What's with Stihl?
Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
grass
maintenance equipment.
At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
native plants.
Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
needs of their market?
BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE Ohio,
the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
fertilizer.
Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
Lew
On Thu, 4 Jun 2015 16:49:13 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Lew Hodgett" wrote:
>>
>>>What's with Stihl?
>>>
>>>Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
>>>lawn
>>>grass
>>>maintenance equipment.
>>>
>>>At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
>>>high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>>>native plants.
>>>
>>>Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>>>needs of their market?
>>>
>>>BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
>>>with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE
>>>Ohio,
>>>the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>>>
>>>It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
>>>fertilizer.
>>>
>>>Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
>----------------------------------------------
>"Markem" wrote:
>
>> It is a national sale Lew. The lack of water in your neck of the
>> woods
>> does not extend to the east coast.
>----------------------------------------------------------
>Ignorance of the conditions that exist in excess of 12% of your
>market,
>(Left Coast) conveys another message about your business that is not
>exactly swift.
Let see 100 - 12 = 88.
Mark
On 6/4/2015 6:55 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> What's with Stihl?
>
> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
> grass
> maintenance equipment.
>
> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
> native plants.
>
> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
> needs of their market?
The market is nationwide. Commercials like you see now were made and
scheduled many months ago.
In spite of the drought, equipment will still be needed and will be sold.
>
>
>
"Lew Hodgett" wrote:
>
>>What's with Stihl?
>>
>>Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
>>lawn
>>grass
>>maintenance equipment.
>>
>>At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
>>high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>>native plants.
>>
>>Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>>needs of their market?
>>
>>BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
>>with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE
>>Ohio,
>>the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>>
>>It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
>>fertilizer.
>>
>>Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
----------------------------------------------
"Markem" wrote:
> It is a national sale Lew. The lack of water in your neck of the
> woods
> does not extend to the east coast.
----------------------------------------------------------
Ignorance of the conditions that exist in excess of 12% of your
market,
(Left Coast) conveys another message about your business that is not
exactly swift.
Lew
"Lew Hodgett" wrote:
>>What's with Stihl?
>
>>Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
>>lawn grass maintenance equipment.
------------------------------------------------------
"John Grossbohlin" wrote:
> Perhaps you shouldn't under estimate the attraction people have for
> getting a deal on something that they think they need.... or might
> need in the future. I can think of several people I know who have
> all kinds of stuff that they got a deal on and that's been
> collecting dust ever since!
-------------------------------------------------------
Talk about a deal.
The water dept will pay you to take out the grass and replace it with
approved drought resistant native plants.
There are companies springing up that will come in, rip out your
grass, design and replace the approved plants.
All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
check and sip on your margarita.
That's a pretty good deal if you ask me.
Lew
Lew Hodgett wrote:
>> What's with Stihl?
>>
>> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
>> lawn
>> grass
>> maintenance equipment.
>>
>> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip
>> out
>> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>> native plants.
>>
>> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>> needs of their market?
------------------------------------------------------
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
> The market is nationwide. Commercials like you see now were made
> and scheduled many months ago.
-------------------------------------------------------
You can tailor a nationwide TV commerical to exclude specific markets
based
on overnight results, just ask the politicans.
--------------------------------------------------------
> In spite of the drought, equipment will still be needed and will be
> sold.
-------------------------------------------------------
Guess there is still a market for string trimmers for use on the rocks
and cacti.
Lew
Lew Hodgett wrote:
>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>> check and sip on your margarita.
----------------------------------------------
"Mike Marlow" wrote:
> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
------------------------------------------
Tuff day Bunkie?
Not bitching, just observing the obvious.
BTW, got out of the grass maintenance business over 30 years
ago which was about the same time I lost any need for a snow
shovel.
Lew
"Mike Marlow" wrote:
> Why don't you take your west coast attitude and your gripes,
> directly to Stihl, Lew? As for me - I love their products.
----------------------------------------------------------
My comments have NOTHING to do with Stihl products.
My comments are nothing other than an observation of their
marketing techniques.
BTW, what is an "west coast attitude"?
Lew
On 6/4/2015 8:14 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>
>>>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>>>> check and sip on your margarita.
>> ----------------------------------------------
>> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>>
>>> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
>> ------------------------------------------
>> Tuff day Bunkie?
