Village Squire, 1978-08, Page 24driving vans instead, he says.
Manufacturers are climbing on the
bandwagon by bringing out vans with
finished interiors a step that at first sight
might seem trouble for people customizing
vans but is actually good for business, Ted
says. Many people want their van to look
different to the manufactured interiors so
they come to customizers.
A man doing customizing, must be a
master of many trades. He must have the
aptitude for carpentry work, electrical
work, sheet metal work, upholstering, and
carpet cutting. It means being prepared.
thinking ahead to cut down on errors. In
four years he's never botched up anything
so badly that it can't be rectified, Ted says,
but always you have to keep in mind that if
you wreck somebody's van, you may end
up buying it.
One of the problems with the van
7,customizing business is that there are a lot
of "here today and gone tomorrow" shops
which haven't helped the reputations of the
more permanent members of the business.
Many shops. Ted says, start out with no
working capital and run into trouble. Shops
are closing every day.
To combat this credibility problem in the
business, Ted has built up a reputation for
his warrantee program which runs the
length of the ownership of the van on which
the work is done. If something goes wrong
such as a strip of molding coming off or a
carpet raising, the customer is invited to
drop in anytime, without appointment and
have it fixed immediately. The vans are the
best advertisement he's got, Ted says and
he wants them looking their best. Either
people aren't taking him up on his offer or
the workmanship is very good he says,
because few people come back for repairs.
By careful selection of lines to sell, Ted
has even been able to offer a one year
guarantee on the sound systems he sells,
even though the manufacturer's warantee
is often only three months. He's done this
by picking and choosing which system he
buys,. and not buying a whole line from one
manufacturer. He's learned, he says, that
while a manufacturer may put out a good
product overall, sometimes there are
certain models that just aren't up to
standard.
How long will the van business blossom?
Ted estimates that the current fad will last
at least another 10 years. Even if it doesn't,
he says, the customizers will have plenty of
warning. He figures that the suppliers of
specialized parts for vans will be the first to
be hurt when the bubble finally breaks and
that should be an early warning system to
the customizers to find another means of
support. When the day comes Ted
Schinein seems to be well prepared. He's
already got a few other interests lined up.
In the meantime, he's enjoying turning
those once workhorses of the trucking
business into fancy city cousins. 0
PG. 22. VILLAGE SQUIRE/AUGUST 1978.
FOR YOUR "BACK
TO SCHOOL"
WARDROBE...
••
Come...see...our
colourful selection.
CLOTHING FOR INFANTS,
BOYS & GIRLS.
THE
CAMPUS SHOP
Stratford's only exclusive
Children's Wear Store
92 Wellington St., Stratford
271-3720
make
1'iOUse
eaQ0('
so it's easy to make
your home look like you've
had it finished by an interior decorator
What does a Schaefer's House Call mean
It means an easy and reassuring way for you to order your custom-made
draperies. Just call 524-8437 for shop -in-home appointment.
What can we do for you?
We help you make the right decisions. It's simply delightful. No trudging all
over town. No confusion. No doubt. Right in your own home, you look at custom
fabric samples galore, you discuss your decorating plans, your tastes.
You get accurate estimates, free advice at no obligation what -so -ever.
SCHAEFER'S INTERIORS
GODERICH, ONTARIO
524-8437