that give of their time and efforts to educate the sugar makers in an effort to keep the producers viable thru a profitable business.

It is of the utmost importance that dealers be knowledgeable and aware of production techniques and products and what better way than thru classes and tours; but don't think for a second that the products included in the presentation will not be well stocked in the anticipation of sales. That is just good business.

You missed my point totally...The point is simply: Spend what you can annually on improvements but never over look improving your sales regiment by skipping the classes on sales opportunities, candy, floss, glass for the tourists, etc.

The more you make the more you can spend!

[DrTimPerkins]

Every class should be very well attended...there are a lot of people that give of their time and efforts to educate the sugar makers in an effort to keep the producers viable thru a profitable business.

Thank you for the clarification. It is very different than how I interpreted your original post.

[BreezyHill]

If I didn't fully believe education is the best tool; I have wasted the past 30 years of my life being a 4-H Leader.
Remember when reading my posts...the glass is half full, Mistakes are Learning Moments, set goals with in reach to produce a successful atmosphere!

I totally despise the KISS Method (Keep It Simple for the Stupid) Most people want to know how one arrives at a conclusion or position, so the state is totally understood, as confusion is a state of nonproductivity.

No Worries Dr T.

[Shawn]

Well put DR. T. For us its not about making $$$$$$$$$$$$ but the enjoyment of the hobby with family and friends and the satisfaction of turning out the syrup that not only you enjoy but others also, and the hard work that goes into it year round. I cannot say much for selling the product as at this point we do not. We divide it up between four of us and it goes to family, friends and used as gifts. Folks offer money and our motto is our syrup is so good we do not sell it. We attend Bascoms seminar's and have learned a lot and they will talk to you even if your just starting out to help you. I have found over the years if you do not need it they will tell you so. Sure we spend some money each year, but we walk out of the sugar house with a smile on our face and the satisfaction of learning more and more each year and having folks arrive at the sugar house to say, hey you got any syrup left? it was great! Its fun to go to Bascoms and talk to the big producers and learn from these folks also, the seminars you walk away with notes and new ideas. The hot dogs are pretty good also!:cool:

[markct]

It is interesting to go to Bascoms and mingle with people who have 30 taps like I did years ago, and also with people who have far more than the 1000 plus taps I have now. For the most part everyone seems to have an intrest in sugaring just the same and very little looking down upon those smaller etc

[Chicopee Sap Shack]

When I started this post I was more trying to be funny and poke fun at myself. With that being said all the money that I spent has made me more efficient. I made my own tubing tool that I wrestled with and taught myself some new words with then after a class went down to the venders and bought a new tubing tool. Now making drops is fun and cutting them in is simple. I work full time and have two part time jobs so time management is very important. Anything I can do to save time and make it more enjoyable is worth every red cent.

And remember more sap equals more syrup and that is everyone's goal along with having fun.

Scott


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