March 2014 The Paint Spot Newsletter

The Paint Spot Newsletter ( March 2014 ) Last month was all about getting attention, and man....did I ! I had the most cancellations of my newsletter last month than ever before (6 to be exact). Now I wonder why that could be ? Maybe I offended some subscribers, and just maybe those offended were.........Democrats! I sure hope so! So, here's the good news..........I had more subscribers than any one month also last month (23 to be exact). Ok, I have had this question asked over and over: If you have different pricing for Democrats, how do you know for sure who's a Democrat and who isn't? It's a fair question, and one I've been avoiding for quite some time, I didn't want to let the cat out of the bag prematurely! When asked point blank (like I do) a Democrat will say "I don't talk about politics". They'll also get defensive, and when debating a point, a Dem will never refer to facts because they don't feel they need to, their opinion is simply ideology. A Democrat is also very comfortable lying (I am pretty good at reading a liar). I talk to tons of people, and specifically go out of my way to "engage" a known Democrat. In doing so, I've made some interesting observations. Not all, but most Democrats are internally confused. They are Democrat in vote only! Here's what I mean; they vote for all the liberal hand outs but when it comes to managing their own finances they live "conservative". They are anything but liberal when it comes to what is "theirs"! I have a way to lead them into this trap, I can't reveal my secret for this but I can tell you that the look on their face when I tell them they're conservative is priceless! Here's another observation; a Democrat will do business with a Republican (and probably talk behind his back), because they can't stand the idea of losing out on a buck. I will avoid it at almost any cost.........a dollar never did determine my destiny! They bare signs of "shame" in most heated conversations, and with good reason......I'd be damned ashamed of myself too if I knew I was a part of what's going on! "What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive".

"Divide and conquer"...... from my Gluten free perspective this is what I see. Politically we are divided. Idealistically, we are divided. Spiritually, we are divided. Economically, we are divided, and ethically, we are divided. Much has been done to "opese" the masses.....food stamps, extended un-employment, which by the way would be up in the twenty something percent if it were measured by the original standard prior to Clinton changing the form of measurement. Look at the health care law. While some are for it and most are against it, we're missing the point. Regardless how you feel about it, we all have an opinion which leads to debate and argument, and while we're all preoccupied with that, the OBama administration is changing everything around us! The constitution has become a bonified joke, your freedoms are being taken away, restrictions on guns and ammunition are hanging by a thread, we're all being monitored on our computers and cell phones, and because of the stimulus, false unemployment numbers, food stamps, legalized pot smoking, legalized homosexuality, turning our back on Israel, turning a blind eye to Iran, trashing the Bible, acceptance of Islam, financially bankrupting our country (by the way, how many of you have even thought of what happens when the note is called)? What happens when you don't make your car or house payments?), etc, etc, etc. We're getting everything we want, no matter if it's good or bad, and we're all oblivious to the fact that....WE'RE BEING CORRALED! While ya'll are contemplating whether or not it's true, or what you would do if it really did come to that, or building a bunker, or gathering ammunition, or what ever you think you'll do, let me tell you something right now.........you won't be able to do anything! Simply put, we are in "check", and if the shit hits the fan because we were all "in it for what we were getting out of the deal", that my friends will be "check mate"....."Game over"! This just occurred to me while reading a new book called "The Healing Code", and since I'm Gluten free, and don't drink anymore, I think my opinion is a coherent one. Have any of you ever seen the twilight Zone episode in which aliens landed on earth. One of the aliens (I think it was "Lurch" from the Adams family..lol) came up to the government officials, gave them a book, and stated that they came in peace, and were here to help man progress. Sure enough over time the human race was fascinated with all the technology they had given up. Everybody was so happy for these aliens helping out humanity, that eventually they started loading up on space ships one right after the other to vacation on the aliens home planet....all except one guy (I think that was me...lol). He was a scientist and in charge of decoding the book that the alien had given to our government. He finally was able to decode the title which was "To Serve Man", but the contents were still a mystery. Well, over time he finally started giving in to the idea that the aliens really did mean well, and decided to go on one of the interstellar vacations. Right when he was boarding the ship, his female assistant ran up and said "It's a cook book"! By the way, the aliens were called "Canabits"! Whether or not you choose to see the correlation between this story and what's happening right now is your prerogative, I'm going on record as saying we are being duped! Matrix: From time to time I have been told that Matrix products can be purchased on line, and for cheaper prices than we sell them for. Recently my trusty "golden child" Jessica decided to check it out, and sure enough, you can! In examining the web site I noticed that the opportunistic idiot was a "jobber" (probably a damn Democrat). I did what anyone would do.....I ratted him out to my rep! So if by chance you get wind of this you "dip stick", the buck stops here. If you got a problem with it, you know where and who I am! Well apparently Matrix as a company frowns on this behavior and stipulates in our contracts that it is forbidden and will result in loosing your distributorship. I know this because within a couple of days, I received a memo on the matter. Thank you Matrix guys for being proactive. While I'm on the subject, you need to do something about the opportunistic Bozo from Tyler Texas who shows up in my back yard every year to peddle his wares (Matrix included) at the antique car swap meet in New Braunfels!

