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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2010 1:26:19 GMT
Kraft Mac and Cheese wanted to bolster product sales after having a slack couple of years in sales. They wanted to imprlement a plan that would get peoples attention and renew brand loyalty to their product. After having many focus groups, and after considering a long list of ideas including marketing blitz to their target market, change in packaging, product pairing and placement, they came up with a very simple idea. Their idea was to raise their prices. This would reinstate to their customer that they were the best. This worked because it is almost logical that what is more expensive is better quality and so higher prices are justified. Thier product never changed. Their packaging was never altered at this time. The only thing they did was raise the price. Ha! That sounds like a friend who tried to sell his car on craigslist. It was a mid eighties GM can't remember what model. He put it up for a decent price and no one came to look at it thinking that for that cheap it must be a POS. After not selling for a month he raised the price 2 grand and sold it right away. Go figure.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 1, 2010 1:56:13 GMT
I would love to have an Earl.... but I'll never have one when I can have John hook me up awesome swords like my Laird for comparable prices... This is exactly my situation as well. I can see as others have mentioned how those looking for historical accuracy above all other concerns would still look to Albion... but when I can get an Odinblade for around the same price, and be more involved in the concept/design of the sword and know it was made pommel to tip by one man paying close attention to every detail of it, its a no brainer for me. I still have several Albions I want... but I guess I'll just have to wait to catch em on the second hand market.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2010 6:48:53 GMT
You can't ask my opinion; I'm the lunatic ( er sorry Lunaman ) who bought the Vivamus. It's all about options and aesthetics. I might look elsewhere for XIIs and XVIIIs, but when Albion gets off their duffs and produces that Margraf I'll be at the door with a bag o money for one... ;D Hah!!! ;D No apologies needed for puns. Especially because I'm right there with you, though I'll hopefully be snatching up the Hauptmann. "Options and aesthetics" indeed. I'm not always a stickler on historical accuracy per specific time periods or reproductions of specific real swords (I'm more on about looks and performance) but this is a special case. A lot changed in my sword interests since I finally got to see a lot of surviving museum pieces in person. When I saw this sword with my own eyes at the V&A in London, it stopped me dead in my tracks and it has preyed on my mind ever since: collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O97450/hand-and-a/That's at least one dream sword where if I want what I really want, I want the utmost dedication to historical accuracy and museum research backing up a reproduction, and that's squarely where Albion meets up with me. When I've got the money for that sword and it's released, maybe there will be more attractive options for my cash than that Albion, but for now, it's still the best I've found. (Maybe Albion will let me get the bare blade from a Landgraf and I can have a custom maker finish it with a hilt or something after the fact. Who knows?)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2010 11:16:46 GMT
I just think its funny they upped their prices last time, then they had two different sales lasting months. Last time I got a coupon in my email for $100 off. The only thing that does it teach customers not to buy anything and wait for a sale. If you have an item which is a no rush item (I don't think anyone has to have a sword RIGHT NOW!!!!) and you know you can save $100 if you wait a couple months, most people will wait.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 1, 2010 17:06:25 GMT
I just think its funny they upped their prices last time, then they had two different sales lasting months. Last time I got a coupon in my email for $100 off. The only thing that does it teach customers not to buy anything and wait for a sale. If you have an item which is a no rush item (I don't think anyone has to have a sword RIGHT NOW!!!!) and you know you can save $100 if you wait a couple months, most people will wait. True... but if you up the prices, then later have a sale... people will feel they are getting a better deal and will buy, because its such a deal, right? However... since the base price was raised, the sale price is still higher also... and it allows them to control volume and when it goes out. Its a good tactic. I used to run a group of retail shops in a tourist heavy area. If we put "sale" on something more people looked at it and bought it, regardless of if it was actually a reals ale or not.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2010 22:29:39 GMT
Aaahhhh humans, were such disgustingly predicatable animals ............ unique snowflake my ass
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2010 22:47:15 GMT
The whole mark up prices, then put something on sale mentality works, to a point. The downside is that it relies on your customer base being somewhat uninformed or impulsive in their buying habits. In the very small sword market, most of us are anything but. I remember when Albions were an average 48% cheaper just a few years ago for the exact same models, before they added what will equate to the highest ever industry increase in retail sword prices.
