Bostig's Bumper Program: freely share or charge?

insyncro · Last edited by insyncro on Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:46 pm; edited 2 times in total

Moderator note: Poll ended and has been removed. Topic will remain open for civil discussion regarding the original Bostig-planned bumpers.

*******

Please cast a vote:

http://bostigarticles.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-nfb-and-nfbc-bumper-projects-what.html

They ARE NOT asking for your opinion about the bumpers or what it takes to build them.

They want to know whether they should give away the CAD files to make your own locally and ask for donations

OR

Sell the files on eBay at market value.

Again, please vote and help them out with valueable information from Vanagon owners.

kryptkat · Samba Member Joined: November 08, 2008 Posts: 236

I think it look bitchen, by far better than anything currently available. I only wish there's a bumper that improves the approach angle. I've gone through 3 Rocky Mountain front bumpers and at $500 a pop, that's not cheap. I am currently working with a reputable company in San Diego on a design for my front, hopefully I can share it with everyone soon.

insyncro · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:33 pm Post subject:

davevickery · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:43 pm Post subject:

Nice looking bumper. It would be nice if someone offered it. With a matching back bumper at $800-1000 for a set. But I can't see it working commercially. They could try licensing it through someone like Burley and see if they can get some of their money back.

I personally would rather not have the blinker bars, just the middle bull bar and a couple D rings mounted.

I've been looking at Toyota bumpers to something could be adapted. I am not crazy about the GW or RMW ones, but otherwise I have to make someting.

thatvwbusguy · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:57 pm Post subject:

I remember when Jim was first discussing the idea of the laser cut, flat shipped, self assembled kits. It brought me back to the days of building large wooden dinosaur models that were designed and implemented in much the same way. Since I was building 8 foot tall T-Rex's before I could read the instructions, I would be willing to guess that most people could knock out a bumper without too much trouble these days with a little bit of guidance Wink

It is great to see the ideas and methods from Bostig remain consistently exciting and original, while still firmly embracing their well established Guided-DIY philosophy. I would be happy to make a donation to Bostig for access to the files, knowing that it would help to fund future projects.
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bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

I would rather see a nice OEm bumper made again with quality chrome and nice thick steel like OEM, Some aftermarket stuff is really bad.

30k to get your money back on Vanagon bumpers, hot dog that is a lot. say you charge $400 per bumper. 200 labor, 100 material, and 100 to pay off the $30K development cost, so you would need to sell 300 of them to break even!!!!! and the market is smaller than the vanagon market, it is likely the smaller sub-segment market of off road vanagons, Syncros and such, and for folks that like to customize their vans.

That is tough, 300 to sell just to break even if I read this right.
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hans j · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject:

That's a lot of money to recoup with an already expensive bumper!. I still plan on making some to suit my needs too, but don't expect development to go over $1000... Patents go for another $5000 or so, and usually provide much of the information to build your own. I also believe legally you can copy any patent out there if you build it for own personal use and and don't intend to reproduce to sell without licensing agreements.

I'd like to spend money on prebuilt bumpers, but like everyone else, I have certain needs the bumper has to meet. They all either don't have what I want or have too much other stuff I don't want/need. I would like some nice heavy stock chrome bumpers though!
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porterbrown · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:55 pm Post subject:

I've always been a fan of this design over all others on the market, all of which seemed to lack in the aesthetic department. Too bad the deal with Burley fell through--that was sounding promising.

I have some local contacts for steelwork, and I'd happily donate to have the files and handle production myself. Hell, I can weld; I might even take a swing at it myself.

Outside of the NFB, the next best option IMO is a steel version of the stock fiberglass bumpers, which will never happen Confused

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insyncro · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:28 pm Post subject:

So far:

eBay 26%

donation 74%

19 total

redeyeksc · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:56 pm Post subject:

Done, and as with all things Bostig, I wish them the best of luck.
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Phishman068 · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:12 pm Post subject:

I own two of these.....
I love them, alot.

I have one assembled and one still waiting to be put together. The assembled one has been put through the ringer and has proven it's worth! It's strong, and I mean STRONG. I have pulled with it, winched with it, and hit things with it.
It rocks.

I think these are both good options to get this bumper into the hands of people! I know there are tons of people wishing they could have one and have been waiting patiently for some chance to get one, so anything is a step in the right direction.
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buildyourown · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:51 pm Post subject:

I was one who put down a deposit to hold my spot in line on these and got a refund when they never came to market.
Just the other day I had the though: I wonder if they would sell me the solid model for a couple bucks. For private use only, I have access to a laser and all the welding equipment. I could even make it out of aluminum...

I would gladly pay a fair price for the design work. You could even get some group buys going to get the local laser cut price down really low. No shipping required.

Chuey · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:53 pm Post subject:

Why not set up with a company that could use an efficient method to cut kits and make them on demand or small runs?

Or, not to rely on the donation method but sell the plans for a set price? That is how boat plans are done. Then, if you build more than one boat from a suppliers plans there is an honor system to pay a reasonable fee for each subsequent boat.

Chuey

IdahoDoug · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:56 pm Post subject:

Im with Chuey. Boat plans, go cart plans, tree house plans and the like have been sold like this.

I have the funny feeling that just as they seem to surmise on the video, selling and shipping the ready to assemble kit would cost so much the price point would be a challenge. Meaning low volume. And the fully assembled bumper would be 50% more for even less volume.

I can't speak for the economics of it from Bostigs perspective because who better than them to estimate the Vanagon market size and sales at these two price points? Right? This is right up their alley.

The plans only idea is kinda innovative. I wonder if it might work to supplement the financial aspect for Bostig to sell the plans for people to have locally fabricated, and include a discount coupon (only available with these plans) of a % off any purchase from them in the future for a big ticket item. Say $500 or more. That way a certain number of plans buyers would be motivated to buy something big from them in the future, as well as getting the plans for what looks like the stoutest Vanagon bumper going. So the sales of the plans may also generate a few other items to be purchased in the future through them vs another vendor.
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JudoJeff · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:29 am Post subject:

I voted to post the plans and ask for donations.

Bostig does everything "brick-shithouse" design, meant to last forever.
If they got the $30,000 back, I suspect we'd see the upping of our power options soon thereafter......hmmm, 200HP? 250HP?
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1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

insyncro · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:05 am Post subject:

33% sell/eBay

67% donation

48 total

mtnhome · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:45 am Post subject:

I was tempted to get on the list when these first were discussed but waited to see if they were going to come up with a matching rear.
I just voted for the sell on eBay option just because I always wonder how well the donation system works out. I think Bostig deserves whatever return they can get for investing the time in developing this concept. I would like to know what the price point is that they are looking for.
Does anyone have an idea of the average cost of having a set of parts laser cut? One of my thoughts was that folks could do a regional group buy. For example, I would be willing to do some legwork to get some pricing for various quantities of parts if a few Colorado people were interested. This would eliminate shipping costs if people just picked up their kits.
The company I work for has a supplier in Denver that does laser cutting and in fact does a lot of stainless steel fabrication. Stainless bumpers anyone?
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insyncro · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 8:48 pm Post subject:

The package is eBay bound as of Jan 15 2015.

I will post a link once the auction is active.

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:23 pm Post subject:

very nice. I've seen a similar one somewhere.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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insyncro · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:26 pm Post subject:

That's heavy duty Bro Wink


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