Is it just me or is optics planet taking advantage of people

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:50 am

http://m.opticsplanet.com/shtf-bug-out- ... l-kit.html

This $500 "starter" kit seems like a total waste of money. Am I wrong? For 500 dollars I could put together a very nice complete kit.

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:55 am

When i get to a PC instead of my phone I'll look up wholesale on that stuff.. Retail there is is some expensive stuff in there

edit: and yes for $500 we could put together better kits, but there are people out there that have no clue what to put in one......

Post by **ChopperDoc** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:01 am

They are just jumping on the band wagon. Some computer programmer in Silicon valley is shopping because he just realized that the world is going to hell in a hand basket. He buys this because it means he will be prepared. It is a WHOLE SHTF kit after all.

Nothing new in this kind of marketing.

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:46 am

1. wholesale there is over $400.00 in whats there
2. I would not put together a kit for that little of markup, they arent making a whole lot of money on that kit at all (unless they caught a clearance deal on some of the stuff in that kit or something)

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:10 am

Well that's good to know the value is there. I'd think the people who spend $500 at once on a kit piece their own kit together and not buy a pre assembled one. If the uninformed are willing to spend $500 on a kit I think that 500 could be spent a little better than the items they have chosen here.

Like the $1 clear poncho for example, that goes in my edc and not my shtf bag. Just sayin'

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:13 am

I agree with that $1 poncho in the edc, but I wouldnt use Coghlans either, I have one of the Rothco ones and it just seems thicker to me than the other one, ( I think the rothco one was $2 but hey still not bad)

Post by **jackalo626** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:45 pm

BIGC wrote:1. wholesale there is over $400.00 in whats there
2. I would not put together a kit for that little of markup, they arent making a whole lot of money on that kit at all (unless they caught a clearance deal on some of the stuff in that kit or something)

Even IF they paid that amount then they are making 20% on it. You might charge 40% but they are doing big volumes and they are more than likely getting better deals buying in higher quantities.

Post by **Toddinlou** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:52 pm

jackalo626 wrote:
BIGC wrote:1. wholesale there is over $400.00 in whats there
2. I would not put together a kit for that little of markup, they arent making a whole lot of money on that kit at all (unless they caught a clearance deal on some of the stuff in that kit or something)
Even IF they paid that amount then they are making 20% on it. You might charge 40% but they are doing big volumes and they are more than likely getting better deals buying in higher quantities.

I think you are probably right on this. If I buy 1000 of the binoculars and packs the pricing will be extremely different than if I buy 7.

Post by **Toddinlou** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:00 pm

Need to get some stuff together. I have a whole lot of the stuff in the $500 pack. All the pricier stuff but still missing some key items.

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:15 pm

That is true and not true at the same time. I have dealt with some of the direct from factory stuff and with some of the wholesale stuff. Some vendors offer bulk pricing and some have a set range. IE if (and I say if) I could afford a 10k order from ESEE I would get 15% off of wholesale but some like one of my china suppliers you just have to buy a set amount and there is no difference if you buy 1 order or 10 the price is set... like my paracord clips they are .0x each whether I buy 100 or 1000 or 10000 (I just recieved 1000 today).. All depends on the product and supplier

Post by **jackalo626** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:19 pm

My point is that them making 20% 500 times a week vs your 40% 10 times a week nets them more profit.

Post by **Toddinlou** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:20 pm

BIGC wrote:That is true and not true at the same time. I have dealt with some of the direct from factory stuff and with some of the wholesale stuff. Some vendors offer bulk pricing and some have a set range. IE if (and I say if) I could afford a 10k order from ESEE I would get 15% off of wholesale but some like one of my china suppliers you just have to buy a set amount and there is no difference if you buy 1 order or 10 the price is set... like my paracord clips they are .0x each whether I buy 100 or 1000 or 10000 (I just recieved 1000 today).. All depends on the product and supplier

Good example BIGC. The cheaper items may be marginally cheaper but the higher dollar items 15% off adds up really quick.

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:21 pm

jackalo626 wrote:My point is that them making 20% 500 times a week vs your 40% 10 times a week nets them more profit.

I got that jack, I was responding to Todds example. Either way you are both fairly correct....

Post by **jackalo626** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:24 pm

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:52 pm

I have thought a few times of trying to build and sell a kit...

I would include stuff like trip/snare wire and shit like that though instead some of the stuff in there....

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 2:06 pm

Since I'm redoing my ghb I'm looking at using a school book bag style pack. Also wanting to stay as light as possible since I gotta long way to walk.

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 2:13 pm

justang1997 wrote:Since I'm redoing my ghb I'm looking at using a school book bag style pack. Also wanting to stay as light as possible since I gotta long way to walk.

I'm a dealer through Rothco now, I have access to pretty much any of the stuff in their lineup.. They have a whole line of packs and stuff.. Or the Fox gear either one, like the pack CD had...

Post by **justang1997** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:23 pm

I seriously thinking about the LL Bean super deluxe book pack with the embroidered initials.
Very low key.

Post by **BIGC** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:10 pm

rothco has a whole line of "vintage" packs, I like the looks of a few of them, think I may get a couple just to see how they are..

Post by **dbh** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:27 pm

I don't care how low key I look since I will be OC a Glock 17 and spare mags.

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