Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: GAMEDIC on May 28, 2004, 08:01:42 AM

Title: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 28, 2004, 08:01:42 AM
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I was just informed of a VP fuels price increase effective 6/1/04. Please contact your respective dealer for new price information.

I apologize but I have no control over the prices.

If you have any questions of comments please email me at ccs68@bellsouth.net

I have some fuel in stock at the old price.. so if you are going to  Roebling please place your order NOW before the up in price and i will have it for you at the old price... after that it will be at the new price.. email me if you have any questions
Greg
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Clay on May 28, 2004, 08:59:25 AM
OMG, ANOTHER price hike?  What's it gonna be now...60 bux for a 5 gallon drum of U4?!?!?  Damn, plain 'ole pump gas is looking more and more attractive.  :(
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 28, 2004, 09:02:17 AM
QuoteOMG, ANOTHER price hike?  What's it gonna be now...60 bux for a 5 gallon drum of U4?!?!?  Damn, plain 'ole pump gas is looking more and more attractive.  :(
hey don't worry...i know your putting in your order for Roebling...you will get it at the old price for this race
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: speedster_1 on May 28, 2004, 09:54:06 AM
so how many price hikes has that been? 3 in a few months!?!   :o
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 28, 2004, 10:03:53 AM
Quoteso how many price hikes has that been? 3 in a few months!?!   :o
yeah this will make 3 :(
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Clay on May 28, 2004, 10:29:23 AM
Just saw over on wera...it's 65 bux now.  Damn, at the least I won't be using it for practice anymore.  Looks like I'll be pulling out the pump gas.  :(
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Clay on May 28, 2004, 10:31:02 AM
BTW, they REALLY should have a buy back program for the drums.  Apparently they cost alot, so why not buy them back from the customers instead of just throwing them away?  Seems like they could make a little more (save) money that way.  :-/
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: cstem on May 28, 2004, 10:37:46 AM
I don't know what planet you guys reside on, but here on earth, the price of all gas has gone up about 20-25%.  Why would VP be any different.  It should be interesting to see how some of these bikes run on pump after being tuned for race gas though!
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 28, 2004, 11:51:24 AM
QuoteI don't know what planet you guys reside on, but here on earth, the price of all gas has gone up about 20-25%.  Why would VP be any different.  It should be interesting to see how some of these bikes run on pump after being tuned for race gas though!
True... and clay we use to buy back the 15 gal drums well you placed a deposit and when you turned it in you got that back..but they have stoped doing that... yes that is the new price ...but if you get your order to me today you will get it for RRR at the old price...
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Clay on May 28, 2004, 05:48:36 PM
I've already ordered.  ;D  

Cstem, the price of VP has risen 45% from the first of the year...NOT 20-25%.  ;)  
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 28, 2004, 09:00:20 PM
Some hope:
VP is talking right now to see what and if they can find some way to maybe get the price down some.. i will let everyone know if and when i hear anything
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 30, 2004, 09:49:02 PM
All the new prices are posted on the web site as of now...
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Super_KC124 on May 30, 2004, 10:01:16 PM
Is U4 made from crude oil?
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: xseal on May 31, 2004, 09:57:32 AM
I bought a 5 gal at Summit Point this weekend, was $45.  That's pretty reasonable, and less than I paid last year.  Thanks, Denise.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Clay on May 31, 2004, 09:59:29 AM
QuoteI bought a 5 gal at Summit Point this weekend, was $45.  That's pretty reasonable, and less than I paid last year.  Thanks, Denise.

