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Some overpriced tables, good for copying

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surface tension:

I missed this one yesterday somehow. Though I'm not sure what else I can bring to the party.


--- Quote ---You got me all wrong. I don't have a problem with anyone making their own version of st's cocktail (as long as they don't sell it). It was the way the TC presented it that bothered me.
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Thanks for the support Ginsu. I read all sorts of things about surface tension systems and stuff like this is common. It was a little weird to read it on this forum, but I have to take the rough with the smooth.


--- Quote ---In terms of parts maybe, but the cost of CNC machining, labour for assembling, research, development, advertising and then the token profit cut makes it sound about right. Don't forget the UK economy is different to the US, and the price of materials, advertising and everything is a lot more expensive over here. Based on my sources and enquiries, the price sounds about right.
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Thanks Craig. Yes, things are a little more expensive over here and every time I stock up on new parts, the price has gone up again. If we were churning hundreds of these out per year, the cost could come right down as they could be produced in China. But we're small quantity and both systems are hand-made by local cabinet makers.

This doesn't leave a massive margin but enough for me to keep going as I enjoy what I do.


--- Quote ---Whoa Ginsu, don't get your knickers in a twist.

I didn't comment on quality, I just said over-priced. It certainly targets a certain buyer, and it's not the common hobbyist.

The design is awesome, yes.

People copy all sorts of designs, from the old classics to other members' machines.

Just relax.. breathe..
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Vertygo, I guess it's all flattery. I am looking at a certain buyer but it's not as simple as someone with pockets full of cash. It's about someone that wants to play some arcade childhood memories, but not have an upright sitting in their house or apartment. The cost may seem high, but I'm not going to create a product which sounds great on paper, but when you get it home is made with cheap and nasty components giving you a feeling of regret. I'm talking about the sound system, computer, LCD and on the front-line - the control panel. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you do get what you pay for.

I love the arcade-at-home hobby and the first system I built was a cocktail, getting loads of help from here... 7 or 8 years ago now. That is what inspired me to make a coffee table with discreet controls/screen.

There are also a few other UK-produced systems (i.e. not made in China) where the prices are a little higher than the competition. There is a certain pride in keeping as much as possible produced within your own country, but unfortunately it is reflected in the price.


--- Quote ---I've heard that standard retail mark-up is six (6) times the cost to make an item.
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Not sure what to say here apart from LOL... and I haven't typed that in years!

u_rebelscum:


--- Quote from: Ummon on September 12, 2009, 03:59:04 am ---I've heard that standard retail mark-up is six (6) times the cost to make an item.

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For fashion clothes and restaurants if you only count the cost of the materials, maybe.  But fashion designers know they will be copied, so they need the high markup to cover the designing and walk-way shows (and to be able to have all the sales).  And that's ignoring the other big costs: sales personal/waiters hourly rates and retail space leasing costs.

So 6 times cost of materials is needed to survive for some markets.  (About 3 out of 4 of all resturants go out of business in the first year; one reason is they think they can undercut their competition, but find out they can't.)

But that high a markup is not needed, and won't sell, for most other markets.


Material is money, time is money, space is money.  Always include the letter two if you want your business to survive.  And buyers, be aware of all three so you can see the difference between a resonable price, a true deal, and too good to be true (ie: selling stolen goods or a store about to go out of business).

Bender:

I agree, With Rebel here, people to often forget to add their time into the $ equation

I challenge anyone to make a surface tension from scratch (with no plans)
and include a decent hourly wage for what ST is charging, I don't think you could do it
unless maybe you were both a master carpenter and computer genius

If I calculated the time into my projects the would cost like a million dollars :D, my learning curve is so steep :banghead:

DashRendar:

These items aren't available at Walmart, Costco, or your local discount superstore.

They're handcrafted as opposed to mass produced.  There's always a price difference between the two, as ST mentioned.

I have no doubt these items are solid and high quality.  I personally believe that you get what you pay for, and buying cheap ends up costing more in the long run, because you have to keep replacing cheap stuff after it falls apart.

mvsfan:


--- Quote from: Turnarcades on September 11, 2009, 07:31:09 pm ---
--- Quote from: RayB on September 11, 2009, 03:53:52 pm ---Disrespectful but true. I'm not sure how "designer coffee table" + "arcade parts" = $6000 (that's just the cheaper walnut table). I'd love to buy just the table and control drawer. How much is that worth? Surely under $1000.

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In terms of parts maybe, but the cost of CNC machining, labour for assembling, research, development, advertising and then the token profit cut makes it sound about right. Don't forget the UK economy is different to the US, and the price of materials, advertising and everything is a lot more expensive over here. Based on my sources and enquiries, the price sounds about right.

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price on a lot of items is very dependent on the economy, on the value of your dollar, as well as how large your country is. More land = more resources. or in the case of many nations, how little they are willing to pay their workers. but people dont realize that a lot of the time. bottom line many factors go into the price of that wooden cabinet you buy.

to build an arcade cabinet from scratch is twice as expensive in South Florida as it is in Alabama. Why is that?

cause theyve already logged everything that was loggable down there. its all shipped in from North Florida and Alabama/Georgia.

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