Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
Still a bargain for what you get and the satisfaction thereof Lee Buller In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
That's what it looks like to me too in the price listing on Elecraft's web page. About 5%. Probably chalk it up to the Demon of Inflation. 72 de N8PVZ ---bernie --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Message: 22 Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 23:41:23 -0500 From: "Dr. Dan Swartling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 price increase To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Did the K2 just go from 599 to 629 $US, or do I need new glasses? __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K2 price increase, RoHS
Eric So are you saying that all Kx kits are now RoHS compliant? Except the solder preference of the builder? As soon as Lead based solder is used on the Kx kit it will automatically loose its compliant status. Should probably ass that to the manual ;-) Sorry I cut out all the other post you made, its the only point of interest to me as I don't see any RoHS statement in the box or on your web site. Is RoHS compliance really an issue for you? Other than the cost? All my surplus inventory, especially semiconductors are being gobbled up left, right & centre by US sales agents, passives are starting to interest them also, especially chip inductors. As you are based in US and thats where the products are placed on the market, its the EU importer (customer) who is actually responsible for compliance. As the importer is not actually taking the product to manufacture for commercial gain I am not sure how that goes, or if the legislation even applies. At the end of the day you are selling parts, with instructions, not a consumer product as such. But if you want to talk about solder issues, a typical hike in solder costs (lead based, say £5 UKP/Kg) is now hiked to £15 UKP/Kg (SAC305) and thats based on 100Kg+/Month usage and as the majority of it is tin & copper you can guess where the demand has come from on the tin. But I have not seen any significant increase in parts costs, in UK anyway. Sorry for OT and straying a bit here, I avoided the money issue as I still thing your products are good value for money even if you increase the cost again. John ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
FWIW, the Elecraft ad in the Sept '06 QST has the K2 listed at the old price. 73, Tony W7GO ___ The current price has been the current price for quite a while; I don't think this happened just this week. Craig NZ0R ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase, RoHS
Eric, What percentage of the increase is devoted to R&D on the K3, 4 and 5? ;) 73, Gil NN4CW ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase, RoHS
Larry is correct - parts costs for all amateur radio manufacturers have gone up significantly over the past 12 months. Raw materials like copper and Aluminum have increased in cost by 20-50% over this period. As an example, our complete K2 enclosure by itself costs $15 more to manufacture than it did 12 months ago. In addition to basic supply-demand competition for raw materials by China, India and the developing world, the impact of the European Community's RoHS requirement (reduction of hazardous substances) has been huge on all manufacturers. RoHS primarily covers the tinning of component leads with lead-free solder, but it also impacts the plating used on basic hardware, the types of plastics used etc. Ironically the EC has exempted all automobile battery, medical, telecom and military manufacturers from this requirement.. (Fortunately the use of regular lead based solder by individual builders is still OK.) Elecraft has been 100% committed to converting to RoHS compliant parts on all of our products, and this has also put upward pressure on our costs. Many RoHS compliant parts (lead-free solder tinned leads etc.) have increased 20-40% over their previous prices. Only aggressive negotiating with our volume suppliers for large quantities of parts has allowed us to keep it under control. Fortunately we have been successful in finding RoHS leaded parts for the K2 and our other products. We planned for this transition over 18 months ago and we put the financial resources in place then to buy the additional RoHS inventory. We have been holding off changing prices for over two years in an effort to see where things settle out. We finally concluded her had to adjust things last month. In fact, the $30 change on the K2 does not cover our total increase in costs and our overall percentage margin is slipping in order to keep it affordable for everyone. We run a tight ship and this just means that we have to manage it even better as we move forward. Fortunately sales actually increased after the price change. :-) If the current component cost trends continue I can see a similar rise in prices 6 months out. We'll work hard to contain this. Fortunately the K2, K1 and KX1 still provide the most fun and performance for the dollar on the ham radio market. :-) We'll keep building them as long as you keep buying them and telling your friends about us! 73, Eric WA6HHQ http://www.elecraft.com Larry Phipps wrote: As I small manufacturer, I can certainly see where Elecraft is coming from. Between the orders for my first and second runs of LP-100s, the price of copper and aluminum have gone up considerably. I am paying 8 and 10% more respectively for my two enclosures on the current run. I also had to switch to RoHS compliant parts and RoHS processing of the PCBs and SMT assembly. Shipping costs have increased recently due to fuel increases. Elecraft is also affected as I am by trying to keep the bulk of the kits through-hole. As parts suppliers find a smaller and smaller market for those types of parts, prices creep up. If my prices increased over this short period of time, I certainly can't fault Elecraft for raising it's prices after years. Larry N8LP Solosko, Robert B (Bob) wrote: I too have been planning to add some additional options, and of course, it's disappointing to see a price increase, but let's be realistic -- it's only a 5% increase - while that could be a hardship for a few people, the additional $30 is not likely to prevent most people from purchasing a $600 piece of equipment (especially when you start adding the cost of all of the options that haven't gone up in price (yet)). The K2 is still well worth the cost... Bob W1SRB ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
> Oh, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with prices going up. > Businesses have costs and need to make a fair profit on their > goods. It's not about price increases, it's about notifying > your client base that prices will be going up so they can plan > accordingly. I knew the prices were going up. I don't know if I saw it here, saw it on the Elecraft Web site, or heard it at Dayton. Seems like there was another price increase on some items in 2005 also. I bought my K2 at Dayton in 2005 and I think I bought some items at the "old" price, which either had just been increased or was about to be increased. The current price has been the current price for quite a while; I don't think this happened just this week. Craig NZ0R ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
