Halcyon Prices

[RichW]

Originally Posted by sean0801 in another thread

Dunno whether the question was ignored deliberately. I aint DIR bashin, i am very interested in the DIR philosophy but i object to the way halcyon do business so i won't buy their gear. I want to know if this extends to GUE training because i'd like to do the fundamentals course in the future.

OK, Halcyon hat on. What is it about Halcyon business practice that you find so objectionable?

Rich

[sean0801]

Originally Posted by RichW

OK, Halcyon hat on. What is it about Halcyon business practice that you find so objectionable?

Rich

I don't like their policy of price fixing, and i don't like the policy of gettin your mates sent to prison for a dispute that should have been solved round the back with the gloves off. Maybe that's the difference between middle class americans and workin class moss side boys though

Clare, appologies for the thread highjack

[Woz]

Put your Halcyon business hat on. You can charge an additional £100 more just cos it has an H on it. That £100 goes straight to your bottom line.

I'd do it. In fact I would be daft not to. If you can find someone to pay it then you have a business.

However there is now choice out there and people will vote with their wallets if they think something is overpriced.

[RichW]

Originally Posted by sean0801

I don't like their policy of price fixing, and i don't like the policy of gettin your mates sent to prison for a dispute that should have been solved round the back with the gloves off. Maybe that's the difference between middle class americans and workin class moss side boys though

Clare, appologies for the thread highjack

Well, there's a RRP, just like in other businesses. Most Halcyon dealers (myslef included) won't drop below that because the margins aren't big enough. There's nothing in the dealer agreement (that I've signed) that forces me to "fix" my prices.

The dispute you mention was to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars, IIRC. Not really in the same league as "a spat between two mates" is it?

Rich

[Digger]

I was told by a Halcyon dealer that they could not offer me discount on H products. They gace me discount on the other items they sold me from other manufacturers which added up to a sensible price for the Halcyon gear I was buying as well. I asked why, and he told me they were very arsey about price. Amusing really, because you can't stop market forces.

As it is a fair bit of Halcyon gear has been undercut. Salvo did it with the bigger torches, Frog just did it with the wings, there's not a whole lot else, other than the Pro 3, which I think is a lovely torch, but not worth undercutting at a shade over £300. It's a good bit of kit for the money, and nothing I've seen would have me selling mine.

Personally I have no problem with Halcyon, their CEO is quite a nice guy who at least humoured me for an evening, but their products aren't cheap. That's what comes of developing new products maybe, but it can't complain when copy cats come in and take out the market on their older technology.

Digs.

[Dangerous Dan]

Originally Posted by Digger

I was told by a Halcyon dealer that they could not offer me discount on H products.
Digs.

Yeah same here, I think it was reffered to as "Fair Price" or something.

Dan

[Digger]

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.

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by RichW

OK, Halcyon hat on. What is it about Halcyon business practice that you find so objectionable?

Rich

Apart from the Gavin scooter thing and the Solus thing, nothing.

Here's the product here's the price if you dont like it go away. Is fine by me.


My Halcyon 10W lead acid torch is not only very good (except rusting SS) but also superb value for money at £300 when I baught it.

My Halcyon Pathfinder reel is also a fantastic bit of kit. OK not cheep at £120 but I have never felt the money wasted.


As for their general buisness practice I am far more upset by the price fixing with DUI. That was mad.




ATB


Mark Chase

[Bob Cooper]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Apart from the Gavin scooter thing and the Solus thing, nothing.

Wossat?

Mark - what d'you mean by that? Has something passed me by?

Bob

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Apart from the Gavin scooter thing and the Solus thing, nothing.

Mark I don't follow this... Obviously I know the JJ / G13 link, but Solus / Halcyon? What's the story?