WOW! Things are getting ridiculously expensive....

[OldReefGuy]

I started window shopping for sumps/skimmers and new lights.......STICKER SHOCK!!!!
I've worked in manufacturing in one form or another (both domestic and over-seas) for over 25 years....and very good at reverse engineering costs of goods. We as consumers are really getting ripped off......sorry, just had to vent.

 

[griss]

I started window shopping for sumps/skimmers and new lights.......STICKER SHOCK!!!!
I've worked in manufacturing in one form or another (both domestic and over-seas) for over 25 years....and very good at reverse engineering costs of goods. We as consumers are really getting ripped off......sorry, just had to vent.

Unfortunately, you are correct.

 

[Smite]

It is outrageous. I wonder what the average cost of a 100-120g system is by the time it gets wet? It can be done cheaper but people gotta be buying plenty of it new for the prices to be holding so high for equipment.

 

[VWD]

Yeah prices have really gone through the roof, but there is a demand and people are paying. So I don’t think thing will ever go down.
Market place is the best option for a lot of the higher priced stuff. People are constantly getting out and wanting to get some money back.

 

[kharmaguru]

There's so many people with zero experience and yet their first tank is a $10,000 RSR or Cade system. As someone who loves the design challenge of DIY I seriously can't understand it. Maybe the lure of the 'instagram tank' has melted their brain.

 

[mtnbike101]

It is outrageous. I wonder what the average cost of a 100-120g system is by the time it gets wet? It can be done cheaper but people gotta be buying plenty of it new for the prices to be holding so high for equipment.

100g = 20K after stocking and buying superfluous items that I didn't need. Granted, the system is top notch. However, if I had known the bottom line before I started, it is doubtful I would have made the purchase.

 

[minus9]

When you have a niche hobby like ours, it's easy for them to charge whatever they want. I'm aware of R&D costs, etc, but when you open up some of this gear, it's purely cheap junk. I think most sumps are overpriced and poorly thought out.

 

[kharmaguru]

When you have a niche hobby like ours, it's easy for them to charge whatever they want. I'm aware of R&D costs, etc, but when you open up some of this gear, it's purely cheap junk. I think most sumps are overpriced and poorly thought out.

Yep, you made me think of the Neptune Sky right away. I'm sure it does the job but it's basically black box quality with a flimsy heatsink, some better diode choices and a diffuser. Wrap it in a plastic box for good measure. Yet it's in the top for pricing. This of course is IMO.

 

[minus9]

Reeb Brite XHO's are another example of cheap components and high price.

 

[OldReefGuy]

When you have a niche hobby like ours, it's easy for them to charge whatever they want. I'm aware of R&D costs, etc, but when you open up some of this gear, it's purely cheap junk. I think most sumps are overpriced and poorly thought out.

Not much R&D....its all about sourcing. All this stuff is pretty much "off the shelf"...just go here

Guangzhou International Aquarium Show (GIAS)... ​

1,000's of manufacturers that will OEM all day long.....​

​

 

[OldReefGuy]

sorry about the bold...that was in error