Priceing Question (1 Viewer)

[gk5717]

The other board brought this subject up, but I have a new twist.
I know K&C,s policy of not allowing dealers to give discounts and Andy responded as to why.
But what about this, is it ethical for dealers to charge more for a piece if that piece has come into short supply, such as the recent 88.
I am not pointing to any one dealer but I know of one who raised his price once it was retired. And to be honest, I can,t remember who that was.
I totally understand a dealer after buying pieces from individuals or collections getting what they can. I,m just referring to current pieces.
By the way did any of you about a year ago read the exchange of letters from Michigan Toy Soldiers and K&C when Michigan was suspended from selling K&C products.
Michigan had them posted on their site.
It was truely interesting reading, although not very professional on Michigans part for having made them public.
Gary

 

[Flammenpanzer]

I ordered a 88 from a dealer for the normal price and checked out with their shopping cart system. I got an email the next day stating that they were out of the 88's, but when I checked the site later they had raised the price up a $100. I will never order from them again.

 

[jazzeum]

I don't think Andy has a problem if a dealer charges more for a piece, retired or not. You just can't discount it although free shipping sort of works out to the same thing.

Regarding Flammenpanzer's post, I think that's just plain unethical. I would report them to the Better Business Bureau. Ultimately, nothing may happen but I think it's worth giving that dealer something to think about.

 

[CannonFodder1971]

Gary, I saw Rick Berry's posting of the various items of correspondence (for which we don't know if that was a full disclosure or not) before he took them down.
I'm like a broken record on this, and won't parrot my comments which I've posted on a number of other fora but yes, I still feel that a price structure (similar to the NET Book Agreement of old) allows a degree of cross-subsidization between sets of a uniform price and thus maintains a diverse range of products. It also protects a broader dealer network than would otherwise exist if the Walmarts and similar large chains were allowed to aggressively discount on a small selection of WWII items to wipe out competitiors and thus over time to become in a position to effectively dictate to K&C what pieces they produce and what time of the year they release them.
Now on the overcharge issue I'm disappointed with the practice, and I haven't gone back to some dealers because of what I perceive to be the 'hoarding' of sets in anticipation of retirement and then see a huge price tag placed on the sets in question.

 

[Njja]

I certainly agree with Andys policy, after all a dealer doesn't have to sell his product if they can't come to a meeting of the minds. As for selling items above retail marketplaces are extremly unforgiving.
I was sent the entire exchange, between Michigan & Andy. I thought it was going ok until Michigan threatened to punch Andy in the nose. Now I don't know Andy but I read in his Bio that he was a Brit Commando. Some fellows myself included just don't care to be threatened from thousands of miles away.
Njja