> Nope - just get tired every once in a while at seeing your self proclaimed
> righteousness in this group. You have grass problems? Good - deal with
> them. That does not mean the rest of us do, and have to deal with it like
> you do. You chose to live there - live with the issues. Don't preach to
> the rest of us about it.
+ 1
"John McCoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>> Scott Lurndal wrote:
>>
>>> You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>>> unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>>> take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>>> "fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>>> all states have warts, all states have great things.
>>
>> Not us here in the Empire state - all we have is high taxes, liberal
>> leaders, declining job opportunities, high taxes, lots of snowfall in
>> the winter, high taxes... other than that, it's a pretty good place to
>> live...
>
> Not us in the Sunshine state either - all we have are hurricanes
> and alligators (and the occasional Burmese python).
>
Us folks up here in the northwest corner, according to some local folks,
have a sasquatch problem. I really don't think they are much of a problem,
but some worry about what political affiliation they may have.
"Lew Hodgett" wrote:
> What's with Stihl?
>
> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
> lawn grass
> maintenance equipment.
>
> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
> native plants.
>
> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
> needs of their market?
>
> BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
> with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE
> Ohio,
> the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>
> It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
> fertilizer.
>
> Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The above was the initial post.
Nowhere does it attack where someone lives.
It was simply an observation of a gotcha as far as Stihl marketing is
concerned.
Pitching a product you want to sell to a market segment that is
shrinking and will continue shrink just isn't swift.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Lew
Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
>>
>> Pitching a product you want to sell to a market segment that is
>> shrinking and will continue shrink just isn't swift.
>>
>> Nothing more, nothing less.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>
> It may be shrinking, but it is still a market. Why walk away from
> it? Why concede to the competition?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Under normal conditions, I'd agree with you, but the drought situation
across the entire state of California is far from normal.
The governor has declared a water reduction program that has teeth
on the penalty side for failure to comply.
Some people are looking at 36% reduction.
Fines in the $10K area.
SoCal is basically a paved desert. Nothing grows on a sustained basis
without watering.
The quickest way to reduce water consumption, is to reduce watering
the vegetation, especially grass.
You quit watering grass, it turns brown, a visible sign to your
neighbors
that you are implementing a water reduction program and also that it
is
not growing, thus doesn't need to be cut.
If your grass is green, expect a visit from the water police who have
probably been tipped off by a neighbor.
All the above is aimed at the city/suburb dweller.
Agriculture is a whole different kettle of fish.
As a result of all the above, lawn care equipment is not a
particularly
good business in CA for the foreseeable future.
Neither is swimming pool equipment. People are talking about removing
back yard pools.
All the above is a mattter of common knowledge, or should be,
especially to somebody spend mass marketing advertising $.
Lew
On 06/04/2015 08:08 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>
>> Why don't you take your west coast attitude and your gripes,
>> directly to Stihl, Lew? As for me - I love their products.
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> My comments have NOTHING to do with Stihl products.
>
> My comments are nothing other than an observation of their
> marketing techniques.
>
> BTW, what is an "west coast attitude"?
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=West+Coast+Attitude
> Lew
>
>
--
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure,the creed of ignorance, and the
gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"
-Winston Churchill
Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote in news:_cydnaUwE9Z0gO7InZ2dnUU7-
[email protected]:
>
> Don't know about you, but if I buy a train this summer, I'm going to
> spec a GE engine.
>
There's only two real players in the 1:1 scale model locomotive market...
EMD, owned by Caterpiller, and GE. Caterpiller has the free marketing
thing down, with the way they place giant logos on their big earth moving
equipment. Don't know that I'll ever buy a Cat machine, but certainly
think about them from time to time.
Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.
On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 10:03:09 AM UTC-4, Leon wrote:
> On 6/4/2015 5:55 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> > What's with Stihl?
> >
> > Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
> > grass
> > maintenance equipment.
> >
> > At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
> > high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
> > native plants.
> >
> > Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
> > needs of their market?
>
> It has been proven with solid evidence that Californians can be talked
> into buying anything. ;~)
>
>
>
>
> >
> > BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
> > with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE Ohio,
> > the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
> >
> > It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
> > fertilizer.
