Slingshot Comp bar OMG $$

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

I would be curious to find out what the price is made up of:

- How much is profit?
- How much is to recoup R&D?
- How much is used to pay for marketing?
- How much is used to manufacture the product?

Price is definately relative. And a fair price is pretty much whatever the market can handle. Take NIKE shoes - is 120 bones for a pair of shoes fair? Maybe. The market is paying that amount - but it is interesting to note that the shoe cost maybe four bones to manufacture and a hundred bones to advertise. Not saying the same thing about kite manufactureres - I'm sure they don't have the same advertising budget - but to determine if the bar is reasonably price - it would be good to know what makes up that price.

Every kite advertisement. Every sponsored rider. Every sponsored kite event. That cash has got to come from some where - advertising and marketing has to make up a portion of the price of the bar.

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

SS definitely' putting "best foot" forward when it comes to innovation and service. The Gorge is one of the best spots for sick riding, rider feedback, and testing.

Gorge riders rock and being HQd' in the Hood is sweeet!!!

Always lots of risk involved with bringing something new to the market, never truly know if riders will like it or not. Small market too so stuff tends to run a bit more then the mainstream product like snowboards, Mt bikes. Well maybe not Mt Bikes because I dished out 2500 for one and now I need one that's 4500 with all the latest bells and travel... HA! Hell.. I even spent 600.00 on a snowboard this year and it was only deck only... Plus I dished out another 250.00 for bindings and 450.00 for pass... Auhhh when does this madness end?!! (I don't mine paying retail "if I can afford it, if not I save for it" for gear, if it helps support the company's and business's that get me the gear I love to ride and gives back to the community ie supporting events,parties,demos,stoke.) So far I have spent around +? on just food alone and gas and it keeps adding up every time I go up. But I don't give a !@$#$# life costs; But fun is priceless no matter what you're up too. Just be stoked on the gear you love and it all washes out in the end! hopefully... Rolling Eyes

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

just barely... Drunk

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

howbout looking at it from the standpoint that the US dollar value is not just in the toilet but at this point it seems to be somewhere between the toilet and the septic tank. Maybe prices are finally starting to adjust accordingly?

Fortunately unless you have that weird sickness where you have to own kites that have the same year stamped on them as the year you're currently in. You should be just fine rocking 09 gear in 10. or 08, 07, 06 gear...it does still work Razz

brand new / old stock 2010 gear will have a reasonable price tag on it when the 2011 stuff hits the shelf anyway.

Besides, regardless of the dollar being weak, my guess is new prices will continue to going up as long as people agree to keep paying them. when the new gear starts collecting dust on the shelf the price will adjust accordingly to meet the market. and you can likely expect future R&D following such an adjustment to incorporate "cost cutting" and "lean manufacturing" instead of heavy clunky gadget candy.

just my two cents Drunk

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I wanna know who the hyundai is of the kiting world.

those superbowl commercials were impressive Wink

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

I got a brand new 2010 one still wrapped up in plastic, will let go for $350 OBO... hit me up next month when I get back if interested.

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

the BAR (or KITE) does not make the kiteboarder

just like

the CAMERA does not make the photographer
or
the SURFBOARD make the surfer
or
the GUITAR make the musician
etc,etc,ETC

Ruben could still rip it up w/ an old Fuel & a Jarvis
Colby or Lance could probably make a stunning photo w/ an old FM1 and B&W film
Slater surfed the pipe masters on an old board Very Happy

The right gear for your skill & style is most important IMO
(new kites ARE nice tho - Very Happy

)

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1736 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

ever try to make something?
I have.
I actually do it everyday.
R and D is not cheap.
sometimes it takes a lot of time and money to make it happen.
as for the product in question, we'll see how they sell this season.
Whatever the market will bear. That's how it works.
If you think you can make something comparable to that for less, have at it.
I have.
Sometimes I have to ask myself, can I make that cheaper or better than what it is offered for?
Sometimes I can. If I can't okay I'll buy it if I want it that bad.
Good job to Slingshot for making a product that is top quality. they are setting the bar high with this bar (pun)

strapless101 · Since 17 Aug 2009 82 Posts gorge

Any idea how many of those "new" kites in the gorge were actually purchased at retail? I know no one who actually pays full price for a kite, seems as if everybody's on the "friends and family" program (not just ss). But you gotta admit, with the friends and family discount you can't afford to not get new gear, cause you can sell it for what you bought it for the following year.
I guess it comes down to all those people paying retail are supporting those with the right friends.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

corruption at its finest. Twisted Evil

get a discount and pass the debt onto some poor unknowing kook

for only half the price of a $60k wakeboarding boat you can learn to kiteboard!

that's a 50% savings!!! WOW! Twisted Evil

forrest · Wed Feb 10, 10 11:09 am

Geez, Don't complain that you don't have friends or family in the industry and that you don't live in Hood River so you can't get kites cheap.

How about you to move to Hood River? I would love to see Hood River's year round population grow. Bring your business/job or your savings account because there aren't any jobs or money to be made here. The cost of living here compared to what most people make is "viciously" imbalanced.

Hood River is a community of people who take care of each other. Business owners know that keeping the year round community alive is vital to their continued success. One possible avenue to get on a friends and family program is to get involved in the CGKA and do something good for the community.

Put your time and money where you mouth is, you'll get out what you put in.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

hahaha forest nice response man.

I don't know enough about this issue to really say too much but from what little I have heard it sounds like Hoodriver is somewhat screwed in terms of major growth due to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Act.

I like the gorge though and if I had a business I could move there I would probably try to do so. that place is a true outdoor playground.

Any single slingshot girls looking for a guy to marry? I promise I'll spend every penny I save through friends and family discount on you.
Wink