Highway Star
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 2,921
- Points
- 36
I've been looking at skis, and I'm starting to wonder if the pricing has much more to do with marketing than with cost of production.
There is no doubt that there is a difference between low-end skis and high-end skis. High end skis have more features, and presumably incorporate more expensive materials into the ski. But it doesn't seem to me that the difference in craftsmanship comes close to justifying the difference in price.
An even clearer example is a line of ski that is exactly the same between models except for a higher flex. The higher the flex, the more expensive the ski. Is there really that much required to stiffen the ski that requires $100 for every 10 points in flex?
My suspicion is that the price is based primarily on what the market will pay. Beginners aren't willing to pay much, or are sought to be enticed so they will become life-long customers. It would not surprise me if there is very little money, if any, made on entry level skis. Experts are willing to pay more in order to get more performance. Ski manufacturers are willing to take advantage of that.
On the other hand, it could be a function of economy of scale. More beginners are buying skis than experts. Everyone must start, but not everyone will stick with it and progress.
What do others think? I have no problem with capitalism at work, but at the same time capitalism works best when there is sufficient competition. Or is the problem that a cheaper ski will automatically be seen by the consumer as being inferior - even if it isn't.
--------------------------------------
Sorry, I just copied this from somewhere else. It covers the most *completely obvious* factors..........obviously. But if someone can't tell the difference why real high end gear costs more than low end gear, well, they're an idiot.
There is no doubt that there is a difference between low-end skis and high-end skis. High end skis have more features, and presumably incorporate more expensive materials into the ski. But it doesn't seem to me that the difference in craftsmanship comes close to justifying the difference in price.
An even clearer example is a line of ski that is exactly the same between models except for a higher flex. The higher the flex, the more expensive the ski. Is there really that much required to stiffen the ski that requires $100 for every 10 points in flex?
My suspicion is that the price is based primarily on what the market will pay. Beginners aren't willing to pay much, or are sought to be enticed so they will become life-long customers. It would not surprise me if there is very little money, if any, made on entry level skis. Experts are willing to pay more in order to get more performance. Ski manufacturers are willing to take advantage of that.
On the other hand, it could be a function of economy of scale. More beginners are buying skis than experts. Everyone must start, but not everyone will stick with it and progress.
What do others think? I have no problem with capitalism at work, but at the same time capitalism works best when there is sufficient competition. Or is the problem that a cheaper ski will automatically be seen by the consumer as being inferior - even if it isn't.
--------------------------------------
Sorry, I just copied this from somewhere else. It covers the most *completely obvious* factors..........obviously. But if someone can't tell the difference why real high end gear costs more than low end gear, well, they're an idiot.