And how did you get that price?   ???
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 31, 2004, 01:51:09 PM
QuoteIs U4 made from crude oil?
all fuel is made in some part from oil:-)
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Super_KC124 on May 31, 2004, 02:52:16 PM
Quoteall fuel is made in some part from oil:-)
Thank you. (It sure smells funny ;D)
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Steviebee on May 31, 2004, 03:13:06 PM
QuoteAnd how did you get that price?   ???

guess he didnt buy it from gamedic
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: BlueRidgePerformance on May 31, 2004, 04:11:32 PM
QuoteAnd how did you get that price?   ???
There was someone selling at VIR last week for $45.
You always have scabbs trying to under sell someone else.Do they offer contengency no, do they attend all of the series, doubt it.There is a lot more involve in what it takes to do all this. I hate scabbs >:(
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: ahastings on May 31, 2004, 07:38:15 PM
Why does that make you a scab. I think it is called competition. I was selling it at VIR at the Cycle Jam for $45, I think about $3 less than the others, because I am not a contingency dealer and I purchased 2 pallets at the old price.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on May 31, 2004, 09:05:57 PM
Quoteguess he didnt buy it from gamedic
nope..that was a WERA event i think..  i could not seel at that price..we do not make very much... and the little we do make off of it is for the time i put in getting it there going to pick it up..talking to everyone..and being the last one to leave so i can get the results and go through every race to see if anyone that got fuel form me placed in a paying spot...it takes alot of time sometimes... and plus i will do anything i can to help everyone out...ask anyone that buys from me... so if someone else is selling it cheaper that is up to them.. but it is not the same thing not to mention you are not going to get paid...lol
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: BlueRidgePerformance on June 01, 2004, 04:25:11 AM
QuoteWhy does that make you a scab. I think it is called competition. I was selling it at VIR at the Cycle Jam for $45, I think about $3 less than the others, because I am not a contingency dealer and I purchased 2 pallets at the old price.
Al, first I did not know that was you, or I would have come talked with you.When Terrance became a VP dealer, he called both Cindy and I reguarding selling price.When we have customers coming up to the 3 of us, asking why we are selling for $2.50 more than you, it makes us look bad.I travel 400miles to Barnett GA to get my fuel,then take it to the track and deliver it.I also picked up 30 empty cans after Cycle Jam.I did not hear them calling your name to come pick the litter up.So I would just try to make a suggestion that you sell at the same prices as the rest of us.I understand your thinking, and I did the same when I first started selling fuel.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: xseal on June 01, 2004, 06:48:23 AM
The $45 price was from the official distributor.  They had  the full truck full of fuel, stickers, etc.  100% legitimate.  
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: ahastings on June 01, 2004, 07:10:28 AM
One of the guys mentioned it to me about the price and said you guys were going to come and talk to me , but nobody did. I set my price not knowing what you sold it for considering suggested retail under the old price was $47.90 a can. I agree there is very little profit in selling it, almost not worth it. I think I sold 6 cans all weekend at a large event like that.Why should someone bitch about paying $2.50 more a can with the advantage that they can earn contingency.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: BlueRidgePerformance on June 01, 2004, 07:38:02 AM
QuoteThe $45 price was from the official distributor.  They had  the full truck full of fuel, stickers, etc.  100% legitimate.  
Where was this? And who was the disrtibutor?
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: BlueRidgePerformance on June 01, 2004, 07:46:16 AM
QuoteI set my price not knowing what you sold it for considering suggested retail under the old price was $47.90 a can. I agree there is very little profit in selling it, almost not worth it.
Not a huge deal, but as of 4/1/04 the retail price was $54per 5gal.The one thing you might not have factored in is the tax, and EPA tax you are supposed to pay at the end of the year.
   I looked for someone at your pit, never saw you.
It's all good.What we have been doing, is charging about $1 per gal less than the contengency vendors do.Any Greg is in charge of that with CCS in the South,and Southeast. Lithum Motorsports does the Midwest.
    Call or e-mail Cindy for what we talked about. ;)
  
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: xseal on June 01, 2004, 08:18:05 AM
Evidence for the doubters is on the boards, and the prices were advertised in advance. Sounds like someone is gouging, not scabbing.

http://www.racemotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=ccs1;action=display;num=1085064001
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on June 01, 2004, 10:09:39 AM
I let everyone know as soon as i can on the price increse. And i am trying to help as many as i can..because i had inventory from my last order i will be selling what i have at the old price at RRR after that it will go up to what is posted on the site
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: BlueRidgePerformance on June 01, 2004, 11:46:46 AM
QuoteEvidence for the doubters is on the boards, and the prices were advertised in advance. Sounds like someone is gouging, not scabbing.

