All Things Jeep Blog & Musings

Norman Wnuk, founder and CEO of www.AllThingsJeep.com passed away last week, from a massive, unexpected, heart attack. He was 44. He was my husband. He was the founder of our business we ran together for 7 years. He was passionate about his love of Jeeps, his love of AMC Pacers (yes, I know, hard to explain that one), his love of creating & building things, his love of learning, his love of our business, and his love of his friends and family.

I don't want this blog article to be an obituary, but I feel the need to post my thoughts and put them out there in the world. So read on if you'd like, and shut down this window if you desire.

The reason I fell in love with Norman was because he was so passionate about learning and about doing well at the things that interested him. He comes from a family of business owners and after years of working for big companies, he knew the right thing for him, professionally & emotionally, was to build his own business. I came along for the ride. And it's been a ride. We used to argue with a friend of ours who also has an internet business. Our friend didn't really have any interest in the product he sold, he just enjoyed the business aspect of things. Norman, on the other hand, has been an avid off-roader & Jeeper for 20 years. He wanted to start a business that his heart was in, something he loved and was passionate about. The business person in him saw the opportunity on-line in e-commerce, and thus All Things Jeep was born.

Like most small businesses, we have struggled over the years. Will this work? Or will it fail? We have made our share of mistakes. But we've learned from them. We've worked harder than I ever thought possible, compromising many things in our lives and giving up a lot to grow and nurture our business. We are so attached to it. It is a part of us and our customers are a part of us. It is incredibly rewarding when we hear from our customers and we've made them happy.

Norman inspired me to set a goal and work to reach it, in spite of obstacles. He taught me to reach my limit, and then go beyond it. He made me realize that a commitment to something means doing whatever it takes. And we've always agreed that our customers are the most important part of our business.

My heart is pretty much breaking as I write this, but I wanted to share with our customers and anyone else who comes across this blog, that his live, which was way too short, ended when he was feeling good about reaching his goal of creating and running a successful small business. That was a giant dream of his. And he achieved it. And it IS because of our awesome customers. He died extremely satisfied with what he had achieved. (Of course, his Pacer restoration is not complete, but I know one of the 17 other AMC Pacer fans in the world will come forward and volunteer to finish the restoration!) Norman's life wasn't a flame that went out, but I think it was a spark that will keep many other flames alive. That's what he would want. And that's what he will get. Here he is in the CJ8, ready to overcome every obstacle that gets in his way.

Norman, looking like the typical, young business owner.

JeepJam announced their 2010 Jamboree schedule yesterday and true to form, I want to go to all of them!

You can find the entire Jeep Jamboree 2010 Schedule Here.

This year, our closest Jamboree is up in Bethel, Maine, a beautiful location, especially in the fall. Last month, Norman, the President of AllthingsJeep.com and Mike, in Customer Service went up to that event. There were some pretty heavy downpours on the 2nd day and the Jeep came home muddier than I've ever seen it. ('83 CJ8) In the New England woods, the trail is narrow, the rocks are moss-covered and the rain makes everything slippery. So it's quite a wheelin' adventure.

We know Jeep Jamborees are a luxury expense. Not a necessity ('though some may argue) and with finances tight, the folks over there at JJUSA have come up with some "family plans" that help make these adventures more affordable. Besides, family time together is a great thing (just ask my teenage daughter.) Kidding aside, she loved it when we did a Jamboree last summer.

Excepted from their website:

"In an effort to make Jeep Jamborees more affordable for the 2010 season, we're offering a Family Plan for both Classic and Just Trails Jamborees. The price per vehicle for Classic events is $600, while Just Trails Jamborees are only $450. The fine print: Two adults and two or three children (12 and under) are required per vehicle.

Another opportunity for Jeep fanatics on a budget is the Trails Only option, which is offered to a limited number of registrants (first come, first served) at each Jeep Jamboree USA event (due to lack of facilities this offer does not apply to the Palo Duro or Rubicon Trail Jeep Jamboree events). Trails Only participants enjoy all of the usual Jamboree amenities (including the Saturday evening prize drawing) but provide all their own meals.

