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| Author | Topic: Group Product Purchases section. |
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Al's Prowler Prowler Junkie From:DeWitt, Mi |
posted 04-08-2002 07:11 PM
    
I think the GP section for the most part has been a flop, I remember more vendors doing sales before the GP section came along. There's been a few GP's where they would give 10% off with X amount of orders, but again for the most part that's not really much off. I wish there was a manufacture that would come along and start making some these items at a fair price, some might say you don't have to buy it if you think it cost too much and I agree. That doesn't change the fact that accessories cost too much for the Prowler. Build it and they will come, but build it and sell it at a reasonable price and they will buy. JMO Al This message has been edited by Al's Prowler on 04-09-2002 at 01:23 AM |
Brian King Prowler Junkie From:Woodbridge, Ont, Canada |
posted 04-08-2002 08:20 PM
Al I agree with you about the price of Prowler items costing to much. It all started with the Dealers charging more and getting it, once again failure by the Chrysler management team to discipline it's dealers. Then we have Chrysler charging way to much for items, look at the Prowler Trailer, come on folks it's only fiberglass over a reusable mould. I asked for a price on the Rubber protectors for the rear fenders, $141.00 cdn each, WOW. Build it and they will come, but build it and sell it at a reasonable price and they will buy. JMO ------------------ |
sunbird Prowler Junkie From:Ridgecrest, California |
posted 04-08-2002 10:36 PM
quote: They already do far out of my budget! (man I love typo's!! LOL) ------------------ |
ALLEY CAT                    POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:mesa, az, USA |
posted 04-08-2002 10:58 PM
I'll agree that the GP section hasn't been too successful. I guess we can't ask all the vendors to give big discounts all at once. I'd like to believe that if prices were lowered on aftermarket items, sales would double or triple. Having said that, I know we will hear research and development costs are high. JMO |
CJ POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Rochester Hills, MI USA |
posted 04-09-2002 12:45 AM
quote: Please don't tell me we are going to go there again!? Yes, a lot of the dealers charge too much......gouge if you will..but not all of them do. Again, I will say that DC has no control over what the dealers do. NONE! MSRP means exactly that...Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. Dealers can mark up, mark down, anything they want. Remember that the dealerships are privately owned businesses. Yes, DC owns the franchise, but you have to be doing some pretty dishonest stuff to have your franchise pulled. If I remember Bob's explanation to me once before about this (he was a Market rep for AMC for several years and dealt with this all the time) there are Federal and State laws protecting the dealers from the big bad companies. With regard to the Prowler parts and DC......come on...a lot of you have your own businesses. DC has to buy their parts, etc. from a vendor who, of course, charges them what they want. DC has to add their costs plus profit. We have to pay. Isn't that the American way? Are you telling me that there are businesses out there that don't mark up their merchandise? DC doesn't build the trailer, a vendor does. Same scenario. Fact is that with the Prowler being such a limited vehicle, there are only so many resources for parts and accessories and those vendors are going to charge what they do because they can. They know we can't get them anywhere else. Pretty soon you won't have to worry about it, as the accessories are being bought up and soon there won't be any left. All because of a couple of posts on this board!
