Illuminating the Big Picture ---

Almost hate to bring this up ... but am I the only one who sees the "Big Picture?"

Frank at Country Comm is pressured by manufacturers to quit selling flashlights below costs ... after the manufacturers received complaints from whining dealers.

Fusion's group buy of Pak-Lites crashed and burned after "The manufacturer could not ship my
order, due to a complaint from a certain "Retailer(s)" who found out about the group buy on the
Candlepowerforums which were being sold at cost"

Now, I realize that I don't understand all the "ins" and "outs" of manufacturing, retailing, etc. etc. etc. ... but it appears that some dealers who read CPF whine like a bunch of babies when somebody undercuts their price to a point that hurts.

I know we've hashed all this out before.

And I know the story is basically the same in almost everything I purchase ... i.e. every gas station in town seems to raise prices to the same price within hours of each other.

While I won't call it price fixing ... I will say this ... it seems many manufacturers and retailers only have one goal in mind ...

That goal?

To take as much of my money as possible.

Anybody interested in a group purchase of some Vasoline?

Good points! I would certainly hope that manufacturers and dealers look at us a "little differently". We are the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to checking out their products (sometimes before they are actually released to the public) as well as providing constructive feedback, endorsements, word of mouth evaluation, & advertising for them.

This extends to the dealers, their pricing, customer service, shipping, etc...

I like the idea of "CPF specials" and they should be more of a "special" than one that was offered to the general public. I don't know where it's going...maybe we need a specific "CPF Outlet, Clearing House, or Specials area where only registered members can shop?"...we actually already have that in the Manufacturers & Dealers area, though it's viewable by folks who aren't registered members (the lurkers).

Competition is what it's all about. If a manufacturer places limits on their product, not a whole lot that can be done about that (except for "approved" sales/discounts now & then..however even they can be negotiated! If "Generic Company" only allow 11% discounts...perhaps a specific CPF discount could be negotiated?) I understand that some companies have better buying power than others and that can hurt the smaller company...what to do about that??? Sorry, that's competition!

Of course this opinion merely reflects my own personal thoughts!

I am glad someone brought this up. Everyone please discuss and let these complainers know what you think.

I am sad to find people taking advantage of this community like this. Almost predatory actions against flashlight hobbyists. CPF specials are an incredible benefit to this community. It promotes the free exchange of ideas and experience with lighting products. To limit these specials reduces the CPF community to no more than a marketing target.

I have not yet been involved in any of these complaints but I probably soon will be. For those who participated in my CPF specials you know that they are truly "specials" when I offer them. My specials are not just discounts but basically a group buy and I make less than 25 cents per transaction. I owe the CPF community a lot and sometimes I can give back in this way.

Anyone to complain to me about unfair marketing practices when I offer CPF specials will just be ignored. I find this socialistic type of capitalism reprehensible. I say let the strong survive and the weak go find another market to try to compete in.

Best regards,
Randy

Randy, I agree with your "Marketing Target" comment! Indeed we still are a market, but at least make us "feel better about it" for what we provide back. If someone is uncomfortable with "what we provide back"...communicate with us, change and/or modify what caused the problem to begin with...or educate us so that we can change/modify our own thoughts...

[ QUOTE ]
I_rv_too said:
While I won't call it price fixing ... I will say this ... it seems many manufacturers and retailers only have one goal in mind ...



[/ QUOTE ]
Maybe you won't call it price fixing but I sure will.
. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[ QUOTE ]
AZMAN said:
Maybe you won't call it price fixing but I sure will.
This company has to be scared to death. If we ever figure out who it is there reputation and business is done for. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Easy there big fella... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Read Dan's post HERE.

BTW... where in AZ are you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

He's just few miles from me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif We might have to get a AZ CPF GTG organized /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I know, we can all meet in Peter's parking lot and have a tailgate party. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Best regards,
Randy

If I ever get out there to visit my mom I'm definitely dropping in on Peter /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

We used to have a baby sitter from Prescott. Nice people you Prescottians /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ QUOTE ]
darkgear.com said:
He's just few miles from me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif We might have to get a AZ CPF GTG organized /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I know, we can all meet in Peter's parking lot and have a tailgate party. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Best regards,
Randy

[/ QUOTE ]

WOOHOO!!! Just tell me when... I'm all over that!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I even have a tailgate!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sorry Sasha.......I got a little ornery.........I apologize.

I am in Prescott Valley, AZ.

I believe that both Peter (Arc) and Tom (tech associates) have mentioned that they do limited specials to be fair to their dealers. Maybe they are more in touch with what the dealers want and the dealers make the money for the manufacturer.
If Peter sold his Arc LS's for $30 we'd be happy but not for long. Keeping the dealer network happy means the manufacturer can concentate on manufacturing.
I'm not saying dealers should whine but they do have to protect their interests and we should be a little more understanding.
**By the way I'm not a dealer or manufacturer, I just understand the manufacturers side. I do like a good CPF special also /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It would appear that we have a torch cartell here...
I haven't researched the price of torches here but generally you get less torch for your money here in England than you do in the States. Is this because the quality torch market is dominated by US makers who don't have to pay duties domestically, but the poor old Brit buying the same torch in his country does?
In the budget market there are plenty of good cheap torches such as Benross 4033 which I use for my mods.

Well for what it's worth, I do know that CCrane sells the Pak-lite for $39.95 (oh wait, that was a couple weeks ago, I just checked today and they seem to have "lowered" their price -- hmmmmm?):

http://www.ccrane.com/pak_lite_in_adventure_index.asp