In addition, active members of the Armed Forces will receive a 15 percent discount on all Jamborees. The Buy 3 Get 1 FREE promotion will be continued in 2010, with only adult passengers eligible for this offer. And we're bringing back the dash plaques! Each registered Jeep vehicle will again include a dash plaque.

Remember December 1st is the opening registration date for the 2010 season. We look forward to seeing you on the trail."

Photos of our Jeep Jamboree Adventure on the Rubicon Trail

So, whatcha think? Do you like Chrysler's new tagline for Jeep?

I Live. I Ride. I Am. Jeep.

How about their new commercials. If you haven't see it, you can catch one here. This one is called "Clocks" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIEBVDCNK28

I don't like it. Not even a little bit. (says Jean, from www.AllThingsJeep.com.) Here's my list of complaints.

1. I DO live, so they got me there, but I don't understand the relevance.

2. I DON'T ride. I DRIVE. I do ride a lot of things - horses, bicycles, amusement park rides. But my Jeep's not one of them. And if I'm riding in a Jeep, then I'm the passenger, and what fun is that?

3. I AM? Huh? What am I? A Jeep?

This whole ad compaign reminds me of those old Ad-Libs (remember those?) and makes we want to fill in the blanks. "I LIVE at 2 Shaker Road in Shirley. I RIDE my bike to work sometimes. I AM a mom, photographer, Jeep owner.

I know these type of ads are about branding, and evoking a feeling in us about the Jeep brand. (Remember, your brand isn't what You think about your company, it's about what your Customers think of your company) But this doesn't really evoke positive feelings about Jeep. It evokes feelings like I should be working but instead I'm watching the clock to when work is over and then I can go drive (not ride) my Jeep.  Hey, maybe that's the point?

So what do you think? What tagline would you create for Jeep if Chrsyler was giving you hundreds of thousands of dollars to create a tagline and ad campaign for them? Post your ideas here. I'll give a set of 10 Jeep decals (your choice) to the person whose idea I like best. (I'll give you until Nov 16th to post.) And hey, maybe Chrsyler will read this and hire you to be their next marketing genius!

If you want to read the whole story behind this branding campaign and what the campaign will look like over the next year, check out the details here. It's the "Official" document and it's pretty interesting.

Jeep Branding Philosophy

I am really proud to say that the publishers of my favorite Off-Road Publication, JPFreek Adventure Magazine, and United Four Wheel Drive Association, (an association of Jeep associations!) are doing great things for the Jeep & off-road community with their new partnership. Just got this press release sent over to me. I'm going to post it, in full, below. Then I'll add a few links so you can check out their sites.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Four Wheel Drive Associations & JPFreek Adventure Magazine Create Publishing Partnership

JPFreek to Commence Publication of The Voice for United Four Wheel Drive Associations

Beaverton, OR - 11/3/2009 - United Four Wheel Drive Associations today announced a partnership with JPFreek Adventure Magazine to produce and publish The Voice, the official magazine of United Four Wheel Drive Associations, as an engaging quarterly digital publication focused on off-highway and outdoor recreation as well as responsible land use.

The new partnership is a first for both organizations and will allow United Four Wheel Drive Associations to broaden its distribution scope by digitizing their previous hardcopy edition of The Voice.  In addition, the partnership will expand the subscription base for JPFreek Adventure Magazine to an additional 11,000 subscribers as part of the current membership package for United Four Wheel Drive Associations. 

JPFreek Adventure Magazine founders Frank Ledwell and Richard Tinnell will assume the roles of Editor-in-Chief & Creative Director, respectively, for The Voice.  Wayne Groom, President of United Four Wheel Drive Associations, said of the partnership, "We are excited about the opportunity of this partnership as it will allow us to continue to enhance the quality and distribution of our primary communication with the off- highway enthusiast, allowing us to reach out beyond our current membership." 

