Disposable atomizer ecig prices out of control

[robw]

Ok, I get it, supply, demand, the new thing, the best thing. These are all selling points and reasons for pricing things as they are priced.

I have seen prices as low as $44 and as high as $170. I get that prices start high and eventually work their way down, but this is crazy.

I contacted the China manufacturer and asked who they sold to and what the wholesale prices were. The price of some of the newer kits were $12.50 if purchased in qty of 100.

Im not about to drop $1250.00 plus $400 in shipping so I have no other choice than to buy from someone who is. With a cost of $16.50 per set, marking it up to $44.00 to me is acceptable, and im willing to pay that. Even $55.00 is ok and pretty inline with older model prices concidering these are brand new and everyone wants the new denshi tabaco styles that are coming out.

What Id like to ask is if you guys who are supplying these can settle on a price? I mean sure eventually the market will decide what the average price is, but some of these prices are just crazy high.

Thats my rant, thanks for listening.

 

[ZambucaLu]

Moved to the supplier forum so they can respond too.

Lu

 

[radiokaos]

The problem with a standardize price structure could be considered as price fixing which is a No No in the US. Look at the seller see what they offer, check out their feedback and see what kind of warranty they offer. Sometimes best price is not always the way to go.

 

[Elendil]

Welcome to capitalism. If you don't like the price don't pay it. I am not a supplier of ecigs or accessories and I say charge whatever you can get..........

 

[robw]

You know what, these things dont need a warranty, they are consumables and meant to be thrown away after a certain amount of time. I have batteries that last 4 months and others that lasted 3 days. I buy my pen style batteries and atomizers in bulk from bestecig and when they die I toss them. Still cheaper than smoking analogs.

The new disposables dont need a warranty. The batteries are gonna last for 3 days or 4 months, and then you toss them, same with the atomizers. The parts are cheap enough that if a dealer set the price right the volume would increase and they would simply be turning product rather than dealing with warranty issues.

Do you think a 7-11 attendant is gonna want to handle warranty complaints? Treat these like you would any other smoking supplies. If your lighter dies do you return it? No you toss it because its cheap.
check this out, when they are in every 7-11, the corporation will apply the standard mark up and set the price for the industry in effect. Lets say they mark them up 50%.
That means the retail price for a starter kit will be $18.00, spare batteries will be $7.75 each and packs of 5 atomizers will be $6.00. This is where all the price gougers who are trying to get $170.00 for a starter kit will go out of business.

So my point is why not beat them to the punch and start the price where you show a healthy profit and is low enough so when stuff does break, people wont see any issue with just tossing it and buying more.

 

[Vaporpuff]

I can't agree with you any more but you're just gonna have to find someone who is selling them at the best price and realize that it's no duck walk anymore for suppliers. For some suppliers, they won't get their shipment past customs until after their 2nd attempt. Right now I'm trying to figure out a formula of getting them through without having to resort to smuggling but it seems like an uphill battle. hehe

 

[DCrist721]

If you promise me that you will not throw out the unit/battery I will give you a link to a site where you can get one for $12. Normally I'm against these because these products encourage people to throw out batteries which will end up in landfills and pollute the envoronment, but I'm giving you the link on the condition that you hold onto it until you have the chance to recycle it. This is purely on the honor system, so pleas be honest and sincere. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Cloud9Smoking.com]

Ok, I get it, supply, demand, the new thing, the best thing. These are all selling points and reasons for pricing things as they are priced.

I have seen prices as low as $44 and as high as $170. I get that prices start high and eventually work their way down, but this is crazy.

I contacted the China manufacturer and asked who they sold to and what the wholesale prices were. The price of some of the newer kits were $12.50 if purchased in qty of 100.

Im not about to drop $1250.00 plus $400 in shipping so I have no other choice than to buy from someone who is. With a cost of $16.50 per set, marking it up to $44.00 to me is acceptable, and im willing to pay that. Even $55.00 is ok and pretty inline with older model prices concidering these are brand new and everyone wants the new denshi tabaco styles that are coming out.

What Id like to ask is if you guys who are supplying these can settle on a price? I mean sure eventually the market will decide what the average price is, but some of these prices are just crazy high.

Thats my rant, thanks for listening.

You make a good point. What also needs to be factored in are shipping costs which are outrageously high from China, overhead costs which include cost of producing and maintaining a website, employees, and basics like electricity, rent etc. Further factoring requires a margin for wholesalers as well as distributors who need to be able to sell at wholesale and still make a profit.

We arrived at our prices using a formula similar to the one described above. What we did not do was look at how much other brands are charging (about $150.00 for a starter kit) and think "hey, look how much we can charge people who are not familiar with e-cigarettes").

The point is that every business has to come up with a business model while consumers should educate themselves. What can be said in defense of companies charging high prices at malls (ie: Smoking Everywhere) is that malls charge outrageous prices for rent (try $3,000.00 a month for a dinky little cart). When you couple that with the cost of hiring one or two full time employees, that can almost excuse the high prices at a mall.

Just my thoughts.