Does this price increase seem correct???
- Thread starter acrouse
- Start date
oct2274
New member
there is no way that raw materials such as metal would raise the price of the fixture that much alone. First off the cost of metal used isn't that much, second it is a very small portion of the total build cost of the fixture. Most of the fixture's cost would be labor, the other parts they don't manufacture themselves and have not increased in price, if they have it is very little. I can see a 5-10% increase in manufacturing cost increase maybe, but not increase like what has happened. it is what it is........ typically technology prices go down as increase rises because parts become cheaper due to availability, but obviously not for aquactinics. It's not like they have the market cornered by any means and it definitely isn't because they have the nicest looking fixtures. Sometimes companies take advantage of popularity by increasing prices, there is no monopoly here though so just look somewhere else and hopefully the prices on their fixtures fall back in line.
nattydread
Member
I ordered my solarflare in july and got it in sept. Demand is clearly what is driving these prices.
Also, what is to stop an American manufacturer from raising their prices along with the europeans who are getting drilled by the dollar?
When your in a business where your primary competition is overseas right now, seems you can sneak this by.
Also, what is to stop an American manufacturer from raising their prices along with the europeans who are getting drilled by the dollar?
When your in a business where your primary competition is overseas right now, seems you can sneak this by.
Lumamae
In Memoriam
I think this is a smart business move that they've been planning all along. Start the fixtures out inexpensively, get it talked up among all the forums, especially among the lighting experts, get them sold on the fixtures. Let it start to take market share away from other companies and then raise the prices when you are at your peak, hoping that your following with stick with you.
The only mistake they made was too large an increase in one shock, so everyone's up in arms. If they slid a 15% increase now and then 6 - 9 months down the road, use another reason for another 15% increase, no one would be as upset. This is what you get when a company makes to quick of a change and hobbyist hate drastic changes, especially with price increases.
The only mistake they made was too large an increase in one shock, so everyone's up in arms. If they slid a 15% increase now and then 6 - 9 months down the road, use another reason for another 15% increase, no one would be as upset. This is what you get when a company makes to quick of a change and hobbyist hate drastic changes, especially with price increases.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
If raw material prices went up so much, wouldn't we see a similar drastic increase in price for all lighting units, or at least some other ones? For the price, I would go with ATI. Otherwise, go with SLS Tek or the new Current Nova Extremes.
acrouse
New member
Thank you everyone for your suggestions on tank lighting and opinions on the price hike.
LIZZI- I would like to clarify for you:
1. First of all the Constellation is not a new product. Are you familiar with the fixture I am talking about?
2. Prices were raised on several T5 fixtures from a certain company not just the 72"-so I'm not buying the cost of "New Product" saga.
3. Obviously I did research and thought the Aquactinics was the best fixture to go with, or I would not have considered ordering it. I have never implied nor will I ever imply that Aquactinics has a bad product. I actually think their customer service is top notch!- but thanks for personally letting me know it is a good product.
4. I am glad Aquactinics is proud to be made in the US as you stated in your post. But $265.00 prouder overnight? I would not have noticed a gradual increase as the cost of materials increased.
5. I think it is sad that there are people in the reef hobby that find this type of price hike just fine!! (Like its to be hush-hush just take it in the shorts and don't tell anyone). Irreguardless of the company! It's ridiculious. I think you are just being defensive of Aquactinic Products in general and have missed the point that it was the overnight tremendous price hike that was being discussed in the post I made. Not wether Aquactinics carried good products or not.
6. And you are exactly correct when you tell me to take it or leave it. (I doubt the company feels that way). That is my choice, as well as each individual here on RC including yourself. It is also my choice when a company makes an outrageous price increase to post on RC and discuss the pros and cons, which you refer to as complaining. Since you are in "Manufacturing" I would think that you would appreciate a discussion on good or bad business decisions or deals.
After all, I have found most of my good deals here on RC by input from other members.
There is an Aquactinic Forum here on RC where the price jump is also being discussed if anyone would like to read it.
thanks again everyone
jolene
LIZZI- I would like to clarify for you:
1. First of all the Constellation is not a new product. Are you familiar with the fixture I am talking about?
2. Prices were raised on several T5 fixtures from a certain company not just the 72"-so I'm not buying the cost of "New Product" saga.