Frank Ledwell, Editor & Publisher of JPFreek Adventure Magazine, said of the partnership, "Partnering with United Four Wheel Drive Associations in creating The Voice is exciting for JPFreek and our entire staff.  Our passion for Jeep and outdoor adventure has been a huge part of JPFreek Adventure Magazine's success, and our value set of promoting responsible off-highway and outdoor adventure recreation compliments our goals in establishing The Voice as a highly credible and engaging publication."

The partnership will work to bring the entire off-highway community together by broadening the scope and importance of engaging off-highway enthusiasts to become involved in various land access issues.  In addition, added value for all business partners and sponsors of both United Four Wheel Drive Associations and JPFreek Adventure Magazine will be achieved through cross-branding efforts and other significant promotional and marketing efforts. 

This partnership is effective immediately with the new issue of The Voice slated for release by January 15, 2010. 

About JPFreek Adventure Publications, LLC

JPFreek Adventure Magazine was developed in March 2006 with the express intent of sharing a passion for Jeep vehicles and outdoor adventure with fellow enthusiasts, all while promoting eco-friendly and responsible off-highway recreation. JPFreek's staff takes pride in delivering a fun, vibrant, and engaging digital Jeep® adventure publication that is the only one of its kind in North America.

About United Four Wheel Drive Associations

United Four Wheel Drive Associations is an Association of Associations formed to act as a voice for the off-highway community for land access issues.  From avid enthusiasts who are individual members, to clubs and association members, the membership of UFWDA spans four continents with over 10,000 member voices.

 We've just announced our Favorite Jeep Holiday Gifts for 2009 Annual Press Release. In case your brain is fried from all the stress of this past year, and you still need to pick up a few inexpensive gifts for your Jeep pals this year, we've tried to make it easy for you. These are our favs.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A NEW JEEP

However, when on a budget, anything from the Top 10 list below is perfect!

SHIRLEY, MA (OCTOBER 2009) - Jeep lovers are easy to please when it comes to gift giving. Simply buy Jeep related merchandise and everyone is happy! When seeking out the perfect gift, look no further than http://www.allthingsjeep.com/, the Internet's largest retailer of Jeep merchandise. Offering Jeep-brand clothing, blankets, jewelry, video games, tire covers, doggie gifts, tents and more, All Things Jeep has something for everyone. Never again will the phrase be muttered "but he/she already everything!" because when it comes to Jeep merchandise, there are always new arrivals in the All Things Jeep store.

Top highlights for the 2009 Holiday season include:

1.      In anticipation of the third annual Worldwide Go Topless Day hosted by AllThingsJeep.com, on May 8, 2010, all Go Topless Day Merchandise is now available. From hats to t-shirts, decals to license plate covers, Jeep owners everywhere can support this holiday in advance. And from now until December 25, All Things Jeep will donate a dollar from every Go Topless Day t-shirt to Tread Lightly, the official charity behind the event. $7-10    

2.      For a businessperson that works as hard as they play in their Jeep, Jeep Business Card Holders offer a professional gift with a playful edge.  Jeeping is the reason we work in the first place, right? $23.99    

3.      Jeep Key Holders are perfect for any home's entrance way as a safe haven for keeping keys in one place and they look cool hanging on this rustic art piece too. $14.99

4.      Who doesn't need a new calendar every year? Jeep Calendars offer many styles for home or office to keep schedules in line and to count down the days of winter until the tops of the Jeep come down once again. $11.99-12.99

5.      Jeep Sweatshirts are for cozy winter days inside by the fire and cool nights cruising with Jeep tops down. A sweatshirt is a versatile and comfortable gift for everyone. $25.99-39.99         

6.      Custom Jeep Husky Liners keep the floor clean because mud is for the exterior! While a badge of honor on the outside, most of us can agree it has no place on the inside!  $69.99-89.99

7.      A Jeep is not complete without a stylish Jeep Tire Cover to combine style with functionality. Jeep owners love making a statement, why not do it for all the road to see? $59.99-69.99

