I agree with you , this discussion is really all about greed and taking advantage of small American manufacturers who are being affected by a natural disaster beyond their control.
I understand Supply and Demand as well as the principles of capitalism. I also know who John Galt is and realize that many people never finished the book and understand what Ayn Rand meant. Selling a superior product at little or no profit is never good for a small manufacturer who is his only employee, they just close up and move to the mountains.
I also believe that we have an obligation to support the small vendors/manufacturers of high quality specialty parts for our Motorcycles.
I have seen too many of the really good aftermarket part manufacturers close up because people will buy the cheap crap first to save a little, then when that fails try and organize a group buy to get the good parts for less. Quite often the good manufacturers just close up because they are working for nothing and those of us who value good workmanship lose another supplier.
I sell my intellectual services and make a living doing that. I made a decision to never discount my services because those that make the claims of supply and demand and capitalism end up being without exception lousy and non profitable clients.
As an example, I watched the whole AltRider Crashbar "cost" debate. I saw the product, the R & D they put into it and paid what they asked, others didn't, that is a free market. The individuals who denigrated the product when it was really just them being cheap does not help those of us who need high quality stuff. I wish if stuff was too expensive for someone's wallet that they would just STFU and move on.
Levering a Japanese earthquake's manufacturing problems aftermath into a weak attempt to hide behind a "free market" goes contrary to the "Buy American" rhetoric, I read on all of these forums. When you want to save $30.00 on a low margin, custom made motorcycle accessory, you are simply sending another great little hobby business down the path towards shutting down because you took away their profit and incentive to continue to manufacture.
If you really wanted to use supply and demand you need to understand the value of volume orders. I doubt that any group buy will be in excess of 20 units making it even less attractive except for the individual who wants to close up and never build these items again.
Since I am obviously in the minority on this topic, I think it is better that we agree to disagree and move on.
Koinz said:
Bill310.
It's not really greed, well maybe, but more about supply and demand. "capitalism". If I was a vendor and wanted to unload stock. How better than to offer a discount to move product?
Now with our inevitable delays, I'm tempted now to hold off on buying anything more for the st 10 until I get it. That's not good for our devoted vendors ;D
It's good for them and it's good for us. Everybody wins. 8)