Adam

How often are you blown away by a service or product? Impressed beyond belief? Ok, now how often are you floored by how cool an old town is? An old downtown, with old-school businesses still around? We are in Idaho visiting my wife's family. She was born and raised in Twin Falls, Idaho. Basically, the average house costs under $200K here, population is under 50K people, and the average household income is around $45K. This is a classic American town! So, my son Cristiano and I need haircuts, and it's time to cut off my goatee. It itches, and I don't have a buzzer, or any tools to hack it off, so off to Google.com I go to find an old-school barber. Well, Google gives 8 links. I call 7, all are disconnected, then the 8th just rings and rings. Oh well, I decide to go through 4-5 razors and hack of my facial hair. Then, my phone rings. It's a guy by the name of Stan Sorenson, and he says, "Hi, this is Stan and I just missed your call?" I tell him that I'm looking for a hot shave, and a haircut. "I'm your man!" He gives me his address, and I grab my oldest kiddos, and jump in the car to head over. Well, he is located smack in the middle of old-town Twin Falls, of course, named "Main St." On the way, I pass this VW repair/ restoration shop, then end up at Stan's Barber Shop. This guy is awesome! Was a manager at a few large corporations, then decided to can it, and cut hair! As you can see, he has quite the look, and a few stellar old cars. I immediately pulled out my camera, and snapped some shots of his shop. 165 square feet. Old school original barber chairs from the 40-50's. Vintage everything! Every customer is asked to sign the back wall. Way cool! Check out their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Barber-Shop-at-Gehrig-Dale-Co/278604705675138 If you follow me in Instagram, you have seen the pics, but here they are again, and next time we are in Twin Falls, I'm going back!

My wife had a 2007 4Runner, and that thing went back for a new rear drive shaft at 4K miles!

One more bonus: Between 1 and 2oz of product stick to walls of the bottles, especially when bottles are continuously inverted. When the bottles remain upright, over time, all product goes to the bottom of the bottle. So, besides being easier to use, you will also get up to 1/8 more product from each bottle!

I've had a lemon of every US auto maker, it seems! Loved my 2011 Jeep 5.7 Hemi Grand Cherokee, not an issue, ever. The 2014 Jeep 6.4 SRT spent way more time at the shop. Had a few Fords that spent more time at the dealership than in my garage, namely an '05 F-350 with the 6.0L diesel, then a 2008 F-350 with the 6.4L diesel. It's crazy how many recalls have been happening. Drives me crazy to see cars being sold before the bugs are worked out! Still, when it comes to recalls, who ended up having the most over the past few years? http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2014/03/26/automakers-with-the-lowest-and-highest-recall-rates/ Mercedes-Benz USA: 2.1 million recalled/5.2 million sold; 0.41 recall rate. Mazda Motor Corp: 5.2 million recalled/9.4 million sold; 0.55 recall rate. General Motors: 99.3 million recalled/153.2 million sold; 0.65 recall rate. Nissan North America: 19.1 million recalled/26.8 million sold; 0.71 recall rate. Subaru of America: 4.3 million recalled/6.0 million sold; 0.73 recall rate. Kia Motors: 3.7 million recalled/4.9 million sold; 0.77 recall rate. Toyota Motor Corp: 38.6 million recalled/48.1 million sold; 0.80 recall rate. BMW of North America: 5.1 million recalled/5.7 million sold; 0.90 recall rate. Ford Motor Co: 97.0 million recalled/104.7 million sold; 0.93 recall rate. American Honda Motor Co: 31.1 million recalled/32.9 million sold; 0.94 recall rate. Chrysler Group: 63.2 million recalled/63.2 million sold; 1.00 recall rate. Volvo Cars of North America: 3.3 million recalled/3.1 million sold; 1.05 recall rate. Volkswagen of America: 10.2 million recalled/9.7 million sold; 1.06 recall rate. Mitsubishi Motors North America: 5.3 million recalled/4.8 million sold; 1.09 recall rate. Hyundai Motor Co: 9.9 million recalled/8.7 million sold; 1.15 recall rate.

As a kid that watched Burt jump the Bandit though a host of wild and somehow believable scenes, I'd have bid on that car! While my bid may have topped out at $12,500, it's still a car that puts a great big SMILE on my face, every time I see one. Not silver, not white, but black and gold with the "6.6" reminds me of my childhood, and of a super cool guy who got sideways as often as he drove in a straight line. God Bless America, and Smokey & The Bandit!!

Dylan, have I told you lately......Welcome Back!?