So where is the price listed?
You want to pay the insurance for hazmat?
You want to pay for the fuel it takes to carry 100gals to the tracks/
You can buy from who you want.We had an issue with VP East selling U4E to a vendor that ordered U4.
There were some very unhappy people at VIR because of this.The problem is supposedly taken care of,after the fact!
Many thracks also charge fuel dealers a vendors fee .
Take all that in consideration before you say someone is gouging.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: WebCrush on June 01, 2004, 11:55:17 AM
I bought a pair of 15's of MR1 at Summit this weekend for 180 each.  Denise said the price has officially gone up but Bruce hadn't given her a new pricing sheet yet so she's still charging the old price.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Cindy_Ivey on June 01, 2004, 03:04:31 PM
Last I heard all the fuel sold at the AMA and FUSA weekend is sold through the VP National Sales Dept.  Other dealers like Terrance, Gary and myself cannot come remotely close to selling it for what they sell it for.   I have even come across some instances at these races where they are selling fuel for less than what it costs me.

Second to Gary's statement,  please think about this....
1 - we must add on the sales tax
2 - we must pay motor fuel tax
3 - we must have insurance for hazmat
4 - mileage to and from the races carrying 2000+ pounds of fuel
4a - stopping at the weigh stations if you are carrying more than 1000 pounds, which is most of the time
5 - mileage to and from the VP office to pick the fuel up
6 - time to collect all the empty drums and return them or pay to have them destroyed
7 - some of us spend 10-15 hours per week sorting
 through results and receipts to putting together contingency information
8 - we have to deal with the dept of Revenue
9 - dealing with the racing organization
10 - dealing with angry racers
11 - paying vendor fees which can be over $150 at some tracks
12 - paying the contracted fuel vendor a fee for allowing you to sell at the track (I paid Sunoco over $1800 for allowing me to sell at Road Atlanta last year)
Now if you think we are gauging, become a VP dealer and try to keep up.  You would find it very difficult.  
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: stumpy on June 01, 2004, 03:11:53 PM
  Geez... with all those problems of selling fuel you must sure be making alot doing it, otherwise it wouldn't really be worth it, would it? :-/



Stumpy
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: BlueRidgePerformance on June 01, 2004, 03:33:11 PM
Quote Geez... with all those problems of selling fuel you must sure be making alot doing it, otherwise it wouldn't really be worth it, would it? :-/



Stumpy
One of the biggest problems, and I'm all for fair trade, is the fact that anyone can become a dealer.So you saturate the track with fuel vendors.So people get in it to save money, which we all want to do.But you must think about who is going to be at the next round.Say a racer/dealer gets hurt,and can't make it.I follow the WERA Nationals, and have been doing so for 3 years.Before that, I sold Torco at CCS and WERA  races in the midwest.
Both Cindy and I make sure our customers are taken care of at every race,whether we are there, or one of our reps.I do not pay contengency, so it's not as much work as Cindy.We love the sport, and try to make it as inexpensive as possible.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on June 01, 2004, 08:36:04 PM
Quote Geez... with all those problems of selling fuel you must sure be making alot doing it, otherwise it wouldn't really be worth it, would it? :-/



Stumpy
HMMM...wrong..lol.. thanks for the imput Cindy ;D and she is right ..you have no idea how far i have to drive just to pick up the fuel.. not as far as gary i don't think..lol.. but another thing is remember we (Cindy and myself) take care of getting you paid if you place after buying fuel from us... and like Gary said about being at the track i am always there for my racers..hell i am a racer myself and i can tell you that 2 rounds already this year i could not really afford to go race at Jennings but you can ask some that were there i came and they got their fuel and helped out a friend in the pits. So if for some reason i can't be there you can bank on it that your fuel will get there one way or the other...
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: cornercamping on June 01, 2004, 09:43:26 PM
Mr. Fuel Guy,

What kind of race fuel is recommended for a big twin?  All stock minus exhaust (full) system and chipping.  U4?

