Forums > Technical Discussion > HoP shop - overpriced?
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13 posts
13 posts
Posted:
Single Triangular quicklink
Price per unit: GBP 2.17
This would be exspensive at half the price imho
60p would be more like it, but this would have a nock on effect that the loops would have to drop in price as not even HoP could try and charge ~£5 for 2 bits of nylon
There seems to be an 800% markup on most stuff - or am i just out of touch as to what bits of metal cost?
Single Triangular quicklink
Price per unit: GBP 2.17
This would be exspensive at half the price imho
60p would be more like it, but this would have a nock on effect that the loops would have to drop in price as not even HoP could try and charge ~£5 for 2 bits of nylon
There seems to be an 800% markup on most stuff - or am i just out of touch as to what bits of metal cost?
SILVER Member
100 characters max...
2,996 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
100 characters max...
2,996 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posted:
Hate to admit it, but I am a little bit in economic rationalist mode about this one. If people are prepared to pay that price they will (maybe they just don't want to do the legwork of finding something cheaper, or they are paying that price because they know they can trust the source). If people think that it is overpriced, they will not pay for it. And cos it is not selling, Malcolm will review his prices. And we all live happily ever after with price the invisible hand diligently doing its work.
I am sure people who bulk buy to make lots of their own equipment have far cheaper sources. Those who are doing a one off may be prepared to pay that price.
Hate to admit it, but I am a little bit in economic rationalist mode about this one. If people are prepared to pay that price they will (maybe they just don't want to do the legwork of finding something cheaper, or they are paying that price because they know they can trust the source). If people think that it is overpriced, they will not pay for it. And cos it is not selling, Malcolm will review his prices. And we all live happily ever after with price the invisible hand diligently doing its work.
I am sure people who bulk buy to make lots of their own equipment have far cheaper sources. Those who are doing a one off may be prepared to pay that price.
It was a day for screaming at inanimate objects.
What this calls for is a special mix of psychology and extreme violence...
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,533 posts
Location: Hampshire College, MA, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,533 posts
Location: Hampshire College, MA, USA
Posted:
Go capitolism!
Yeah, some of it does seem pretty steep, but for the most part it's reasonable. Nooo idea why the handles are so expensive, with bulk rates I doubt the materials cost more than $3.
EDITED_BY: sparkey! (1122428496)
Go capitolism!
Yeah, some of it does seem pretty steep, but for the most part it's reasonable. Nooo idea why the handles are so expensive, with bulk rates I doubt the materials cost more than $3.
EDITED_BY: sparkey! (1122428496)
-James
"How do you know if you're happy or sad without a mask? Or angry? Or ready for dessert?"
SILVER Member
Are you up for it??
349 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Are you up for it??
349 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted:
Alot of it probably has to do with it's a New Zealand based shop/web site so involving currency exchange rates, which these days over here are quite all over the place.
Just for interests sake triangular quicklink in NZ$6.21 which is about the same as a double spirit with mixer in a bar.... not that mucheg. f**kn affordable!!
EDITED_BY: nite owl (1122429197)
Alot of it probably has to do with it's a New Zealand based shop/web site so involving currency exchange rates, which these days over here are quite all over the place.
Just for interests sake triangular quicklink in NZ$6.21 which is about the same as a double spirit with mixer in a bar.... not that mucheg. f**kn affordable!!
EDITED_BY: nite owl (1122429197)
Are you up for it?
;)
SILVER Member
Are we there yet?
1,897 posts
Location: australia
Are we there yet?
1,897 posts
Location: australia
Posted:
I have to day this post is a bit offensive - you are using Malcolm's resources to hassle him about his prices
if you don't want to pay that amount, don't
but don't come on here and whinge about it - that's just rude
I am hoping the mods will consider locking and/or deleting this post
I have to day this post is a bit offensive - you are using Malcolm's resources to hassle him about his prices
if you don't want to pay that amount, don't
but don't come on here and whinge about it - that's just rude
I am hoping the mods will consider locking and/or deleting this post
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,533 posts
Location: Hampshire College, MA, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,533 posts
Location: Hampshire College, MA, USA
Posted:
In any case, if it helps Malcolm maintain this board, it's worth the extra pennies.
In any case, if it helps Malcolm maintain this board, it's worth the extra pennies.
-James
"How do you know if you're happy or sad without a mask? Or angry? Or ready for dessert?"
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Posted:
Compared to many sites HOP prices are really good for many items. Some of the products I havent been able to find locally at all at any price, let alone cheaper. As has been said buy elsewhere if you dont like the prices but commenting in this forum is a little off.
Its a business and they have the right to charge what they want really and we have a choice to buy it.
