The following emails were forwarded to me by Mark Knudson with the request that I post regarding this conversation. The only changes I have made to the text is to block the senders name, to protect privacy, and eliminate the inbound and outbound email addresses to foil bots. The article may be found here.
In a message dated 1/4/2013 2:15:54 A.M. Central Standard Time,xyzcom writes:
Dear Mr Mark Knudson,
Hope you are fine,my friend.
This is Exxx from Axxx,we know your company from North American Fence Contractors Association.Glad to know that you are interested in importing gate openers.
We design and produce gate openers since 1992,sell to USA,Italy,Australia etc ,the market feedback is pretty good.We are ISO9001 factory,all products get CE&IP66,IP67 approved.Besides,the warranty for our products are 1 year.
Below products are hot sale,if you are interested in it,I'm glad to provide you detailed information including prices.Thanks.Have a nice day.
Sample is available for your testing.(You can choose electric or solar power)
From: Mark Knudson
Date: 2013-01-05 00:37
To: sa21
Subject: Re: Mr Mark Knudson/Gate openers
You are spaming our member please stop it now.
From:
"Axx-Exx" <xyz.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:24 pm
Subject: Mr Mark Knudson/Gate openers
To: "<abc.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 4, 2013 6:24 pm
Subject: Mr Mark Knudson/Gate openers
To: "<abc.com>
Dear Mr Mark Knudson.
Sorry,I didn't mean that.
I just want introduce my products and seek for cooperation sincerely ..anyway..thanks for your kind reminding.I won't send again.
Thanks.
Axx-Exxx
From: Mark Knudson
Date: 2013-01-05 11:52
To: Axxx-Exxx
Subject: Re: Mr Mark Knudson/Gate openers
4 members call me today complaining
Sent from my HTC on the Now Network from Sprint!
In a message dated 1/5/2013 12:31:40 A.M. Central Standard Time,xyz.com writes:
Dear Mr Mark Knudson,
Really sorry for inconvenience,but I just want to introduce my products to the one who may need it.
Because we really have many US customers,and they are very satisfy with both the quality and price .Pls don't worry,I won't send the emails again.
I apologize for you and your other memebers for inconvenice.I promise won't send email again.
All the best.
Axxx-Exxx
From: Mark Knudson
Date: 2013-01-06 01:45
To: xyz.com
Subject: Re: Mr Mark Knudson/Gate openers
Might want to think about becoming a member??
4NAFCA.com
In a message dated 1/6/2013 10:35:38 P.M. Central Standard Time,xyz.com writes:
Dear Mr Mark Knudson,
Thanks for your kindly reply.
I just checked the website and found need money to become the member,so I need discuss with my boss firstly.(P.S.I also find your photo in the website.looks friendly)
By the way,May I know why you and your members hate the email I sent so much,you receive many similar emails everyday?
Have you ever bought from China,not so satisfied with the quality or the delivery time?I didn't mean to disturb but just want know more for me to do better in future.
Thanks.
Axxx-Exxx
From: Mark Knudson
Date: 2013-01-08 12:19
To: xyz.com
Subject: Re: Mr Mark Knudson/Gate openers
It's what we call Spam, junk mail, like most products coming to Us. No one like buying junk or receiving it. Do you? There's the rite way and the wrong way. Only onre way works over and over.
From:xyz.com
To: mailto:abc.com
Sent: 1/9/2013 12:53:57 A.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Re: Re: Mr Mark Knudson/Gate openers
Hi sir,
In order to show the politeness of Chinese people,I need thanks for your reply firstly.
The second ,thanks for rejecting cooperation with me,it's so lucky for me,for I only want to work with people who are polite and sincere.I believe only people like that can do further good business. We would very much like to forgot this great opportunity to become one of you.
The third,you wanna know why quality of products to US is not good,because US buyers want buy cheap,cheaper,the cheapest goods from China,they keep demanding lower and lower price,how can Chinese suppliers buy good quality materials with cheap price???
Don't you think it ridiculous that want buy pretty good quality with cheapest price and then keep complaining the products are junk?The more ridiculous thing is, 70% of US consumed goods are Made in or Made By China. Means 7 out of 10 items you bought has some connection with junks.
The fourth,not all suppliers in China provide bad quality products just like us.I think if you didn't reject my previous email,we still can't cooperate,you know why?Because our quotation is not cheap,but we can guarantee our quality.The same day I got your reply called my email spam,I got another email from Italy,who says our product's quality is pretty good,he will place orders soon.ridiculous?!
I will keep your email in my record for long time to remind myself remember that and do better and better in future.I won't send email to you again,because I need spend the time working with the sincere and friendly customer,don't want waste my time again.
Thank you for
a Fantastic Year!
Modern
Fence Technologies invites you to our Holiday Open House and FREE
Sales Seminars with Lunch included on Friday, December 14!
Help
us celebrate the great year and join us for Sales Training and a
light lunch so you have the opportunity to network with other
professionals here at our facility in East Troy,WI.
