Sparrowhawk vs PW5

In article ,
JB wrote:
(Mark James Boyd) wrote in message news:403f918a$1@darkstar...
G.Kurek wrote:
I once participated in traveling around Midwest with a Pw-5 and we
were giving out a free rides to anybody that qualifies, the effects
were depressing, all we met was bunch of numbnuts who's only concern
was who is going to pay for a tow...

Hehehehe. Another good reason to have a competition pilot fly
it during a competition as a demo. Then maybe DON'T let anyone
fly it unless they beg and fill out a ton of paperwork, and
make a non-refundable down payment (which just so happens to be the
same as the price of the tow) :P

But face it, glider pilots are as a group trying to
get something for nothing, right? Heck, we're too cheap
to pay for most of our climb. We expect mother nature to provide
it. How cheap is that!

It is allways a tough question to let someone fly a new glider for
nothing or even the price of a tow. There is alot at risk, the only
demo glider, and what of insurance? If someone puts down a deposit
that is diffrent but for the rest of us we will just have to take the
word of our fellow pilots and make our desicions on that.

In any sales venture, legwork is key. Prepping the customers,
getting invited to things, getting publicity, getting the
feelgood is important. Then reliability and trust.

As a salesman, even if all this is done, the deposit, and the final
payment are the thing. I've taken more than a few deposits,
made the terms clear, and had the buyer withdraw. Always
very amicably. I was fine with it, since the deposit was very
carefully priced to pay for my time, and the customer was
satisfied because the non-refundable terms were clear.

I've also lost deposits as the buyer before. I was very clear
about what I wanted to do (test flights, inspections) and
number of hours I'd put on the aircraft and how long
it would stay off the market. I was always satisfied that
the deposit was fair and even though I didn't complete the sale
(this has happened about 1/2 dozen times) the seller was
satisfied too.

I've done a very few transactions where the money/merchandise
exchanged but not simultaneously. I've done this maybe 6 times,
and very carefully, with low $$$ items and in country.
By and large, soaring pilots are much more trustworthy than the
general yahoo. I abmire Bob Wander for his "I'll send it, then
you send me a check" policy. Amazing.

I don't know if I'd commit to showing up for anything (especially
with a demo glider) for less than $100. If a guy doesn't have
a $100 itching to get out of his wallet, he ain't gonna buy no glider...
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Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA