[Elecraft] K3: prices - I'm adding to the noise.

[Joseph M. Durnal]

My 2¢ - the cost of materials is going up and the value of the dollar
is falling.  You may have noticed that some other lesser expensive ham
rigs have increased in price too, the Yaesu FT-857 and the Icom IC-706
are up at some stores.  The price has probably went down several euros
since it was introduced!

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

On Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 6:45 PM, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL <dougzzz at gmail.com> wrote:
> This price increase should not have been a surprise to anyone.
>
> When the K3 first came out, there were numerous posts about "gosh, how
> inexpensive is that!".
> It was even compared to a "loaded" K2 and boy..they sure were close.
>
> Did this make sense to us?  Not really (marketing aside).  We were all
> rubbing our hands together, thrilled and gleeful at the obvious
> "mistake" Elecraft had made in its pricing.  Don't think so?  Read the
> old posts.
>
> The initial price of the KPA3 was LESS THAN the KPA100 for the K2.
> Did that make sense?  Not to me.  And with the KPA3, not only do you
> get a 100 watt PA, you get TWO cooling fans with a 4 speed controller.
>
> When the price last went up on the PA, it MATCHED the price of the
> KPA100.  Still rather strange.
>
> And with the last price increase, there were also posts "warning" that
> we should "expect" more price increases...certainly before Dayton.
> Those "warnings" did not come from Elecraft, but they were,
> nevertheless, out there.  If you "trust" the folks who post on here
> about technical issues, why not take heed in other arenas?
>
> I think the 8 pole filter prices have also just gone up (to $125)
> which I THINK is only a $5 increase (maybe I am wrong).
>
> I don't know WHY the prices are going up, but there could be lots of
> valid reasons, not the least of which MIGHT BE that after the Sherwood
> Engineering and ARRL dynamite reviews, that they are expecting an
> avalanche of orders from those who want to the BEST "in any class."
> YMMV.  If it were my company, sure sounds like as good a time as any
> to add in some additional.  I would never define these increase as
> "greed," but rather as measured increments based on real company
> logic.  You can't survive without an adequate margin.
>
> And you know what?  Don't look now, but they are STILL waaaay less
> expensive than the FT9000 or the IC7800 or the TT Orion II.  And the
> IC7700 too, but that can't hold a candle to the K3.
>
> The Pro III is going down in price...why not...it is OLD technology
> with minor reworking.  Does it work?  Sure?  Is it 'good?' You look up
> the ARRL specs and judge for yourself.  Is it cutting edge with the
> owners engaging in direct communication with their users and
> constantly making a fantastic radio even better?  Don't make me laugh.
>
> The price of the K3 is still "a song" for this level of radio.  Check
> the market.
>
> And look, a "loaded" K2 is now a much better deal, relatively
> speaking.  I still have my K2!  You do have choices!
>
> de Doug KR2Q
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