3. Obviously I did research and thought the Aquactinics was the best fixture to go with, or I would not have considered ordering it. I have never implied nor will I ever imply that Aquactinics has a bad product. I actually think their customer service is top notch!- but thanks for personally letting me know it is a good product.
4. I am glad Aquactinics is proud to be made in the US as you stated in your post. But $265.00 prouder overnight? I would not have noticed a gradual increase as the cost of materials increased.
5. I think it is sad that there are people in the reef hobby that find this type of price hike just fine!! (Like its to be hush-hush just take it in the shorts and don't tell anyone). Irreguardless of the company! It's ridiculious. I think you are just being defensive of Aquactinic Products in general and have missed the point that it was the overnight tremendous price hike that was being discussed in the post I made. Not wether Aquactinics carried good products or not.
6. And you are exactly correct when you tell me to take it or leave it. (I doubt the company feels that way). That is my choice, as well as each individual here on RC including yourself. It is also my choice when a company makes an outrageous price increase to post on RC and discuss the pros and cons, which you refer to as complaining. Since you are in "Manufacturing" I would think that you would appreciate a discussion on good or bad business decisions or deals.
After all, I have found most of my good deals here on RC by input from other members.
There is an Aquactinic Forum here on RC where the price jump is also being discussed if anyone would like to read it.
thanks again everyone
jolene
If you don't want to pay the price then dont, no one is forcing you. Jeeze. You people don't understand economics. In the last 2 months just shipping alone has had a huge increase. Manufacturers have to pay for raw materials shipped to their factories. Everything is up, prices are up on everything, haven't you noticed?
ganjero
saiperchémibatteilcorazon
Dont even take a look there, their prices are way too high for what they sell. They use the worst ballasts out there, really cheap bulbs and reflectors (not even individual reflectors). It will be a total waste of money. You can get a TEK for about the same price.
There is nothing of "good quality" in their products, I would trust even odyssea products over this people.
About the price increase, I believe it's becuase they saw people were paying a lot for the ATIs so the thought let's increase our prices too. Aquatinics are great fixtures, but I would like to see a break down of their costs including labor.
GuySmilie
Premium Member
I believe you've hit the nail on the head.
It's obvious (to me) from lurking in their forum that they are not able to keep this stuff in stock, probably due to demand. They were saying earlier this year, when they ran out and had a big delay in getting products delivered, that demand had overwhelmed their projections and that they were taking the necessary steps to make sure they never run out again. So when I ordered a unit from them in October I was told they were out of stock again. But it finally showed up a few weeks ago. PA told me back then that the prices were going to go up. And that's why I ordered then.
I don't usually begrudge a guy trying to make a dollar, but that's a huge increase to be blamed on the cost of materials. Some of it may be justified, but I'm thinking like some of you here; they are just skinning a fat cat while the skinning is good.
I also emailed them with a support question and never heard back from them. They must be some busy busy bees in their shop.
clevengergl
New member
I've had a retrofit PC fixture that I bought from them nearly 3 yrs. ago and I haven't had a single problem with it. Perhaps I just got lucky. I can't speak much to the quality of their T-5 units, but if you actually look out on the site you will see that their retrofit fixtures DO have individual reflectors. I'm sure they're not nearly as high-quality as some of these other fixtures, but they do seem to be a less-costly alternative.
Gary
CruzinKim
In Memoriam
Wow, a lot of people pushed out of shape on this price increase.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1253233
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1253233
have you considered the new Current Nova Extreme Pro fixture
http://www.current-usa.com/nova_extreme_pro
They now have individual reflectors and cooling fans, looks to be a nice unit, and they come with bulbs...
I've seen the 72" version for $583 from www.drsfostersmith.com
http://www.current-usa.com/nova_extreme_pro
They now have individual reflectors and cooling fans, looks to be a nice unit, and they come with bulbs...
