When will the madness end

**dilligaf2u2** · 02-15-2008, 03:07 AM

Speedo’s and thongs that power your cell phone. Nano technology. Newer and better and brighter and shiner toys and tools.

Now I know why I love doing things, as I did back when I was a kid.

Not long ago I thought LED lighting would be great for flashlights. They are now here for all to use. I thought a winding generator would be nice, so I would not have to buy batteries. I now have 2 solar flashlights and a couple wind/shake generator flashlights.

Looking at the sporting gear that is offered these days and the material they have come up with. There is no end to choices.

I am not saying change is bad but my Lord it comes so fast. I no sooner buy something new and with bragging rights and it is out dated, before I get to brag!

I got solar panels recently. The idea was to be able to charge my batteries when I was out for a week or more. Now I do not think I paid too much for them. They work for what I wanted them for. BUT! Yup you guessed it! I looked for weeks for what I wanted before I ordered them. I got them set up for what I wanted. Tonight a friend showed me his new unit and he paid the same money I spent 3 months ago; I could have gotten a better unit if I had waited. I did not get a chance to brag even for a minute.

Now wait. Another friend came over as we were looking over the first friends unit. The second friend pulls out a little box with 4 AA rechargeable in it. Solar charger that fits in his pocket and will charge his 4ea 3600Mah batteries in under 2 hours. He paid 1/3 of what I paid!

This is not all. I bought a Zip stove for top dollar. 3 weeks later the wood gas stoves come out for ½ what I paid.

I got a pot and pan set in hard anodized aluminum and a month later the same kit comes in Ti and on sale for what I paid.

I am tempted to go back to coal oil lamps and rubbing 2 ecologists together to make fire. Back to a wool blanket and freezing all night in order to get away from all this new and improved. NO! I’ll keep the gear I have but I will stop looking at all the new stuff. Ignorance is bliss will be my new motto!

OK who wants to buy a brand new, never used, out of date solar battery charger.

Don

**Rick** · 02-15-2008, 07:10 AM

Don - I had to chuckle. Great post. You have fallen victim to marketing 101. There are three stages for pricing an item for sale and if you think about it, you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

Stage 1. Top dollar - When a new item is placed on the market, it's priced to grab a specific niche, those folks that have to have the new item and will pay top dollar for it. They have "new itemitis" and will be happy to pay whatever it takes to get it.

Stage 2. Price Drop - Once the product has exhausted the top dollar niche, that is everyone that will pay top dollar has bought it, then the price is dropped to grab those folks who really would like to have that new technology but aren't willing to part with their dollars to have it. The price is dropped and those folks are enticed to buy.

Stage 3. Retail Price - This is the price the manufacturer had projected for the price from the beginning. It is designed to bring in anyone that would be enticed to buy the product. Those of us that would like to have it but couldn't care less that's it's the latest, hottest, got to have item, out there. (I've had the same cell phone for several years.

)

To be sure, there are market factors that will drive the price to retail (and sometimes below) but that is in an area where there is fierce competition to keep the price low or there is little or no demand for the product. Hand held electronics is a fierce competition market but we saw this sale pricing structure on the iPod very recently.

The moral of the story is if you really like something that's new on the market and would like to have it then wait. The price will generally drop and you can buy it a bit cheaper a few weeks later. Remember the calculator in the '70s? Perfect example.

**crashdive123** · 02-15-2008, 07:16 AM

Or VCR's. 8910

**trax** · 02-15-2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Remember the calculator in the '70s? Perfect example.

What's this..'70's? Was that like some kind of time reference? Oh God, did I miss another one? I hate it when that happens, I bet it was an entire decade wasn't it? Sh#t.

**dilligaf2u2** · 02-15-2008, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Remember the calculator in the '70s? Perfect example.

Remember them? I am still using a TI 30, LED read out.

From now on if it has not been out on the market at least several years! I will not be buying one.

TDW told me I have enough gear to last me the rest of my life. I may not be getting anything new for some time. This is what I call, forced restrictive buying. This can not be good for the economy of the country.

Would someone please tell TDW that this is no way to help the country recover a recession!

Don

**nell67** · 02-16-2008, 03:47 PM

Don,the wife is right,and its one way to keep YOU out of recession!

**dilligaf2u2** · 02-16-2008, 08:48 PM

Nellie Poo you are supposed to be on my side, on this! There is a lot of new and improved out there that is calling my name!

Actually the only thing I have been looking to get are a few Chem-lights. I go out with a few friends from time to time. They have grand kids. Lots and lots of grand kids.

Flashlights seem to be the only thing they do not bring enough of and come dark it is a fight to see who gets a flashlight. I thought this would be an easy way to take care of that problem.

Oh and the SAK with 102 items(Blades) . The 13 man tent with Attic pool room. I'll let you know what I find I can not live without!

Don