Awesome input & suggestions. You will like what 2015 brings............. Thank you and please keep this input coming!

Believe our average spend per active customer annually is about $430. Certainly, if we offered more trinkets, that number could go up! I sincerely appreciate every penny of business we earn. Thank you!!

Like it? Here is a cost effective way to stock up! $20 for a gallon and 36oz sprayer: http://adamspolishes.com/shop/specials/sub-category-2/adam-s-green-wheel-bundle.html As for the future, there may not be a GWC on the site come 2015..... But we always like to offer a fresh solution!

Thank You Phil! Much appreciate the kind words. Also, Marcus Lemonis might be an interesting conversation, and I love that program! Thanks for your email on that.

Friends, indeed, there is a major update, and simplification to our distribution model. Here is a link to the update: http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/27520-adams-distribution-has-simplified100-colorado/ Thanks for reading, and this thread will now go for a deep, deep sleep.

Friends, what a year it has been! In October of 2013, we started using a 3rd Party Logistics company. Reason: We couldn't ship orders quick enough, and believed this was a viable solution. That program didn't go so well. Well, really, it failed miserably, expensively, and we pulled out after a big lesson was learned. Original plan, and post was explained here: http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/26715-incomplete-orders-errors-delays-the-reasons-why-and-the-big-plan-to-fix-it/ Then, another aggressive plan: Establish remote distribution centers, to efficiently deliver orders to either coast in 2 business days! Looked good on paper, and we ran the numbers a zillion times. It made financial sense, if our system was perfect.......but, it wasn't. We learned: Maintaining multiple distribution centers required significant additional inventory, bulletproof inventory management software and system, and a new, well-trained team in each location. While that might sound like a tough thing to do, in reality, it proved extremely difficult! Now what? Well, now we are back to the basics. Back to Colorado, shipping from our HQ exclusively. We have gotten the band back together too! Dylan is back in on the team, and we have already accomplished some goals. We lost sight of the simplicity that made our business, and brand so authentic. It's safe to say we will be keeping it simple moving forward, and specialize in having the greatest USA made products available, instead of being a distribution powerhouse. Thank you for sticking with us through my blunders and fumbles. I'm humbled to have earned, and kept your business. Sincerely, -Adam

Well Phil, consider the crazy bunch of car care freaks you are hanging with here......we are a sick bunch! Still, I wash my vehicle a few times a week when the weather stinks. Finding a convenient, and well maintained self-wash is step 1. The water is always warm there, and typically, they never close! Time, now that's the hard part. Seems I can leave for work 10 minutes early, and squeeze in a blast off on the way to the office. Or, on the way to, or back from lunch, when it's a bit warmer, a quick stopover at the wash is easy. Here's the kicker: The more you keep your M5 clean, the easier it is to clean. Also, a few trips through the automated wash WILL, without question, damage your finish. That's why you don't see M5's in line at automated washes, or any high end cars that are NOT beat to snot.

Right on Chris! You out playing in the dirt over the weekend? Good for you!!

Where did you find the NOS parts Scott? That's awesome!!! You are motivating me to get our '73 Bronco down off the lift!

We may have an apron or two in our showroom, care to give Bianca a ring tomorrow? Call direct to the HQ: 720-473-7100. Thanks!

So Serious Dave! USA made aprons cost about $20 embroidered, so selling them at a break-even would be $29.95, figuring in the cost of overhead, stocking and shipping them! We have a few more Cyclo aprons in stock now, and they are nice!

The new Z06 is AWESOME!

This!

Can you attach some photos Jamey?

Today, we let the cat out of the bag. The Shine Doc is in, and Dylan holds an honorary Ph.D in OCD detailing! He dialed in our product line and upgraded our detailing system since 2008, and manifested multiple product and process improvements....at all times. Dylan's attention to detail, his process of measuring perfection, and his pursuit of a flawless finish has earned him an incredibly positive reputation in this company, and industry. Our company suffered without him. Adam's is way better, and more complete with Dylan on our team, and it feels FANTASTIC having him back. Welcome back my friend, and I'm honored to be on the same team again! -Adam

I like your thinking Jim!

We have a few aprons! Some are Cyclo, with an awesome embroidery. Some are Adam's. What is an ideal price?

Jack, this is strange! I'm thinking it's possibly towels? Since you live in Florida, temperatures are not likely the issue. Any changes to the way your towels have been washed? As the Doc said, when was the last time the car was polished, such as with Paint Correcting, Revive, or Paint Finishing Polish? Might be too much juice on it now!

Thanks Dan!!! Thanks J.R!