We’re getting Gouged! Trident!!

[MnFish1]

Actually, any retailer could jack the price of the Trident up if they wanted to, the Trident is only protected by MAP (Minimum Advertised Pricing). MSRP (Manufacturers SUGGESTED Retail Price) is only a suggestion and not a requirement. MAP is there to stop retailers from undercutting one another. This keeps the profit margins stable and really only benefit the manufacturer. BRS, Marine Depot, Premium Aquatics etc could add $100 to the price and there isn't anything anyone could do about it

This may or may not be true - Trident is protected by the MAP rule. I dont know if dealers are limited by the MSRP (Neptune can refuse to sell to dealers that are not following the MSRP). So - if a dealer were routinely increasing the price above MSRP - Neptune could say - ok you're not a dealer for us any longer: From the FTC: Hope this helps

Q: One of my suppliers marks its products with a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Do I have to charge this price?

A: The key word is "suggested." A dealer is free to set the retail price of the products it sells. A dealer can set the price at the MSRP or at a different price, as long as the dealer comes to that decision on its own. However, the manufacturer can decide not to use distributors that do not adhere to its MSRP.

 

[cidermaster]

Hi folks- not sure what category to post this under. I’m just so sick and tired of all the attempts at price gouging for the Neptune Trident on EBay and the like. These things are NEVER in stock anywhere, yet there’s a steady stream of folks obtaining and selling them online for huge premiums. Where are they getting them from?? I really hope these aren’t fellow reefers (they all claim to be unfortunately).
When will we be able to purchase these things the right way?
Sorry to be a downer. Just frustrated.
In stock right now
http://thatpetplace.production.na1....utm_source=tfpsystememail&utm_medium=bisalert

 

[vangvace]

Actually Neptune systems enforces their prices. Legit Neptune sponsored lfs’s have to sell Neptune products at Neptune’s price. I’m buddies with the owner of my lfs and he only gets a 5% commission from selling Neptune systems products :)

Neptune's model is volume based for what percentage the seller receives and they (used to?) require the lfs to buy the product outright vice a hold price. They really are not lfs friendly in that regard.

 

[cidermaster]

Still can’t get this reply correct . But In stock http://thatpetplace.production.na1....utm_source=tfpsystememail&utm_medium=bisalert

 

[TheOne]

I complained about it nonstop and refused to pay over msrp for one. Eventually a r2r member posted that his lfs had just recieved some and I called and was able to purchase it at msrp. They didn't even charge for shipping.

I honestly could care less who agrees that it is simply price gouging or not because the one's that think it's fair to charge $1200 aren't in the market to buy one. They are just stirring the pot so my advise is to just ignore them.

 

[t5Nitro]

Would the Ion director by GHL take care of the same job as those of you looking at the trident? I don't own either system, I just remembered that one existed. I suppose it's more connectivity to your current apex module.

 

[maxepr1]

As long as the demand is paying crazy prices for them, the limited supply will never meet it (demand)! I am always amazed that people will pay 2-10 times the price of items on these auction sites. Why?? Even on stuff that is not hard to get.

 

[User1]

Still can’t get this reply correct . But In stock http://thatpetplace.production.na1....utm_source=tfpsystememail&utm_medium=bisalert

@JaredB you see this?

This is what this forum is all about. BAM - provided you get it in time, and I just checked myself, still in stock, you can have a trident today.

Edit: Hurry!

 

[Brew12]

Would the Ion director by GHL take care of the same job as those of you looking at the trident? I don't own either system, I just remembered that one existed. I suppose it's more connectivity to your current apex module.

The Ion Director doesn't test Alkalinity, that would be the KH Director. The Ion doesn't hit the market for a few more months yet.

 

[WVNed]

I have seem many things on the market for inflated prices over my life. Have you ever went to buy a vehicle and found "additional dealer markup" on the sticker?
Cabbage patch kids, Beanie babies, game systems.
I have never needed those things so badly that I couldn't walk away.

