Mornin' Fez
Are you saying that the price of bats are inflated by retailers? I spoke to a retailer about this last year and he claimed that some bat companies are driving their prices up to unresaonable levels and he cannot shift them as a result.
Nope I'm not saying that... I was hoping for a discussion yes, that is why we are here afterall.. but I will answer your questions and give you my opinion at the same time....
By the time the bat
maker company gets a cut and the retailer gets a cut then you have to increase the RRP price otherwise no one will get anything for it!
As I mentioned and people have they like to go to the retailer to see something... This isnt a new thing it has been happening for decades and one of reason why we use salix alba caerulea. [White willow sold more]
But I digress if the source company sold at a different price to the retailer you'd have the "John Lewis" effect as Manormanic mentioned. So it is good thing that source and retailer prices match otherwise the retailer gains nothing as there is no point in him stocking it.
For him/her to stock it there needs to be something in it for both parties, so it isnt neither their issue or the source company more the customer that increases the price due to the demand to view/feel the product [I think I finally answer one of my questions on CBF!!!!]
Is this what you're getting at, Norbs? Thing is, as a bat maker, how much do you want to make on a bat? How many bats can you reasonably expect to turn around in a day without compromising on quality? The fewer bats you can make, the bigger the margin you're looking for per bat, Hence a £350+ bespoke experience.
I dont sell to retail that is why I'm priced at the level I am for my standard Grade 1s, that is regardless of how many I make, can make per day etc etc it is based on my time, total workshop costs, willow, handle, stickers, glue, sandpaper, tea, biscuits [Custard Creams prefered] gorilla etc....
If I made fewer bats why would I expect a bigger margin unless the demand was so high it justified it. The bespoke experience is high because it takes up about 4hrs, bespoke stickers etc etc