So someone decided to copy our idea for an E-brake handle

1) Why dont you just push hard on advertising and exposure? The only reason I knew about your product was through the forum, but it might be good to it into more catalogs or magazines. If you try to be in more places than the other guy, then it wont be a fair competition Besides, advertising is always a great place to show why the competitor is inferior.

2) Is the knock-off a cast handle? or do they actually bother to machine it?
It was always my assumption that yours is made from wrought/billit aluminum

3) I already have your black handle on my shopping list. Thanks for offering this version.

It's hard to tell if theirs is cast or not. Ours is made from billet, and figure the e-brake mechanism would brake before the handle. We had MP selling them, and now they sell the other handle as well. This is something to us to spend that much money or energy on to sell. The mark up isn't significant enough. This was just something different Rich thought of that we had never seen before. Figured we could make a few bucks as well.

This is a very informative thread as I have an idea for a product I'm testing (not a copy of anyone's as far as I am aware of). I built it out of my own necessity to fit my desired application and other mustang owners have told me they would be interested and I should produce it. Sorry to be ambiguous but this thread tells me not to jump until my ducks are in a row. Nice to see both sides of a discussion.
Jon

JonK said:

This is a very informative thread as I have an idea for a product I'm testing
Jon

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Yeah, the reason we didn't mention it until it was done. Was in the works for about 4 months before we finished it.

is there a link where I can take a look at these and buy one? I need a more durable handle but want to retain the stock parking brake setup... just don't want it breaking every few years as its been doing.

Hack said:

Of course you are welcome to your opinion, but I disagree. There's no ethical issue for a foreign manufacturer to attempt to drive my neighbors out of business, but there is an ethical issue when I choose where I will spend my money.

It also is a matter of self-interest. Our decisions affect things like the local and national unemployment rate and whether local businesses will survive or not. Also, if people don't purchase from innovators - those businesses will either go away or stop inventing new, better products.

For instance - I bought my Fox Mustang suspension parts from Maximum Motorsports. I did this because they invented the parts and they have an R & D engineering staff. Other companies have ripped off their inventions and I think it would be wrong for me to purchase from them.

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I really agree with what you are saying here but in all honesty. Look around I don't think they are Trying to drive our neighbors out of business. They are driving us out of business. They offer what the managers and bean counters of corporate America want (Actually Need to stay in business). Our businesses don't get any breaks to keep building it here. Our borders are open, our import levies are pretty much non-existent, and our market is wide open to imported products. We even welcome them because they are cheaper. We live in a trow away society and small portion us reluctantly have to accept it while the rest just think it is great. We as the consumer only have so much control. Our business are forced to remain competitive by outsourcing to the same countries that made the product that was so cheap that they could not remain competitive on the market.

I agree that I would much rather buy from the guy that came up with the idea in America. But when people have to take pay cuts, miss work, and get layed off because some company in some other country can produce it cheaper (Not better). Then the guy with the better product will not be able to sell any cause the guy that stands behind his morale fortitude of buy American is on the unemployment line or worse yet unemployment has run out.

Not to mention It really blows my mind how much stuff out there says Made in America that is only about 10% made in America. I used to work for a company that Manipulated the Made in America tag by having some of it assembled in America. We installed a battery, a door, screwed a lid on and tested it.

We say only the best will do. but when the best costs 10 times as much. How many are willing or able to pay for it?

Our world is different that it was 20 years ago. Innovation is stammering and does not show signs of recovering very soon.

Do some looking at Snap-On if you need an example of this. Their Blue Point line. Also look who makes most of the parts for the TOP 3 Auto manufacturers. Oh and by the way Did you know that Honda is made in America!!!

kilgorq said:

Do some looking at Snap-On if you need an example of this. Their Blue Point line.

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I love that one. They tell you to buy American, but carry blue point.

10secgoal said:

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-for...-billet-aluminum-e-brake-handle-finished.html
There ya go.

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Should I just PM you? I could be missing something (work internet doesn't load the pages right I think) but I don't see an online store/item to buy directly and a few people seem to be PMing you in that thread with their interest.

Whatever works, not trying to be a bother. Any way you could email me a pic (would be nice to see it before I buy, and like I said work is blocking those pics in the thread you linked)?

I'll just shoot you a PM heh. Thanks... sounds cool at least

12sec67 said:

Then we find out someone took out idea, changed it a little bit and started undercutting us to boot. Had a running bet of when it would happen, and by who. Where correct on one of them so far. Time will tell on the second. Same goes for Pete when he did his shifter handles. If it's a good idea, and simple to make, people will copy.

So we are selling them at cost. 49 shipped to the lower 48.

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I'm guessing I know who.....based on past history!
Sorry, I know how this story goes, it's unfortunate, but I do believe in Karma, and I do believe that things will come crashing down around the person responsible, it's not the first time he has done this...and I'm sure it wont be the last.
Tim

Hey All,
Will this fit a 67-68? Are the shafts the same size? I realize it's not the correct look for a 67-68, but the handles on the 67-68s are just as crappy as the 65-66. If it'll fit: SOLD TO AN AMERICAN!!!
Thanks
Gene