Predator hiking prices

JB Cases said:
what do you all protest when prices go up in the usa? prices go up all the time. when I was a kid the price of gas was 50cts a gallon now it is $4.00. I swore I was not going to support those oil robber barons and just use horses and buggies but it seems those are just for tourists any more.

not saying predator is or is not worth the money.....just saying them raising prices should not be a reason to bash china.

predator has never ever been a cheap cue. and don't forget that they have bought cues from lots of usa makers....joss, jacoby, and pechauer to name three if I am not mistaken.
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I haven't read here where someone is bashing China. To say "Buy American" is simply encouraging to support USA jobs. There are posts here supporting Predator's competitors. But I didn't see any "bashing" China.

Not saying that I'm agreeing with any side here. I do play with a Predator shaft on an American made custom cue. And I'm happy with both. Bottom line... If it works for me, then great.

Daren Johnson, who also enjoys his JB designed cases. :)
 
I have two Predator cues and like them both (especially the way they feel and hit). I also like their service.
I sent them an email requesting the cost of a replacement bumper. I provided my mailing address so they could include the cost of postage in their quote.
The next day, I received a reply email stating that the bumper was shipped!
A few days later, I received a package that included two bumpers - both free!
I also sent them an email asking about their specialty cues; Predator replied with 24 hours.
My interface with Predator has been productive and informative.
You can be sure that my next cue will be a Predator.
Shoot safe!
John
PS - In case you're wondering, I use 314-2 shafts with Kamui Black (medium) tips.
 
Boy....did this thread go a weird direction! I didn't start this thread to bash Predator. All I was saying is if you were in the market for one, now is the time to buy it. Nothing more, nothing less. This whole forum Is becoming a joke.
 
Used to love predator and still do. I don't shoot with one now but I would and still have a couple with z2 shafts. I gotta tell you though if I was in the market for another shaft I would buy ob. I really like the brand and think they are doing good things for pool !
 
SouthernDraw said:
I haven't read here where someone is bashing China. To say "Buy American" is simply encouraging to support USA jobs. There are posts here supporting Predator's competitors. But I didn't see any "bashing" China.

Not saying that I'm agreeing with any side here. I do play with a Predator shaft on an American made custom cue. And I'm happy with both. Bottom line... If it works for me, then great.

Daren Johnson, who also enjoys his JB designed cases. :)
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matter of perspective IMO. if Simonis raises prices there is no public outcry.
 
I buy what's the best bang for my hard earned dollar. i had 3 ob shafts and everyone warped on me.. The only cue ever warped on me btw.. and I gave up on them. I recently starting playing with predator and for me it hits amazing. I don't care where it was made..if its a good product I'll buy it period.
 
It may simply be a 'technical' difference to the paying public, but technically Predator did not raise their prices.. What happened on the first of August is that they changed their MAP policy for their dealers, from allowing a maximum 15% discount, to now allowing a maximum 10% discount off the list price.
Predator is one the few companies that a dealer is not only allowed to advertise at a maximum discount of (now) 10%, but is not allowed to SELL for less than 10% off the list price. Most other companies (if not all) have a MAP policy on what a dealer can ADVERTISE as a discount on their products, but are allowed to sell the products for whatever they want. Not so with Predator....
 
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JB Cases said:
what do you all protest when prices go up in the usa? prices go up all the time. when I was a kid the price of gas was 50cts a gallon now it is $4.00.
not saying predator is or is not worth the money.....just saying them raising prices should not be a reason to bash china.
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.25 cent gas for me.
I enjoy Predator products...and their warranties....and dealing with Seyberts that stands behind them. So it cost a little more...they do last a long time.
I hope Miller Lite does not go up.... oh WTH...I'll still buy and drink it.
 
Rain-Man said:
It may simply be a 'technical' difference to the paying public, but technically Predator did not raise their prices.. What happened on the first of August is that they changed their MAP policy for their dealers, from allowing a maximum 15% discount, to now allowing a maximum 10% discount off the list price.
Predator is one the few companies that a dealer is not only allowed to advertise at a maximum discount of (now) 10%, but is not allowed to SELL for less than 10% off the list price. Most other companies (if not all) have a MAP policy on what a dealer can ADVERTISE as a discount on their products, but are allowed to sell the products for whatever they want. Not so with Predator....

Im an authorized Predator dealer...
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No company in the USA is allowed to dictate your selling price. That is called vertical price fixing and it is illegal. What has been deemed legal is that a manufacturer can dictate what the minimum advertised price should be. That is why you see advertisements that state their prices are too low to be mentioned. No one can legally prevent you from selling any item for any price you want.

A manufacturer or distributor can however cut you off or simply make it hard to get the product. You can sue them if you could prove you were being punished for SELLING at prices the manufacturer doesn't like.
 
JB Cases said:
No company in the USA is allowed to dictate your selling price. That is called vertical price fixing and it is illegal. What has been deemed legal is that a manufacturer can dictate what the minimum advertised price should be. That is why you see advertisements that state their prices are too low to be mentioned. No one can legally prevent you from selling any item for any price you want.

A manufacturer or distributor can however cut you off or simply make it hard to get the product. You can sue them if you could prove you were being punished for SELLING at prices the manufacturer doesn't like.
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Yes, you are absolutely 100% correct...
 
