I enquired yesterday about the new prices on the Spyderco blades, the responce I got was scary.
I was interested in purchasing another G10 Civilian model, which set me back just over 1400.00 Rand a few months back, the new price I got now is just under 2000 Rand.
Thats literally around half my monthly salary.
I know the drop in the Rand dont help matters but I wonder how many of my fellow South African collectors will also die out now that it is way to unaffordable.
Ive heard that spyderco's prices have risen by 25% as well as Ram Imports.
Is anyone else on this forum a collector from SA?, if so what are you doing about this, have you found a cheaper way to get your hands on Spyderco's other than Ram?
R1500.00 for a blade was expensive enough, but the new prices are insane.
Look forward to hearing any solutions my fellow collectors have.
Seeya
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
R.I.P South African Collectors
Nobody has ever confused me with a student of economics. Still, will have a go at a bit of this.
It may well happen in fresh produce that is imported into the US, and perhaps with big ticket items like cars, but generally, retail prices don't move around much, due to the dollar's performance on the international money market -- to my knowledge.
I just checked the G-10 Civilian at the Knife Center. It is rarely the least expensive for any given knife, often substantially higher than other web vendors. The G-10 is $150, and the CF is $160. That might be a little less than they were a few months ago, but I couldn't prove it.
I simply don't know enough about wages here to compare the price against a typical wage. A friend of my daughter's works part time at a discount clothing store. She was just given a raise to $7.00 per hr. Not sure from where.
If she were working 40 hours per week, that'd be $280 gross. Even with taxes, she should easily be able to net more per week than the cost of a Civilian.
Appears to me that there is one **** of a lot of markup somewhere in your prices. Every once in awhile, one r or another of the knife mags will feature some So. African maker. Can't say I remember thinking their prices were any bargain. Course a couple of them are **** good, too.
Hope you can figure out some way to get them cheaper.
Stare
It may well happen in fresh produce that is imported into the US, and perhaps with big ticket items like cars, but generally, retail prices don't move around much, due to the dollar's performance on the international money market -- to my knowledge.
I just checked the G-10 Civilian at the Knife Center. It is rarely the least expensive for any given knife, often substantially higher than other web vendors. The G-10 is $150, and the CF is $160. That might be a little less than they were a few months ago, but I couldn't prove it.
I simply don't know enough about wages here to compare the price against a typical wage. A friend of my daughter's works part time at a discount clothing store. She was just given a raise to $7.00 per hr. Not sure from where.
If she were working 40 hours per week, that'd be $280 gross. Even with taxes, she should easily be able to net more per week than the cost of a Civilian.
Appears to me that there is one **** of a lot of markup somewhere in your prices. Every once in awhile, one r or another of the knife mags will feature some So. African maker. Can't say I remember thinking their prices were any bargain. Course a couple of them are **** good, too.
Hope you can figure out some way to get them cheaper.
Stare
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Clay Kesting
- Member
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Sydney Australia
MaNcEr, I feel your pain. At the moment the Australian Dollar is worth about US$0.51 so the price for anything imported into this country is exhorbitant, especially when freight and wholesalers' mark-up are added. I would very much like to support the local importer and dealers, as I want to see them survive, but I just cannot afford to. All my knives have been bought from discount internet dealers in the US or privately from the forums.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
I thought as much, yeah Stare my whole family is involved in the IT industry.
The 2 of the 3 brothers are still in SA, we both are have a fairly high education in the networking field, specially in Novell.
Our monthly salary comes to around R4000.00
Due to the gready ba$tards in goverment.
Any person who brings in over R5000.00 p/m in salary pays around 50% of it to tax, which is bloody sick specially seeing that the stupid T(*(^^&*^ are constantly bankrupt even tho they get all these billions.
Its difficult under these conditions to be able to afford any items of value unless you are the elite few who have more money than they know what to do with (unfortunetly Im not a relative of Mr Mbeki or his cronies)
I cant continue my collection at all under such prices, and importing from you guys is bad cause of our import duties as well( donno about knives but on my spyderco story book I purchased for R400.00 I paid R100 IN IMPORT DUTIES!!!!!!)