> >
> > Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
>
> I have see that grass, Kentucky Blue, is seems so delicate.
>
> Along the Texas coast we have St. Augustine aka carpet grass. When
> growing well an average yard's clippings will will easily fill a 45 gal
> contractors bag with each mowing.
>
> https://www.google.com/search?q=st+augustine+grass&rlz=1C1CHUE_enUS575US575&espv=2&biw=1389&bih=761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UP1yVemJG8iaoQSg-ILADg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
>
I've heard that everything's bigger in Texas.
What's your definition of "an average yard"?
I grew up in NYC. I'll bet my definition is smaller than yours ;-)
"Mike Marlow" wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>Doug Miller wrote:
>> You also have the Adirondacks, where SWMBO and I spent a *very*
>> pleasant vacation last fall. Adirondack Park is stunning in October.
>Yes we do! You are absolutely correct. Beautiful country, great fishing,
>good hunting, great hiking and camping. Peaceful, and scenic. Too bad we
>did not know you were in the area, we could have tried to hook up.
Hmmmm.... Ruffed Grouse and woodcock??
"Mike Marlow" wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>John Grossbohlin wrote:
>
>> Hmmmm.... Ruffed Grouse and woodcock??
>Funny you should say that. When we first bought our land, some 30 years
>ago, the grouse hunting was pretty good. Over time the coyotes and the red
>fox moved in and that population has really dropped off. Hardly ever spook
>one up when going out in the woods now.
I imagine habitat degradation over the years has taken its toll also...
mature forests don't help wildlife!
On 6/4/2015 5:55 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> What's with Stihl?
>
> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
> grass
> maintenance equipment.
>
> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
> native plants.
>
> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
> needs of their market?
It has been proven with solid evidence that Californians can be talked
into buying anything. ;~)
>
> BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
> with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE Ohio,
> the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>
> It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
> fertilizer.
>
> Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
I have see that grass, Kentucky Blue, is seems so delicate.
Along the Texas coast we have St. Augustine aka carpet grass. When
growing well an average yard's clippings will will easily fill a 45 gal
contractors bag with each mowing.
https://www.google.com/search?q=st+augustine+grass&rlz=1C1CHUE_enUS575US575&espv=2&biw=1389&bih=761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UP1yVemJG8iaoQSg-ILADg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
>
>
> Lew
>
>
>
>
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> "Lew Hodgett" wrote:
>
> > What's with Stihl?
> >
> > Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
> > lawn grass
> > maintenance equipment.
> >
> > At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
> > high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
> > native plants.
> >
> > Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
> > needs of their market?
> >
> > BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
> > with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE
> > Ohio,
> > the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
> >
> > It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
> > fertilizer.
> >
> > Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> The above was the initial post.
>
> Nowhere does it attack where someone lives.
>
> It was simply an observation of a gotcha as far as Stihl marketing is
> concerned.
>
> Pitching a product you want to sell to a market segment that is
> shrinking and will continue shrink just isn't swift.
>
> Nothing more, nothing less.
>
> Lew
What's the matter, did you apply for a job in their marketing department
and get turned down?
Remarking once is fine. But you're harping.
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> Pitching a product you want to sell to a market segment that is
> >> shrinking and will continue shrink just isn't swift.
> >>
> >> Nothing more, nothing less.
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> "Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>
> >
> > It may be shrinking, but it is still a market. Why walk away from
> > it? Why concede to the competition?
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Under normal conditions, I'd agree with you, but the drought situation
> across the entire state of California is far from normal.
>
> The governor has declared a water reduction program that has teeth
> on the penalty side for failure to comply.
>
> Some people are looking at 36% reduction.
>
> Fines in the $10K area.
>
> SoCal is basically a paved desert. Nothing grows on a sustained basis
> without watering.
>
> The quickest way to reduce water consumption, is to reduce watering
> the vegetation, especially grass.
>
> You quit watering grass, it turns brown, a visible sign to your
> neighbors
> that you are implementing a water reduction program and also that it
> is
> not growing, thus doesn't need to be cut.
>
> If your grass is green, expect a visit from the water police who have
> probably been tipped off by a neighbor.
>
> All the above is aimed at the city/suburb dweller.
>
> Agriculture is a whole different kettle of fish.
