When will it stop?
- This topic has 23 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated Jan 4, 2008 at 6:00 pm by
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Seeing all the new gear that his hit the shelves lately has me wondering just how high the market will allow companies to go.
I think you are seeing a maturing of the market in which there is less difference between the top of the line and the mid level priced equipment.
I’m with Mike on this one…..as long as there are folks that will pay 100 bones for a flyline…..we’ll keep seeing more of it. I’ll really be surprised if SA is still marketing $100 fly lines in a couple of years. I might be wrong, but I just don’t see enough customers out there to make it worthwhile.
Its not getting rediculous, it’s been rediculous.
Great points guys.
While we’re on the subject, what relatively new type of gear or technology would you
I see the really crappy bottom end stuff getting squeezed out as time progresses. There will always be a market for a $30 fly rod, but in a few years, a $30 fly rod will be today’s $100 fly rod. I’ve seen it with guitars over the years. The lower end of the mid priced range today is what used to be mid price quality ten years ago. All in all, it’s a good thing for consumers, but the price to pay is fewer jobs in America. I can walk into any music store today and, for about $400 pick up a pretty decent sounding acoustic guitar. Ten years ago, that was not the case.
Of course, I am a gear junkie and the two acoustics I play most frequently cost over $2,000 each. Why? Because I can afford it and there really is a difference. I guess that’s why people will spend big bucks on fly rods. If they can afford it and they can see/feel the difference, they will spend it. I have a couple higher end fly rods, but I bought them used for less than half the new price. I do, however, like my Martin guitars. ;D
I guess if I was a good enough caster to be able to tell the difference between a Scott G2 (one of my rods) and the new Helios, I’d spend the bucks. Today, I’m sure I do not cast up to the capabilities of my Sage or my Scott rods (or my Redington for that matter). Therefore, the Helios would not make a difference in my casting or fish catching abilities.
Now, when someone comes out with a rod that guarantees 20″ + trout on every cast, count me in. ::)
Jeff
Mike
The gear I have that I would not want to give up:
Simms Guide Jacket
Gortex waders
Patagonia Sticky Sole Boots (rugged and nice & wide)
Fingerless Neoprene Gloves
Tibor Everglades ReelAll of my gear is top end and I complain about the price, but I keep buying the best.
I won’t buy any piece of outdoors gear unless I can use it for many things (exception being flyrods) and it is at least 50% off or under $50, anything else is pointless
http://www.sierratradingpost.com http://www.steepandcheap.com
Brett: The Guide Jacket was a piece I wouldn’t leave home without as well, but mine was an Ebay purchase for about $150 off when they did the redesign a few years back.
This seems to be a reoccurring trend in my purchases lately. I want to give more love to the local fly shop, but in order to be able to afford the gear that I want, I often have to search for discounts online. I hear lots of talk of small fly shops going under due to their inability to compete with the larger internet retailers and I have to wonder if the manufacturers aren’t playing a role in running these guys out of business? Then again, most people go for the better deal whether it’s on a $500 fly rod or a pack of gum.
As for the TFO’s, give them a serious look if you don’t have issues with the overseas manufacturing. I own several Sages, Winstons and TFO’s and the TFO’s have become my go to stick in numerous situations. While they aren’t a Winston or Sage, you can buy two TiCrX rods for the price of one BIIX or Z-Axis and the odds of you being disappointed with the fishability of the rod are very slim. You may be disappointed if you’re a stickler for jewlery quality components and flawless cork, but otherwise you won’t be disappointed in the rods they offer. Plus it doesn’t hurt to have a little extra gas money in your pocket when the time comes to take a road trip!
PS to Mike
I disagree with your statement that if we quit buying the prices will go down. If we quit buying the companies will go away. To Asia. Or worse. And then the really good gear will cost much more.
I should clarify my statement a little.
I don’t mind paying an unreasonable price if I get exceptional quality. Examples: Sage (ultra straight) Blanks, Renzetti, Windstopper, Gore Tex, Ross, Lamson, Yamaha, Scientific Anglers, TFO, etc. What I’m referring to is waaaay overpriced stuff like $400+ rain coats, $700 waders, $12 box of “fly fishing” sinkers, $100 spool of fishing line, you get the point.A LOT of companies have already gone offshore and it wasn’t because they weren’t doing well.
For those interested, check where your wading jackets , vests and wading boots are made – you may well find them to be made on continents other than where the waders of the same brand are made.
The out of control consumerism stops when people decide to look at it as a sport and not an “industry”. I don’t really care if they keep it up though, I get lots of good used and closed-out gear for cheap.
I’ll really be surprised if SA is still marketing $100 fly lines in a couple of years. I might be wrong, but I just don’t see enough customers out there to make it worthwhile.
They might still be making a $100 line but it’ll probablly just be because the dollar is on par with the Peso or something.
Just a few random thoughts on this topic.
Every sport or activity has it’s 20% of the people that will always buy the newest or perceived
I don’t think its quite as simple as saying “thay can and are charging what the market will bear”.. While that may be, I think more to the point its worth examining why the market can bear those prices. I think, there are way more factors at play than can be covered here.
1) Any outdoor pursuit be it “fly-fishing”, hunting, rock climbing, bike riding, kayaking, you name it are literally booming these days. Demographics play a large role as does a move towards healthier lifestyles. For years, basically since the time I first started working 20+ years ago, Ive rarely blinked twice at the price of an item *if* it furthers my enjoyment of the outdoors and right now anything todo with getting Outdoors is big, big business.
2) Demographics again. People today, by and large are wealthier. Alot more young people have alot more disposable income than the previous generations. By way of example 4 single men (early 30s) I work with just bought homes this year worth 500K, one of which was an 800 sq foot condo. Times are different but I try to imagine my wife and I on dual incomes having that kind of confidence/security for a first buy. Also people are marrying later, having fewer kids again which just adds to the “wealth” or disposable income available.
Its also said (although Im not sure I buy it) that people *today* have more free time as well. More disposable income, more free time, more interest in healthier lifestyles…… One last note about demographics. Lots has been written in the lst year or two about “baby boomers” retiring, passing etc and because that generation was pretty well off large “fortunes” are being left/given to kids. Again, having an effect on the amount of disposable income the generation thats entering or has just entered the work force has.
Am I surprised that the Outdoor industry is cashing in? Not at all. Can I see it continuing? You bet, more and more I think the population of NA is going to put a premium on outdoor pursuits.
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