For the record: Matrix started its journey as a "drop in" replacement for PPG's DBC, DBU, etc. systems.....THAT IS STILL TRUE TODAY! Regardless of what you have or haven't heard I just said it, and I've said it many times before. PPG has discontinued many of their toners along with the data base that provided the formulas.....MATRIX STILL HAS THEM! There is a huge opportunity for you jobbers and refinishers right now, in that, Matrix has the only "mouse trap" available for all who want to use DBU, or DBC! PPG is really working the "Global" line (which totally sucks, and always did) and their "water borne" (which is worse because it puts you in a box.......an expensive box). Here's my point: If you are using PPG or you have customers using PPG, You can supply through Matrix what PPG no longer has! I know this is only transitionary, but I figure there's at least 10 years (maybe more) of zero competition....OPPORTUNITY !!! PPG has spent way too much money pushing their waterborne, to turn back now and reinstate obsolete toners, and besides, no one ever admits when they've made a mistake! This segment is probably not going to make some Matrix people very happy, and I know, you readers are saying "why the hell would that be, Matrix stands to do nothing but win". Especially when they've already prepared for the future with MPB-LV (which, by the way is going gang busters for The Paint Spot), It's because they have a different mindset. They don't see the need to inform you of what I just mentioned. They think that they are ready to "stand alone" with no interchangeability conversation necessary. Versatility of their products (because of the way it was originally set up) has given way to "we are our own paint line". Here's the obvious question: So, when and if this happens, what makes you any different than anyone else? There are lots of choices out there if you choose this path, but if you stay the original course, promote it, (while you have what no one else has) and then move into the future with your "LV" technology, you are the winner.........with no real competition! If you consider these "knock off's" like "Starlite" and "Autobahn", etc. competition, here's the reality. What happens when you copy a copy? What happens when you copy a copy of a copy that's been copied? Ask Brian...........you get green when you thought you were getting brown, or black when you were trying to get blue. My point is: "Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades"........not painting cars! This difference in "mindset" occurs when the wrong people make the policies! I should know, I've worked with several "turn around guys" in the corporate world, enough to know how they see things and what (and who) motivates them. I have also personally taken over a big company, reversed their decisions, hired back many of the laid off employees, and shown that the turn around guys were over priced idiots and full of shit! (Sorry Ray Wheeler and Ed Sampson) By the way, I was just a "blue collared" "pressman" that lead by example when "Matt Popejoy" (son of Bill Popejoy, who was from "Home Savings and Loan" fame, and who took over as CEO of Orange County California for $1.00 per year) believed in my work ethic enough to ask me if I thought I could do anything about "Western Financial Printing", and it's shrinking "passbook" business ( I never talk about this old situation, and I wonder how many of my old friends on this mailing list are reminiscing right now). They paid too much attention to corporate image and had no emotional attachment to either the long time employees or the vision of the founders. I personally put "Kent Gardener" (founder of Matrix) right up there with "Lee Iacocca" and "Ronald Reagan". They all had a damn good vision, and they all weren't afraid to challenge the "status quo". To betray their vision and mission statement is shameful and destructive! Shame on you (you know who you are) for serving suits and ties, and forgetting what drives your very existence........the BLUE COLLARED GUY WITH THE PAINT GUN IN HIS HAND!!!!!!! Think about this old saying............"penny wise and pound foolish". When you choose to stop listening to us, you start the very "thing" that Kent Gardener fought so hard to stop! My loyalty to Matrix is well documented and probably among the deepest in the Matrix family and I mean zero disrespect, but with all due respect "when you are wrong, you are wrong" and I am not in the habit of not speaking up. You have made many good decisions, no doubt, but a decision to not support what got you to where you are today, and not make that an intrical part of your sales presentation is risky at best! If it is R.O.I. and dividends to your share holders that you desire it makes no sense. If it is an effort to gut the company and sell off the assets....it makes perfect sense. Why do I feel this way? That's a discussion for Matrix to deal with internally, and I hope they waste no time doing so. I'm just the guy on front lines reporting back to the captain (s). Matrix is not a "close copy of a copy"........it's EXACT, and it's track record speaks for itself. Furthermore, your primers, and clears have always been superior to PPG's. Considering these facts and your "LV" technology, has it occurred to you that you are the leader? Recognition: Congratulations to "Outlaw Fabrication" for keeping their word. They now know that the paint spot has kept theirs. We put a brand new MPB / MSB system in their shop 28 months ago and shook hands.....no contract and no bull shit. Told them as long as they buy their consumables from us we would make the payments on their system. At the end of our contract with Matrix if they wanted to switch to another paint system, they could keep all the equipment and do so for free. However, if they stayed with The Paint Spot, we would put them in a lower price category. They stayed, and we did what we said we would do. Northstar: Our sales on Northstar have really gone through the roof, and just wait until I write the next newsletter.........by all accounts, it should at least triple! For those of you who may not be familiar with this paint line, I can make it real simple. They did to Dupont what Matrix did to PPG. Northstar modeled its "fleet" line after Duponts "Imron". The big difference is the cost is substantially lower. I have gone up against Sherwin Williams, Dupont, Valspar, and PPG and I'm stating a fact.........none of them hold a candle to Northstar! I've got plenty of references for those who doubt my words! Fleet paint for those of you who may not be familiar with its application, is mainly for large vehicles like Peterbuilt, Kenworth, etc. It's usually a single stage (although Northstar has a base coat binder that can be used) and it is supposed to cover in fewer coats (not likely with some of the other brands). Northstar can also be used on aircraft, boats, cars, and pick up trucks very cost effectively, and with longevity that exceeds most base coat clear coat systems. I have personally sprayed numerous full size four door pick ups, with complete exterior paint using less than 2 quarts, and out of the booth in 22 minutes (from start to finish). Furthermore, when sprayed properly, you cannot tell it wasn't base/clear! No wonder it's becoming our largest selling paint line, and no wonder every painter that tries it stays with it. "Whatever it Takes" Rick Ciotti