>
> As a result of all the above, lawn care equipment is not a
> particularly
> good business in CA for the foreseeable future.
>
> Neither is swimming pool equipment. People are talking about removing
> back yard pools.
>
> All the above is a mattter of common knowledge, or should be,
> especially to somebody spend mass marketing advertising $.
>
> Lew
Fine, Mr. Heap Big Marketing Expert, show us the numbers that say that
it is to their benefit to selectively not advertise in California.
If you can't show the numbers then you're just being an opinionated
jackass without the sense to STFU about thins he doesn't understand.
On 6/5/2015 11:03 AM, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> Matt <[email protected]> writes:
>> On 6/4/2015 8:14 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>>>>>> check and sip on your margarita.
>>>> ----------------------------------------------
>>>> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
>>>> ------------------------------------------
>>>> Tuff day Bunkie?
>>> Nope - just get tired every once in a while at seeing your self proclaimed
>>> righteousness in this group. You have grass problems? Good - deal with
>>> them. That does not mean the rest of us do, and have to deal with it like
>>> you do. You chose to live there - live with the issues. Don't preach to
>>> the rest of us about it.
>> + 1
>
> You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
> unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
> take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
> "fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
> all states have warts, all states have great things.
>
California,"the state" is great! The stewards of the state may not be
so much and I think the results are showing.
"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>What's with Stihl?
>Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn grass
>maintenance equipment.
Perhaps you shouldn't under estimate the attraction people have for getting
a deal on something that they think they need.... or might need in the
future. I can think of several people I know who have all kinds of stuff
that they got a deal on and that's been collecting dust ever since! ;~)
BTW, I didn't mind the deal on got on the Stihl chainsaw and PPE I got a few
weeks ago... and I've used it! I've cut down about 20 dead/near-dead ash
trees, 6 dead/near-dead maples and a dead pine tree with it already and have
a lot more to go!
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in news:557100cd$0$29684
[email protected]:
> ------------------------------------------------------
> "Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>
>> The market is nationwide. Commercials like you see now were made
>> and scheduled many months ago.
> -------------------------------------------------------
> You can tailor a nationwide TV commerical to exclude specific markets
> based
> on overnight results, just ask the politicans.
Costs a lot more to do that. Politicians, who have money to
burn(*), can do that. Businesses that intend to make a profit
have to be wiser with their money. It's a more cost effective
for Stihl to advertise everywhere, even tho they know they
won't sell much (if anything) in LA.
(* money in politics being a completely seperate problem...)
John
Markem <[email protected]> wrote in news:2k13nal95gj64ob183rdg8efar3b9p8tuk@
4ax.com:
>
> Let see 100 - 12 = 88.
Except in Southern California, which is -- as everyone who lives there knows -- the most
important part of the entire planet.
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in news:mkslge$rbd$1@dont-
email.me:
> Scott Lurndal wrote:
>
>> You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>> unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>> take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>> "fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>> all states have warts, all states have great things.
>
> Not us here in the Empire state - all we have is high taxes, liberal
> leaders, declining job opportunities, high taxes, lots of snowfall in the
> winter, high taxes... other than that, it's a pretty good place to live...
>
You also have the Adirondacks, where SWMBO and I spent a *very* pleasant vacation last
fall. Adirondack Park is stunning in October.
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Scott Lurndal wrote:
>
>> You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>> unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>> take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>> "fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>> all states have warts, all states have great things.
>
> Not us here in the Empire state - all we have is high taxes, liberal
> leaders, declining job opportunities, high taxes, lots of snowfall in
> the winter, high taxes... other than that, it's a pretty good place to
> live...
Not us in the Sunshine state either - all we have are hurricanes
and alligators (and the occasional Burmese python).
John
On 6/6/2015 12:22 AM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
> Agriculture is a whole different kettle of fish.
>
> As a result of all the above, lawn care equipment is not a
> particularly
> good business in CA for the foreseeable future.
But name recognition is. As long as Stihl advertises anything, their
name is out there and the farmers will see it, recognize it, feel
comfortable buying their product.
Ever notice the ads GE runs? They show airplanes they make engines for,
they show trains, they show MRI equipment. Good chance you are not
buying any of that this month, but they get the GE name out there as a
company making good products.