8.      For the avid Jeep enthusiast who can't quite afford another Jeep, Jeep Diecast Model Collectibles allow them to collect all their favorite Jeeps in a more affordable fashion (plus they don't require another spot in the garage!) Offering models from several die-cast manufacturers, these models are an economical way to build your Jeep collection.  For the kid in all of us! $17.99-34.99      

9.      Jeep owners know Life is good®, but why not share that mentality with every automobile on the road with a Life is good License Plate Frame. Across the bottom of the frame it says, "Do what you like. Like what you do." Jeep owners couldn't agree more. $20          

10.  The "crème de le crème" for Jeep geeks, the Crawler King Rockcrawler with a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon body performs like a champ and is strong enough to get over just about any obstacle, making an ideal first-time RC vehicle for any Jeep lover. $279.99

For holiday well wishes, each year All Things JP LLC, parent company of http://www.allthingsjeep.com/, releases an exclusive line of holiday greeting cards just for the Jeep® enthusiast. This year's card design brings out the kid in everyone with an image called "Letter to Santa." Like any good Jeeper, the author of the letter has quite a list of Jeep-related items he would love, from a new 4 door Jeep Wrangler to a classic old Jeep Willys. Additionally, some of the classic best-selling cards have also been brought back, including the card called "Peace on Earth, a design for the new 4 door Jeep Wrangler owners and a varied boxed set, all priced at $12 for 12 cards and envelopes.

Large quantity discounts are available on the holiday cards and personalization is possible if ordered early enough. For more information, contact the Jean Wnuk at jean@allthingsjeep.com.

About All Things JP LLC

All Things JP LLC is one of the largest providers of gifts, accessories and memorabilia to the Jeep® and off-road market. Their goal is to make Jeep owners happy by offering unique products, fast shipping, outstanding service, and the widest offering of Jeep-related gifts and accessories. Visit  http://www.allthingsjeep.com/ for the perfect gift for Jeep® lovers including clothing, decals, tire covers, watches, jewelry, accessories for your Jeep and more.  

The topic of the Jeep Wave continues to entice hot debate among Jeep owners old and new and it's a debate that will never go away. Should you wave to the new Jeep JKs or not. Can you wave to build XJs? But on top of that, I've always wondered, "who waves first?" Who starts it? I have now discovered my answers in the definitive guide to respect for your Jeep Elders.

Now you can measure your own Jeep's place in the overall Jeep hierachy of waving. To see where you rate, keep reading...

Here's the starting point:

Definition:

The Jeep Wave: An honor bestowed upon those drivers with the superior intelligence, taste, class, and discomfort tolerance to own the ultimate vehicle - the Jeep. Generally consists of vigorous side-to-side motion of one or both hands, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette. Examples of commonly accepted modifications:

• Top off: One handed wave above windshield or outside body tub
• Top off during blizzard: Shiver and nod, hands may remain frozen to steering wheel
• Southern/rural locations: Raise fingers from steering wheel, nod

In keeping with this cardinal rule of Jeeping, categories have been established to account for each part of the equation.

These categories are:

• The Jeep Waving Hierarchy: Based on the vehicle itself. Takes into account the nostalgia factor, the discomfort tolerance quotient, and the amount of owner dedication required to maintain the steed.
• The Modifying Sub-categories: Based on what you do with your Jeep.
• Equipment Adjustments: What you build.

General Rules:

1. All Jeepers are responsible for upholding the tradition of the Wave. Upon contact with a higher scoring Jeep, a Jeeper is required to initiate the Wave, and continue the Wave until:

1. The Wave is returned
2. The Wave is blatantly disregarded
3. The higher scoring vehicle has passed by and is out of sight

2. All Jeepers are required to return the Wave, unless the initiating vehicle is clearly has a negative (below 0) score.

3. All Jeepers are encouraged, but not required, to return the Wave to negative balance vehicles, and take any opportunity presented to guide and mentor them about their responsibilities to their Jeeps in the hopes that they can correct the error of their ways.