 

[JaredB]

I don’t understand why this is a problem. If someone is willing to pay a premium for a product why regulate that. That’s how free markets work. Why is the trident special?
every day I see people pay a load of money for corals. Why doesn’t reef2reef
Regulate that? I am a strong believer in free markets and thing should sell for whatever someone is willing to pay.

Well Amado- I agree with you about the merits of free markets. But free markets are predicated on equal access. If we are all drinking from the same well then the price becomes the price. I don’t think that’s the case here. There are people who have access to product that the general public doesn’t have. Then it’s no longer a free market. It’s a gouge. That’s not cool

 

[User1]

Well Amado- I agree with you about the merits of free markets. But free markets are predicated on equal access. If we are all drinking from the same well then the price becomes the price. I don’t think that’s the case here. There are people who have access to product that the general public doesn’t have. Then it’s no longer a free market. It’s a gouge. That’s not cool

So did you buy the thing or not....

 

[WVNed]

I am sad to say it but what this means is they way under priced the Trident. The market was ready to pay more. That money could have went to new and improved product development or better warranties but is going to gougers instead.

 

[TheOne]

.

So did you buy the thing or not....

Exactly, OP there is no sense in complaining if you haven't bought that already.

 

[boacvh]

I have seem many things on the market for inflated prices over my life. Have you ever went to buy a vehicle and found "additional dealer markup" on the sticker?
Cabbage patch kids, Beanie babies, game systems.
I have never needed those things so badly that I couldn't walk away.

Amen

 

[KrisReef]

I don’t understand why this is a problem. If someone is willing to pay a premium for a product why regulate that. That’s how free markets work. Why is the trident special?
every day I see people pay a load of money for corals. Why doesn’t reef2reef
Regulate that? I am a strong believer in free markets and thing should sell for whatever someone is willing to pay.

Regulated?
Because R@R doesn't want threads like this with folks arguing over price gouging. But like you noted, the market still rules even when regulations are put in place. :)

I would be happy to pay the premium price if I wanted one, but I'm terrified of the technology. The other negative of the price gouging is that Trident should respond with their own price increase. Anyone who wants one of these might want to buy one before the new year?

So that's a free market watch analysis from a fish guy.

 

[JoshH]

This may or may not be true - Trident is protected by the MAP rule. I dont know if dealers are limited by the MSRP (Neptune can refuse to sell to dealers that are not following the MSRP). So - if a dealer were routinely increasing the price above MSRP - Neptune could say - ok you're not a dealer for us any longer: From the FTC: Hope this helps

Q: One of my suppliers marks its products with a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Do I have to charge this price?

A: The key word is "suggested." A dealer is free to set the retail price of the products it sells. A dealer can set the price at the MSRP or at a different price, as long as the dealer comes to that decision on its own. However, the manufacturer can decide not to use distributors that do not adhere to its MSRP.

This was kindof what I was getting at, if every retailer decided to mark up the Trident, Neptune kindof has there hands tied in a sense. But my basic point was that MSRP is NOT a price cap as some seem to think. Sure Neptune could possibly refuse to sell to that retailer, but that would be totally up to them. Whether or not it would be a good business practice to jack the price up is another question entirely...

 

[Twitchy]

A lot of times people forget international folks who are willing to pay the mark up, as they can't get it any other way. Most of the times people paying the $1200 (outside of folks wanting it now, and don't care about the cost) are people in places like Russia and China, who want the Trident for their Apex's, and can't get them through normal supply chains. A lot of the pricey Apex stuff(and other electronic devices) will have international shipping. (or allow the use of repacking services). I was selling used computer memory and processors at one point for a nice profit to international folks.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Simple solution: Neptune pumps the breaks, stop selling them until they get enough stock to keep up with demand, and the problem will sort itself out.

Either that, or I agree that Neptune needs to increase the price.

 

[Hermie]

Some people here want anarchy
Some people here want reasonable regulations

...
I question why chaos is so appealing.