Talk about a nice dash bezel (revisited)

[DevinM]

Here's a suggestion : How about a price with the guages included? (hopefully with a matching white faced water guage).

[Javy]

This thread link has pictures of a glove box.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...l&pagenumber=2

I don't include price with gauges because there are different styles of Autometer gauges you can buy including electric and mechanical.The memory option on tach is $90 and not everyone
likes or needs one.
The black faced gauge is there to show how a different style looks.

My web page is under construction www.jjengineering.us

[Javy]

Without mentioning any names,a freelance writer & photographer
for several custom car & truck magazines including Street Trucks,Sport Truck asked me if I was interested in doing a "tech article" on the installation of my "Billet dash bezel".He wants me to send him a bezel for his article for a 72 which he just purchased.Of course I would love the publicity and exposure but what guarantee do I have that even if he has genuine intentions,
his editor won't run the article.

KW I'm sorry if I doubt you or offend you,but I just have to look out for myself.I've been around and have been burned plenty of times.

PLEASE ADVISE !!!!

[Bowtie67]

IMO, I am not sure about any copy right information that you could get on these products, the only true customization is the fact that you made them out of billet. I would think anyone else could do the same. the key here is first to market.. I would have anything and everything in writing as much as possible without trying to scare him away if he is truely what he says and I would also make sure in the article Patent Pending is in there as well. If he has already purchased a unit then He could just take this to some one else to make and then market, unless of cousre he is trying to see if he can get his money back by claiming to do free advertizing for you. If this being the case I would wait to see publication arcticle on shelf first before any reimbursing. Also if this is something serious I would try and get some quick work done on your web sight so people don't get the impression you are fly by night operation. If you go through with this you will probally get a mass surge of orders, depending how quick you can pump these out, once the publication hits the streets you should be able to hit other venders of 67 - 72 products to help you sell them.. Good Luck!!!

[Javy]

He purchased his 72 truck but not my bezel.
He expects me to send him one free.
I'm sure that is how it is done in the magazine business but I'm
small time and can't afford to lose one.
On the other hand, it could be great exposure.

[DUBURBAN]

Ask him to pay for the unit and when it publishes you can send him a refund. This will motivate your editor.

[SCOTI]

Just doesn't sound right to me. Sure it's possibly great exposure.... if they run the article. If not, are you ok w/possibly just giving one away?

You should talk w/N2TUX about this. He's done a write-up for a magazine (or organized something similar) w/his 77 truck so he might be able to give you pointers on doing your own install for someone you personally want to give a bezel to (instead of someone making un-guaranteed promises).

If the article is well read & had good documentation, a magazine would still be interested in running the info. Offer to sell him one to do the install.... if the mag runs the article, refund his money. If it doesn't run the article.... he still didn't get ripped off.... he paid the same as anyone else.

[Dean23]

What size are the small guages are they the 2 5/8 guages. Great looking bezel

[c10crazy]

Thats the nicest bezel I ever saw, PERIOD. I would be careful with copyrighting this design with that Bowtie logo on there though. I hear GM is very strict about using it without their consent. This would be a copyright infringement on your part. How bout copyright the design without the logo and tell the customer "off the record" you will add it for them.

[Bowtie67]

JMO..As far as he wanting one for free to do the article, I would say that he is wanting something for nothing!!!! Find out who he writes for first and contact them personally to verify if he works there and who he says he is. Then as someone else suggested have him pay for the item and when this is published and on the stands refund his money if it is truely a nice write up and not just a blurb. If he refuses to pay up front I would call the company and asked them if is there normal procedure. If he isn't who he says he is You might want to think of some recorse for this guy to help others from getting burnt by him as well.

[Javy]

You're exactly right about bowtie.
Next one's won't have it,besides, it's not fair for GMC guys.

Smaller gauges are 2 5/8"

[bouncytruck]

Originally posted by Javy
He purchased his 72 truck but not my bezel.
He expects me to send him one free.
I'm sure that is how it is done in the magazine business but I'm
small time and can't afford to lose one.
On the other hand, it could be great exposure.

There is a price to marketing and promotion. If he is a reputable writer and you have seen him published he is most likely on the up & up. I'm sure that the fact that he has a '72 is helping to motivate him. The bottom line, even if he does write the article, it amy not get published. You just need to decide if the possible exposure is worth the price of a bezel.

The other option, is that you can shoot the photos (professional photography, not just you with your point & shoot) and send him the photos.

I hope it works out for you.

[Bluegoose972]

I've never tried to install custom guages before. I love the looks of these bezels, but a little apprehensive about the wiring. Is it difficult to hook up? I currently have the entire wiring setup stripped from the truck with a new painless setup ready to be installed. Any guidance would be appreciated. The tach should be easy, but a little worried about the rest of the guages.

Thanks,
Rick

[Bowtie67]

Actually for most the hardest part is to get a tach to work, if you can configure this the rest should be a breeze. most gauges have only two wires per gauge, 1 ground and 1 to the device.

[SCOTI]

Javy, you have PM.

[mcmlxix]

Javy, you have more PM .... Can you put flames on it, or maybe an iron cross in place of the chevy logo?

[Javy]

I'm close to making another batch of bezels.Many of you have asked for custom designs.I'm not a truck parts supply person.
I own a machine shop with accounts that pay my bills.These bezels I offer are a result of making one for "my truck".Since I've made tooling and CNC programs,why not make a few dollars selling them to you at a reasonable price.All aftermarket truck parts suppliers offer one and only one bezel.For just a few months, If you guys want minor bezel modifications for your needs to purchase one,this is your chance.(within reason)

I wrote to someone $100 more but I was kidding.I was buzzed and don't remember who it was.


As you all know,we have alot of equipment in the middle east
that needs replacement.I'm under contract from the Department Of Defense to supply replacement parts.This limits my free time to work on our toys.

If you have special requests do it soon.
Am I out of line asking for payment in advance for custom work?

[mcmlxix]

I would ask for half the agreed amount up front for custom work.

[SCOTI]

Originally posted by Javy


I wrote to someone $100 more but I was kidding.I was buzzed and don't remember who it was.

You PM'd me a quote of $100 extra to make changes.

[lock]

This setup for 5" and 2 5/8" gauges?

[Javy]

Yes,Autometer gauges.

[SCOTI]

Javy, I meant to e-mail you back.... when will you be doing your next run? PM me the details & I'll be in touch.

[Joe67]

OH damn, that is nice

[juju808]

that bezel looks great! one of the nicest i have ever seen... looks clean and sharp!!!

[Putter]

That thing just got added to the ol' Christmas list.