Price Increases

Nothing really makes sense for example:

Make sense to me and my .02.

Well known American loudspeaker company (not telling) make a very well reviewed product known best for their powered towers company makes fantastic sounding product for the most part has a big advertising budget and designs everything in the USA but everything is made in mainland China EVERYTHING.

Please tell me tell me tell me ...

Good for them. Companies should move to a more business friendly location whether it's lower manufacturer cost, taxes ... and hopefully pass the saving to the end consumers.

It's the responsibilities of governments to create a business friendly environment where companies want to stay and create jobs. Don't blame the companies but the politicians unless you are in their permanent voting block.

If you don't care where it's made that's O.K.

I don't care as long as equal quality.

But don't laugh at the person of means that pays 250K for a hand built masterpiece that possibly only offers a slight bit of refinement in sound for the great cost.

I don't and why should I? It's their $$ and none of my business. Actually insteading laughing, I like join them and buy a 750K hand built masterpiece.

Bottom line it's about making money not necessarily about the love of the music; often 40K speaker is much more cost heavy in proportion than a great 10K speaker.

Is this a TRICK question? Of course IT IS! Why do you work? For your health or to make $$ so you can have a life? Most work at a job, not a hobby.

Moral is you can make a good sounding speaker that retails for 17K and is hugely profitable, sounds good, looks great, except for the excessive use of stamped steel baskets you believe your getting a fine item and your happy enough though in your belly your not really totally believing.

Why 17K? Why not $129? How do you know? Are you Andrew Jones? You know his $129 Pioneer SP-BS22-LR almost made TAS budget product of the year.

In the New World economy

With improved efficiencies from technological advances, we have lower prices, bigger selections, higher quality products and improved quality of life. Haven't gone to an ATM for 10+ years, all bills online EXCEPT dealing with Uncle Sam, HD TV for $500 ... I think this new world economy is great!

It's the new math.

1 + 1 still 2 except slide rulers are out and iPhones are in.

Companies are NOT in the welfare business but to make money. Unlike government, NO profit, NO business. They can't print $$ or raise taxes ... books have to balance. They will charge whatever the market will bear. I guess if one can't afford something, instead trying to improve their own situation, it's easier to blame the companies. "Stick it" to us customers. Just live within your means. Wake Up!

Knghifi,

Pour yourself a drink or two!

While you've parroted my post and I don't totally disagree with you for the most part I think I'm talking about transparency which might make the "math" make more sense.
One drivers landed cost is $12.24 a similar unit is $250.00 this kind of discrepancy is disconnected from what possibly should be reality and when both items are cloaked under the made in USA disguise..well it's confusing.

Do you remember the Shogun bicycle from the 1970's? It was one of the first Company's to make made in China cool as they did not hide their origin of manufacture but kinda bragged about it.

The not telling Co starts with the letter L

Q

Most buy name brands that are well established and since buying name you usually don't get much value.

I'm talking about transparency which might make the "math" make more sense.
One drivers landed cost is $12.24 a similar unit is $250.00 this kind of discrepancy is disconnected from what possibly should be reality and when both items are cloaked under the made in USA disguise..well it's confusing.

Don't follow your logic but will try.

If a manufacturer can produce the same quality product at a lower price, good for them. They are a superior company and deserves the extra profit.

For the end consumer, they have to pay the same from either the superior or inferior company if they want the product. Why do they care?

So you want companies to publish (transparency) their margins so consumers can choose to do business with ones that have the least margin? You want to PUNISH competence?

Most buy name brands that are well established and since buying name you usually don't get much value.

Well established brand names are earned over the years and one can expect a certain level of quality. I do agree it's not true in all cases.