All – Electrical Web Site Debuts By Traci Matt In the days of the Oregon Trail, before telephone wires and billboards littered the landscape of the Wild West, the trading post was a lifeline. Without it travelers would have been at the mercy of nature for supplies when their initial inventories were spent. But more importantly, they would have been without news of what was ahead— weather conditions, native dispositions, terrain, and the distance to the next oasis. Electrical rebuilders now have a virtual trading post in cyberspace. The Rebuilders Trading Post (www.rebuilderstradingpost.com) is an oasis for rebuilders and suppliers look- ing for advice and connection with oth- ers on their path. Creator and web master Robert Cowart of New Smyrna Beach, FL, has put together a web site which in- cludes information on industry suppli- ers, new products, upcoming events, and items for sale by companies and individuals. “We’ve provided a place where rebuilders can find information about the industry and where manufacturers and suppliers can list overstocked products inexpensively,” said Cowart. Cowart, who had been with Transpo as a salesperson covering the Midwest for four years, left there al- most a year ago to start up his Internet business. His company now runs more than 30 web sites, including general auction and classified advertising sites. He said he “always enjoyed” the au- tomotive rebuilding industry and no- ticed that there wasn’t an Internet re- source for rebuilders to do business- to-business transactions. “My territory included 1,200 ac- counts for Transpo and I got calls daily involving our catalog on CD-ROM or some Internet question. We need a place where rebuilders and suppliers can have information at their fingertips. The industry is certainly changing. For the rebuilder who’s busy all day long and doesn’t have time to look things up, this is a great opportunity. It gives him a chance to conduct business af- ter hours with his suppliers. He doesn’t have to wait for a supplier who’s ina different time zone to open up,” said Cowart. Web master Robert Cowart. Rebuilders Trading Post home page includes links to new products, a “nice list’ of core suppliers, a calendar of worldwide automotive events, and classified ads. Most of the site is avail- able to those in the electrical industry or the curious web surfer. But in order to view the classified ads, you must register. There is no charge for this. “This is to ensure we’re dealing strictly with those who have a legiti- mate reason to be in there,” said Cowart. “It will restrict access so the end user of the product won’t get a hold of the wholesale prices.” When you register you have the option of receiving a newsletter from the Rebuilders Trading Post. Cowart said they will not send e-mail or share your information with any other party. Even if you send an inquiry to an ad- vertiser through the site, Rebuilders Trading Post will act as an electronic post office box and the advertiser will not be given your e-mail address un- less you type it in the body of your message. Another interesting icon you’ Il find MARCH/APRIL, 2000 on the home page is one labeled “The Exchange.” The Electrical Rebuilder’s Exchange newspaper has announced it is joining forces with the Rebuilders Trading Post. “We have been looking at options of getting on the web for quite a while and this just seemed like a terrific op- portunity,” said Exchange editor and publisher, Polly Ferree. “The Internet gives us that many more avenues to reach rebuilders with valuable indus- try information.” Cowart said when he was with Transpo he used to read the Exchange every month, and when the Rebuilders Trading Post idea came up he gave Ferree a call. “T thought we’d make a good team. We’re just thrilled that we were able to work something out with Polly,” he said. The Electrical Rebuilder’s Ex- change was the first all-electrical trade publication when it debuted in 1983. Founded by the late Ralph Albares and his wife Margaret, it has continued to grow from a monthly circulation of 4,000 to the current 15,000. When Albares died of cancer in 1991, Ferree, his stepdaughter, purchased the paper. The Exchange offers industry news, technical information, and a fo- rum for rebuilders to “exchange” ideas. Ferree said the web site is intended to complement the newspaper, and no changes in the publication format are planned. “T was very impressed with the Rebuilders Trading Post site and how easy it is find what you’ re looking for ina hurry. The technical information and industry news we’ll be able to pro- vide will really round out their product and supplier information,” she said. The Rebuilder Trading Post will Page 1 of 2