The
sales training seminars will start at 9 am.
Special
guest, Ryan Bell of BA Steel, will be presenting their innovative
commercial fence and gate materials.
Please let us
know if you are planning to attend.
Schedule
of Events
Consultative
Selling Techniques at 9:00-10:30
BA
Steel Product Demonstration at 10:30-11:30
Lunch
& Networking at 11:30 – 1:00
BA
Steel Coating Differences at 1:00-1:30
Please R.S.V.P. to your Customer Service Representative by Wednesday, December 12 so we can count you in!
Modern
Fence Technologies
2631
Corporate Circle, East Troy, WI 53120
Toll
Free: 888-456-6786
Phone:
262-642-9123
Fax:
262-642-9104
Life for fence guys just got a little easier....Finding a secure way to hinge heavy ornamental gates to round posts has been difficult. Until now.
Modern Fence Technologies. Real solutions for the real world
2631 Corporate Dr East Troy, WI 53120 (888) 456-6786
Market Destruction
Once you see the pattern of destruction that has affected the fence industry, you will notice recurring themes. As sectors of the industry gain enough power to exercise control, the immediate effect is erosion of quality and service. It is simply human nature to take the path of least resistance. Once one is controlling a sector of the market, it is easier to keep prices down by lowering the quality of goods offered. While this is bad strategy, and always destroys the market, there is another strategy that destroys the market even faster.
If one is in control of a market, the quickest way to a fast buck is to keep the prices where they have historically been, while greatly reducing the quality of product and service offered. Once the customer base is aware that there is little value in the product, at any price, they insist on ever lower prices. If you doubt, look at Wal-Mart or Home Depot. It is their business model, and while it is wildly successful for the ones holding the keys to the business, the entire market, and the entire economy, suffer.
In order to succeed in this environment, one must build on integrity, charging honest prices for honest quality and service. It is not a fast or easy way to build a business. It is the only way to build a business while improving the market in which one deals. By improving quality and service, and by treating customers as valuable assets to the company, the market is built up. How did Mercedes Benz and BMW get to the point where they consistently sell their vehicles at much higher prices than their competition? Even in tough economic times, people who insist on value, recognize that there are two sides to the value proposition. Top quality results must be met with fair prices.
FAQ
Q: "Why do Modern Fence Technologies hinges and latches cost more than the other guys'?"
A: They don't. Just as with vinyl fence compared to wood, the initial price may be slightly higher. Over time the value of the product is revealed in easier installation, longer lasting paint, better overall appearance, fewer call backs for broken parts, and the assurance of dealing with an American company. Modern Fence Technologies manufactures hardware and vinyl accessories in East Troy Wisconsin. All of our hardware carries a 100% replacement guarantee, and is covered by manufacturers liability insurance. It is possible to buy hardware and accessories that look like MFT's at first glance, but once you compare them to the real deal, you will see the value we build into every product.
Choosing the Right Hinge
Modern Fence Technologies hinges are design to be the strongest, most durable hinges of their type on the market. In order to assist you in the selection of the proper hinge for your application, we offer this calculator, along with tables that display the relative sizes and capacities of the T-rods we make for our hinges. The T-rod is the weakest point on a hinge of this design, so if the T-rod is designed to carry the weight of your gate, the hinge should serve you well for years to come.
You can see a video of this in action here.
* Note: For strength, hinges should be mounted as far apart as gate design will allow.
The "Tap Root"
Tired of your posts heaving each winter? Don't want to wait for concrete to cure before setting a gate? Check out this great new way to secure posts without concrete! The New “Tap Root System”.
Step 1. Drive your post
Step 2. Dig an 8”-12” hole around it, 6" to 10" deep.
Step 3. Bolt on the "TAP ROOT" collar
Step 4. Drive in pipe “roots”
Step 5. Secure with 2 Tech screws (provided)
Step 6. Fill in the hole
Your post is ready for anything now. Hang a gate, secure a fence, install a flag pole or mail box. This inexpensive system allows you to use scrap material,
1 5/8” top rail cut offs, as the “roots” that hold your post securely, and without the heave that moves concrete set posts.
Click here to see a video of a flag pole installation using this system.
Step 1. Drive your post
Step 2. Dig an 8”-12” hole around it, 6" to 10" deep.
Step 3. Bolt on the "TAP ROOT" collar
Step 4. Drive in pipe “roots”
Step 5. Secure with 2 Tech screws (provided)
Step 6. Fill in the hole
Your post is ready for anything now. Hang a gate, secure a fence, install a flag pole or mail box. This inexpensive system allows you to use scrap material,
1 5/8” top rail cut offs, as the “roots” that hold your post securely, and without the heave that moves concrete set posts.
Click here to see a video of a flag pole installation using this system.
Call your MFT sales rep today for pricing!
Introducing the New "YUTKA LATCH"
You are probably thinking, “I've never needed to latch a Yutka before, so why do I need a Yutka Latch?” I'll tell you.
