VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I'm just curious how much the cost of gear has increased in the last 10 years. Has there been a substantial increase in the cost of kites, harnesses, bars etc. since 2010?

Thx

raztec wrote:I'm just curious how much the cost of gear has increased in the last 10 years. Has there been a substantial increase in the cost of kites, harnesses, bars etc. since 2010?

Thx

harnesses $115 to over $300, WS boards $1600 to over $3k, sails say $450 now $850 to over a grand ....of course that’s msrp ...and bad memory maybe....I’d say in 10 years all doubled up
Why?? Hasn’t your income doubled and taxes stayed the same??

I’m told inflation is only two or 3%...right...like food

KUS wrote:harnesses $115 to over $300, WS boards $1600 to over $3k, sails say $450 now $850 to over a grand ....of course that’s msrp ...and bad memory maybe....I’d say in 10 years all doubled up
Why?? Hasn’t your income doubled and taxes stayed the same??

I’m told inflation is only two or 3%...right...like food

Found the price list below online..... your memory is not so bad Kus.

Also found a shot of this local legend!!

Dollar was at par around then for a bit too...

I think this is older than when dollar was close to/above par... 6 batten waves sails in a 3.0.

Plus you got 6 battens instead of 4, 3 or 2. Cost should have dropped with each batten removed.

Don't forget gas.

Geez, Lawrence, I thought you were responding to a kite bladder question and came for the fireworks!🤣

Pretty easy explanation for most of those goods. Having worked in this industry for many years I can tell you, and as you likely know, these items are almost exclusively made in Asia. The economies in most Asian countries have grown massively the last 15 years, and as a result, cheap labour over there is not nearly as cheap as it was before.

China in particular now has a much larger middle class. As a result those people now want better jobs, and they have more money. So not only are there fewer people to hire, there is increasing demand for goods from the middle class. This causes production to shift towards making things for local markets. It also drives up the costs of raw materials, as there is more demand for them to make consumer goods in Asia instead. It's easier to sell stuff into your own country rather than deal with N American sports goods makers who keep haggling about rising costs.

The N American brands making your gear may be making a bit more than the past, but their costs have risen dramatically too.

Ned wrote:China in particular now has a much larger middle class. As a result those people now want better jobs, and they have more money.

the main driver for this island of ours to explode so my kids can't buy a house....we have only ourselves to blame

Inflation is inevitable. Sometimes by 100% ….inflatable...
https://youtu.be/ldXYA4CPtzg