Getting out of the upholstery/carpet/headliner business

[JDP]

Too much of a hassle for the small profit involved and with me now working full time. If I get a few returns for a year for the color that is wrong or off or the like, I'm barely breaking even. If Matt or someone wants to get hooked up with the vendors I use to make them, PM me. I'd suggest moving up the markup over the 10-15% I foolishly tried to use to cover a occasional return. I'll have some open box returns to sell, but not taking new orders.

[starliner62]

And I was going to order a headliner for Christine. Sorry to hear about this but I understand.

[r1lark]

It is a loss for Stude owners that you are getting out of this business, but I understand the reasons. Your upholstery were a great alternative to the high buck interiors, and you put a lot of time in with your suppliers to get them right. Even though I had not purchased anything from you yet, I have seen some of your interiors in other cars and was impressed with them.

Hopefully someone will pick up this from you. Seems like a good addition to a stainless restoration business <G>

What are the returns that you have to sell?

[JDP]

It is a loss for Stude owners that you are getting out of this business, but I understand the reasons. Your upholstery were a great alternative to the high buck interiors, and you put a lot of time in with your suppliers to get them right. Even though I had not purchased anything from you yet, I have seen some of your interiors in other cars and was impressed with them.

Hopefully someone will pick up this from you. Seems like a good addition to a stainless restoration business <G>

What are the returns that you have to sell?

I'll let you know after the holidays.

[52-fan]

Sorry to hear that you're closing up, but it's understandable. I never had a chance to buy anything to pay you back for the front bucket seat covers you sent me for shipping cost.

[Andy R.]

I've yet to get upholstery, though I am on the lookout for green seat covers for my other '62 Hawk.
Those OEM-look spark plug wires you sent me are the cat's meow...the GT just purrs.

[starliner62]

John, PM sent

[mookandairin]

if you got a 60 lark headliner open box for sale let me know. I am not that far on the build yet so I never inquired about one yet. I did get one out of Milly ( parts car ) and it is not in bad shape at all but an extra wouldn't be a bad idea.anything can go wrong when you install anything

[dnevin]

Nooooo!!!!

(unfortunately, they didn't have a "bawling my eyes out" emoticon!)

[9echo]

Sorry to hear this John. I understand your reasoning.
I had planned to purchase seat covers for my Starlight Coupe in the spring. Do you know if anyone has seat covers like we used to install back in the early 50s? What I would like to find is the woven plastic with vinyl accents.
Good luck with your new job. I think that line of work would be a blast.

[studeclunker]

I'm very, very sorry to hear this, John. I suppose to say something motheaten and worn, we all have to pass on the torch eventually. All the best.

Here's the wave and a cheer for all the years of excellent service though:

dnevin

Nooooo!!!!

(unfortunately, they didn't have a "bawling my eyes out" emoticon!)

Here's a few for you:

[kmac530]

John I get that feeling. I have owned a few businesses, mostly construction, and always end up just working for a big company. You loose some freedom at times but you cant beat a regular pay check, benefits, and less headaches. I always ended up doing bids in the evenings and working on plans at night, p/u supplies in the AM and building ALL day, ends up being 14-16 hour days and usually for a meager profit. I ended up joining the carpenters union back in the early 90s and have made a better living, in less hours, and with less headaches overall than with my own company.

Sorry to see a well know and respected Stude specialist leave the industry, but best wishes to you in the future and I hope you will keep posting here and stay involved in the fun part of this hobby. I have learned a number of things specifically from you, so thanks, and keep it up.


PS: If you have any custom return stuff for a 2 piece NON sliding '49 C-cab seat, not the one that is a welded frame, the one you lift and slide forward over the peg to adjust forward, I like something pleated or diamond tuck style and am flexible on color, PLEASE let me know.

[John Brayton]

Shoot!

Glad you're simplifying and hope someone takes over your system. Let me know if you have red or black covers for a 64 GT Hawk.

Regards,

[JDP]

Just to be clear, the business was just one of several balls I had in the air at the same time, it's not like I actually made the stuff, I just ordered it and helped with perfecting the patterns. All the next guy needs to do is get a business tax number and have a credit card, know something about Studebaker interiors and I'll put them in touch with my 4 factories.
If you put a ad in TW, you might get a order or two a week, enough to earn some pocket change, but not exactly a new career.

[ozarkman]

Just to be clear, the business was just one of several balls I had in the air at the same time, it's not like I actually made the stuff, I just ordered it and helped with perfecting the patterns. All the next guy needs to do is get a business tax number and have a credit card, know something about Studebaker interiors and I'll put them in touch with my 4 factories.
If you put a ad in TW, you might get a order or two a week, enough to earn some pocket change, but not exactly a new career.

I wonder if I could make a go at it...hmmm.