It seems like every year when they come out with new models of cues they all come up in price. Even the last year models go up in price. For example when Pechauer came out with their new line of cues they jack up all their prices on their last year models. I agree it can get a little carried away and I am not sure what their reasoning is for this. Maybe they figured out a way to make a better cue or maybe just inflation in general.
 
JB Cases said:
No company in the USA is allowed to dictate your selling price. That is called vertical price fixing and it is illegal. What has been deemed legal is that a manufacturer can dictate what the minimum advertised price should be. That is why you see advertisements that state their prices are too low to be mentioned. No one can legally prevent you from selling any item for any price you want.

A manufacturer or distributor can however cut you off or simply make it hard to get the product. You can sue them if you could prove you were being punished for SELLING at prices the manufacturer doesn't like.
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Every deal with oakley sunglasses? I have .. guess what.. if you run a sale on oakleys you won't be an authorized dealer any more. lol It may not be legal but it's done.
 
JB Cases said:
matter of perspective IMO. if Simonis raises prices there is no public outcry.
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You missed the gnashing of teeth after Simonis bought Aramith and proceeded to institute a new dealer MSRP model... Pretty similar in stance to what Predator is doing going to 10% discount and if you get cuaght going under expect the men with black bags to come fore your distributorship....
 
trob said:
Every deal with oakley sunglasses? I have .. guess what.. if you run a sale on oakleys you won't be an authorized dealer any more. lol It may not be legal but it's done.
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Yeah I know it's done. Thing is a manufacturer or ANYONE in the downline to the retailer is NOT allowed to state this in writing or actually say it verbally. That's why even franchise brands have to couch their advertised deals with "available at participating locations" because they can't legally force any restaurant to comply. For sure though non-compliance means they will use every word in the franchise contract to pull your franchise as soon as they possibly can.


The Renfro said:
You missed the gnashing of teeth after Simonis bought Aramith and proceeded to institute a new dealer MSRP model... Pretty similar in stance to what Predator is doing going to 10% discount and if you get cuaght going under expect the men with black bags to come fore your distributorship....
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I guess I did. I know Predator also enforces their "sales area" boundaries pretty harshly, imposing fines when a dealer is caught selling outside whatever area Predator has designated, especially outside the USA.

In many European countries the price of Predator stuff is much higher than in the USA. So naturally many people from around the world would like to buy at USA prices and even with shipping it's still cheaper. I don't see how this is legal but I guess it is.

As a manufacturer I can absolutely respect a manufacturer's right to protect the integrity and reputation of the product and brand.

On the other hand I also respect that a business who buys my product then owns it. They can sell it for whatever they want to whomever they want. I do draw the line at advertised prices because i feel that advertising a low price sets the bar lower for everyone. I think it's the consumer's job to shop around and get the lowest price they can and it's the seller's job to try and get the highest price they can.

The manufacturer's job is to stay in business and keep providing great products. If the integrity of the product is compromised to the point by price wars among sellers to the point that dealers stop stocking them because of losing the ability to make enough margin to pay overhead and have a little left over then the manufacturer can't stay in business.

It's an intricate dance for sure.
 
JB Cases said:
Yeah I know it's done. Thing is a manufacturer or ANYONE in the downline to the retailer is NOT allowed to state this in writing or actually say it verbally. That's why even franchise brands have to couch their advertised deals with "available at participating locations" because they can't legally force any restaurant to comply. For sure though non-compliance means they will use every word in the franchise contract to pull your franchise as soon as they possibly can.




I guess I did. I know Predator also enforces their "sales area" boundaries pretty harshly, imposing fines when a dealer is caught selling outside whatever area Predator has designated, especially outside the USA.

In many European countries the price of Predator stuff is much higher than in the USA. So naturally many people from around the world would like to buy at USA prices and even with shipping it's still cheaper. I don't see how this is legal but I guess it is.

As a manufacturer I can absolutely respect a manufacturer's right to protect the integrity and reputation of the product and brand.

On the other hand I also respect that a business who buys my product then owns it. They can sell it for whatever they want to whomever they want. I do draw the line at advertised prices because i feel that advertising a low price sets the bar lower for everyone. I think it's the consumer's job to shop around and get the lowest price they can and it's the seller's job to try and get the highest price they can.

The manufacturer's job is to stay in business and keep providing great products. If the integrity of the product is compromised to the point by price wars among sellers to the point that dealers stop stocking them because of losing the ability to make enough margin to pay overhead and have a little left over then the manufacturer can't stay in business.

It's an intricate dance for sure.
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I have a good friend with a sticks and bricks place here in town (yeah the one I didn't take you to) The lack of protection by many brands has forced him to significantly reduce his stock in certain brands... Many times to zero.... In many instances I try to buy from him and he will tell where to buy things online cheaper than he is allowed to sell them... I am all for manufacturers setting advertised MSRP and cutting those off that break the agreement... I am also for some wiggle room if someone makes a phone call and you look at your books and say hey I'll do it a little cheaper just because I NEED the sale..... It's an ugly dance for anyone thats not internet based as far as being a retailer....

Chris
 
Predator was overpriced before the increase and their customer service was inferior. There are better alternatives for less money.
 
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