The idea for the Yutka Latch was brought to us at Modern Fence Technologies by Dustin Grutzik, General Manager of Yutka Fence, of Kenosha, Wisconsin. They had been using a latch with a few similar features, but after repeated requests to the manufacturer for better quality paint, and endless waits for customer service reps to respond to orders, Dustin turned to Modern Fence Technologies, the industry leader in innovation and customer service.
After a discussion of what Yutka Fence wanted the latch to do, the design team at MFT came up with new features and a cleaner look for the latch. In a matter of weeks the prototype had been produced, and after approval by Dustin, was put into production. We are proud to offer the resulting product to the fence industry.
This is just one example of the kind of collaboration we at Modern Fence seek with leaders in the fence industry. Modern Fence Technologies is in the business of bringing good ideas to market. Do you have a good idea? Bring it to Modern Fence Technologies. Who knows, we might even name it after you!
The Yutka Latch is stainless steel and works well with vinyl or wood. It can be used as shown in a vertical position, or the handle can be turned 90 degrees and used horizontally. It is powder coated in black and carries our 100% lifetime guarantee.
If you are reading this page, you have probably been directed here through your contact with either the sales profession or the fence industry, as that is where I make my living. As Sales Manager for Modern Fence Technologies, it is my privilege to work with a team of professionals dedicated to bringing value to our customers, as we design, manufacture and sell the finest American made fence and gate accessories available.
We work in a market saturated with distributors selling knock-offs and products degraded by the “race to zero” I've detailed elsewhere in this blog. This isn't a complaint, it's an observation. It offers tremendous opportunity to the salesman offering superior products at reasonable prices, and to the contractor looking to differentiate himself from the pack. 
For those seeking refuge from the endless barrage of poor quality hinges, latches and other fence hardware that has flooded the market in recent years, attempting to squeeze the last bit of value from a once robust market, and those suppliers and contractors fed up with PVC vinyl caps and accessories made with ever thinner and poorer quality, we offer superior value through our extensive line of products. Everything in our catalog has been designed by and for fence professionals to make the the best quality at the best price possible, and is covered by a 100% lifetime guarantee. We will replace any of our product if it ever fails, for any reason, at no charge. Our catalog can be accessed through this link.
It's Finally Here!
If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you will discern a common thread in discussion of value and quality products. We are ecstatic to announce after nearly six months of development, a new line of hinges made in East Troy Wisconsin, designed to specifically address challenges faced by contractors looking for high quality, American made hinges for chain link fence applications. 
We were approached last fall by a contractor who was bidding a large job that required American made products in the specifications. In an attempt to be thorough, he was unable to source a 180 degree hinge, for commercial chain link, that was made in America, so he called Modern Fence Technologies. In working with another local contractor, we had already developed an adjustable chain link hinge for residential applications that was just entering production. Taking lessons learned from that project, we designed a line of commercial chain link hinges that is fully adjustable, and ranges in size all the way up to 8 5/8”. These extremely strong hinges are hot dip galvanized and include our stainless steel T-rod adjustment system. They can be configured to support a 450# chain link gate. We have also developed a series of brackets and adapters to allow round to square applications.
For contractors who need to certify that their materials are American made, and for those who want the best quality hardware available for their customers, we offer these at extremely reasonable prices.
Call Modern Fence Technologies for more information at (888) 456-6786 today!
The Importance of Being
---Jim Elliot
Among the hardest lessons for many people to learn is the concept of presence. The first thing you have to do to succeed in business is show up. I’m not talking about being there when the time clock says you are supposed to be there. I’m talking about bringing everything you have to the table. We’ve all worked with others or had employees who acted as if they had “done their bit” by coming in to the office or shop that day, and that expecting any more of them was simply unreasonable.
None of us would dream of running our business that way, or at least, not for long. It does not take a business person very long to realize that there are never enough hours in the day to do all that we want to do. To someone who truly wants to do what they are doing, simple things like eating and sleeping and communicating with family often feel like interruptions! As someone who has experienced those things first hand, let me tell you that what you do is important. Who you are is what really matters.
To be successful we need to be completely present and completely engaged. A healthy and balanced approach to business, and life for that matter, demands that we devote ourselves to doing the best we can at everything we do. This is the way we want our customers to see us. Effective, efficient, energetic, engaged, empathetic, ethical, these are qualities of people who attract us. In order to attract others, we must exhibit them.
An effective person knows what needs to be done, how to do it, and when to finish.
An efficient person manages time to accomplish several tasks at once.
An energetic person doesn’t let the size of the load slow the pace.
An engaged person is focused and interested in all things necessary to the success of the mission.
An empathetic person recognizes and takes into account the needs of others while making decisions.
An ethical person is someone who isn't perfect, but knows that and strives to do the right thing, and correct the wrong thing, as soon as possible, and as often as possible.
Now is the time to commit to success in the upcoming fence season. Following these core principles will challenge, inspire, and allow you to succeed!
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