So, that trick migh work with some folks. But not on this old dog...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2010 23:05:45 GMT
huh..... a price increase on a luxury item in a down economy ....brilliant idea
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Post by sicheah on Jul 1, 2010 23:06:17 GMT
I am very skeptical that Albion increasing price would create noticeable increase in sales based on the argument that higher price reflects quality. True higher price might send a signal that their products is better than products of other competitors, but the product better be good (and remain good to justify the price difference) since consumers are not that stupid to be fooled repeatedly to pay for higher price and receive lousier products than their competitors. In Albion case, most of us already know that their products are much better in terms of fit and fittings, as well as, historical accuracy compared to other production swords. Further price increase will not send any additional signal that their products are going to be better than their competitors...well at least the signal it will send is that they will not compromise for quality in an effort to remain in business.
A price increase is quite reasonable if they are having trouble keeping up with increasing cost of operation, but I doubt it is a sustainable decision in the long run since their prices have been increasing drastically over the past few years, which is unsustainable in my opinion if their customer base becomes dangerously small. Furthermore since Albion products have very good second hand market value, higher price is good for those who already owned an Albion, but it pushes more people to buy their swords in the second-hand market. That is not going to help them at all. I really feel bad if they price themselves out of the market since they really set a standard in modern production sword industry.
Albion could (theoretically at least) stay competitive by (1) changing their business model by selling a larger quantity at a lower price. This would increase their customer base at the expense of smaller profit per unit. But this will be a risky drastic business move and might fail dramatically if not conducted properly, even though I think it is a better business model.
Another less drastic way to remain competitive is (2) by offering ready made hilt parts and blade separately for sale. They need not be meticulously finish (saving up labor cost) but at least offer an option for those who cannot afford a complete Albion sword to assemble it themselves. Their offering of blank H-T blades moat sale, in my opinion, is a step in the right direction for those who cannot afford a next gen/museum quality piece but willing to put some effort in making one with their labor.
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Post by sicheah on Jul 1, 2010 23:17:52 GMT
The whole mark up prices, then put something on sale mentality works, to a point. The downside is that it relies on your customer base being somewhat uninformed or impulsive in their buying habits. In the very small sword market, most of us are anything but. I remember when Albions were an average 48% cheaper just a few years ago for the exact same models, before they added what will equate to the highest ever industry increase in retail sword prices. So, that trick migh work with some folks. But not on this old dog... Agreed. I mean you could fool people once (maybe a couple of times ) but you can't fool everyone all the time, especially those who were in the sword market long enough to witness a large increase in price in a span of only a few years. I am not saying that Albion is out there to trick people. I am just saying that a persistent price increase not the best way to remain in the sword market.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 1, 2010 23:20:05 GMT
I am not saying that Albion is out there to trick people. I am just saying that a persistent price increase not the best way to remain in the sword market. Well, dispite my being sad that Albions grow more expensive and even further from my grasp... I hope they DO remain in the market, cuz I love their swords and hope to score a few more when and where I can.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2010 9:48:05 GMT
I love Albion’s, owning two of them my self. For me the price point has just been within range,however if it goes up I would have to start asking serious questions about whether it is worth the price. Particularly given that there are a number of good custom smiths who make swords which are only a few hundred dollars more then an Albion. Tinker Pearce’s swords for instance he seems to sell his for around $1000-$1200, or Fable Blades seems to range from around $1000-$3000. Albion next gen swords range from $800-$1400. As a potential buyer I have to start asking myself, if the price level is the same do I really want a production sword, when, at a similar price I can afford a custom sword?
