Any Surefire Discounting?

[Karl in NY]

I know that Surefire got aggressive about price-cutting, but wonder if there are any suppliers who actually discount SF products, not just throw in a free set of batteries.

BTW, I'm looking for their X300 weapon light, and every price I can find is $225.00...seems kind of Un-American to restrict competition...surprised it's even a legal practice.

 

[woodasptim]

 

[nate4096]

Well they aren't really restricting competition. Other companies are free to make and sell their own lights for whatever price they like. This is more like what Bose does or Microsoft. They have contracts with the resellers that certain products sell at certain prices. If resellers fail to abide they could lose rights to sell their products later.

 

[Patriot]

$225 is a fair price.

Really, what's an expected discount going to be for you....$199 or something? The X300 is a specialized product. I can only assume that you're going to use it for it's intended purchase in which case, what another $25 bucks on a one-off product that might save your life? More important to me would be to find a reputable dealer and if they throw in some batteries it's the icing on the cake.

Lighthound.com
Batteryjunction.com
Opticshq.com

Are all great dealers.

 

[JNewell]

I've got a great idea. Let's post all the different ways we can think of to get discounts on Surefire lights. That way, we can get those dealers cut off so they can stop serving us with good service and decent prices. Then we'll have to buy from people who charge full price and give really lousy service.

What's not to like???

 

[ToeMoss]

I've got a great idea. Let's post all the different ways we can think of to get discounts on Surefire lights. That way, we can get those dealers cut off so they can stop serving us with good service and decent prices. Then we'll have to buy from people who charge full price and give really lousy service.

What's not to like???

Where did that come from?
Are we reading the same post?

 

[Karl in NY]

OK, I'll bite...an email to [email protected] with a discounted price on an X300 would be appreciated.

I consider policies like Surefire's (and those of Bose) to be basically price-fixing...if a particular reseller is satisfied with a smaller margin than the next dealer, how does that hurt the manufacturer in any way?

Maybe I'm just missing something here.

 

[Owen]

A privately owned store(think gunshop) that carries SF is your best bet for discounted prices. The profit margin is extremely high, since there's a 100% markup from dealer cost to retail, so you've got plenty of room to wheel and deal, if they don't have them marked down already.
I've seen the same M6 whose regular price is $399 at a large retail store marked $299 in a gunshop, and they make about as much money from selling that light as they would a $1000 rifle.

 

[djblank87]

Ok, my friend owns his own Police Supply store here in town and is an authorized Surefire Dealer. Before he took over the store the previous owner was selling Surefire items at a discounted price and that owner lost the rights to sell there products or at least they could not order from Surefire anymore.

My point here is that with everyone on the same Price/Price Scale, makes it easier for the customer to have plenty of choices on where to buy the products all at the same price. I like that aspect, I can go somewhere else other than my friends store and get the same product for the same price.

Also, when you see an online store or one of your local stores selling Surefire items at a discount price, from what I'm told, you can do this with permission from Surefire when clearing out your product line or if your not going to sell there items anymore. There point is to allow the store owner to make back some of the money they paid to get the item in the store.

Size15 could probaly make more sense of this as far as the price issue, I just thought I would include what little I do know about from my friends store and the rules he has to follow.

 

[Size15's]

Bottom line:
Dealers sign a contract with SureFire - if they are caught breaking that contract then SureFire will likely remove their authorised dealer status.
The contract is legal, although some people may not like that.

If you know of a SureFire dealer who is breaking the rules, and you have personally benefited from this - it makes no sense to highlight this in public - especially here on CPF, unless you want to punish the dealer for doing you a favour. This happens. SureFire find out.

As to whether the way SureFire operates its dealer network is acceptable to you or not - there's not much you can do about it other than not purchase SureFire products.

 

[DM51]

I would strongly urge people reading this thread to bookmark that single post by Size15s (post #10 immediately above) and if they observe anyone else discussing this matter in other threads in future, make a link to it or quote it in full.

It is an important post and people need to read it.

 

[djblank87]

Bottom line:
If you know of a SureFire dealer who is breaking the rules, and you have personally benefited from this - it makes no sense to highlight this in public - especially here on CPF, unless you want to punish the dealer for doing you a favour. This happens. SureFire find out.

Size15 I do not know if you are directing the above at me .........But as I stated my friend is not the one who sold discounted Surefire Items. The prior owner did and when my friend bought the store he signed a new contract with Surefire and his store is on the up and up. He charges me full price for everything I buy just like the rest of the people.

So, I do not know if you are directing that at me but if your not then no biggie if you are, then I must suggest one re-reads my post about my friends store and how it runs.

Either way good post there Size15 some people could learn a few things like DM stated.


Disregard Size15, I re-read the post and I know what you were trying to get at.

 

[Lightraven]

Answer to the original question: Yes, for law enforcement officers. If so, call Surefire. I got a discount on my X-300.

Competition is alive and well--just get a competitor's product and pay less for it. I know Maui Jim sunglasses enforce a "premium price" on dealers. Or, you can wait a bit and see if the price on the X-300 comes down--it is brand new and the only weaponlight I'm aware of with a Cree or Seoul LED.

 

[Westy]

I consider policies like Surefire's (and those of Bose) to be basically price-fixing...if a particular reseller is satisfied with a smaller margin than the next dealer, how does that hurt the manufacturer in any way?

Maybe I'm just missing something here.