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Al's Prowler Prowler Junkie From:DeWitt, Mi |
posted 04-09-2002 01:42 AM
quote:
One thing nice about a Prowler is you really don't need to do anything to it, the car comes with great looking wheels, great interior and a killer body. As far as DC parts go you can find some dealers that give good discounts, take the Mopar Performance exhaust which list for $900, there's a dealer in Florida who sells it ( and has them in stock ) for $609. |
Marty Usher POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:San Antonio, Texas, United States |
posted 04-09-2002 09:21 AM
I know everyone has a right to their own opinion. But likewise, every business owner has the right to run their business and price products and services as they see fit. Sure, I believe that some Prowler items are priced high. It's my decision to either buy or not. I would love to see lower prices on Prowler accessories and performance items, but I sure can't produce some of these things myself. For most of the Prowler vendors, our parts are a low volume part of their business. Low volume in my business means higher unit pricing also. I think the group purchase section has helped some people save a few dollars on something they may not have bought otherwise. JMO Now if I can just get Norb to lower his price on hardtops to $1999.00...... ------------------  Driving my Dream This message has been edited by Marty Usher on 04-09-2002 at 09:23 AM |
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Al's Prowler Prowler Junkie From:DeWitt, Mi |
posted 04-09-2002 10:09 AM
Marty, I agree with you that a business should be able to charge what ever they want (let's see what everyone thinks about the price of gas soon) but it would be nice to see someone come into the game with much better prices. I don't want to get into specific parts but the prices are absolutely outrageous on some, if they could come in with a better price (at least 25% cheaper) they wouldn't be such a low volume item. Let's take the Chrysler front splash guards, DC charges something like $35 for the pair, that's a good value for what you get, I'm glad an aftermarket company doesn't sell them because they'd want $120 for them. Like you said it's up to an individual if he wants to buy the part or not, what people here need to do is voice there opinion so the vendors will know if the price is right they will buy there products. I like the saying I've come up with, Build it and they will come, but build it and sell it at a reasonable price and they will buy. Al P.S. Let's don't have so many fence rider's here, if you think the prices are too high say so and if you think the prices are fair say so. |
Bob Wyman POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Fullerton, CA |
posted 04-09-2002 10:56 AM
Speaking for aftermarket companies most all of our pricing is based on a margin of profit we need to operate on. Volume plays a big part on the price the product is sold for. The aftermarket has its own distribution system. The consumer price is considerable cheaper today based on the retail competition out there. When group purchases are put together our dealers are the ones who will suffer. That's the reason why deeper discounts are not offered. Remember most aftermarket manufacturs build products for all types of vehicles. They couldn't stay in busness if they sold parts for Prowlers only. ------------------ |
Gary Archer POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Mobile,AL |
posted 04-09-2002 11:24 AM
Marty, I believe you hit it on the head. Limited production means limited sales. The initial cost of tooling up to produce an item is very expensive. With less than 12,000 prowlers out there, they don't have much of a chance of selling enough of a product to make a profit. I'm just thankful several vendors and owners out there are making an effort to produce after market items for us to purchase. But they are expensive! The problem I have with Chrysler is the fact they are stopping production of accessories, and not allowing the original manufacturer to continue producing and selling a particular product.Trailer,organizer, FLOOR MATS, stuff like that. Those trailers are expensive, but I have to have one !! ------------------ |
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Branden Bell Prowler Junkie From:Alta Loma Ca.USA |
posted 04-09-2002 11:39 AM
I agree with Bob but also the marketing has alot to do with it many parts from aftermarket companies would be installed (purchased) by prowler owners if the cost was resonable. The reason that some of these aftermarket companies dont sell products is the same reason that DC didnt sell that many Prowlers poor marketing. I know that selling prowler parts is not a business of its own and they must diversify but with 1300 members here I know over 50% would by that on item or two of those must have items like???? So if there producing these items anyway but on a lower scale why not do a quartly poll (time enough for manufacturing) and manufacture more of what we cant wait to get at a lower cast higher quantity then everone is happy...NO? Example I have wanted the rear roll pan but for 1000.00, not today but if the item was 700.00 then today it is and if 100 people agreed with me and liked that product whatever it maybe this month then thats what we manufacture. I maybe missing some steps but this is the jist of my idea. I think that as much as I appreciate the jestures of some of the manufaturers that I know out there 5-10% is TAX!! we need a better solution. Branden Bell ------------------ |
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Marty Usher POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:San Antonio, Texas, United States |
posted 04-09-2002 11:57 AM
Al - I think we both agree that we don't like paying high prices. I believe that if I was selling aftermarket products, I would attempt to do exactly what you are proposing, keep prices as low as possible and make profit from selling more units. Maybe some of these suppliers are doing that; some definitely are not. That is their business decision. The ones I really had a problem with ones that were selling products manufactured or licensed by Chrsyler by other companies and marking up the "sale" price. Also, as Gary said, Chrysler should allow the accessory suppliers to continue to produce their parts for the aftermarket in my opinion. In terms of potential market, I wonder what the largest selling aftermarket product has been. How many items do you think have actually sold more than 100. I am all for lower prices. There are things out there that I can not afford. If you don't believe that, just ask my wife. ------------------ Driving my Dream |
cnote6 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Dallas, TX |
posted 04-10-2002 12:28 AM
This has been the best topic yet!!!!!!!! With regard to the Prowler parts and DC......come on...a lot of you have your own businesses. DC has to buy their parts, etc. from a vendor who, of course, charges them what they want. DC has to add their costs plus profit. We have to pay. Isn't that the American way? Are you telling me that there are businesses out there that don't mark up their merchandise? DC doesn't build the trailer, a vendor does. Same scenario. Fact is that with the Prowler being such a limited vehicle, there are only so many resources for parts and accessories and those vendors are going to charge what they do because they can. They know we can't get them anywhere else. Pretty soon you won't have to worry about it, as the accessories are being bought up and soon there won't be any left. All because of a couple of posts on this board!