I buy all my fire needs from HOP and find it very reasonable and the service great and prompt.
Compared to many sites HOP prices are really good for many items. Some of the products I havent been able to find locally at all at any price, let alone cheaper. As has been said buy elsewhere if you dont like the prices but commenting in this forum is a little off.
Its a business and they have the right to charge what they want really and we have a choice to buy it.
I buy all my fire needs from HOP and find it very reasonable and the service great and prompt.
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
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SILVER Member
Are you up for it??
349 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Are you up for it??
349 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted:
just an added thought, no-one ever said fire twirling was a cheap hobby. One friend of mine would pay up to NZ$250 for custom made staffs, well worth it in his opinion
(Just wish I had a bit more money to spend on here
just an added thought, no-one ever said fire twirling was a cheap hobby. One friend of mine would pay up to NZ$250 for custom made staffs, well worth it in his opinion
(Just wish I had a bit more money to spend on here
Are you up for it?;)
BRONZE Member
member
521 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
member
521 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posted:
Overall I have found the products & prices in the HOP shop are some of the best, cheapest and, most importantly, highest quality available.. not to mention having the most impeccably high level of customer service I have ever experienced.
Overall I have found the products & prices in the HOP shop are some of the best, cheapest and, most importantly, highest quality available.. not to mention having the most impeccably high level of customer service I have ever experienced.
BRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posted:
err mate - I wonder if you realise that this forum that you are using to slag the HOP shop is paid for by the Shop? There are always overheads when running any shop - and these have to be part of the prices. I think you are being quite unrealistic in your cost estimates, but hey - if you can find the another place to buy the same item for 60p over the internet, then by all means, go for it.
err mate - I wonder if you realise that this forum that you are using to slag the HOP shop is paid for by the Shop? There are always overheads when running any shop - and these have to be part of the prices. I think you are being quite unrealistic in your cost estimates, but hey - if you can find the another place to buy the same item for 60p over the internet, then by all means, go for it.
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BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,207 posts
Location: "In your ear", United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,207 posts
Location: "In your ear", United Kingdom
Posted:
mal - i have bought lots of goods from you, ad will do for quite some time to come!
i make 90% of my toys now, and the only thing i regularly buy is wick....ad if you could deliver in less that two weeks i would buy from you all the time (maye i should move to NZ?)
in the last week i have been pricing up 13mm rope wick
the uk price for rope @ that size is 8.45/ meter, and i want 20 meters, so tahts £169 ok?
now from hop, its 1.41/foot (And there is around 66foot in 20 meters) so thats 93.02, now with shipping thats still onely 105.48
how can you say hopis expensive?
Out of all teh products i have bought the only one i have ever had prooblems with is the glow ball poi that mal has made, but bugger me if i havent abbused them well outside the warrenty of a normal product
How many threads on hop do we have bashing firetoys poi for having shite cheep links in them, and people saying them have come apart at bad times, and flying off, mal makes all his stuff, and buys in only things that he knows wont make him look bad!
if you think its to much, go some where else and buy their gear, and be hapy that you have saved a few pence andbought cheep ass bits for your poi!
When you make your own gear, have a shop teh size of malcomes, then you can bitch about him!
untill then
SHUT UP!
(sorry people this is a stupid thread, and while i in teh past have said to people that some tsuff mal sells yes is a little on teh expensive side, or the tackie side, i also understand taht malcome is a very smart buisness man, and does what he does becuase he knwos what he is doing, or he would not still be here, and i have heard lots of bad thinsg about lots of suppliers but not many about hop stuff.....)
[/rant]
mal - i have bought lots of goods from you, ad will do for quite some time to come!
i make 90% of my toys now, and the only thing i regularly buy is wick....ad if you could deliver in less that two weeks i would buy from you all the time (maye i should move to NZ?)
in the last week i have been pricing up 13mm rope wick
the uk price for rope @ that size is 8.45/ meter, and i want 20 meters, so tahts £169 ok?
now from hop, its 1.41/foot (And there is around 66foot in 20 meters) so thats 93.02, now with shipping thats still onely 105.48
how can you say hopis expensive?
Out of all teh products i have bought the only one i have ever had prooblems with is the glow ball poi that mal has made, but bugger me if i havent abbused them well outside the warrenty of a normal product
How many threads on hop do we have bashing firetoys poi for having shite cheep links in them, and people saying them have come apart at bad times, and flying off, mal makes all his stuff, and buys in only things that he knows wont make him look bad!
if you think its to much, go some where else and buy their gear, and be hapy that you have saved a few pence andbought cheep ass bits for your poi!
When you make your own gear, have a shop teh size of malcomes, then you can bitch about him!
untill then
SHUT UP!
