Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Originally Posted by billt460
I'm not "defending" anything.
But you are, because you partake.
Perhaps. But more importantly, I won't be overcharged for something. Atlas is free to sell their product at whatever price they choose. Just as I am free not to buy it. And I wouldn't regardless if a much cheaper repro was offered or not. You or Atlas can defend their price. It no longer matters because I as the consumer have already made the decision it's too much, and I'm not going to pay it. So based on that they've lost my sale. Where my money goes from that point is immaterial, because it's not going to Atlas.
It's no different than someone wanting to buy a tool chest, and rejecting a Snap On model because of it's ridiculous price. And instead drive over to Harbor Freight and purchase one of their U.S. General clones for 80% less. Same deal, made in China. Much like everything else they sell. But it satisfies the consumers needs who is buying it at a far cheaper cost. That matters.
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Well, you obviously approve, or you wouldn't have bought the bi-pod you are now defending the purchase of.
I approve of the quality, yes. And I purchased it because of the price in relationship to that quality. Is it as high of quality as an Atlas? Don't know, and don't care, because the Atlas has priced themselves beyond what I am willing to pay. That's no one's fault but Atlas. Neither I or the people producing the repro for 90% less didn't set Atlas's price. Atlas did.... Just like Snap On. From there the chips fall where they may.
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
You don't have to spend any money on R&D, domestic labour....etc. Nobody should be surprised that the Chinese can clone the design and make a profit with their labour costs. The fact that there is zero recourse for Atlas in having their product ripped-off in this manner is doubly insulting, but having consumers defend it points to an ethical deficiency with the consumer when they are knowingly making that purchase. There's a large rift between somebody being scammed on thinking they are getting a "good deal" and somebody knowingly buying a counterfeit product and by extension, supporting that market.
It's a Bi-Pod. Not a space probe. And to be perfectly honest, I don't care about their manufacturing costs. I care about what's coming out of my pocket. If their R&D costs are that high on something that simple, they better think about hiring a new engineering staff. On the contrary, I find it just as insulting that someone not only has the audacity to charge $330.00 for a Bi-Pod. But then be upset when someone else can produce something similar for 90% less of their cost.
Just what did they think would happen in today's international global market? As was said, high prices coupled with high profitability begs for something to be cloned. It's a 2 edged sword. And quite honestly I think there are people on this board more worried and concerned about all of this, than either Rolex or Atlas is.
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
No, consumers not buying counterfeit products and IP copyrights being enforced in China would make it go away.
And we both know that is never going to happen. And the reason is because people care more about their own personal economy, than they do the people who own and run the companies they feel are overcharging them in the first place. All with too high of prices that they as consumers have already made the decision they are not going to pay.
Remember, "rip offs" in business take place on a 2 way street. So instead they look for alternative products produced elsewhere that can accomplish what they want cheaper. Whoever can provide that product at what they feel is a fair cost, will get their hard earned money. It's why Wal-Mart and Harbor Freight are so financially successful.
People honestly don't care if these companies can justify their high costs or not. Because they're not interested in paying them either way. Just because something is manufactured to a high level of quality, with a price to match, does not guarantee it deserves, or will find a solid share of the market. Besides, it's always easier to be noble when you're spending other peoples money.