I dont know who is adding on all the extra zero's on these products but if it dont come down, as I said, there wont be much business for the likes of Spyderco, gerber and all the rest from Ram that have literally insane prices.
These knives are good, but Im not willing to starve to have one.
Any guy from Britian anywhere else, if you could let us know how your prices go it would be apprecited.
Cheers
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
The 2 of the 3 brothers are still in SA, we both are have a fairly high education in the networking field, specially in Novell.
Our monthly salary comes to around R4000.00
Due to the gready ba$tards in goverment.
Any person who brings in over R5000.00 p/m in salary pays around 50% of it to tax, which is bloody sick specially seeing that the stupid T(*(^^&*^ are constantly bankrupt even tho they get all these billions.
Its difficult under these conditions to be able to afford any items of value unless you are the elite few who have more money than they know what to do with (unfortunetly Im not a relative of Mr Mbeki or his cronies)
I cant continue my collection at all under such prices, and importing from you guys is bad cause of our import duties as well( donno about knives but on my spyderco story book I purchased for R400.00 I paid R100 IN IMPORT DUTIES!!!!!!)
I dont know who is adding on all the extra zero's on these products but if it dont come down, as I said, there wont be much business for the likes of Spyderco, gerber and all the rest from Ram that have literally insane prices.
These knives are good, but Im not willing to starve to have one.
Any guy from Britian anywhere else, if you could let us know how your prices go it would be apprecited.
Cheers
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
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vampyrewolf
- Member
- Posts: 7486
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
universal currency converter, updated to within the hr.
My Canadian dollar is worth 0.65 US, The US is worth 1.54 CAD
The British(UK) pound is worth 1.43 US, the US is worth 0.70 GBP
We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...
Edited by - vampyrewolf on 8/10/2001 10:32:42 AM
universal currency converter, updated to within the hr.
My Canadian dollar is worth 0.65 US, The US is worth 1.54 CAD
The British(UK) pound is worth 1.43 US, the US is worth 0.70 GBP
We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...
Edited by - vampyrewolf on 8/10/2001 10:32:42 AM
Yeah vamp I know what the market stands at, but Im curious to find out how much of a blow to your salary these baldes make in the various countries.
Down here a civie is half my salary, is it like this in the UK, the US or in China?
Thats what Im wondering, a R500.00 jump is way out of order.
The last time I spoke to my supplier when the new shipment arrived he said the Gunting have gone up in price, was only R50.00
%0 rand I can understand, BUT 500!!!!!!
Come on, thats just not funny, I smell a rat here.
Im gonna wait a few more weeks, if Ram still sell at these prices then to **** with em, Im buying online.
Btw thanx for telling me about the online guys Clay
Cheers
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
Down here a civie is half my salary, is it like this in the UK, the US or in China?
Thats what Im wondering, a R500.00 jump is way out of order.
The last time I spoke to my supplier when the new shipment arrived he said the Gunting have gone up in price, was only R50.00
%0 rand I can understand, BUT 500!!!!!!
Come on, thats just not funny, I smell a rat here.
Im gonna wait a few more weeks, if Ram still sell at these prices then to **** with em, Im buying online.
Btw thanx for telling me about the online guys Clay
Cheers
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
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vampyrewolf
- Member
- Posts: 7486
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
A G-10 Civilian is about 270 up here, but I just did a quick search and the price is 215 in spydie land(x1.5=350ish). So spydie prices have jumped, and the my supplier hasn't changed his prices yet. I have till the next shipment to buy low still.
I work as maintanance and make 300/check, so most spydies cost me a weeks worth of wages... but I only work 2-3 nights/week normally. It hasn't affected me much, but I feel for yah, paying a full check for an addition. 4 months ago, $100 WAS a check.
We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...
I work as maintanance and make 300/check, so most spydies cost me a weeks worth of wages... but I only work 2-3 nights/week normally. It hasn't affected me much, but I feel for yah, paying a full check for an addition. 4 months ago, $100 WAS a check.
