Topic: Cleft price differences (Read 14966 times)

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2014, 03:41:01 PM »

Quote from: The Palmist on October 22, 2014, 03:34:59 PM

Most are taking the mickey in my very personal opinion. Especially when it is not even G1 but G3 masked as Performance Grade etc.

Value for money, I think Red Ink has it spot on.

That's the issue - virtually every company that sells 'performance grade' willow is effectively just mugging off the consumer by charging higher prices for lesser grade willow. I have no issues with those that put in the time to craft willow at the correct grade and sell it for a higher price though, you charge what you believe your time and product deserves - not what everyone else charges. Just because I charge 'X' amount for Neon bats doesn't mean everyone else should charge the same - Although my bats are English made I put very little time with them being made for me so compared to the likes of H4L, Aldred, Red Ink etc their products deserve a higher price tag in my opinion.

Agree with the Red Ink comment too, you really can't beat John's prices at the moment - �100 for a handmade bat is fantastic.

procricket · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2014, 04:31:01 PM »

I suspect though many of you who think your getting made in the Uk aren't at all too.

Interesting topic the smaller maker has benefits like no overheads but also normally do not have there selection of willow either.

There are pro and cons for big or small as for cleft prices well i do know prices are going up and i also know there going to be very limited we could see more and more lesser grades going to the smaller makers even the ones who coat tail bigger brands.

I think people charge what they want and thats fair i have gone with big and small and in truth not many can get me what i really want i like choice not all smaller maker can not deliver not because they cant do the job but because they do not have the selection of willow i want.

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2014, 04:39:31 PM »

Quote from: procricket B3 on October 22, 2014, 04:31:01 PM

I suspect though many of you who think your getting made in the Uk aren't at all too.

I know for a fact I am, I've seen them made with my own eyes - agree on other cases though, some brands do lie, which is a great shame

procricket · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2014, 04:43:48 PM »

Quote from: neoncricket on October 22, 2014, 04:39:31 PM

I know for a fact I am, I've seen them made with my own eyes - agree on other cases though, some brands do lie, which is a great shame

Not questioning you mate. I had a look at some of your kit a few weeks ago good stuff mate.

Vulcan Cricket · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2014, 05:15:48 PM »

You have to buy in mass and can't just buy grade 1s for ever grade 1 your have a lot more 2and3s and lots more want grade 1 than grade 2 and 3s so you have a lot of 3s setting about so you have to charge more for grade 1 to make up for the loss of them lower grade bats hope that makes sense also takes a lot more to look after willow than a lot of timber in b +q plus a lot of there wood is brought in from cheaper labour lands English willow = English wage

GarrettJ · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2014, 06:17:40 PM »

Do you want an honest answer ..... You can't buy a single cleft

You would need to spend �1500+ just to find out the price of one untouched G1 cleft.

The more you buy I presume the cheaper it is

Tom · « **Reply #21 on:** October 22, 2014, 06:28:17 PM »

Not even worth getting into, as said above there's certain ratios you have to buy in and about 28 differing grades on offer starting of as a little as a few pounds. Very roughly speaking a brand will aim to sell at RRP of 4 times the cost price (after manufacturing and all raw materials) across all except the super premium models, meaning in terms of actual � the most is made on top grade bats.

Beachcricket · « **Reply #22 on:** October 22, 2014, 06:59:59 PM »

The difference between the grade 1 and 3 is not that much, yet the difference between what the bat maker is apparently allowed to charge is substantial. The per hour price is different yet the same amount of effort is poured into the bat regardless of the grade.

The performance grade is a legitimate way for bat makers attempting to challenge the belief that clean clefts perform better than blemished ones AND gives them a chance of selling the lower grade clefts that there is a market for. Some clefts have blemishes in the back and get downgraded despite them being fine performers.

This information will not help you choose a better bat, nor will it make paying "X" amount any more acceptable or otherwise.

trypewriter · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2014, 07:53:07 PM »

Quote from: Tom on October 22, 2014, 06:28:17 PM

Not even worth getting into, as said above there's certain ratios you have to buy in and about 28 differing grades on offer starting of as a little as a few pounds. Very roughly speaking a brand will aim to sell at RRP of 4 times the cost price (after manufacturing and all raw materials) across all except the super premium models, meaning in terms of actual � the most is made on top grade bats.

The makers also have to factor in wasteage - clefts that fail during the making etc.

ItsJustCricket · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:03:09 PM »

Quote from: jamesisapayne on October 22, 2014, 03:22:37 PM

And before anyone says anything I'm not looking to stir anything up or annoy people - that's not my intention.

