|
greengecko
Feb 18, 2003, 3:26 AM
Post #1 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 18, 2002
Posts: 43
|
No really i want someone to give me an actual answer to the reason its cost so goddamn much and same with shoes though that i kinda understand... but still do the materials cost that much??
|
|
|
|
|
repseki
Feb 18, 2003, 5:00 AM
Post #2 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 11, 2002
Posts: 64
|
the materials hardly cost anything, but the companies need to make a profit. keep in mind that whenever a product is exchanged to a seller, the price doubles. that means if a pair of shoes cost a $25 frm the company to a wholesaler, they will cost $50 for the shop, and then $100 for you. this is true in all marketing situations.
|
|
|
|
|
kalcario
Feb 18, 2003, 5:16 AM
Post #3 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 1601
|
the pad is so expensive because the climbing industry is factoring in all the money they would have made in years past selling you a harness, rope, pro, haul bag, portaledge, etc. They know that since boulderers rarely become real climbers they better soak you for all they can now, because this is all the gear your're ever gonna buy. OK?
|
|
|
|
|
petsfed
Feb 18, 2003, 5:22 AM
Post #4 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 8599
|
Actually, the total price to make your own pad with the foam they use is about $100. I looked into it once. Sure, they get a volume discount, but quality foam ain't cheap. Everything else, I can see, but for a section of 2 inch low density foam of approximately the same size as a crash pad, its $80. Plus another $20 for the top layer and you've got an expensive mattress.
I bet you're all wondering how I know this. My mother loves our dogs, so she constructed mattresses for them to place in their kennels. You use the same foam for that as the soft layer in a crash pad. Cost about $80 to make 2 of them.
So there you go.
|
|
|
|
|
fritzski
Feb 18, 2003, 6:14 AM
Post #5 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 4, 2002
Posts: 122
|
I know a lot of young folks who are involved in this sport don't have a bunch of cash to blow, however, in relative terms, one of the attractions of this sport it is very inexpensive compared to many others I've been involved with.
rock shoes $100, ski boots $600
rack $500, golf clubs $1500
Believe me, even at $100, neither Five Ten or your local shop is making any big killing on selling you a pair of shoes by the time the wholesale / retail gamit is complete.
|
|
|
|
|
flying_dutchman
Feb 18, 2003, 6:16 AM
Post #6 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 20, 2002
Posts: 708
|
Its not like there is a big market for crash pads cause there are only so many boulderers out there and one dosen't buy a new pad every year most likely. Factor in the costs associated with designing the pads and you get a high cost. Just like with climbing videos right, they cost more then hollywood movies cause of the much smaller market for them.
If climbing was as popular as skateboarding, for instances, then crash pads would be cheaper, as well as other gear but then it would suck too as there would be so many climbers out there and all the crags would be packed.
|
|
|
|
|
carnaged
Feb 18, 2003, 6:30 AM
Post #7 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 20, 2002
Posts: 1652
|
In reply to: Why are crashpads so expensive?
Why is your life worth living?
Think about it.
|
|
|
|
|
kalcario
Feb 18, 2003, 6:36 AM
Post #8 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 1601
|
* If climbing was as popular as skateboarding, for instances, then crash pads would be cheaper, as well as other gear but then it would suck too as there would be so many climbers out there and all the crags would be packed.*
My understanding, based on the fact that the ratio of pebble wrestlers to real climbers is about 1,000 to 1 (here in Cali, anyway, in Europe it's the other way around) is that the bouldering areas ARE packed; going to the Happys or the Milks, for instance, is like going to a mattress showroom, whereas, based on personal experience, your average 5.12 climber can do whatever he/she wants whenever he/she wants at the actual crags because nobody else is on those routes.
|
|
|
|
|
rokjunky
Feb 18, 2003, 7:09 AM
Post #9 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 13, 2003
Posts: 84
|
i'd susupect that it's due to our (climbers) exclusive, selective market. and, of course the same principle that drives our economy.....supply and demand.
|
|
|
|
|
easysteve
Feb 18, 2003, 7:16 AM
Post #10 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 27, 2002
Posts: 424
|
"They know that since boulderers rarely become real climbers they better soak you for all they can now, because this is all the gear your're ever gonna buy. OK?"
That sounds kind of harsh, I say if you climb rock, than you're a climber. Guess they soaked you up really well there. Anyways, who told you that?
"Why is your life worth living?
Think about it."
