Why do not more retailers carry the ARC lights?

MY

Enlightened
Joined
Apr 10, 2001
Messages
838
Location
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Mr. Gransee:

I was curious. Why do not more etailers and retailers carry ARC products? It would seen that with such positive reports by people who have used these lights, everybody would sell them. What is your plan for the future for wider distribution?
wink.gif
 
I think it would suprise most people to know we have only been around for 7 months. Retailers expect retail type blister packs and Point-Of-Sale displays. Most companies can take several years of sales to get to that point. We are extremly fortunate to be already developing our retail program.

It would be nice to get into some of the nationwide chains and have importers for most large countries. If we are around long enough, it will come in time.

CPF'ers saw the Arc before anyone else. From myself and everyone who brings you the Arc flashlight: Thank You.

Peter Gransee
 
Unfortunately, for the great masses of people, $22 for a small light, no matter how well engineered and manufactured, seems like an awful lot of money. They literally have no idea how useful they are, or the technology they represent.
I was talking to one of my co-workers a few months ago, and she told me she didn't own a flashlight. Not even in her car. I gave her one of the WalMart/Sam's 2AA rubber flashlights I found on closeout for about $2, with alkaline batteries. Just this week she told me how much she's been using it, now that the days are so short. I showed her the Arc-LE. She was really impressed, until I told her the price. Even when I told her the price of a 'regular' Arc-AAA she just thought it was too much money. I pointed out how she could have it on her keychain all of the time, how it weighs almost nothing, and uses cheap batteries. Now, she's carrying around that rubber 2AA flashlight in her purse, and it's not a lightweight, but she thinks it's just great. (of course, it was free.....) But that's the thinking of a lot of people. I'm constantly amazed when I run into people who don't own a flashlight, or don't have one in their car. First, you have to make them understand how handy a tiny, really bright flashlight is. Then, you have to convince them that it's worth about what they'd spend on a nice dinner in a restaurant. I don't eat in restaurants: I buy flashlights, and they think *I'm* crazy. Tomorrow, they'll be hungry, and in the dark.

I think there is a very good market for the Arc-AAA. As the cheaper lights like the Eddie Bauer LED lights now being sold in Target become more common, more people will be exposed to small, white LED (or turquoise) flashlights, and will realize their usefulness, and value for the dollar. Right now, relatively few people outside CPF are educated enough about LED flashlights to know what makes a good one, and what makes a crappy one. Target is also selling really crappy blue, green, and amber keychain type lights. They are poorly made, and have a relatively low light output. Odds are, they won't last more than a few months in someone's pocket before they stop working. And, the great masses are all to often incapable of changing the batteries in these lights. Net result is a negative impression of all small LED flashlights, because of a bad experience with a crappy, Chinese made $5 light. It's an uphill battle. But, as more LED lights enter the market, and more people realize the value that most LED lights represent, the more likely they will be to spend the money for a really well made LED flashlight: the Arc-AAA.
cool.gif
 
Hey Peter,
If you were to go to retail, I would approach Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) up here in Canada. They're the biggest outdoor equipment retailers here (not positive, but a good guess).
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gandalf:
Unfortunately, for the great masses of people, $22 for a small light, no matter how well engineered and manufactured, seems like an awful lot of money.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

While I think you are right, the Arc AAA stacks up very nicely agasint the Photon II, price wise. I suspect the Photon has been selling pretty well. It's also in the same price bracket as the CMG. I think they are in the ball park here.

I think the harder sell is going to be the Arc LS.

In general, people have a pretty diverse perspective. I bet that same co-worker wouldn't bat an eye about spending 20 bucks going out for dinner.

-john
 
The Infinity's are about $9-$10. And I have purchased Photon 2's for $9. Sooo.... maybe I should make a little chart, of which is cheaper... over, oh, a year, lets say....

Doug

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John N:
While I think you are right, the Arc AAA stacks up very nicely agasint the Photon II, price wise. I suspect the Photon has been selling pretty well. It's also in the same price bracket as the CMG. I think they are in the ball park here.

I think the harder sell is going to be the Arc LS.

In general, people have a pretty diverse perspective. I bet that same co-worker wouldn't bat an eye about spending 20 bucks going out for dinner.

-john
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
 
Doug,
Infinity for 9-10 dollars and 2 Photons for 9 bucks? Where do you find these deals?
 
Just to be clear, it is not *2* Photon's, it is Photon II's. Botach. I didn't buy the Infinity's, but I did buy several Photon's and gave them away. One person lost hers before she even got it onto her keychain (geesh!), and only one person has used up the batteries, so at least I know he is using it hehe
smile.gif
! But, now he has to find the batteries, and asked me to get them (Oie!). So, now I am thinking I should give out Arc's this time around, no need to tell them where to get a battery
wink.gif
!

Doug

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LIGHT:
Doug,
Infinity for 9-10 dollars and 2 Photons for 9 bucks? Where do you find these deals?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
 
Top