only 11K made (buy what you can!!!!)
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Al's Prowler Prowler Junkie From:DeWitt, Mi |
posted 04-10-2002 08:17 AM
There's 260 viewers with only 9 different people replying, I know some viewers have checked in more then once but that's a poor showing of hands. I must be wrong when I said the prices are too high for Prowler parts, looks like they should raise the prices even higher. |
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Chuck Prowler Enthusiast From:Celebration, Fl |
posted 04-10-2002 01:02 PM
I agree that prices are too high. I would actually like a few performance items for the "BadKat", but I've already spent a small fortune on cosmetic accessories. It would be nice to see someone promote a "huge sale" with a "great" discount once in a while (5% - 10% does not qualify as "great"). But that's just my opinion..... ------------------
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BeWare POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Acworth , Georgia , USA |
posted 04-10-2002 04:36 PM
I think the parts are often too expensive as well. That said however, without knowing the R&D cost, material exspense, production cost, overhead etc if would be really difficult to say that someone is charging too much or making too much profit. JMO ------------------
This message has been edited by BeWare on 04-10-2002 at 09:57 PM |
Norb Schroll Prowler Junkie From:Garden Grove, CA USA |
posted 04-10-2002 06:17 PM
Here's my 2 cents worth. I have been asked several times to promote a group discount for the POA members. Now I did not come to the POA members, you stepped up to the plate and asked it from me. Out of some 1300 members, I cannot get 10 people to order the same product, which hurts the ones that really want it. Since the separate category for Group Purchases has been installed, the interest has dropped dramatically. I don't know if it's because this site has become so big that if you want to review all the new posts, it takes a good hour twice a day to do it. Don't get me wrong, I love this site and the members involved and the first thing I do every morning the first hour is review every bit of this site to see what is going on and keep up with all the topics. On the flip side of manufacturing. We as vendors seem to have to explain every year why we charge what we do for our products. Belive me, if I could offer these parts for a lower price, I would. It would be a lot different if the Prowler were made in the same production numbers as the Honda Civic or Accord. We as manufacturers would have a broader marketing base, not just one web site or several monthly or yearly events to try to market our products! Sales in numbers makes profit. The lower the sales numbers, the higher the price has to be to regain your investment! Simple business tactics! I could go on for ever on this, but I can't type that long. I think all of us vendors would really like to offer our products for less money and if you really knew how much it costs us to produce these items we all try to sell, your mouth would drop to the floor. Thanks for listening and I hope that has enlightened some of you. Thanks for your support and have a wonderful day! ------------------
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Marc-Colo-99 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Aurora, Colorado |
posted 04-10-2002 06:25 PM
Thanks for your perspective Norb. When I bought my car I had no plans to modify it but after a while I wanted to add performance and do some appearance mods to make it my own. These cars aren't a $15,000 economy car with 100s of thousands on the road, they are a very limited procuction, hand built car that most can't afford to buy yet alone modify. The after market companies that have decided to market custom parts were also caught with the Prowler inspiration bug and most spent large amounts to develop products to customize the appearance and performance. I paid less than $200.00 for a billet grill for my GMC HD truck while one for my Prowler is over $1000.00. Why? Because there are 100s of thousands of GMC trucks and a little over 10k Prowlers, most of which their owners will never modify. With machineing costs being 5-15k just to make the jigs and prepayment required for small orders (for some shops less than a thousand is small) how many grills etc. does a supplier have to sell to recoup his cost. Let's just be glad a few people have been willing to spend their time and money to research and develop products for our cars. Whether we choose to spend the money or not is our decision. We already have spent more than most people are willing or able to, just to purchase and insure our cars. I for one just hope we continue to see people and companies willing to invest their time and money so we can all find new ways to enjoy our unique cars, whether we choose to purchase it or not. I enjoy seeing what other people have done (spent) to their cars as much as I enjoy doing something different to mine. ------------------ This message has been edited by Marc-Colo-99 on 04-10-2002 at 06:30 PM |
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 04-10-2002 09:48 PM
I have to agree with the last two posts by Norb and Marc, but there are some things being sold for HUGE profits, that did not take any special preparations to produce. Some things were simply a corner on the market. I think to produce the hardtops, it took a lot of preparation before they were ready. I think that is true for a lot of the options available BUT there is some gouging going on with other items. JOMO ------------------ |
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CJ POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Rochester Hills, MI USA |
posted 04-10-2002 10:22 PM
cnote......isn't that plagiarism? lol! 
