Recently I've been taking the time to reacquaint myself with some of the sponsors that have been so kind to VH over the years. Life is so busy nowadays and we seem to lose touch so fast. You say to yourself "I'm going to email them in a minute" , then "I'd do it tomorrow" , then the next thing you know, it's been a year! So today I kick off my Interview-athon with my first guest.

 I introduce to you, 1CoolPC.

 

1) Please state your name, company, Position, and product/service offered.

Bart Lane, 1COOLPC, Owner, Computer cooling and mod sales.

2) How long have you been selling this product/service?

Since 1996, the oldest computer cooling vendor on the internet.

3) Explain to me the average day at your store.

Running like mad, trying to fill orders and take care of special requests, quick shipping. Just taking care of customers.

4) What do you think the biggest seller is?

Probably the Vantec Stealth fans.

5) What is your busiest time of year?

The hottest months of the year sell the most computer cooling equipment.

6) How many employees do you have?

We have six, but not all are full time. Some work as demand requires.

7) How do you stay on top of your products, prices, and availabity in such a volatile market?

Try to read as much as I can on the Internet and keep in close touch with our suppliers.

8) What was the very first product you sold using your current business name?

Cooling unit for video cards.

9) How have you spread the word of your company into the market? Reviews? Advertising?

Reviews, advertising, word of mouth.

10) Do you use search engines? If so, which one?

I like Google the best.

11) What tactics, that you can talk about publicly, are you planning to use in the future to assure your companies growth in the marketplace?

Just trying to keep up with demand as it is can be tough. This is a business that keeps you constantly running. To be perfectly honest I wouldn't mind a little break in the future. :^ ) It seems as if we don't have any problems getting business, never have because our customers are happy and they tell their friends. We work hard to take care of everybody and that's what creates return business more than anything. Sales, ads, gimmicks, etc. do nothing if you treat your customers poorly. Every sale, no matter how small is important to me.

12) Please state the specs of your own personal computer, either home of office.

I honestly have too many to list and it's ever changing. I'm typing on a P4 3.2GHz right now with 2gb RAM, 256mb Geforce 5900 card and two 15,0000 rpm SCSI drives. 21.5" LCD screen. It moves along nicely.

13) Are you a gamer? if so, PC, Xbox, PS2, or Gamecube?

Just PC, First Person Shooters mostly.

14) What is your current favorite game?

Half Life 2

15) What's your all-time favorite game?

No One Live Forever and the Splinter Cell games. (Tie)

16) Favorite color? ;)

Yellow. I love yellow sports cars.

17) Favorite Food?

Good fried chicken, Rib Eye steak under the broiler.

18) What kind of car/truck do you currently drive? How about your "dream" car/truck?

I have a 2004 GTO, it's yellow. Also have a Suburban. My dream car is a Porsche Carrera GT

19) Sitting back looking at your companies growth and path, is there anything you would change about it so far? If so, what might that be?

That's hard to say. It's so fast paced that it's really hard to look back with any kind of accuracy. I probably wish I could relax more, this business has me on edge all the time because there's so many things to remember. You forget something small and somebody pays for it, I don't like mistakes. They are costly and they make the customer unhappy.

20) Finally, I'd like you hand you the mic and allow you close this interview however you'd like. You have the floor. ( maybe a thank you to the
people who have supported you, or something ).

Just want to say thanks to all of our customers over the years. You are all great and you are all very important to me. Thanks to your loyalty we are able to have one of the smallest advertising budgets in the market. You keep coming back and you bring friends with you and for that I will always try my hardest to take care of your needs. Never hesitate to talk to me directly, I'm always available through the e-mail or through phone. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you so thanks from the bottom of my heart.

I'd like to thank Bart for taking the time in his busy day to have a few words with me. I wish him continued success with 1CoolPC.

Stay tuned for my next interview, Coming Soon!