In many markets theirs more need for companies with kahunas to enforce their policies like that of Surefires. If your respected shop's selling at the MSRP of $400 and ABC discount heaven sells at $250 then it not only hurts the branding of the name as it's no longer seen as a $400 true value as one can get deals on it etc so now noone's buying at $400. (branding's critical and can be worth 20-50% upsell in profit) But the lights now selling out of shops with poor service/poor knowledge and cut-rate pricing's throwing away business profit that the retailer's should have in their pocket. Business IS about making money, not being an internet whoring business trying to run at a few % above cost typically.

I may have said it poorly but hopefully their's some sense in their, too late to write too intelligibly now.

 

[JNewell]

Where did that come from?
Are we reading the same post?

I assume the posts that followed your post explained the situation. These public requests for discount information come up regularly here and do not benefit anyone.

 

[jumpstat]

Sadly, If I want to purchase a Surefire, I won't buy it here in my country as the prices is horrifying! Lucky for me CPF is around. If I could buy it below retail price I would purchase.
Unfortunately we do come dealers whom are closing done or into other businesses so, usually the stock are heavily discounted, advantage to buyers in this case.

 

[Retinator]

Whether this business model is right or wrong is a matter of opinion. Like most, I don't like it.

The only question I have is......If everyone's on the same price level, what is the incentive of ordering OUTSIDE of Surefire direct? Retail prices are usually VERY marked up, and IMO the profit margins of retailers is not their concern.
Or am I missing something?

Is the proliferation of knockoffs and too-good-to-be-true deals making it harder for the customer to discern the authenticity of the product?

The only way we might see a reasonable discount might be to make our own company and make a HUGE bulk order and divvy up the goods. Beast or Hellfire anyone?

It would be nice to save a few bucks on an E2l, when I go to bite Oh well.......

 

[bigfoot]

I agree with the thought that when you buy a Surefire, you aren't just getting the light. You are also getting a lifetime warranty and good customer service.

I wouldn't doubt it if those here on CPF are spot on -- you pay a premium price for SF, but the cost of any repairs or replacement parts down the road is built into that amount you plucked down initially.

It isn't much different looking at the other brands out there such as Arc, HDS, NovaTac, etc. None of them could be called a "bargain" or "cheap" and they aren't exactly easy on your wallet. But, quality products cost money.

 

[Size15's]

The only question I have is......If everyone's on the same price level, what is the incentive of ordering OUTSIDE of Surefire direct?

There are several very good reasons to purchase SureFires from an authorised SureFire Dealer rather than from SureFire directly.
1) You can visit the store and examine the products for yourself.
2) Dealers often have stock of the latest SureFire products before SureFire offer the products from themselves directly, and certainly before SureFire offer new products from SureFire.com
3) Supporting a retailer keeps the retailer in business; able to offer a variety of often related products under one roof. It is possible to visit a store and talk with and share feedback of product use experiences etc with the staff.

I realise that some of us here on CPF will know more about SureFire products than even dedicated retail staff can - and it is we who are the exception.

I think its fair to say that I prefer to walk into a shop, handle a product and then buy it and walk out of the shop with it rather than buy it online. Even if the online retailer is cheaper.

There are plenty of SureFire dealers and I'm sure its possible to find one that fits with your individual needs. I certainly have my own preference. To be honest price is not a factor and its great now that its something I don't have to worry about. I can concentrate on the other aspects of purchases that matter more to me such as service and atmosphere.

 

[souptree]

USA Today, 6/27/07 (link):

Ruling may hurt discount pricing

By Christine Dugas, Jayne O'Donnell and Laura Petrecca, USA TODAY

Bargain hunters may find fewer deals on high-end apparel, accessories and electronics following a Supreme Court ruling Thursday.

The 5-4 decision overturned a 96-year-old law that prevented manufacturers from setting minimum retail prices. The majority wrote that lifting the pricing ban could benefit consumers if retailers offer better service or selection.

Richard Doherty of technology market researcher The Envisioneering Group agrees, saying the price ruling could lead retailers to use more free products and better service as sales incentives. "It's sure to be to consumers' benefit this summer and through Christmas."

Others predict a different result. "Many prestigious brands will use the decision to require retailers to sell at a specified price," says Washington, D.C., antitrust lawyer Steve Feirman. "Suggested retail prices had to be suggested to be lawful. Now, they can be mandatory."

Consumer advocates say that will be costly to shoppers. "Over the long term … discounters will be squeezed out of the market," says the Consumer Federation of America's Mark Cooper.

Antitrust lawyer Joe Sims expects limited impact from the ruling. Manufacturers now may set prices, but it will be costly to monitor and enforce that price distribution, says the Washington, D.C., lawyer. And, he adds, if the price is too high, they'll lose customers.

The lawsuit arose when Leegin Creative Leather stopped shipping its Brighton tooled-leather accessories to Dallas-area shop Kay's Kloset because the store was selling the goods more cheaply than Leegin wanted. After Leegin cut the store off, PSKS, parent of Kay's Kloset, filed an antitrust lawsuit.

Burlington Coat Factory, which filed a brief supporting PSKS, worries about the impact on the off-price chain. Burlington attorney Stacy John Haigney called the decision "an open invitation to manufacturers and full-price retailers to fix retail prices at a higher level. It will be detrimental to our business, but I really can't tell how much."

The Consumer Electronics Association says it supports the court decision because, it says, "sales training, industry marketing and after-sales service" are what many TV and audio gear buyers look for in electronics stores.

Bill Gates, of golf equipment maker Ping, says, "Not every consumer is a bargain shopper. Some consumers are looking for quality, innovation, personalization and customer service when they shop."