Kite Pricing

Friend of mine use to spend 15k a year on model airplanes and competing. Kiting still cheaper.

Unfortunately the big problem is this is a c kite we are all talking about. I bought new 2015 razors last year, around the $2000 mark each. I sold them 9 months layer for $800 each. That's the biggest kick in the teeth. No1 want's a second hand c kite

The pricing is relative to what you can afford and / or what you can justify spending.

I have always compared the price of kiting to golf (which I do not do).
I suspect a good set of clubs will set you back a similar price to a good kite set up.
However when I kite I do not need to pay any more, if golfing you would have to pay for your round, so you have an ongoing cost.

With regards to buying kites - I have always purchased second hand kites from a retailer. (New board & harness)

Now the retailer may not (or may have) made as much out of me as a guy buying new kites but I have been a repeat customer. (Four kites now)
And if I need another kite / board etc they will be my first port of call.
I may have been able to purchase the kites a little cheaper direct from another kiter but I do not mind paying a little extra as I know if I have an issue the retailer will look after me.

So entry in to kiting can be a little expensive initially but the on going costs are quite low.
Also you can either sell your exisiting gear to trade up or just trade it in so the cost of your next kite can actually be quite low.

Buying new is an expensive option but if you have the money why not.

I also ride Griffin kites, I tried a few different kites but I couldn't really tell the difference when I was riding so I couldn't really afford/ justify buying a A-list brand kite. I've been told by some people that I'm not going to improve unless I get on a "blah-blah" kite... which is a load of bullpoo. Time on the water with mates is what drives improvement.
Ride it till it dies!

How many people, commenting and whinging about the cost of kites, actually know what they are talking about??If your happy getting paid to much to do whatever you do, then deal with paying $2500+ for a 2016 kite setup.
Don't want to pay that much then don't.
I'm sick of hearing all the BS about pricing, when people don't know how the Australian retail system works.

If you pay RRP you’re a Wood Duck… Don’t know what a wood duck is?? Well I didn’t either before I spoke to a car dealer a few months ago and that’s basically their slang for a sucker.

http://www.slang-dictionary.org/Wood_duck

If you walk into a shop and expect them to give you a good deal without respectfully negotiating, well you’re dreaming. I’ve never found it to hard to get a deal and walk out of the shop with everyone content. I’m not saying I understand how kite prices can be justified but “it is what it is” and the best you can do is, not be a Wood Duck.

as ive mentioned before, ive 2 mates who own kite shops, one here and one in the uk, I know how they trade, the one here has more middle men and costs inflicted on his products than my mate in the uk, his brand importer / distributor is making more per kite than he can through the shop, approx. 30 to 40%, ditch this guy and you've an instant saving, my mate in the uk goes direct and refuses to go through a distributor as it affects cost warranty issues, order delays, I personally know some distributors here give preference to certain shops, so you local shops affected which causes his customers to deal with another shop in their heist for the latest gear( hardly fair) also shops that have been loyal to a certain brand for years and promoted and pushed the brand have seen the distributor splashing better deals to new shops and competators in their region, my mate in the uk can sell vat free which is 20% and have it on your door step quicker than if ordered it from say perth, plus shippings free, again hardly fair , the is some money to be made and saved and imho the distributor has to go, once bitten twice shy, a good product delivered at a reasonable price = happy customer= repeat customer= longevity of shop

Yeah these days what role does a distributor play other than adding margin? kites weigh nothing (even with bull**** airline volumetric conversion), it's not like you need to ship stock in a container, land it, clear customs then send on to the retailer cost plus

if I was in retail I would be looking for the brands to send me demo stock, taking punters money in advance and freighting them in as required. Removes the holding cost, customer gets local expert advice and support/parts, manufacturer does not have to sell to the general public

With that sort of model you could conceivably retail for under $1,000.. but if the desperate tax man drops that limit to $20 then we will get shafted for customs handling fees on everything!

Surf boards are different I guess.. Container

Distributor is stupid. They won't even tell you what kites they have in Stock. Need to go between kite shop just to find out what's in Stock. A lot of pointless messaging around especially when they bring **** all kites into the country

I know many people seem to be a but dubious about Switch, but their business model seems to deliver pretty dang cheap kites to people.......


Seeing quite a few of them around these days