Why are kites so expensive?

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Wow .
Kites are not a money maker themselves , its a silly business plan if you pencil it out.
Shelf life is short, colors and sizes, they are expensive to buy, and dumped on line and sold direct from the manufacture.
Those kites being sold from last year at 50% off are a loss unless bought on closeout.
Support your local shop. Let them know what you want and allow them to at least try to get it for you. They will be putting money back into the sport (parts and support) and you will in the long run have more fun with better gear.
Please send me my Mercedes now, not a busted up one from next door.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Got to dredge this one up again

From kiteforum.....

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Pepi · Mon Aug 03, 09 11:22 pm

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Well, I hope you weren't taking that too personally.
Clearly criticizing the cost structure keeps hitting nerves.

I am not calling anyone a bad person or bad businesman.
I have taken some econ myself as well, when I was a young lad Wink

I know the old iffy kite is not a great example, but it serves a point.
It is a real price, and that's why I put it up.

It still burns me up that I can hire a designer to deliver a custom sail for 2x cost, but have to pay 4x+ for a production kitesurf kite.
The high markup cuts it for tees, jeans, and other cheap crap with screen printed logos and a fashion lifespan measured in months.

It doesn't apply for boats, houses, cars, boat or windsurf sails.
It needn't apply to kites.

The industry is on a lame path. Evil or Very Mad

But it's still a good sport, so I keep playing the sucker,
-and sometimes buying gear that is just getting its "2nd wind,"
so to speak
Wink

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

First, I know a lot of industry folk and I don't know any rich people in the kite industry... just people making (sometimes) living wages while working their butts off so that we can have fun.

I used to be the biggest proponent of cheap kites (search on kiteforum for posts by "Dax") ... and I still would love to see the cost of entry into this sport lowered so that more youth and underprivledged folks could join up.

BUT, truth be told kiting is expensive, especially if you do it a lot. Gear breaks, needs to be replaced, you need a lot of it to ride varying conditions. Lessons cost money, gas is expensive, you need medical insurance, you need free time.

Kiting is also a lifestyle choice IMO, if you really want to be a kiter you will find the money. You will drive a crappy car, eat ramen noodles, do whatever you can to get your fix.

Getting deals on gear is great, but so is having killer local support from shops like 2nd Wind, Gorge Performance, Windance, etc.. I like that these companies employ local rippers who kill it out there, more jobs, what a concept.

So if saving a few hundred bucks is worth it to you, then there are brands out there that minimize the retail component and have price point kites. Otherwise, let people know you support local shops and fly a brand that is available from the shops.

The good news is kites these days still fly great even after a hundred sessions of abuse. They have servicable parts that can be replaced with components from... your local kite shop! See you out there Very Happy

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

This is going to sound lame, but I actually think the cost of kites is reasonable. Look at how many of us update our quivers every year or two? I know I do. If people can't or do not want to put up the cash for new gear, buy someones 1-2 year old gear. If that is to expensive, maybe this is not the sport for you.

As for internet vs retail shops. About three years ago there was an article in Kiteboader magazine. It talked about the need for local shops. What will you do when you are on vacation and your bridled breaks, blow out a bladder, or the simple things of needing new lines. Do you have time to wait for them to be shipped. I don't think so. Time is money, and when i am kiting, I would charge $500-1000 per hours to convince me not to. I sure hope Pepi and Bob keep their shops open because they have helped me out in a pinch (many times over).

fokiten · Since 04 Mar 2005 188 Posts Stoked

just buy used kites...

your savings will be 70% off..

Kites have all been about the same since 2004.

So many gear heads, so many who think you can by a gybe.

Remember that maxim?

no need to buy a 2010 kite, no need to spend any money until your old gear falls apart.

the pretentious spend...

but, you still can't buy a gybe
fo

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Buy used gear! The best deals are 09 kites with one seson on them. Save money on your board by getting an old board for $200.

If your smart and patient you can get a good 09 kite in winter for less, but you gotta know what you want.

If I was going to buy a used kite I would look at kites that last and have support. Take a look at the kites up in the air at the event site.

As you know I'm a tool, but I can tell you that Sling Shot lasts longer than many of the other brands. Sling shot is like the Toyota of kites here in Da Grudge.

Oh yea I'm selling my RPM's in September, Look me up.,

fokiten · Since 04 Mar 2005 188 Posts Stoked

Bye the way,

I don't sell my old kites...

if you want to start a museum just let me know...

I've even got a proto hellfish..

we don't even have shop in my neck of the woods, can't say I feel a bit disadvantaged by it though

go figure?
fo

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 205 Posts Stoked

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Brett - bro deal = ~30% off retail, not at cost. You could get the same on closeout gear.

Team riders might do better than that but that's a select few per brand.

Also I know bro deals are getting cut back big time. Times are tough, kite companies are laying people off. Again, nobody is getting rich here.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Want to pay even more for kites...and everything else? Just wait for the VAT. So much for not taxing the middle class (<250K/yr) Teeing Up the Middle Class

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

I like taxes. I am paid by taxes. I feed from the public trough. Having visited many countries with no, or scant taxes, I think I like what we get here, and the price we pay for it.

that's just me

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 04, 09 10:05 am