So......in light of that, I guess there is something to be said for leaving it stock!!! |
JUST JP POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Navarre, Florida, USA |
posted 04-11-2002 12:57 PM
Al, As the poorest Kat owner, I am SHOUTING from the "prices are too high" side of the fence. Maybe when the NASDAQ gets back to 5,000 I will be able to afford gears and a blower. ------------------ |
WildCat POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:North Louisville, Indiana, USA |
posted 04-11-2002 02:05 PM
I have looked at all the products available....the ones I like and feel I cannot live without, I have....even though I might have paid more than I would have wanted too. Some items might seem like a lot of money but where else can you get it.....or what would it cost you to find someone else to make it? When I talked to Tom Mills about his lights he made for his car (he really did one off for his car only) I really wanted them. He was willing to spend the time to make his, then he agreed with some persistence on my part to make more. One thing he wanted was affordability. He has made design changes to be able to mass produce these light kits, without changing the look or having to charge more. He is now in the process of making side panels and with the same thought, AFFORDABILITY. After selling more than 100 sets of bumper removal kits....I would say that Tom has successful product and at $600 painted to match...WHAT A DEAL. I wanted the Carlini Chrome headrest covers....come on $250 for 2 pieces of chrome plated plastic...YEP I have them and love the look...could they sell more if it was less...maybe but they have it...who else does and if you chromed a set by someone else would it distort the plastic?...they have already got this figured out. Before being upset over what a part cost for our very practical cars...Think about the R&D cost. Norb is right about the KITS he sells....They were looking for 500 sets and only 25 or so sold. Limited product for very LIMITED return. Some have had a problem with delivery of product....maybe they needed more R&D before releasing info...but at least they are trying to fill a void in what we as owners want. Yes, there has been some gouging....In My Opinion....don't buy from them ------------------
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ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 04-11-2002 08:57 PM
WildCat, I do not disagree with you about this and that is why I am currently doing without some things that I would kind of like to have for my cat. ------------------ |
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Al's Prowler Prowler Junkie From:DeWitt, Mi |
posted 04-11-2002 09:23 PM
The one thing I hope comes out of this topic is for people to think what's the best value for there $$$$, maybe even some of the vendors will re-think some there prices. |
cmblockhus POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Citrus Heights CA. |
posted 04-12-2002 12:54 AM
I have spent to date less then some and more then others in the last year on my cat, I spent what I could conjar up in dollars, and dream about the rest, hard top,gears,a bottle and other things. I dont mind paying the asking price, thats up to me, ya or nay, but what I dont like is the stress of ordering parts with a promise date and its put off each time with another excuse sometimes counterdicting the last one, after awhile, its like do I really have to have this or not? After all I am the customer and I know this is not Jack in the Box, its a custom part just for my cat. This is not ment to bash anyone just my opinon on this topic Happy Prowlin ------------------ |
2000 Black with hand painted blue faded to purple flames
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