Don't know about you, but if I buy a train this summer, I'm going to
spec a GE engine.
On Fri, 5 Jun 2015 13:17:02 -0400, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Scott Lurndal wrote:
>
>> You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>> unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>> take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>> "fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>> all states have warts, all states have great things.
>
>Not us here in the Empire state - all we have is high taxes, liberal
>leaders, declining job opportunities, high taxes, lots of snowfall in the
>winter, high taxes... other than that, it's a pretty good place to live...
So New York's ad campaign is not truthful?! Advertising lies OMG.
On Fri, 5 Jun 2015 21:22:09 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Pitching a product you want to sell to a market segment that is
>>> shrinking and will continue shrink just isn't swift.
>>>
>>> Nothing more, nothing less.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>
>>
>> It may be shrinking, but it is still a market. Why walk away from
>> it? Why concede to the competition?
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Under normal conditions, I'd agree with you, but the drought situation
>across the entire state of California is far from normal.
>
>The governor has declared a water reduction program that has teeth
>on the penalty side for failure to comply.
>
>Some people are looking at 36% reduction.
>
>Fines in the $10K area.
>
>SoCal is basically a paved desert. Nothing grows on a sustained basis
>without watering.
>
>The quickest way to reduce water consumption, is to reduce watering
>the vegetation, especially grass.
>
>You quit watering grass, it turns brown, a visible sign to your
>neighbors
>that you are implementing a water reduction program and also that it
>is
>not growing, thus doesn't need to be cut.
>
>If your grass is green, expect a visit from the water police who have
>probably been tipped off by a neighbor.
>
That's about right.
Kalifornia (2015) ~= E. Germany (1960)
>All the above is aimed at the city/suburb dweller.
>
>Agriculture is a whole different kettle of fish.
>
>As a result of all the above, lawn care equipment is not a
>particularly
>good business in CA for the foreseeable future.
>
>Neither is swimming pool equipment. People are talking about removing
>back yard pools.
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2015/06/19/california-pool-construction-in-drought-could-hit-highest-level-since-2007/
>All the above is a mattter of common knowledge, or should be,
>especially to somebody spend mass marketing advertising $.
>
>Lew
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
On Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:36:05 GMT, [email protected] (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:
>Markem <[email protected]> writes:
>>On Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:03:38 GMT, [email protected] (Scott Lurndal)
>>wrote:
>>
>>>Matt <[email protected]> writes:
>>>>On 6/4/2015 8:14 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>>>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>>>>>>>> check and sip on your margarita.
>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------
>>>>>> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
>>>>>> ------------------------------------------
>>>>>> Tuff day Bunkie?
>>>>> Nope - just get tired every once in a while at seeing your self proclaimed
>>>>> righteousness in this group. You have grass problems? Good - deal with
>>>>> them. That does not mean the rest of us do, and have to deal with it like
>>>>> you do. You chose to live there - live with the issues. Don't preach to
>>>>> the rest of us about it.
>>>>+ 1
>>>
>>>You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>>>unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>>>take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>>>"fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>>>all states have warts, all states have great things.
>>
>>Not getting on the state of California, just Lew is being
>>curmudgeonly. When California shuts down the Walmart water bottling
>>plant then you will know they have done something about they're water
>>problem.
>
>If it was a problem, it would have been shut down. The amount
>of water used by that plant is literally a drop in the bucket.
The jobs and tax revenue are better reasons not too.
On 6/4/2015 8:52 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>> What's with Stihl?
>>>
>>> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
>>> lawn
>>> grass
>>> maintenance equipment.
>>>
>>> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip
>>> out
>>> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>>> native plants.
>>>
>>> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>>> needs of their market?
> ------------------------------------------------------
> "Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
>
>> The market is nationwide. Commercials like you see now were made
>> and scheduled many months ago.
> -------------------------------------------------------
> You can tailor a nationwide TV commerical to exclude specific markets
> based
> on overnight results, just ask the politicans.
> --------------------------------------------------------
But if you go to a network and buy nationwide coverage why would you
want to shortchange yourself by limiting coverage. I can assure you
they are getting a blanket deal and not a per station charge.
>
>> In spite of the drought, equipment will still be needed and will be
>> sold.