We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...
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aero_student
- Member
- Posts: 735
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Folsom, CA, USA, Earth USA
It is sad that they mess you over so bad on import duties. I work about 12 hours a week right now as a part timer in a pool supply store and het paid every two weeks. During the 2 peak months during the summer I made roughly $400 a check, now down to about $150. So I can get roughly a spydie per month because I save half of each check. Hvae you though about havin people up ere buy for you then have them ship it? There might be a way you could get around the duties. Good luck.
PS I'm only 17 so I don't really have o support anyone, even myself because I'm still a student.
Death before dishonor thus always faithful.
PS I'm only 17 so I don't really have o support anyone, even myself because I'm still a student.
Death before dishonor thus always faithful.
Hi MaNcEr
I feal your pain, especially on the import duty.
As Stare says the Knife Center isn't the cheepest online store, but thier Civilian is $150. I've just ordered mine from the main distributor here in the UK for £188, which works out at $282 !!!!
The trouble is the import tax and VAT (Value Added Tax 17.5%), some of which you have already realised you will be liable for.
I don't know if it works the same where you are, but here if an item is labled as a "gift" it is excempt from both taxes (suppliers are reluctant to lable it as such). So what you need is a an American buddy (perhaps a fellow formite) who would buy the knife for you and ship it on as a gift, wink, wink <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
I feal your pain, especially on the import duty.
As Stare says the Knife Center isn't the cheepest online store, but thier Civilian is $150. I've just ordered mine from the main distributor here in the UK for £188, which works out at $282 !!!!
The trouble is the import tax and VAT (Value Added Tax 17.5%), some of which you have already realised you will be liable for.
I don't know if it works the same where you are, but here if an item is labled as a "gift" it is excempt from both taxes (suppliers are reluctant to lable it as such). So what you need is a an American buddy (perhaps a fellow formite) who would buy the knife for you and ship it on as a gift, wink, wink <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Lol, thanx for the advice, yeah Ive heard about a gif not been taxed, but I believe they very picky on what they label a "gift".
That is an idea Ill keep in mind, at present Im checking knifestore out and wanna see what their shipping costs are.
Only major thing is parcels down here get stolen real fast, thats the 1 advantage of getting it from Ram Imports.
Also if I do purchase online Im cutting Pertinax out, his done alot for me and has always gotten me stuff at good prices, I would like to support him still, but paying R2000.00 for a knife dont make it easy.
I thought when he said 2 grand he meant for a CF model, nearly had heart failure when I found out its my normal ol G10 model.
Ill see what happens, thanx for the advice guys
heres hoping they all get cheaper
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
That is an idea Ill keep in mind, at present Im checking knifestore out and wanna see what their shipping costs are.
Only major thing is parcels down here get stolen real fast, thats the 1 advantage of getting it from Ram Imports.
Also if I do purchase online Im cutting Pertinax out, his done alot for me and has always gotten me stuff at good prices, I would like to support him still, but paying R2000.00 for a knife dont make it easy.
I thought when he said 2 grand he meant for a CF model, nearly had heart failure when I found out its my normal ol G10 model.
Ill see what happens, thanx for the advice guys
heres hoping they all get cheaper
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
Thanx Yog <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> , do you have any suggestions on which online stores I should try?, Ill need to pay via credit card, to pay via bank swift is a bit of a bugger over here, so good ol VISA is the best for me.
Thanx mate
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
Thanx mate
MaNcEr
It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
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sam the man..
- Member
- Posts: 2935
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Dude ~ Nothing will stop you from buyin' your spydies! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> With the exchange rate at your disadvantage, you'll have to be very careful when it comes to making a choice. Here in Malaysia, Spydercos are sold six times as much off the shelves and selection is pretty limited <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> So, can you imagine anyone who would go for the entire collection? Spare the shipping cost and duty, it is actually "cheaper" to get the knives on-line <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Sam
have spydies will travel
Sam
have spydies will travel
Hi m8.