Since your here... ;)
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: GAMEDIC on June 01, 2004, 09:49:29 PM
QuoteMr. Fuel Guy,

What kind of race fuel is recommended for a big twin?  All stock minus exhaust (full) system and chipping.  U4?

Since your here... ;)
That would be my suggestion
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: cstem on June 02, 2004, 12:43:41 AM
Hey Game and the rest. I was talking to a VP trackside distributor and he said it is cheaper for him to buy 55 gal drums than the smaller sizes.  Is it possible (or legal) for racers to bring thier old 15 gallon can or other suitable container and have you pump into it from a 55 gallon drum?  Would it be of any benefit to the seller and could some of that benefit be passed on to the racer?  These are just questions and maybe suggestions.  Also to Clay,  fuel is expensive.  When additives are added to fuel the price goes up exponentially, not in a linear fashion.  Look at prices for pump in Cali and here in Phoenix- we put that MTBE crap in there and it gets pricey real quick.  This is due to the fact that not only does the fuel have to hit the refinery and be trucked in, but so doe the additives that are put in and hauled in by other contractors who have to raise their prices to make money.  This is what happens when there are many middle men.  It sucks, but it is called enterprise.
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Cindy_Ivey on June 02, 2004, 02:13:27 AM
There are a lot of things that we have to go through to sell VP and I continue to do so for the racers.  I started selling fuel because there was no one at the WERA or CCS races that my husband attended So I took on the task. Although there have been several times that I wanted to stop, I now have made a commitment and I will continue doing it.   I now have numerous races on my schedule where I need to sell fuel and we are not even racing.  This is the best case because it is crazy when your trying to change tires and get everything ready but you have people constantly coming up to buy fuel.  Chuck has gone to several races without me due to my work schedule and he has not gotten a bit of practice because of the fuel.  

As for pumping from 55gal drums,  This is really not feasible as I would have to carry 5 different types of fuel.  You will not get the same confindence as if you are purchasing sealed cans.  
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: xseal on June 02, 2004, 05:58:58 AM
There was someone selling at VIR last week for $45.
You always have scabbs trying to under sell someone else.Do they offer contengency no, do they attend all of the series, doubt it.There is a lot more involve in what it takes to do all this. I hate scabs
      * * * * * * *
You want to pay the insurance for hazmat?
You want to pay for the fuel it takes to carry 100gals to the tracks/
You can buy from who you want.We had an issue with VP East selling U4E to a vendor that ordered U4.
There were some very unhappy people at VIR because of this.The problem is supposedly taken care of,after the fact!
Many thracks also charge fuel dealers a vendors fee .
Take all that in consideration before you say someone is gouging.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Hey Blue Ridge -- What facts did you take into consideration before making the unsupported assertion that you "hate scabs."  If you want people to not make conclusions about your prices, how about extending the same courtesy to the "official" vendors selling at "scab" prices.  

Pot calling the kettle black.  
Title: Re: VP Prices
Post by: Cindy_Ivey on June 02, 2004, 07:19:27 AM
We can go on and on about the cost of VP.  The thing is, noone will every understand why the cost is what it is unless they become a dealer and follow all the federal guidelines. I have been a VP vendor now for three years and I am just now getting used to all the requirements.  As far as someone selling fuel for $45 dollars at VIR, (knowing what the current cost is), I can safely say that I believe the only way they were able to do that is because they are either not registered and don't pay the taxes and hazmat $, or it was old fuel under the cheaper price.

I believe that's all that can be said.

As far as being the "official" fuel vendor at the cycle jam, the official fuel vendor for VIR is Sunoco.  And last time I checked, I am the only VP dealer that has paid the money to WERA to sponsor a contingency program.  Therefore, If WERA had an official fuel vendor, I would be the closest thing to it.