I simply want to make an informed decision on what bat to buy (value for money-wise) and want to filter out the one's who are taking the michael.

On simple logic, I'm pretty sure the companies who are, are the one's who have lots of sponsorships to pay for.

I have found this an interesting thread, but wasn't going to comment, but that phrase "taking the michael" has really resonated with me. It implies that bat makers are greedy and ripping people off just to make a quick buck. Believe me, as someone who has worked in the cricket industry full time for three years now, I know how competitive it is and how little money there is to be made. I also know many of the bat makers personally and they all do what they do for the love and passion they have for the graft. These people are anything but money grabbers! But they have bills and mortgages to pay, and in many cases, families to feed, which is easier said than done in this industry, believe me. Is it "taking the michael" to try and keep their livelihood going?

Maybe quit your day job and try and work full time in this industry for a few years and see how you get on by selling all your bats at sub �200 before making such a dig...

procricket · « **Reply #25 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:06:28 PM »

Very good post Paul

Gingerbusiness · « **Reply #26 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:17:41 PM »

Quote from: ItsJustCricket on October 22, 2014, 09:03:09 PM

I have found this an interesting thread, but wasn't going to comment, but that phrase "taking the michael" has really resonated with me. It implies that bat makers are greedy and ripping people off just to make a quick buck. Believe me, as someone who has worked in the cricket industry full time for three years now, I know how competitive it is and how little money there is to be made. I also know many of the bat makers personally and they all do what they do for the love and passion they have for the graft. These people are anything but money grabbers! But they have bills and mortgages to pay, and in many cases, families to feed, which is easier said than done in this industry, believe me. Is it "taking the michael" to try and keep their livelihood going?

Maybe quit your day job and try and work full time in this industry for a few years and see how you get on by selling all your bats at sub �200 before making such a dig...

When I was sponsored many moons ago I was always told "The money is made from the softs and accessories, not generally by the bats". I know from speaking to Tony @ Hunts County last year this was the case for him. I wouldn't see why it wouldn't be for more bat makers...

Of course, in any market, there will be items targeted at the 'Cash rich, knowledge poor' individuals... and so there should be. Exploiting niche markets is key to the success in this highly competitive market.

hell4leather cricket · « **Reply #27 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:21:48 PM »

A very interesting topic reading different peoples views , I have pressed 80 clefts this week ,8 are stressed or cracked during the pressing process , 10% are now wasted and lost through a natural act of god ,who pays for them ? When we buy trees or clefts it's a gamble what's in there , sometimes we win sometimes we lose

Tom · « **Reply #28 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:28:15 PM »

Quote from: ItsJustCricket on October 22, 2014, 09:03:09 PM

Maybe quit your day job and try and work full time in this industry for a few years and see how you get on by selling all your bats at sub �200 before making such a dig...

This. How many have tried to even run a small bedroom brand on here and given up? The industry has seen Mongoose, Boom Boom and Woodworm all go bust in the past 10 years. Sports shops all over the UK are closing down every week. A top grade cleft at �40 may seem like a huge mark up, but once you take into account shipping, wastage, retailer cuts, taxes, manufacturing, marketing - there really isn't much left.

jamesisapayne · « **Reply #29 on:** October 22, 2014, 09:30:38 PM »

Quote from: ItsJustCricket on October 22, 2014, 09:03:09 PM

I have found this an interesting thread, but wasn't going to comment, but that phrase "taking the michael" has really resonated with me. It implies that bat makers are greedy and ripping people off just to make a quick buck. Believe me, as someone who has worked in the cricket industry full time for three years now, I know how competitive it is and how little money there is to be made.

Paul, let's get one thing straight. It wasn't an industry dig, or a generalisation that all batmakers are greedy - I have massive respect for the people I've dealt with (It would be unfair of me to speak about those I haven't) who work in the cricket industry - people who make bats/run equipment companies/retailers such as yourself, Uzi Sports etc.

I was implying that charging astronomical prices for bats when the raw materials are relatively cheap, especially when a huge swathe of them are sent abroad for even cheaper labour costs is taking the michael out of the punter. I fully understand labour costs, overheads etc but cannot for the life of me understand how these companies can charge �3-500 for a bat graded as G1 and as much as �120 less for a G2 bat that costs around a tenner-max less material wise.

Author Topic: Cleft price differences (Read 14966 times)

Neon Cricket

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procricket

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Neon Cricket

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procricket

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Vulcan Cricket

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GarrettJ

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Tom

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Beachcricket

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trypewriter

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ItsJustCricket

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procricket

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Gingerbusiness

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hell4leather cricket

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Tom

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jamesisapayne

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