I'm probably not the best person to ask for suggestions. The only online stores I have ordered Spydies from is Spyderco itself (self confessed expensive) and from 2 UK stores (also expensive). Most of my online purchases have been software, books and videos.
I have heard very good things about http://www.knifecenter.com/ though.
I'm probably not the best person to ask for suggestions. The only online stores I have ordered Spydies from is Spyderco itself (self confessed expensive) and from 2 UK stores (also expensive). Most of my online purchases have been software, books and videos.
I have heard very good things about http://www.knifecenter.com/ though.
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ftkinney
- Member
- Posts: 527
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Texan living in New Jersey USA
i don't know if these places will ship over seas but here are where i've bought all my spyderco's www.knifeoutlet.com, www.discountknives.com, www.bladeart.com and haven't had a problem yet, also i would use dennis bible here on the forum and www.johnfjesen.com for discontued modles. another idea for the global spyderco fans is what about an amrican army base if you have a freind in the u.s. military most of these places will ship to an overseas base maybe close to your home. just an idea.
FTK
Edited by - ftkinney on 8/13/2001 11:49:37 PM
FTK
Edited by - ftkinney on 8/13/2001 11:49:37 PM
MaNcEr said:
I cant continue my collection at all under such prices, and importing from you guys is bad cause of our import duties as well( donno about knives but on my spyderco story book I purchased for R400.00 I paid R100 IN IMPORT DUTIES!!!!!!)
You think that's bad? Here in Brazil, we must pay 60 PERCENT over not only the price of the item purchased but shipping and handling as well! In other words, a 400 product would end up costing more than 640!
Gotta love Socialism...
BTW, one US dollar is worth 2.55 Brazilian reais - not much, huh?
Leo Daher
PS: Having dealt with the Knifecenter several times in the past, I would recommend them without reservations.
I cant continue my collection at all under such prices, and importing from you guys is bad cause of our import duties as well( donno about knives but on my spyderco story book I purchased for R400.00 I paid R100 IN IMPORT DUTIES!!!!!!)
You think that's bad? Here in Brazil, we must pay 60 PERCENT over not only the price of the item purchased but shipping and handling as well! In other words, a 400 product would end up costing more than 640!
Gotta love Socialism...
BTW, one US dollar is worth 2.55 Brazilian reais - not much, huh?
Leo Daher
PS: Having dealt with the Knifecenter several times in the past, I would recommend them without reservations.
Hi MaNcEr. I'm really sorry I didn't follow this thread, after I first posted. I missed a lot, especially your second post.
One thing I failed to say in my first post is that the wage of my daughter's friend is not considered a high one by any means. I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know what minimum wage in the US is now. Since I quit working 2.5 years ago, just haven't paid any attention to such things. When I last worked, was making around $20 per hour. That represented a substantial drop from the wages I had been receiving for the 8 years prior to when I received that salary. I had voluntarily demoted, dropping about $700 per month gross, $500 net. Even my higher salary wasn't anything that would turn heads.
I'm curious to know what sort of inspection process a package mailed to SA from the US would receive. I wouldn't think it is any of either government's business what I mailed to an individual in your country. But, that doesn't mean one or both governments might not at least x-ray it. If you know what sort of processes occur in your country, I'd be interested to hear.
Stare
One thing I failed to say in my first post is that the wage of my daughter's friend is not considered a high one by any means. I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know what minimum wage in the US is now. Since I quit working 2.5 years ago, just haven't paid any attention to such things. When I last worked, was making around $20 per hour. That represented a substantial drop from the wages I had been receiving for the 8 years prior to when I received that salary. I had voluntarily demoted, dropping about $700 per month gross, $500 net. Even my higher salary wasn't anything that would turn heads.
I'm curious to know what sort of inspection process a package mailed to SA from the US would receive. I wouldn't think it is any of either government's business what I mailed to an individual in your country. But, that doesn't mean one or both governments might not at least x-ray it. If you know what sort of processes occur in your country, I'd be interested to hear.
Stare