I think you should, because death is rare when bouldering is in question.
|
|
|
|
|
easysteve
Feb 18, 2003, 7:19 AM
Post #11 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 27, 2002
Posts: 424
|
In reply to: My understanding, based on the fact that the ratio of pebble wrestlers to real climbers is about 1,000 to 1
Seriously, who are you to say this? Like I stated a second ago, if you climb, you climb. Too many, bouldering is practice to build strength and technique.
|
|
|
|
|
kalcario
Feb 18, 2003, 7:56 AM
Post #12 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 1601
|
*Seriously, who are you to say this?*
who am I?
hmm... my memory reaches back even to the Elder Days. Earendil was my sire, who was born in Gondolin ere its fall...many defeats, many fruitless victories...
oops, sorry, wrong usergroup. Just a guy with an opinion and 30 years at the crags to back it up...how 'bout you?
|
|
|
|
|
womble
Feb 18, 2003, 2:02 PM
Post #13 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 2, 2003
Posts: 186
|
kalcario, that was hillarious :D
As someone who doesn't boulder (ha ha, shoot me down in flames if you want!), I'm going to take the cynical view and say because in part that bouldering is one of the more 'fashionable' branches of climbing and so despite the 'poor' climber stereotypes, enough people are simply prepared to pay over the odds for a crashpad. I similarly see a brand such as Prana to embody this idea- way expensive (usually cotton ie cheap and non-performance) but stylish and well marketed climbing clothing.
Also, I guess that if you boulder but don't do other sorts of climbing, a pad is way cheaper than a rope and rack so the bite isn't as painful.
|
|
|
|
|
crack_head
Feb 18, 2003, 2:15 PM
Post #14 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 23, 2002
Posts: 210
|
In reply to: fritzski "rack $500" uhhh? i wish my rack only cost $500 |
|
|
|
|
gypsy
Feb 18, 2003, 2:55 PM
Post #15 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 25, 2002
Posts: 59
|
my thoughts exactly, crack_head....not to mention the continual need for new gear!
|
|
|
|
|
fritzski
Feb 18, 2003, 3:11 PM
Post #16 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 4, 2002
Posts: 122
|
Okay you two, so your rack cost more than $500 :roll: . Maybe even as much as a set of graphite clubs if you went crazy, whatever. But how much does it cost for you to go out and use it. Hopefully not the $200 plus it costs for a round of golf at a nice resort down here right now, or $70 for a lift ticket. My point remains that it is a very affordable sport, relatively speaking.
|
|
|
|
|
vegastradguy
Feb 18, 2003, 11:08 PM
Post #17 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 28, 2002
Posts: 5919
|
crash pads are not expensive. i might be able to buy 2 or 3 cams for that price. cheap.
all a boulderer has to pay to get set up is about..what...$400? total?
yeah, try about 7 or 8 times that and thats what i've spent so far on gear, and i still dont have enough!
ps- petsfed is correct, the foam is very expensive (i know, I buy it often), and they really arent making a killing. I think I might be able to make a pad for about $80 or $90 if i was being industrious, but why bother, it'd never be as nice as a pad you'll find in a store.....
|
|
|
|
|
drector
Feb 18, 2003, 11:17 PM
Post #18 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 27, 2002
Posts: 1037
|
I've bought good quality foam for other reasons and it was expensive (as mentioned above).
Dave
|
|
|
|
|
clundin_99
Feb 18, 2003, 11:23 PM
Post #19 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 23, 2002
Posts: 72
|
I have to quote good ole Mr. Joe Dirt
"Why is the sky good?
Why is a rainbow good?
Why are boobs good...
They just are"
|
|
|
|
|
dave1970
Feb 19, 2003, 12:13 AM
Post #20 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 2, 2003
Posts: 94
|
Quite simply, they cost that much because enough people are willing to pay that much.
|
|
|
|
|
climber_dude
Feb 19, 2003, 10:21 AM
Post #21 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 17, 2002
Posts: 154
|
dude you spent $1500 on golf clubs :shock:
|
|
|
|
|
rwaltermyer
Feb 19, 2003, 9:27 PM
Post #22 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 10, 2001
Posts: 1059
|
70 bucks for a lift ticket?
oh, forget it, I'm not arguing...
I think the fact that we all probably shelled out 200 bucks in the main reason. Its said that the consumer sets the market price. And we did exactly that. And until something changes (i.e. cheaper competition) they might always be 200 bucks.
|
|
|
|
|
reborne
Feb 19, 2003, 9:54 PM
Post #23 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 24, 2003
Posts: 190
|
asana is having a sale like under 110 for the small and like 140 for the large ever see those space age foam mattresses like 2k for a double they tottally rock though im wandering arnt i well i guess a bit :arrow:
|
|
|
|
|
survivalexpert
Feb 19, 2003, 10:04 PM
Post #24 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 17, 2002
Posts: 79
|
Hey, I got a nic epad that is very very similar to the Metolius large off of acmeclimbing.com. It has the 45 degree hinge with two inches of open cell and one inch of closed, 48*36 inches. It seems like one of the best deals around at 95 bucks plus shipping for 14. 109 total compared to the 150 or more for the Metolius large.
|
|
|
|
|
onemistakebigpancake
Feb 19, 2003, 10:16 PM
Post #25 of 48
(4837 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 10, 2002
Posts: 162
|
slightly off topic... If you think that a crash pad is expensive, my co-worker bought a new mattress for $3000!!!! all foam....did I mention she got it a half price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
