Thread: Some thoughts on gear companies.

I may be right, or I may be wrong but when it comes to choosing who I buy gear from, I make certain assumptions about the quality of the gear based on the behavior of the company. Price certainly can be indicative of quality, but as we all know too well, there are some very expensive lemons out there.

In my head I split the cost to manufacture and sell any piece of gear is split into a bunch of different categories.

Raw materials
Labor
Retail costs
Shipping and distribution
and Marketing

I don't know what the exact ratios are, it's not important really for my buying process, just being aware they all have a share of the price tag is what's important.

The way in my mind to maximize the quality of the product you end up with for what you spend is to choose companies that minimize the costs of the product that have absolutely no impact on quality. Basically, the 3 bottom on the list above.

One of the things I have been considering is the huge amount some of the companies spend on A) Marketing campaigns on social media and B) Sponsoring "celebrities" and their shows or content. Anyone who has dabbled in promoting stuff on Facebook or youtube can tell you, that shits not cheap and some of these companies are throwing ads at you like it's going out of fashion. One of my rules for buying is I try to go to word-of-mouth recommended companies, which I haven't ever seen large-scale paying for social media ads, sponsoring influencers, or in not-so-subtle product placements on tv shows. All these costs are passed on in the price tag of your goods, and add nothing to their performance as a piece of kit.

I should caveat before someone trolls through my photos and points out something like Stoney creek or First Lite, I will pay for this stuff secondhand if it comes up cheap enough!

Another thing I consider is retail costs. If I can buy direct from the companies that is doing the manufacturing, that seems to me like it should result in a better cost/quality ratio. The company makes the stuff, and ships it straight to me, the end consumer. There is no markup by a secondary retailer, and no money is spent hanging it on a rack for display. I understand some folks like to try things on in a physical store, and I can appreciate that, but most companies have really good sizing charts online now and if you know your own measurements, you can make pretty bloody accurate orders without putting things on first.
I also acknowledge the need to support local retail outlets, if you want to have them stay around. I do try to use them as much as I can when what I want isn't available straight from the manufacturer.

These are just my thoughts, arguably they are wrong, but I'd have to say, they have resulted in some brilliant pieces of gear. Some companies whose stuff is killing it that I have found are Twinneedle, Earth Sea Sky, Sarvos MTac gear and boots (which sadly is no longer available), Kaiwaka, and Squires manufacturing. Coincidently they are all also manufacturing here in NZ!

If you disagree with my ethos, let me know why? Maybe you feel like promoting hunting entertainment is worth paying a bit more for your kit for?

Also, feel free to chuck some more companies out there who are doing a great job.
Cheers.