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 2, 2010 13:34:36 GMT
I love Albion’s owning two of them my self. For me the price point has just been within range, I would have to start asking serious questions about whether it is worth the price. Particularly given that there are a number of good custom smiths who make swords which are only a few hundred dollars more then an Albion. Tinker Pearce’s swords for instance he seems to sell his for around $1000-$1200, or Fable Blades seems to range from around $1000-$3000. Albion next gen swords range from $800-$1400. As a potential buyer I have to start asking myself, if the price level is the same do I really want a production sword, when, at a similar price I can afford a custom sword? Yup... and often Tinker and FableBlades are a bit lower then that as well... not to mention Odinblades and others. AS Albions push more and more into 'Custom' price territory... its a hard question.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2010 14:35:09 GMT
I would MUCH rather spend a little more and get a custom Odin, Tinker or Fable than spend that much on an Albion. But then I felt that way before they raised the price. But I am not big on historical perfection.
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Post by ShooterMike on Jul 2, 2010 14:44:30 GMT
I'm a glutton. A veritable pig! I own 19 Albion swords as of today (bought one last night). But I have only ever bought one from Albion, during their last 25% off sale. And it was the least expensive Next Gen sword, a Reeve. I just can't see buying an Albion at retail. The quality is there. But there are a few things I would demand at that price that's missing. Chief among them is having a proper historic cord wrapping over the wood core, under the leather. It's a common thing on antiques of the period which have the grip intact. IMO it is an integral part of the construction of a medieval sword. And Albion used to do it. But sadly, they discontinued the practice as a cost-saving measure. So I am sad to say, I probably won't buy another Albion sword, at least not from Albion. But then again, some would say I have too many already.... like every female who is remotely associated with me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2010 15:09:36 GMT
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Post by ShooterMike on Jul 2, 2010 15:23:19 GMT
Thanks for the link Jonathan. I was aware that many historic originals do not have cord under the leather. But many do. And I feel it is an integral part of the structural integrity in some types. The fact that Albion doesn't do it on any swords makes me sad.
I have a current production Reeve that has a cracked grip. It will have to be repaired by having the leather cut away and the wood core repaired. I will then reinforce the grip with a cord wrap, then apply new leather. That crack wouldn't likely have happened if the structural integrity were present that the cord under-wrap adds.
Also, on swords that see much use, the way Albion does the leather directly over the wood allows the leather to lose it's imprint when handled a lot with wet or sweaty hands. I don't care for that, since I use my swords quite a bit, under all kinds of conditions. On a less expensive sword, that's understandable. I would expect to do a new grip wrap on them anyway, if I wanted them to look and perform in a historic manner. But at Albion's price point, I have a hard time accepting that.
Please don't take this as an "Albion bashing" post. I love their swords. I particularly love the shapes of many of their blades and hilt pieces. That's why I own so many, and there are a half dozen or so still on my "want to buy" list. I just have a pet peeve about grip wraps. I'm probably into the realm of being fanatical about it. And I have a hard time justifying in my mind paying what they charge for retail prices. I know the work it there. But I just have a hard time justifying it to my budget.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2010 15:41:43 GMT
I don't think your beeing overly fanatical toward Albion. Hell, If I paid around 1000 $ on a sword, it better be very, very well-made and how I want it in every aspect or I'd get pissed too.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2010 18:39:02 GMT
Yep. I read about this announcement on MyArmoury recently. The Albion representative who issued the statement said that they were forced to implement the increase because of rising manufacturing costs and that they are "Sorry to have to do this - but we have fought it off as long as we can. Commodity prices took a nose dive in Oct - Nov 2008 and have been pretty stable ever since. They can not pin this on material and labor costs in any way, shape or form. www.bloomberg.com/markets/commodities/futures/They should not just assume the sword buyers don't know anything about business and don't know how to read a commodities chart. www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-29/commodities-tumble-most-in-10-months-on-china-u-s-economies.htmlLabor costs are down too... and falling further as unemployment benefits run out and people are now willing to accept lower pay. In the past two months I am finally starting to see an increase of people actually looking for work after a nearly two year recession. The more likely explanation is that Albions sales have fallen and they are trying to make up the lost volume with higher prices.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2010 20:58:47 GMT
I'm a glutton. A veritable pig! I own 19 Albion swords as of today (bought one last night). You have 19 Albion’s???!!!!!? ..... 19 .... That’s just ....wow ....I wish I had 19 swords but 19 Albion’s. that’s my idea of heaven.
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