NEEPS

Julie · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

I'm sure I was told something about Aberdeen being more radioactive than most places because there is so much granite there - not dangerously so, but it was interesting.
Can anyone do a better job of explaining it than me ? - or refuting it if I'm wrong of course.
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JamesB · Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject:

went to the natual energy show in the afternoon. didn't see any neeps but met plenty of other people we know. overall was a bit disappointing, the only stand that was really popular was proven energy and you had to Q to get a quote.

had a few interesting chats but a lot were big national companies and would of been nice to see more of the local suppliers as well

the ecomerchant had a good stand and they supply a lot more products than they used to and can distribute through one of the big building suppliers. if anyone is looking for isonat, thermofleece, lindab guttering, proclimba airtightness products etc then worth checking out. they also do the 1st triple glazed windows i have heard of being sold directly in the UK (currently made in lithunia but production moving here next year)

James
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Mintlaw area

Maidenstone · Neepster Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 303

They were hoping to get 500 people to the Natural Energy fair today, but got well over 800, and the feedback we got was really good. The architects were very good and helpful, from near Insch, (AKA), and AD Heating - who are local - were great. They showed the burner of a wood pellet stove, and I wonder how long it will be before other fuel stoves can be converted to burn pellets and then save the huge price on dedicated pellet stoves. Good info about solar water and underfloor heating (from solar panels) and they also told me if your floors are unsuitable you can have skirting board heating. Mick Bestwick from Highland Eco-Design - he's a micro-hydro engineer, was doing great business with big queues. It was a shame that other local companies who had been invited didn't bother to come, but at least we could speak to all the ones who did. Most companies said they had had a LOT of interest and were grateful for the chance to show their 'wares' ... a very successful day!
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Julie · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:11 am Post subject:

It might be that a lot of these other local compamies couldn't afford the cost of a stand there in the current economic climate. I expect they are all having to prioritise if business is slow and unless these shows generate enough new business to cover their costs, it may not be worthwhile for them.
A great many people who express an interest won't follow it up. It all comes down to profit in the end.
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Martin · Neepster Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 663

Having "done" shows as an exhibitor, you can see why many companies resort to "foot in the door, high pressure" salesmanship...........
First of all, many are purely for the benefit and profit of the people running the exhibition - whatever happens, they've made their money - you've turned up to try to sell your services, and the hefty outlay means that effectively you've got to sell a lot to spread the cost (or your prices have to go up) - then there's the horror of a day flogging your wares..........
Often the venue is overheated, and sod's law, every time you put a hydrating cup of tea or water to your lips, there's some smartie pants who wants to waste half an hour of your time, so by the end of the day you have a splitting headache, you're in a filthy mood, and all you've done is supply vicarious entertainment to some time-wasters who had nothing better to do of a soggy Saturday........... been there, done that, got the "waste of time" t-shirt!
I'm not saying this exhibition was like that, but many are, and could well explain the exhibitor's lack of enthusiasm - I've also found that the sort of companies that do take part often tend to be of the "mug a minute" persusion, gleefully offsetting the expense and hassle by filling an appointment book for their "make a sale at all costs" people.........
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Julie · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:58 am Post subject:

I guess you're entitled to the rant if you've suffered the experience

It must be frustrating, bless.

It was more or less what I meant by 'a great many people who express an interest won't follow it up'. I think you have to accept that a lot of people do go to these shows to be educated though, and by being there, you are fair game.
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bracken · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:16 am Post subject: exhibition

we went to the exhibition but came away disappointed. I spoke to a chap about a free survey for solar panels and he was very dismissive. I asked what did the free survey entail and he said that they come to check if your home is south facing (yes it is) is it free from over hanging trees/buildings (yes it is). When I told him this he shrugged his shoulders and said that I'd better speak to the sales person. All I wanted was a survey to see if my current central heating set up is suitable for convertion, the roof space was enough to accommodate the pipe work, the roof itself is strong enough to hold the installation. We then went to speak to Aberdeenshire Council representatives who were a great double act - when asked a question the female passed it over to the male (lurking at the back of the stand) who came up, we asked the question again and he passed us over to the stand to the right who were the SCARF team.
I know this type of exhibition attracts tyre kickers and that not every contact is a sale but there seemed to be no-one taking names/phone numbers to follow up any query....

I did get some very nice pens though........

Martin · Neepster Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 663

Sample dialogue (after a full 15 minute, painstaking explanation).......
"so for those reasons we don't supply or fit roof-mounted wind turbines - we know they won't payback, and will likely be "trouble"..........
"But I still want one!"

Or from wedding fair days, having spent ages explaining that your style is "reportage", and they'll end up with 180 plus photos, and you don't do soft-focus 'cos it's naff - "well, I only want 30 photos, and I would like some of those romantic fuzzy ones.... couldn't you do it cheaper?" - followed by the gentle explanation (again) that if you've written the day off for their wedding, there's no way you can stand there most of the time deciding NOT to press the button, and you'd have to charge exactly the same.......... or seeing the same trio that have haunted wedding fairs for the last seven years heading in your direction (I once hid under the table) - Mum and two daughters from a local sink estate - of a size and shape that suggest they'd need a marquee supplier rather than a dressmaker, liberally moustachioed, and looks that would curdle milk from several miles...... this wasn't offset by sunny personalities either - as far as all the exhibitors knew, none of them had marriage, or even a prospective partner in view - it was just a good "free afternoon out"

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Maidenstone · Neepster Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 303

No wonder you got into renewable energy instead, Martin!!

I realised that because of the numbers of folk asking questions yesterday that it would be easier for me to take their phone numbers/email addresses and contact them away from the fair when I'd got their full attention! I do know that the guy with Proven generators took down everyone's name if they wanted to be contacted, and he had quite a wodge of paper at the end, and was exhausted after having a queue of people at his stand for the WHOLE day!! That's why the exhibitors give out pens, more useful than just business cards, and the message stays in your mind longer as you use the pens!
Far from local businesses not being able to afford the low cost of a stand (the AEF did not make any profit from the event, that was NOT the intention, but do you know how much it costs to rent the Thainstone Exchange for the day??, print banners and posters etc.) - most of them said they had too much work on and didn't need the public exposure to attract more!
It was a good event to sniff round and meet companies and agencies, read and hear about their technologies, get some sort of idea of what you could use, then you could get back to them with a serious request. I don't suppose anybody signed on the dotted line yesterday, but I certainly don't think there were any 'tyre kickers' there. Unlike the All-Energy show at the AECC earlier this year, MOST of the visitors to the show were seriously interested in the renewable technologies and making use of them in their homes and businesses.
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Julie · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:25 pm Post subject:

At the risk of sounding argumentative, I feel that to state 'Most' of the people there were serious and using the technology currently would entail you personally knowing them all - you are well connected indeed.................

Also, in the interest of balance, if only the truly earnest buyer went along to these things, the retailers would be saying it was ill attended and poorly advertised. You have got to expect a certain amount of idle curiosity. Maybe some of the attendees will have the seeds sewn for the future at that fair, so it's all good, imo.
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It is better to light a candle than to rail against the darkness
VOTE WITH YOUR FEET!