Closing the business

[hodge]

It's been a slow slide, but the time is here. I've closed the shop door on Stabilworks. I have supplies to make repairs- all warranties will be honored. Contact me through email or PM here if you have an issue and are still within the warranty period. I've never turned down a customer in need, whether the failure was due to them or me.

 

[Flintknapper]

That is terrible news for much of the tractor owning community.

Such a great product and wonderful service/items you have provided over the years.

 

[Lil Foot]

Those who have not availed themselves of your product will be missing out, and those of us who have are grateful for your services.
Well designed, quality product.
Enjoy your time off.

 

[hodge]

Thanks for the warm sentiment!
It's not by choice. The last year and a half have been brutal. Orders wained to the point that I have been barely making enough to keep the shop stocked. I can't keep that up. Messicks took about half of my business (stabilizers for BX tractors was half of what I did), and now junk stuff on eBay and Amazon have sealed my fate.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Thanks for the warm sentiment!
It's not by choice. The last year and a half have been brutal. Orders wained to the point that I have been barely making enough to keep the shop stocked. I can't keep that up. Messicks took about half of my business (stabilizers for BX tractors was half of what I did), and now junk stuff on eBay and Amazon have sealed my fate.

I feel your pain...But I'm still hanging strong.

 

[skeets]

It is sad to see things like this happen, I chatted to wildfire a long time back and he had things he built stolen the same way. All the best my friend we know you will come out on top!

 

[Russell King]

That is sad news about having to close your business down.

 

[Flintknapper]

Yep, reall bad news since I could use a pair for my L2350DT.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good morning.

Mr Hodge, this to really not my place, as I don’t know you or your products in first person, but I have had some setbacks (to me it was like loss of a loved one) with some of my endeavors so I like to share my perspective out of a common enjoyment for tractors and fellowship on this site.

I don’t have any of your products or understand the scope of your operation, however the comments over the few years I have been on the site speaks volumes to you and your product. Great job.

Personally speaking, it’s really unfortunate that more people don’t start a business….lots of lessons to be learned and honestly regardless of result it gives a very different perspective than if later have to work for someone else (at least it did/has for me). Most people have a lot of big talk about if they were running the show, but the reality is majority of folks never even try due to fear or worried about what others will think or not have ability to bring an idea to reality (I’d bet fear is the main reason folks don’t try).

My hats off to anyone that has had the stones to have a business. I really believe any armchair quarterback that has big talk should try to start a business if they don’t like who /where they work…from my short experience it’s not easy and it certainly gives some perspective and also helps one come to terms with priorities / values. There are an aweful lot of people in the world that have no concept of the reality and stress of making the payroll. It’s a great experience to be owner operator and I hope you have some happiness from it.

I am not sure the terms of your business closing (volume of work, or financial, change of priorities, etc) but I realize that at the end of the day there is acknowledgment of what you achieved on this site, the appreciation from the tractor fanatics on this site (probably others)…I have not heard a negative of you or your product. That says a lot and I hope you acknowledge the appreciation from others.

Don’t forget to appreciate anyone that has supported you. Change like this can bring stress to the individual as well as those closest to you. Appreciate them.

Great job.

 

[hodge]

Wise words, Grumpy. I appreciate every customer (4,790 of them), as well as the people that I have met along the way- on forums and groups, and in person. I have communicated with people that I would otherwise never meet, prayed for them, listened to them, and earned their trust. I take none of that lightly- that's the real value in this endeavor.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I wish I'd have known of your company before now! I have Messick's and would have bought from you had I known.

 

[Spam Bot]

My. Hodge, I know your "pain" and am in the same boat. I started my business over 50 years ago, and as it grew, I continued to open more stores. I could have gone into the family business, but I realized early on that I wouldn't be happy walking in someone else's shoes just to collect a pay check. Like some of my other relatives that walked away from the family business and blazed our own paths. It is a very rewarding thing to say that "I tried and succeeded". I stared shutting down stores at the turn of the century because of sagging sales as the mega stores started gaining traction and were taking my customers. Next month we will be closing the one surviving store that has been in the same location for over 40 years. It was a difficult decisions, but after being on this planet for over 8 decades the time has come to step back and relax for whatever remaining years I and my wife have.
I encourage you to hold your head up high knowing that you tried and you have succeeded. I wish you all the best in your future, and hope for you the best of luck and health.

 

[hodge]

My. Hodge, I know your "pain" and am in the same boat. I started my business over 50 years ago, and as it grew, I continued to open more stores. I could have gone into the family business, but I realized early on that I wouldn't be happy walking in someone else's shoes just to collect a pay check. Like some of my other relatives that walked away from the family business and blazed our own paths. It is a very rewarding thing to say that "I tried and succeeded". I stared shutting down stores at the turn of the century because of sagging sales as the mega stores started gaining traction and were taking my customers. Next month we will be closing the one surviving store that has been in the same location for over 40 years. It was a difficult decisions, but after being on this planet for over 8 decades the time has come to step back and relax for whatever remaining years I and my wife have.
I encourage you to hold your head up high knowing that you tried and you have succeeded. I wish you all the best in your future, and hope for you the best of luck and health.

Thank you, Spam. I did try, and I did succeed. I said what I would do, and I did it. And, I was enabled to realize that there are good people all over the world. I built and sold 4,789 sets, and no one ever shorted or scammed me. There were many times where I shipped the order before receiving payment, every one a successful transaction. Not one single bad check, money order, or paypal transaction. I trusted people, and they proved that it was a good choice.

 

[D2Cat]

Thank you, Spam. I did try, and I did succeed. I said what I would do, and I did it. And, I was enabled to realize that there are good people all over the world. I built and sold 4,789 sets, and no one ever shorted or scammed me. There were many times where I shipped the order before receiving payment, every one a successful transaction. Not one single bad check, money order, or paypal transaction. I trusted people, and they proved that it was a good choice.

Hodge, you have demonstrated a principle many ignore: You get what you sow, latter then you sow, more then you sow. Be blessed.