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ScottieG
253
Apr 18, 2017
I buy these sorts of things direct from Chinese vendors. I bought 4 larger danglers for $9.20 ( $2.30 each) delivered from China. They a lot look like the Munroe Dangler, but are steel, instead of titanium. I remember seeing these smaller ones, but I did not buy them. I think $3.00 to $3.50 delivered is a reasonable price for these little danglers. Anything above that is simply not realistic or reasonable.
A community member
Apr 18, 2017
ScottieGCould not agree more. This is robbery!
@ScottieG @jereman @Feir @iLoloC
OK guys, I usually just let the discussion run its own course, but can I offer a little perspective? To produce this product of which Chinese companies have copied exactly: - Design and prototyping - Tooling cost (thousands $) - Packaging design and minimum production run - Quality stainless spring steel (not cheap carbon steel that just bends open when used) - Finishing/tumbling - Production run minimum quantities (thousands of pcs) - Black diamond coating minimum quantity coating run (thousands of pcs) - Assembly/processing/fulfillment labor - Top tier customer support - Maintaining a US-based business (wages, taxes, etc.)
Robbery? I humbly disagree Oh, and BTW, most of those Chinese companies have stolen our photos so you think you are getting the same product, but you get a crappy knock-off. Buy it if you like, I have no issue with that. Just understand they are not the same product.
A community member
Apr 18, 2017
TECENGI appreciate your thoughts. But let's just put all that in perspective. We're talking about a keychain "gadget". You're acting like it's some medical instrument that needs all kinds of rigorous testing and stuff. It' not a pacemaker you need. This is as utilitarian as it gets. This is just a notch above a split ring. It's not the bee's knees.. Design & prototyping? A $1000,- home 3D printer and a few hours will do the trick. Heck, I'd could bend a hair clip to prototype this. In fact: I've experimented with a large paperclip put a split ring/clip through it, and it functions fine as a "prototype". Let's face it: if it was some fancy goldplated thing (and even then) it's just to hang your keys. That's not worth $9 each. Sorry, but that's the cold, hard truth. So to summarize the words of my fellow massdropper:
"Anything above that ($3.00/$3.50) is simply not realistic or reasonable. "
A community member
Apr 18, 2017
It's like designing a $10000 safe, to keep a $1 bill...
To each his own. But nowhere did I imply this was on the same order as a medical instrument nor did I say we did any rigorous testing. Please don't put words in my mouth. It is apparent that you have never had anything fabricated for production before. Prototyping? Let's see you select the proper material and thickness for the amount of tension you want on the first try. And since these have to be fabricated using a punching process, they require tooling to be manufactured to keep production costs low. If the first prototype doesn't work to expectations, changes in tooling may be required, all at a cost. Making something out of PLA on a 3D printer does not yield the same results as metal punching. Apples and oranges my friend. To quote a price of what you think is realistic, based on your limited manufacturing knowledge, is simply your opinion.
We are not forcing anyone to buy the product. If you like it, and want to support a US based company and its employees, we appreciate the purchase. If you want to buy a $1 ebay rip-off, be my guest. I really don't understand the hate that goes on here sometimes. If people don't want to buy a product, ours or anyone's, just don't buy it. No need to call people stupid for buying it (referring to other's comments, not necessarily yours).
A community member
Apr 18, 2017
TECENGHate? Not me. Just common sense. I took one look at the packaging: and it's a total waste of money. Sorry, but it's marketing fluff. Making something affordable and thus indispensable, for a mass market is another thing. All that stuff about American made is great and all: but who can pay for that? Ps: I found a similar design made out of Titanium (!) for less than $5. Clearly you're doing it wrong...
IvanSpendalot
376
Apr 19, 2017
TECENGI am sorry I bought a knockoff in past. I will buy the original and support you guys. Love the glow fob I bought last time.
IvanSpendalotNo worries, but appreciate the support 👍
RayF
22206
Apr 4, 2018
TECENGYou vendor/suppliers all sing the same song when someone pulls back the curtain on your crazy-high margins! It's not our job to subsidize your business model, it's your job to figure out how to compete in a global market.
Now, I will give you credit for the second part--selling in a narrow niche environment like MD, with a captive (an often gullible) group of consumers does seem to provide you with some temporary cover, but the cats out of the bag now:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07167GV5D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_a2keAbVAWDPRZ