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Guess there is still a market for string trimmers for use on the rocks
> and cacti.
And for the yard guys that take care of the Californians that choose to
ignore the laws and or the fines. Ain't that right Conyey and Ms.
Kardacian?
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> What's with Stihl?
>
> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
> grass
> maintenance equipment.
>
> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
> native plants.
>
> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
> needs of their market?
>
> BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
> with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE Ohio,
> the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>
> It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
> fertilizer.
>
> Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
>
Why don't you take your west coast attitude and your gripes, directly to
Stihl, Lew? As for me - I love their products.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> Talk about a deal.
>
> The water dept will pay you to take out the grass and replace it with
> approved drought resistant native plants.
>
> There are companies springing up that will come in, rip out your
> grass, design and replace the approved plants.
>
> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
> check and sip on your margarita.
>
> That's a pretty good deal if you ask me.
>
Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>
>>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>>> check and sip on your margarita.
> ----------------------------------------------
> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>
>> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
> ------------------------------------------
> Tuff day Bunkie?
Nope - just get tired every once in a while at seeing your self proclaimed
righteousness in this group. You have grass problems? Good - deal with
them. That does not mean the rest of us do, and have to deal with it like
you do. You chose to live there - live with the issues. Don't preach to
the rest of us about it.
>
> Not bitching, just observing the obvious.
Obvious to you.
>
> BTW, got out of the grass maintenance business over 30 years
> ago which was about the same time I lost any need for a snow
> shovel.
>
Then why continue to comment on it?
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Scott Lurndal wrote:
> You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
> unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
> take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
> "fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
> all states have warts, all states have great things.
Not us here in the Empire state - all we have is high taxes, liberal
leaders, declining job opportunities, high taxes, lots of snowfall in the
winter, high taxes... other than that, it's a pretty good place to live...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Markem wrote:
> Not getting on the state of California, just Lew is being
> curmudgeonly. When California shuts down the Walmart water bottling
> plant then you will know they have done something about they're water
> problem.
Just FWIW - I really like Lew. He is full of knowledge and contributes a
lot of very good things to this group. I generally take what he says about
products/technologies, etc. to heart. He's been around a long time, done a
lot of things, and shares a lot of wisdom here. Lew and I stand on
different sides of the more subjective thoughts and issues in life, and that
might just come through every once in a while.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Doug Miller wrote:
> "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:mkslge$rbd$1@dont- email.me:
>
>> Scott Lurndal wrote:
>>
>>> You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>>> unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>>> take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>>> "fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>>> all states have warts, all states have great things.
>>
>> Not us here in the Empire state - all we have is high taxes, liberal
>> leaders, declining job opportunities, high taxes, lots of snowfall
>> in the winter, high taxes... other than that, it's a pretty good
>> place to live...
>>
> You also have the Adirondacks, where SWMBO and I spent a *very*
> pleasant vacation last fall. Adirondack Park is stunning in October.
Yes we do! You are absolutely correct. Beautiful country, great fishing,
good hunting, great hiking and camping. Peaceful, and scenic. Too bad we
did not know you were in the area, we could have tried to hook up.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
John Grossbohlin wrote:
> "Mike Marlow" wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>> Doug Miller wrote:
>
>>> You also have the Adirondacks, where SWMBO and I spent a *very*
>>> pleasant vacation last fall. Adirondack Park is stunning in October.
>
>> Yes we do! You are absolutely correct. Beautiful country, great
>> fishing, good hunting, great hiking and camping. Peaceful, and
>> scenic. Too bad we did not know you were in the area, we could have
>> tried to hook up.
>
> Hmmmm.... Ruffed Grouse and woodcock??
Funny you should say that. When we first bought our land, some 30 years
ago, the grouse hunting was pretty good. Over time the coyotes and the red
fox moved in and that population has really dropped off. Hardly ever spook
one up when going out in the woods now.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
John Grossbohlin wrote:
> "Mike Marlow" wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>> John Grossbohlin wrote:
>>
>>> Hmmmm.... Ruffed Grouse and woodcock??
>
>> Funny you should say that. When we first bought our land, some 30
>> years ago, the grouse hunting was pretty good. Over time the
>> coyotes and the red fox moved in and that population has really
>> dropped off. Hardly ever spook one up when going out in the woods
>> now.