4. When unsure of status or wave requirements of a particular encounter or unable to completely assess the other Jeep's score quickly enough to ensure that the proper Jeep Wave Etiquette rules are followed, immediately initiate wave.

"When in doubt, WHIP IT OUT!"

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This was reprinted in part from the http://www.jeeptalk.org/ website.

To rate your own Jeep and see where it fits in the hierarchy of Jeep waves, check out:

http://jeeptalk.org/jeep_wave.php

And then post your score below. Can't wait to see who I should be bowing down to (and waving!)

We've got the new Crawler King Rockcrawler with a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon body, by HPI Racing in stock at http://www.allthingsjeep.com/ and let me tell you, the avid off-road enthusiasts in this office are tripping over each other trying to get their hands on our demo model. This is a sweet rig with amazing crawling ability. Based on the video I'm posting below (I'll admit, we haven't yet tested it out as I write this), this R/C Rockcrawler can go anywhere! In fact, proportionately, I bet it outcrawls most of the built Jeeps out there. And, if not, I'd like to hear from you! Finding a  Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Crawler King under the Christmas tree this holiday season would make any Jeep owner a happy camper.

Check out this Jeep rockcrawling video from youtube.com

WOW. I'm going to end this post now so I can go play!

The All Things Jeep 3rd Annual GO TOPLESS DAY t-shirts are here. Our 3rd Annual Worldwide Topless Day is May 8th, 2010. And you can begin the celebration with one of our commemorative tees.

If you've been a fan since the beginning, you already have a shirt from year 1 and year 2. And here's Year 3 - 2010, and it will be bigger and better than ever. We promise these will be collector's items for any Jeeper, and your friends and family will be wondering where they can get one too. Our design have a vintage feel to it, but the date says May 8th, 2010. Plan ahead!

THRU OCTOBER 2nd, Get your Go Topless Day Tee FREE with any online $50+ purchase. Just add it to your cart, along with $50 worth of product and the tee will be FREE.

Love 'em or hate 'em, the new Jeep Wrangler JK models launched in 2007 are destined to stick around a while. The 4 door Jeep Wrangler Unlimiteds have reached a whole new audience and it's an enthusiast group. For many, it's their first Jeep, and their excitement is contagious. And that's despite the fact that many don't even know what "JK" means.

So hey Jeep Wrangler JK owner, this calendar is for you! We call it the 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Calendar because there's 10 months full of JKs. The scenic monthly pictures are mostly monopolized by a cherry red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2 door. The other months feature a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK 4 door in Rescue Green (that's my current daily driver). And the calendar tosses a photographic bone to a current Jeep Liberty, Grand Cherokee and Commander. But basically Jeep Wrangler JKs rule in this 2010 Jeep (Wrangler JK) calendar.

Jeep Wrangler JK 2010 Calendar is now in stock at www.allthingsjeep.com.

Two weeks ago we got an email:

"Hello ALL Things Jeep!

I am the proud owner of a 14 year old ZJ.  He is clearly eligible for
turn-in under Cash for Clunkers, and would be worth an extra $2500-$3000 to me if I turned him in. But I would never DREAM of allowing him to meet that fate!!  I know there are other Jeepers out there just like me who are keeping their Jeeps because of the emotional attachment that others "don't understand".  Can you think of a neat bumper sticker that explains that?  "I survived Cash for Clunkers" comes to mind, but it seems like it would be
cool to come up with something more Jeep specific.  Maybe, "I survived Cash for Clunkers, Obama wouldn't understand." With a Jeep grill!  You get the idea.  I hope you can figure something out and it turns into a best seller for you! - Shannon"

Shannon, we thought this was a brilliant idea. And here it is:

I Survived Cash for Clunkers Decal. This decal is available exclusively at www.allthingsjeep.com. It's made for all those proud, dedicated Jeep owners out there that said "No Way!"

This 3" x 5" sticker will look great on the side of your Jeep, right above that rusty wheel well. Or on the rear windshield, worn with pride. In any case, Thanks Shannon, for a great idea. Your freebies are on their way.