Model Forum / General / Rockets / June 2007

I'm writing this to the general world because once again I find myself
shamefully behind in cranking out orders, returning voicemails...even
answering my email. I hope this will relieve the minds of folks who
may have heard I've gone out of business or been run over by a truck.
I wouldn't blame you for thinking either one!

These are interesting times for Pratt Hobbies, and have been since
about February. The volume of business is way beyond anything I've
seen in the last 14 years. This spring, my bulk-packed rocket kits
started moving like crazy....not Estes and Quest numbers, but more
than enough to swamp one old fat guy in his basement. At the same
time, a lot of people decided it was time to get some hybrid launch
systems. I credit the excitement over the Sky Ripper 54s and the
innovative stuff from Contrail for that...but whatever the reason, the
numbers were suddenly way beyond anything my part-time business could
handle.

To top it off, I was handed increased responsibilities (and a nice
promotion) at my day job.

I hung on by my fingernails for a while, and it looks as though I will
finally have all the backorders out over the July 4 holiday week.
Through it all, I am amazed by the fact that I have the most patient,
understanding customers in the world. No one has cancelled an order,
although I've offered full refunds many times. For a while I thought
of changing the name of the business to "Excuses R Us." That should be
over soon...thank goodness.

Several things are converging to move me in some interesting new
directions. I have an opportunity to move Pratt Hobbies out of my
basement into some light industrial space, co-locating with a friend
who has a similar small business in a different industry. At the same
time, I have the chance to throttle back the day job to where I am
focusing only on the contracts I manage, which would be about 2/3
time. It could work out well for all considered...and I might be able
to work on some new product ideas, finish up my Level 3, or do
something just for fun!

I'm taking it slow, working the numbers carefully. Pratt Hobbies will
be 15 years old in August, and I don't want to kill it now by doing
something stupid. But in a nutshell, that's why I've been slow at
answering emails, returning phone calls, posting messages on user
groups, and getting some orders out.

Thank you all for your continued patience.

Doug Pratt