I've seen the 72" version for $583 from www.drsfostersmith.com
acrouse
New member
mic209-Yes actually I have looked at the New Nova Extreme Pro fixture as someone linked me to it a few days ago. The only thing I am leary about -is no reviews on them since they are just now being manufactured from what I understand-thanks for the suggestion.
CruzinKim-thank you for posting the thread from the other forum. I still have not managed how to properly insert threads into my posts!!
And yes, it is not only me that has noticed the price increase. I really feel many people were looking into buying their fixtures (different sizes also) around the same time I was, that is why so many people noticed the sudden increase. I spent alot of time on that forum before deciding on that company and read posts on others getting ready to buy and talking to Tom or Scott about the fixtures. That is why I questioned the drastic raise in price, especially after the posts about backorders for long periods of time!! They start noticing how many people want their product-and then jack the prices. ( I don't think its all material IMHO} Think how much money they could have made by a 10% increase!But got greedy and went approx-30% Now several have axed them completely. Its really too bad cause I feel they had a great product to sale. Maybe just a bad business move!!
thanks again
CruzinKim-thank you for posting the thread from the other forum. I still have not managed how to properly insert threads into my posts!!
And yes, it is not only me that has noticed the price increase. I really feel many people were looking into buying their fixtures (different sizes also) around the same time I was, that is why so many people noticed the sudden increase. I spent alot of time on that forum before deciding on that company and read posts on others getting ready to buy and talking to Tom or Scott about the fixtures. That is why I questioned the drastic raise in price, especially after the posts about backorders for long periods of time!! They start noticing how many people want their product-and then jack the prices. ( I don't think its all material IMHO} Think how much money they could have made by a 10% increase!But got greedy and went approx-30% Now several have axed them completely. Its really too bad cause I feel they had a great product to sale. Maybe just a bad business move!!
thanks again
ganjero
saiperchémibatteilcorazon
The answer to this price increase is very basic economics, price is determined by the supply/demand curves. You noticed already that there are a lot of back-orders so this means the demand is way more than the supply, thus the price is gonna increase and keep increasing if this tendency keeps going on. .Somebody mentioned this earlier, and it is true.
Plus with more people using t5s and getting great results there's been kind of a boom with T5s lately (the past couple of years), which means more demand but luckily more companies are producing good quality T5 fixtures and hopefully that will drive the prices down at some point.
atvdave
Premium Member
Re: Does this price increase seem correct???
Here's another option.. posted in the Aquatinics forum.
____________________________________________________
"I have 2 72" Constellations both are refurbish and carry a 90 day warranty $630.00 each with legs. plus shipping."
____________________________________________________
BTW.. I think the price increase all at once is a bit too much, but I do have the 72" Constellation and like it very much.
Here's another option.. posted in the Aquatinics forum.
____________________________________________________
"I have 2 72" Constellations both are refurbish and carry a 90 day warranty $630.00 each with legs. plus shipping."
____________________________________________________
BTW.. I think the price increase all at once is a bit too much, but I do have the 72" Constellation and like it very much.
acrouse
New member
ganjero- I agree 100% that supply and demand is what is behind this price increase. Not the cost of material. I think I mentioned that earlier. I just don't agree with the large increase all at once and wonder if they thought all these people that were going to purchase soon would not notice? They knew from posts and e-mails many were looking to buy around christmas. Its just a very disappointing move from such a good sponser of RC.
About every product we buy follows the same trend. Look at MH-when I started 2yrs ago, they were the "thing to have"-prices soared where a lot of people could not afford-so like you said T5's came out. They caught on as-great lights-much, much more cost effective- now prices have to soar. I feel other companies making T5's will follow suit with large price increases, until many people can't afford T5's and something new will follow. I hope thats not the case, but its the trend in this hobby.
thanks again
jolene
About every product we buy follows the same trend. Look at MH-when I started 2yrs ago, they were the "thing to have"-prices soared where a lot of people could not afford-so like you said T5's came out. They caught on as-great lights-much, much more cost effective- now prices have to soar. I feel other companies making T5's will follow suit with large price increases, until many people can't afford T5's and something new will follow. I hope thats not the case, but its the trend in this hobby.
thanks again
jolene
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