Thread: Some thoughts on gear companies.

Something to think about as I kind of have a foot in both camps.

I can buy the same product my employer imports cheaper from a retail store in the US than buyn it here at dealer cost it an that includes freight to NZ. Economies of scale, Bass Pro buys thousands in a month we only buy hundreds of units in a year.
Downside is warrenty is only valid if I send it back for repair in the region it was sold.

Retailers margins on a lot of stuff is 15-20% ie their buy price is retail less 20%, so you will be selling a lot of stuff to make a living off that especially as the Consumer Guarantees Act applies to the retailers and not suppliers/distributors yo will also get all the grief while the suppliers fob you off in most cases ...............some local gun suppliers even think the CGA does not apply specifically too them at all!!

Distributors who direct retail in any form SHOULD not be selling at any less that full recommended retail if they are supporting their stocking dealers otherwise why would the dealers bother??

My biggest bug bear
NZ retailers/companies who have their own clothing manufactured overseas (generally in China / Asia) typically it seems buy the lowest price and retail at maximum margins.
Generally the gear falls apart very quickly or is poor fitting. How can my Overseas sourced stuff last and my local stuff fall apart. In a lot of cases it could be made in the same factory!!
I have a Sitka Jetstream Jacket which I brought in 2015, been worn everyday both at work and recreation-ally and its still as good as the day I brought it although there is some small wear signs on the cuffs (although my arse puckkered paying for it) where as my "Shooters Jacket" from u you know where has fallen to bits and all seam sealing failed and its only used sporadically otherwise hung up in the shed.