Soap Box

FINAL CUT

Yes, I seriously know how much it costs to develop and market a product in a smaller market than suspension lifts. Try marketing a CNC billet OHV engine for kart racing, and basically selling ~1 every two years. Ask me how I know.

We don't expect him to be Wal-Mart.

What has happened in the course of development: He tossed the idea around both known Dak forums, seen interest from other dak owners, validated the demand for the product, and decided to build a one-off kit for his truck (essentially paying for his own kit), then deciding to market it (after severe critisism from knowledgable and the severe opposite of knowledgable), then decided to revise the kit and continue to test, then create an actual company and website.

Now the phone calls for orders are not flooding in, thus lowering cost of production by volume. He clearly is not machining the components himself, rather having a machine shop (or someone) doing it for him. If he doesn't order in bulk, he doesn't get that kind of price break. This same concept applies to material cost, and transportation (it adds up).

All in all, it makes sense...however I disagree with the decision. It will be very hard for dak owners to gather $4K for an IFS lift. Every person that starts a business knows (with out fail) what they are gettting into. The behaviors and actions can be a large part of success or failure. Time is the other part of the equation. Thus, the owner knew what he had to spend to make his one off kit. You make your investment back with time. You can't expect for it to be handed to you in 6 months or what ever. Ask me how I know. Ask any person that makes their own products that require serious R&D and testing.

So, if you are going to call out the disappointed people, please feel free to explain your disagreement before asking an open ended question. Some of the members here might be seasoned veterans and have been around the block a time or two.

Soap Box

ENDING SEQUENCE

 

Only 1 kit was sold in DF. but a total of 12 was sold. We knew that this kit would release but nobody buy it on time. Its our own fault, miss the special too late!!!

 

Not quite sure I believe the 12 kit sales. But hey if it's true than he more than made his money back.

And I hate to say I told you so, to the consumer. But remember when I said people say they're interested and beg companies to make stuff. And then when it's in front of them they all have excuses why they can't buy it. I suggest that of any of you want custom stuff built. You show up at a shop with a stack of cash. Don't be mad when somebody wont prototype something with "hopes" that anybody will ACTUALLY buy it.

 

I am not calling out anyone. He has a price that he needs meet in order to even make it worthwhile to send it to the machine shop to make. You either are willing to spend the money for something that you are not able to make yourself or not, but the outrage over the price is uncalled for. He is under no obligation to offer the kit at any price. Don't like it, don't buy it.

 

Who said anything about obligation? Is any company under any obligation concerning markup?

Maybe you misunderstood me. His profit is his profit. If he was selling those first kits at cost (which is the actual cost to produce the product) then he is getting completely ripped off for the price of service and material. Yes, you get a lower cost when you order services and material in bulk...there is no way he is paying $2800 for the kit that he was selling at $2800.

The "outrage" as you called it, is not an outrage. More of a disappointment in the 3G marketplace. We have been waiting for so long to get an IFS lift. Have you ever priced something out for the longest time, only to see it jump up in cost by 50%? I don't see a problem at all with people voicing their disappointment. $4K for a lift kit is unheard of. "Don't like it, don't buy it". That is exactly what is going to happen for the entire community.

Not that I would know anything about production operations or working at a machine shop that builds race cars, but if Desert Rat is following this thread, I have a few suggestions:

I know you have worked hard on this kit, and we ALL applaud your efforts...probably more than you know. If you are having issues with cost and profit margins, we need to look at different ways of producing this kit. The 3G community needs your support, just not at $4K per kit. PM me, maybe my humble experience can help.

 

I was looking at ads in my 4 wheel and off road magazine...you can get a full 6" kit for a ford f150 for around $1700. What a difference market support makes.

 

the 3g dak is apparently the "red headed step child" of the aftermarket.

i hate to say it, but what if they farmed out some of the machine work or parts building to *gulp* across the border or over seas?

im all for buy American, but werent most of our trucks or at least parts of them "Hecho en Mexico"? (check your leaf springs ,mine have that painted on them) just a thought.
$4k is a lot to drop on a lift,imo.

 

WIll there ever be a company that can come in with a quality suspension lift for the 3rd gen dak, that wont cost 3-4k?

 

Probably not.

 

Whew, glad I got mine when I did! Paid 2300 for the entire kit. Guess I got a better deal then I thought.