Ikan PRICE BREAK -- MUST Read! :-)

If you read the introduction to this blog (please do if you haven't, scroll down or click HERE:) I promised user profiles and news items about how we're getting power wheelchair users back in the game of life. We're trying to get the word out on our products every way possible. We also have a message board on our ikanbowler.com website. I recently wrote a post called "Price Break -- MUST Read!" which I MUST share here:)...

Hello all! :-)

First off, please know that our products are very well made and cost us quite a bit to manufacture. If I shared the exact details, every experienced businessperson would say our retail prices have been very fair to our customers. However, we truly want as many people as possible to experience the benefits of our products (contact us, we'll try to get your local bowling center to buy an IKAN Bowler or two; also keep in mind that most states have financial assistance available -- one customer only had to pay the shipping cost for an IKAN Bowler -- the state paid the rest, seriously, contact us for details). :-)

To give customers a break below retail, those of you who have followed our progress, you may remember we recently had a program called the "IKAN User Reward and Give Back Program." Essentially, what this did was Reward IKAN Users who were responsible for a sale with 10% commission, and we also were Giving Back 5% to resource organizations (like the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation or the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) or rehab facilities (like Shepherd Center or Craig Hospital) of the purchaser's choice.

Our potential customers liked the Program but since we were essentially giving back 15% of each sale, why not just drop all prices by 15%? Then purchasers can keep or distribute a portion of the savings, if they wish, plus more people will be able to afford their own.

We debated this for several reasons. With the Program, resource organizations and rehab facilities (like those mentioned above) had a direct reason to advertise our products in their newsletters and on their websites, etc., which would help us reach more wheelchair users and it didn't require an up-front advertising fee (just the 5% Give Back). We (MGT) are a small company funded mostly by the three co-founders (who all have physical disabilities) and our friends and families. We don't have much of an advertising budget. The Program basically allotted 5% and 10% to different sources, which served as incentive to advertise and tell people about our products. That WAS the bulk of our advertising budget.

However, with some relatively innovative Internet marketing programs, we noticed we're getting quite a few hits on our website daily. Plus, we will continue to show resource organizations and rehab facilities how their customers can benefit from our products, and hopefully we can get feature stories in each. So, we have decided to give a full 15% to each and every purchaser directly, by dropping all prices by 15%. :-)

But wait... there's more! Sorry to sound like a cheesy infomercial, but we're actually dropping the price of our primary product, the IKAN Bowler with Universal Mount, MORE than 15%. As always, shipping to the continental U.S. is included in all prices (we can ship anywhere in the world, call us for a quote). The IKAN Bowler with Universal Mount was $719.00. Taking exactly 15% off that price (which actually reduces shipping by 15%, even though our shipping costs remain the same) the IKAN Bowler with Universal Mount would be $611.15. We decided we wanted it to be under the psychological barrier of $600. Also, for all residents outside of the state of Florida, there is no sales tax (being a Florida-based company, Florida residents must pay state sales tax). The IKAN Bowler with Universal Mount, shipping included, no tax outside of Florida, is now $599.00 (I know, that's real close to $600 but, come on, we're going more than 15% below a very fair original retail price and we can't provide products if we go out of business!). :-)

Here are the exact price changes of all products:

IKAN Universal Mount
Was $342.00... NOW $290.70 (Includes S/H*)
(Buy a Combo Package and Save!)

IKAN Bowler® (Arm)
Was $409.00... NOW $347.65 (Includes S/H*)
(Buy a Combo Package and Save!)

IKAN Soccer Guard, SG-1004
Was $202.00... NOW $171.70 (Includes S/H*)
(Buy a Combo Package and Save!)

Combination "A" BUM-1005
Includes Universal Mount and IKAN Bowler®.
Was $719.00... NOW $599.00 (Includes S/H*)
(Save $39.35 off the individual component totals!*)

Combination “C” SGUM-1007
Includes Universal Mount and IKAN Soccer Guard.
Was $512.00... NOW $435.20 (Includes S/H*)
(Save $27.20 off the individual component totals!*)

Combination “E” UMBSG-1009
Includes Universal Mount, IKAN Bowler®, and IKAN Soccer Guard.
Was $889.00... NOW $755.65 (Includes S/H*)
(Save $54.40 off the individual component totals!*)

Combination “G” SGUM4X-1011
Includes 4 Universal Mounts and 4 IKAN Soccer Guards.
Was $1,896.00... NOW $1,611.60 (Includes S/H*)
(Save $129.20 over the Combination “C” price!*)

Combination “H” SGUM8X-1012
Includes 8 Universal Mounts and 8 IKAN Soccer Guards.
Was $3,792.00... NOW $3,223.20 (Includes S/H*)
(Save $258.40 over the Combination “C” price!*)

*Shipping & handling included to continental U.S., contact us for quote to ship elsewhere.

If you look at our store, you'll see additional offerings that have the Center-Post Mount instead of the Universal Mount. That is a custom mount for certain new styles of wheelchair that utilize a single center-post style legrest setup, instead of the traditional two side legrests. Because it's custom to each chair, we ask people to call us for a quote.

Finally...

I may have shared more information above (about our business) than perhaps I should have. But these are things I would tell my fellow wheelchair users face-to-face so they know we're truly trying to help as many people as possible. I'm sitting on a $400 seat cushion (so are most wheelchair users). While the cushion is an absolute necessity, I promise you the IKAN Bowler at $599 will provide more meaningful experiences and memories. Get maximum value out of that cushion and get back in the game of life -- bowling and power soccer are sports available to virtually all power wheelchair users. The benefits are fun, social, therapeutic, competitive, and recreational for users -- and inspirational to able-bodied folk who see us performing. :-)

Sincerely,

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 202 High Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.IkanBowler.com
Personal website: http://www.LookMomNoHands.net
Blogger: emPOWERing Wheelchair Users