Dear Riders,
As 2011 comes to an end, it is a good time to reflect on how the year went. I am happy to report that this has been one of the best seasons in 77 history. This was our first year of being a fully web based business, and we have shipped a record 55% more packages than last year.
This year we have learned quite a bit from focusing solely on web sales. We received great feedback from you, both positive and constructive. We have listened! Based on your requests we are proud to say that we have decreased our email response times and dramatically decreased our shipping times. We are now shipping 90% of orders on the same day they are received! We have also been making significant improvements to our systems. Our webservers have been upgraded making them faster and more reliable than ever. Our backend and logistical controls provide up-to-the-minute inventory reporting. The front end of the website has received design updates and improvements based on your requests like the popular “Email me when Back in-stock” button.
This was not just a big year for technical updates to the 1977 Mopeds website. We have added the Community Made section to the site which showcases moped parts being made in the USA by members of the moped community. We are proud to be working with individuals and small manufacturers to support this amazing community of builders, makers, and innovators. The quality, price, and ingenuity of the products they create is incredible. Now is a very exciting time in the world of mopeds! If you have not checked out the Community Made section, you should! You are going to like what you see.
2011 was a great year for the moped community in general – it was jam packed with rallies, races, and events. We had the pleasure of sponsoring a ton of events and races. In 2012 we are looking forward to supporting even more racing and rallies starting in January!
This year we had honor of continuing the tradition of Handybikes USA. After almost 40 years of supporting mopeds with parts and service, Handybikes decided to change their focus to bicycles. Rather than let their magical and enormous inventory be broken up in a public auction or sold to the scrap yard, we made the big decision to buy it and move it to our Georgia warehouse. This is an amazing opportunity for us, and quite a technical challenge as well. There are an estimated 20 semi trucks full of parts that need to be moved across the country and kept in
some sort of logical order. To say that this is going to take some time and effort is a bit of understatement. We are hoping to have the last of the parts moved in 2013.
1977 Mopeds could not exist if it were not for the great team that keeps it going – from the warehouse, to the phone support, to the photography. Everyone pitches in to make sure things are going as smooth as possible. A big thanks goes out to: Fred, Charlotte, Lacey, Reggie, Melvin, Bobby, Mark, Andy, Peter, Chris, Beth and Caleb.
Finally, I have to thank you, the 1977 customers, for supporting us, growing with us, and sharing with us a passion for mopeds. We promise to bring more new products to you, support the community, and make 2012 even better for all of us.
Sincerely,
Dan Kastner
@dankastner
dan@1977mopeds.com
