Re: A word of 'Shed' caution

["Mark McCall" <mark@xxxxxxx>]

> One would have to bear in mind that yesterday's Homebase prices were
> heavily discounted (Introductory Offer + 10% off). After the offers
are
> finished, their prices would be similar to, say, ours.

Then what's the worry!

> It is a fact that if it wasn't for companies like us who have kept the
> UK X-10 distributor afloat during the past few lean years, Home
Control
> (Home Tech then) would have pulled out of the X-10 market similar to
> Celtel before them. There would have been no UK X-10 for a while
longer!

Yep...that's why I say it's up to all the independent to get together and
put these points the supplier!

> Sure, but the savings might be passed on to the few companies with big
> orders instead of everyone. Don't forget that, with the Introductory
Offers
> finished on 12 October, Homebase is not planning on passing much
big-order
> savings on to the consumer as their prices then would be similar to
ours.

As I said above, if their prices aren't going to be that much different in
the long term then where's the problem.  If you are getting quoted vastly
different costs prices to the big guys then it's up to you to beat X10 down
or failing that boycott them and tell them exactly how you feel.  If I was
in your shoes (having basically been the sole supplier of X10 in the UK for
the last few years) I would be putting my point pretty strongly to your
suppliers!

> With their multi-million Pounds budget, these companies can afford to
sell
> selected products as 'loss leaders' anytime they wish. However, it
doesn't
> mean that other companies are selling the same products at vastly
inflated
> prices with big profit margins.

I don't think anyone has accused any of the independents of that.  In fact
you guys probably have only been selling X10 for the love of it over the
last few years.

Lost leader usually last for a few weeks and then move on to something
else.
Perhaps Homebase have done this to make a splash a let people know they
sell
X10 (it's worked!).

As I said to Andy, there will always be a place for the quality specialist
retailers like Laser in these products.  After all, Radio Shack hasn't
killed HAS.

Regards

Mark



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