Why are vortechs so expensive?
- Thread starter ATM
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while this is true, there is a lot of R&D and setup mfg costs that drive an initial price. ecotech probably lost a lot of money on each unit sold for awhile before they started making a profit. they also have OUTSTANDING customer service, no questions asked warranty and very high quality. are they worth $400? apparently so since so many people buy them and are very happy with their purchases.
ebruce01
New member
Okay, well how many other designs are there that are very similar to them?.......NONE
Its called a patent. Its the same thing that allows drug companies to charge a whole bunch more when a drug comes out than they can after say 3 or 5 years when the patent runs out. Is is fair? Well I suppose the company that came up with the idea does deserve to profit from any R&D that went into it. How much R&D went into the product in question?......I wouldnt even want to debate that. How technical and complex do you think a product of this sort is and how much do you think went into making it? That is about the only way to decide if its "worth it" or not. I have wondered myself how many people pay that much for a power head. They may be the greatest thing since sliced bread.........I will never know
Its called a patent. Its the same thing that allows drug companies to charge a whole bunch more when a drug comes out than they can after say 3 or 5 years when the patent runs out. Is is fair? Well I suppose the company that came up with the idea does deserve to profit from any R&D that went into it. How much R&D went into the product in question?......I wouldnt even want to debate that. How technical and complex do you think a product of this sort is and how much do you think went into making it? That is about the only way to decide if its "worth it" or not. I have wondered myself how many people pay that much for a power head. They may be the greatest thing since sliced bread.........I will never know
iamwhatiam52
New member
Build a better mousetrap and the world will buy a path to your door.
100%hydrophylic
New member
the company basically has a legalized monopoly on the pump type. they can charge whatever they want without competition to lower the price. as long as people are willing to buy the pumps the price will not lower. as soon as the patent expires more companies will design a similar product and the prices will be drawn down to free market equilibrium. so im guessing in about 20 yrs it will be considered taboo to have a power head that is not designed like the vortech in a reef, unless something better comes out.
By the time you add a wave controller to all of the other pumps the prices get pretty close to equal, the vortech comes with one. My lfs sellls them brand new for $360, so maybe the vendors are taking the profit if they are still charging $400 or better. I love mine, but I have only owned these and some koralias, they are the only pumps I will ever buy again unless something new comes out.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
love it :thumbsup:
:lmao: never heard of a patent referred to as a monopoly. nothing like vilifying innovation
reefscape15
New member
They work like they are supposed to, and people WILL pay the price for them. As for me, I haven't gotten one YET..............but I'm always looking on the used forum to snatch one up for a few $'s cheaper.
r-balljunkie
Registered Reefer
we all buy stuff, sometimes twice cuz u tried to cheap out and save some $$$, only to find out you almost burned your house down, or the POS just doesnt work.
With vortechs, you only need to buy one time.
i have owned both the mp-40w and the mp-10, both impressive and reliable.
With vortechs, you only need to buy one time.
i have owned both the mp-40w and the mp-10, both impressive and reliable.
100%hydrophylic
New member
lol blame this on my cynical economy teacher. either way the consumer is paying more than completely necessary in most cases. but the makers of the vortech did have it right and they do deserve their credit. :thumbsup: good job Vortech people. love these pumps
MeuserReef
Welcome to the next level
Why are BMW 760's so expensive? If anyone has one cheap, PM me.
(sorry... had too)
Patents are very powerful things in enconomics
(sorry... had too)
Patents are very powerful things in enconomics
NasotheHutt
New member
and foster innovation. This is why you don't see such products coming out of Russia.
blennymower
New member
Amen. Why make something if someone can steal the idea and profit off your hard work?
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