Do scroll to the bottom of their home page - "Specifications and Pricing subject to change." All manufacturers post this sort of note; it's just one of the realities of doing business. :-) 72, geoff - W1OH Darwin, Keith wrote: -Original Message- From: Bob ... but let's be realistic -- it's only a 5% increase... Oh, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with prices going up. Businesses have costs and need to make a fair profit on their goods. It's not about price increases, it's about notifying your client base that prices will be going up so they can plan accordingly. In my case, I wanted 3 things: 100W, SSB, 160m. The extra $30 is cost means for the same bux I'll be getting 100W, SSB. Same money spent, less hardware purchased. ...the cost of all of the options that haven't gone up in price (yet)) And this has me nervous. Are other options I want about to jump in price so I'll again have missed a pricing window, or are these prices going to stay stable for 12 months so I can delay my purchase like I had originally planned. Isn't paranoia and over-analysis a wonderful thing :-) It would have been a nice courtesy for Elecraft to give us a warning so we fence-sitters can get off the fence and place our orders while the lower-cost window is still open. Not a requirement, just a courtesy. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- * Geoff Allsup, W1OH [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Research Engineer Upper Ocean Processes Group Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA, USA * ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
-Original Message- From: Bob >... but let's be realistic -- it's only a 5% increase... Oh, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with prices going up. Businesses have costs and need to make a fair profit on their goods. It's not about price increases, it's about notifying your client base that prices will be going up so they can plan accordingly. In my case, I wanted 3 things: 100W, SSB, 160m. The extra $30 is cost means for the same bux I'll be getting 100W, SSB. Same money spent, less hardware purchased. >...the cost of all of the options that haven't gone up in price (yet)) And this has me nervous. Are other options I want about to jump in price so I'll again have missed a pricing window, or are these prices going to stay stable for 12 months so I can delay my purchase like I had originally planned. Isn't paranoia and over-analysis a wonderful thing :-) It would have been a nice courtesy for Elecraft to give us a warning so we fence-sitters can get off the fence and place our orders while the lower-cost window is still open. Not a requirement, just a courtesy. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
As I small manufacturer, I can certainly see where Elecraft is coming from. Between the orders for my first and second runs of LP-100s, the price of copper and aluminum have gone up considerably. I am paying 8 and 10% more respectively for my two enclosures on the current run. I also had to switch to RoHS compliant parts and RoHS processing of the PCBs and SMT assembly. Shipping costs have increased recently due to fuel increases. Elecraft is also affected as I am by trying to keep the bulk of the kits through-hole. As parts suppliers find a smaller and smaller market for those types of parts, prices creep up. If my prices increased over this short period of time, I certainly can't fault Elecraft for raising it's prices after years. Larry N8LP www.telepostinc.com "Home of the groundbreaking LP-100 Digital Vector Wattmeter" Solosko, Robert B (Bob) wrote: I too have been planning to add some additional options, and of course, it's disappointing to see a price increase, but let's be realistic -- it's only a 5% increase - while that could be a hardship for a few people, the additional $30 is not likely to prevent most people from purchasing a $600 piece of equipment (especially when you start adding the cost of all of the options that haven't gone up in price (yet)). The K2 is still well worth the cost... Bob W1SRB -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of ron Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 10:54 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase I concur, I was planning to purchase a K2 with some options and now that will only be wishful thinking. My fixed income is difficult enough as it is already! I think the increase may hurt them in sales. Ron, wb1hga Darwin, Keith wrote: Oh Man, I wish I had known prices were going to go up! I was planning on buying several options over the next year and would have bought them all at once if I'd have known they were going up. I sure wish elecraft would have posted a price increase notice before hand. I guess I'll live without some options now. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
I recently read that the increased demand for copper in China and the labor shutdown of the largest copper mines in the world have created an across the board increase in the cost of copper dependent electronics components. Don't know if this was a consideration or not in the first increase in cost (5%) since the introduction of the kit. Gil NN4CW ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
I too have been planning to add some additional options, and of course, it's disappointing to see a price increase, but let's be realistic -- it's only a 5% increase - while that could be a hardship for a few people, the additional $30 is not likely to prevent most people from purchasing a $600 piece of equipment (especially when you start adding the cost of all of the options that haven't gone up in price (yet)). The K2 is still well worth the cost... Bob W1SRB -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of ron Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 10:54 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase I concur, I was planning to purchase a K2 with some options and now that will only be wishful thinking. My fixed income is difficult enough as it is already! I think the increase may hurt them in sales. Ron, wb1hga Darwin, Keith wrote: > Oh Man, I wish I had known prices were going to go up! I was planning > on buying several options over the next year and would have bought them > all at once if I'd have known they were going up. > > I sure wish elecraft would have posted a price increase notice before > hand. I guess I'll live without some options now. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
I concur, I was planning to purchase a K2 with some options and now that will only be wishful thinking. My fixed income is difficult enough as it is already! I think the increase may hurt them in sales. Ron, wb1hga Darwin, Keith wrote: Oh Man, I wish I had known prices were going to go up! I was planning on buying several options over the next year and would have bought them all at once if I'd have known they were going up. I sure wish elecraft would have posted a price increase notice before hand. I guess I'll live without some options now. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
Oh Man, I wish I had known prices were going to go up! I was planning on buying several options over the next year and would have bought them all at once if I'd have known they were going up. I sure wish elecraft would have posted a price increase notice before hand. I guess I'll live without some options now. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - -Original Message- > Did the K2 just go from 599 to 629 $US, or do I need new glasses? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K2 price increase
Yes, I also notice there are price increases in some of the options. Luckily, I have already purchased the required KAT2 and XV144 otherwise, I have to spend a bit more. 73 Johnny Siu VR2XMC From: "Dr. Dan Swartling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K2 price increase Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 23:41:23 -0500 Did the K2 just go from 599 to 629 $US, or do I need new glasses? -- To make a difference, one must first be different. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