>
> I imagine habitat degradation over the years has taken its toll
> also... mature forests don't help wildlife!
Could be, but between what we take out for firewood every year and having it
selectively logged off twice over that timeframe, I'd say the nature of our
woods is probably not so different from when we first bought the property.
Back then I had no trouble going out back and dropping a couple of grouse to
bring home. Not these days...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Thu, 4 Jun 2015 15:55:57 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>What's with Stihl?
>
>Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
>grass
>maintenance equipment.
>
>At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
>high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>native plants.
>
>Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>needs of their market?
>
>BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
>with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE Ohio,
>the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>
>It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
>fertilizer.
>
>Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
It is a national sale Lew. The lack of water in your neck of the woods
does not extend to the east coast.
Markem <[email protected]> writes:
>On Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:03:38 GMT, [email protected] (Scott Lurndal)
>wrote:
>
>>Matt <[email protected]> writes:
>>>On 6/4/2015 8:14 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>>>>>>> check and sip on your margarita.
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------
>>>>> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
>>>>> ------------------------------------------
>>>>> Tuff day Bunkie?
>>>> Nope - just get tired every once in a while at seeing your self proclaimed
>>>> righteousness in this group. You have grass problems? Good - deal with
>>>> them. That does not mean the rest of us do, and have to deal with it like
>>>> you do. You chose to live there - live with the issues. Don't preach to
>>>> the rest of us about it.
>>>+ 1
>>
>>You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>>unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>>take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>>"fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>>all states have warts, all states have great things.
>
>Not getting on the state of California, just Lew is being
>curmudgeonly. When California shuts down the Walmart water bottling
>plant then you will know they have done something about they're water
>problem.
If it was a problem, it would have been shut down. The amount
of water used by that plant is literally a drop in the bucket.
On Fri, 5 Jun 2015 13:27:29 -0700, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>"Lew Hodgett" wrote:
>
>> What's with Stihl?
>>
>> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of
>> lawn grass
>> maintenance equipment.
>>
>> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
>> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>> native plants.
>>
>> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>> needs of their market?
>>
>> BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
>> with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE
>> Ohio,
>> the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>>
>> It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
>> fertilizer.
>>
>> Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>The above was the initial post.
>
>Nowhere does it attack where someone lives.
>
>It was simply an observation of a gotcha as far as Stihl marketing is
>concerned.
>
>Pitching a product you want to sell to a market segment that is
>shrinking and will continue shrink just isn't swift.
>
>Nothing more, nothing less.
It is a national campaign, why worry about it.
On 6/4/2015 10:08 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>
>> Why don't you take your west coast attitude and your gripes,
>> directly to Stihl, Lew? As for me - I love their products.
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> My comments have NOTHING to do with Stihl products.
>
> My comments are nothing other than an observation of their
> marketing techniques.
>
> BTW, what is an "west coast attitude"?
>
> Lew
>
>
I'm sure Stihl is doing quite well in California. You can blame your
local networks for choosing to let Stihl advertize in your market. If
they were not selling products to the California population they would
not be advertizing there. They are not an ignorant start up company.
On 6/6/2015 12:23 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
> On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 10:03:09 AM UTC-4, Leon wrote:
>> On 6/4/2015 5:55 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>> What's with Stihl?
>>>
>>> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
>>> grass
>>> maintenance equipment.
>>>
>>> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
>>> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>>> native plants.
>>>
>>> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>>> needs of their market?
>>
>> It has been proven with solid evidence that Californians can be talked
>> into buying anything. ;~)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
>>> with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE Ohio,
>>> the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>>>
>>> It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
>>> fertilizer.
>>>
>>> Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
>>
>> I have see that grass, Kentucky Blue, is seems so delicate.
>>
>> Along the Texas coast we have St. Augustine aka carpet grass. When
>> growing well an average yard's clippings will will easily fill a 45 gal
>> contractors bag with each mowing.
>>
>> https://www.google.com/search?q=st+augustine+grass&rlz=1C1CHUE_enUS575US575&espv=2&biw=1389&bih=761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UP1yVemJG8iaoQSg-ILADg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
>>
>
> I've heard that everything's bigger in Texas.
