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New cookers for us PBC, PK, Napoleon and SnS

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    New cookers for us PBC, PK, Napoleon and SnS

    We became Ace Hardware Dealers back in the early 70’s and at that time all we stocked in bbq’s were Webers. We had a very large selection of their gas and charcoal lines. In 2000 my wife and I sold our interest in the stores to family members and now they’re run by my nieces and nephew.

    Over the last 10 years or so their bbq areas have greatly increased with the addition of pellet smokers and a variety of other charcoal model grills. About 5 years ago I noticed that their staff wasn’t very knowledgeable about what they stocked and also that their inventories needed some cleaning up. I offered to help them out with some staff training and inventory management, but the generation after mine seems to already know everything. J So, thanks, but NO thanks.

    Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and my niece came up to me and wanted to hire me to do some staff training and inventory management, because the few people that they had before, that had a little knowledge were gone and the current staff had a difficult time knowing the difference between charcoal and gas. She knew that since I’ve been grilling and smoking for almost 60 years now and that I have over 20 cookers, that I knew something about bbqing. I told her she couldn’t hire me, but I’d be glad to donate my time to help her out. So, we are in the process of running a clearance sale on the old outdated and discontinued stock and starting some training sessions.

    In regards to placing new orders I made some suggestions that are being taken. They currently have a large inventory of Weber, Traeger and BGE on the floor. They also have some Pit Boss, Oklahoma Joe and a variety of flat tops. They’ll be bringing in the Backyard Beast by Recteq, also, Pit Barrel Cookers, PK 300 and 360’s, along with some of their accessories. Both these lines used to be stocked in our Ace distribution center, but for some reason they have been drop by Ace, but we’ll drop ship them from the companies themselves.

    We’ll also be adding some Napoleon gas models for a little upscale. What I’m most excited about is the addition of some of the SnS line. One of my favorites. They’ll be stocking the Slow ‘N Sear Master Kettle, Slow ‘N Sear Kettle Grill, Slow ‘N Sear Deluxe and a variety of accessories. After looking at their web site for dealers, it looks like we’ll be the only dealers in California and only the second dealer on the entire West coast, the other being in Portland, Or.

    So, if you’re in the Scotts Valley, Ca. area, stop by either of the two stores and check them out. As part of the training sessions I’m encouraging everyone to become familiar with the Amazing Ribs web site. Also, to work into any conversations that they are having with customers to get them go onto Amazingribs.com. and see what it’s about. Hopefully this will lead to some new people becoming members.



    #2
    Great news! I hope all this works out well, and that with your help the family owned Ace can become a new BBQ mecca of that part of California.

    Have you thought of doing cooking demonstrations onsite, maybe on Saturday mornings? I think smoke and aromas coming from the parking lot could do a lot to drive sales...

    Comment


    • wrgilb
      wrgilb commented
      Editing a comment
      It's already on the schedule Jim and I'm really looking forward to that part. I like sharing my knowledge about the different proteins from my days as a meat cutter back in the late 60's. In those days all the chain stores did their own breaking down of front quarters and hind quarters as well as halves of beef.

    • acorgihouse
      acorgihouse commented
      Editing a comment
      And film them to post on YouTube. I know, sounds crazy, but will help build a following. Bravo!

    #3
    What a great part time job without pay that is! Heck, I’d do it for nothing also. I second acorgihouse suggestion of YouTube videos. Lots of free exposure. And all the other usual suspects as well….Facebook, Twitter/X etc. And the free cooking demos? Excellent idea!

    Comment


    • wrgilb
      wrgilb commented
      Editing a comment
      They're already planning on Facebook and Twitter, I'll tell about doing YouTube also. Thanks

    #4
    That sounds like a fun part-time volunteering gig. I'm going up to my Ace store (about 5 blocks away) this morning to get some house stuff and I always check out the BBQ's. They are pretty well stocked on Weber's, Napoleon and some Triggers. Their BBQ accessories are pretty well stocked too.

    I totally get the "already knows everything" line. So true.

    Comment


      #5
      I was always under the impression that locally owned stores were only allowed to carry Ace approved products, hence the limited choices.
      Is this no longer the case?
      Great for them to be able to provide more options. That said, with everything you listed, they must have a hell of a large footprint dedicated solely to BBQ stuff...

      Comment


      • wrgilb
        wrgilb commented
        Editing a comment
        As an Ace dealer you have always been able to carry whatever you wanted. They have a very large area just for BBQ.

      #6
      @wrgilb: Congrats to you for selecting such great successors to your Ace Hardware store with your nieces and nephews!

      Many Ace Hardwares where I reside in Phoenix, AZ area have lots of great bbq inventory, but I have not yet seen the PBC at any of them. IMHO, for your fam members to include the PBC is a great service to their customers, since its price is at such a reasonable starting point, and provides such great results, as long documented here on AR by so many PBC users.

      Obviously, your family members are "doing so many things right," that they don't need any advice from the likes of me, but am just wondering if maybe their PBC sales are good, perhaps they might let it be known that the PBC would be a great inventory addition for other Ace Hardwares in their region or state of California.

      Although I have NO business interest whatever in PBC, I am always so happy to see more folks enter into the world of authentic BBQ and into participation here on this GREAT AR website, and those buying and using the PBC seem to find their ways here for the great content that MH and his entire team provide for us. (My theory being that a PBC buyer today is likely a Big Green Egg or upgraded Weber buyer in the future!)

      Am so grateful that our local Ace Hardware in East Phoenix (Howard's Ace Hardware) has a great BBQ inventory, including Weber products, pellets, charcoal, smoking chunks and the whole BGE "family." Thank you again for your encouraging post about how many Ace Hardware stores are "investing" in authentic BBQ equipment, in addition to the PBC being carried at your former store. Your note motivates me to talk to the always gracious,helpful and well-informed staff at Howard's to consider carrying the PBC as well.

      Comment


      • wrgilb
        wrgilb commented
        Editing a comment
        Our Ace distribution center used to stock PBC's, but I think there was some dispute between Ace and the PBC owners, probably over price so I believe the PBC folks decided not to sell to Ace, not that Ace decided to quit carry them. As far as other dealers stocking PBC, they just need to contact them and currently they offer free freight on 6 units. With that many units and a reasonable amount of accessories a dealers opening order would be about $4,000. They do require prepayment with a C.C.

      • wrgilb
        wrgilb commented
        Editing a comment
        John Henry I do like the PBC, but they also are carrying the Oklahoma Joe Bronco and it has many more features for the same price range. The main reason I had them bring PBC in was to have the PBX in stock and because of the following the PBC has.

      #7
      Ace hardware (in New Albany Ohio) is where I found my Pit Barrel cooker. Before finding it locally, I was seriously considering ordering it from the manufacturer and eating the shipping costs. That saved me about $50 (back in the day).

      In a different life, a previous boss had a daughter, and her husband had multiple Ace Hardware stores in the Chicago area, this was back in the 80's, early 90's. Not much BBQ selection back then, but certainly enough hardware, we regularly ordered through his stores, had them shipped local for pickup. It was quite nice! Tell your niece, as far as I'm concerned, she made the right call to bring you back for consultations!

      Good luck, hope you corner the market!

      Comment


        #8
        Your story about some of the current owners not appreciating your generous offer of training and consulting the first time around brought a smile to my face. So much of small business struggle falls under "don't know what they don't know". Sounds like your referenced niece has a better business mind. Enjoy the opportunity, it's not work when you do what you love.

        Comment

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