| The problem is when a manufacturer artificially inflates the price of a product then it is easily undercut, as we have seen. It is also subject to a not so flat playing field, like the example of my mate helping me out with some discount on other stuff I bought at the time. Effectively I'm buying Halcyon products at cheaper than everyone else who fixes their price is able to, because they get cut off if they do.
All in all it doesn't make a lot of sense.
Halcyon aren't the only ones who do this. I am aware Suunto have done it in the past, and I believe they still do. You wil see several products from the usual manufacturers which don't get down below a certain price. This is not normally because no-one can afford to undercut it.
What's amusing is when someone like Phil is able to sidestep the whole game by going outside the UK for supply, or using different manufacturers, and has a successful business based on not being at the mercy of his suppliers on price.
But the simple truth is you either pay the price or you don't. If you don't then you buy a substitute product, as detailed. It all depends if the H matters to you. To many it doesn't, to a similar number it probably does. Hence Halcyon will carry on as they are.
Digs.  |