>
> What's your definition of "an average yard"?
>
> I grew up in NYC. I'll bet my definition is smaller than yours ;-)
>
5,000~7000 sq ft. with a 2000 to 3500 sq feet of concrete sitting on it.
Matt <[email protected]> writes:
>On 6/4/2015 8:14 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>
>>>>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>>>>> check and sip on your margarita.
>>> ----------------------------------------------
>>> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
>>> ------------------------------------------
>>> Tuff day Bunkie?
>> Nope - just get tired every once in a while at seeing your self proclaimed
>> righteousness in this group. You have grass problems? Good - deal with
>> them. That does not mean the rest of us do, and have to deal with it like
>> you do. You chose to live there - live with the issues. Don't preach to
>> the rest of us about it.
>+ 1
You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
"fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
all states have warts, all states have great things.
On Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:03:38 GMT, [email protected] (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:
>Matt <[email protected]> writes:
>>On 6/4/2015 8:14 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>> Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> All you have to do is sit back and watch, sign over the water dept
>>>>>> check and sip on your margarita.
>>>> ----------------------------------------------
>>>> "Mike Marlow" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Then just do it and quit bitching about everything else.
>>>> ------------------------------------------
>>>> Tuff day Bunkie?
>>> Nope - just get tired every once in a while at seeing your self proclaimed
>>> righteousness in this group. You have grass problems? Good - deal with
>>> them. That does not mean the rest of us do, and have to deal with it like
>>> you do. You chose to live there - live with the issues. Don't preach to
>>> the rest of us about it.
>>+ 1
>
>You know that everyone, from every state, thinks they have
>unique problems. Many here who participate in this newgroup
>take great pleasure in pointing to california as "liberal" or
>"fruits & nuts", or whatever. A pox on all your houses,
>all states have warts, all states have great things.
Not getting on the state of California, just Lew is being
curmudgeonly. When California shuts down the Walmart water bottling
plant then you will know they have done something about they're water
problem.
We used two tractors - one an over-sized mower by JD from JD sales floor
not a box store... And a JD PTO front end loader/fine cut and 4' Hog
cut mower for just about 3 hours today and got most of the yard. About
1/2 of it is St. Aug then there is Bahia (very tall V top grass) for
most of the rest. We have about a dozen other types here. All wild
with possibility the Bahia was for turning mud into grass or bailing for
feed.
We had St Au blooming with the yellow flowers and maybe 12" (tall) thick.
We have had a great amount of rain so it grows.
The town of St. Augustine lies maybe 30 miles to the east of us.
Martin
On 6/6/2015 12:23 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
> On Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 10:03:09 AM UTC-4, Leon wrote:
>> On 6/4/2015 5:55 PM, Lew Hodgett wrote:
>>> What's with Stihl?
>>>
>>> Here in SoCal, Stihl is running TV commercials for their line of lawn
>>> grass
>>> maintenance equipment.
>>>
>>> At the same time, financial inducements are being offered to rip out
>>> high water usage grass and replace the grass with drought resistant
>>> native plants.
>>>
>>> Think maybe somebody in marketing doesn't stay current with the
>>> needs of their market?
>>
>> It has been proven with solid evidence that Californians can be talked
>> into buying anything. ;~)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> BTW, as somebody who spent many hours behind a lawn mower
>>> with a clipping bag attached, while growing up and living in NE Ohio,
>>> the local grass is nothing more than yellow/green weeds IMHO.
>>>
>>> It deserves a large dose of Round Up, not precious water and
>>> fertilizer.
>>>
>>> Kentucky Blue or Merion it isn't.
>>
>> I have see that grass, Kentucky Blue, is seems so delicate.
>>
>> Along the Texas coast we have St. Augustine aka carpet grass. When
>> growing well an average yard's clippings will will easily fill a 45 gal
>> contractors bag with each mowing.
>>
>> https://www.google.com/search?q=st+augustine+grass&rlz=1C1CHUE_enUS575US575&espv=2&biw=1389&bih=761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UP1yVemJG8iaoQSg-ILADg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ
>>
>
> I've heard that everything's bigger in Texas.
>
> What's your definition of "an average yard"?
>
> I grew up in NYC. I'll bet my definition is smaller than yours ;-)
>