(sorry people this is a stupid thread, and while i in teh past have said to people that some tsuff mal sells yes is a little on teh expensive side, or the tackie side, i also understand taht malcome is a very smart buisness man, and does what he does becuase he knwos what he is doing, or he would not still be here, and i have heard lots of bad thinsg about lots of suppliers but not many about hop stuff.....)
[/rant]
Step (el-nombrie)
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
old hand
1,174 posts
Location: Great Malvern [UK]
Posted:
I've looked everywhere for decent triangular quicklinks, and I can't find them anywhere else. Even B&Q's huge, and frankly awkward 'quick' links are more expensive!
If you think they seem expensive, bear in mind that there's much more involved in pricing something up than the bear materials. £2 might seem a lot for a quicklink, and £5 for nylon handles.. but when you consider how long it takes to make these things, you'll soon see they're actually quite cheap. I'm rapidly starting to see why AeroTechs etc. are so expensive. I'd love to produce my HyperLights cheaper, but it all adds up!
I've looked everywhere for decent triangular quicklinks, and I can't find them anywhere else. Even B&Q's huge, and frankly awkward 'quick' links are more expensive!
If you think they seem expensive, bear in mind that there's much more involved in pricing something up than the bear materials. £2 might seem a lot for a quicklink, and £5 for nylon handles.. but when you consider how long it takes to make these things, you'll soon see they're actually quite cheap. I'm rapidly starting to see why AeroTechs etc. are so expensive. I'd love to produce my HyperLights cheaper, but it all adds up!
Cake or Death?
newbie
13 posts
13 posts
Posted:
sorry to all the people who are clearly pissed off or offended by this post, that was not my intention. I don't think any business should be afraid of customer feed back. Clearly, looking at the poll, the vast majority think HoP is priced fairly. Which i'm sure is nice/usefull info for malcom and other interested parties. Had the poll come out differently, i'm sure that would have provided usefull feedback as well.
Having just googled for triangular quicklinks and come up with only two other sources on the net, one selling at approximately the same price, the other selling at $9+, i have to admit that is clearly just me that is out of touch with how much this stuff costs. As far as supply and demand goes, i have to admit, now that i have looked around, it is a fair price. The original poll/post was a result of my initial shock of how much a bit of metal costs. I was not comparing it directly to any product and appologise if that was the impression that was given. The figures i estimated were, well, estimated.... evidently they are wrong. I was wrong.
Re: the handels specifically, as the come with £4+ worth of quicklinks they are well priced.
sorry to all the people who are clearly pissed off or offended by this post, that was not my intention. I don't think any business should be afraid of customer feed back. Clearly, looking at the poll, the vast majority think HoP is priced fairly. Which i'm sure is nice/usefull info for malcom and other interested parties. Had the poll come out differently, i'm sure that would have provided usefull feedback as well.
Having just googled for triangular quicklinks and come up with only two other sources on the net, one selling at approximately the same price, the other selling at $9+, i have to admit that is clearly just me that is out of touch with how much this stuff costs. As far as supply and demand goes, i have to admit, now that i have looked around, it is a fair price. The original poll/post was a result of my initial shock of how much a bit of metal costs. I was not comparing it directly to any product and appologise if that was the impression that was given. The figures i estimated were, well, estimated.... evidently they are wrong. I was wrong.
Re: the handels specifically, as the come with £4+ worth of quicklinks they are well priced.
SILVER Member
newbie
21 posts
Location: Osaka/world tour, USA
newbie
21 posts
Location: Osaka/world tour, USA
Posted:
Another thing about prices, if you take into the account the time/labour it takes to assemble these items, then the HoP prices are fantastic. I've had to work assembly line myself, and even at minimum wage, if i paid myself, it would be bloody pricey.
Also in many countries the taxation/duty on the individual items involved can be infact higher than the complete items available on Hop shop. I once had to pay 200% duty on leather strapping here in Japan!
Another thing about prices, if you take into the account the time/labour it takes to assemble these items, then the HoP prices are fantastic. I've had to work assembly line myself, and even at minimum wage, if i paid myself, it would be bloody pricey.
Also in many countries the taxation/duty on the individual items involved can be infact higher than the complete items available on Hop shop. I once had to pay 200% duty on leather strapping here in Japan!
"Don't be silly, everbody knows it's Turtles! Turtles,All the way Down!" unknown attendee of Stephen Hawkings/Kip Thorne Lecture.(used by Terry Pratchett too)
SILVER Member
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Posted:
I love Malcolm..
If he was a gal I would move to NZ and marry him..
His prices on poi-equipment is unbeatable..
I get just as horrified each time I go to the "only" juggling shop here in Oslo..
A cheap, poor, frail pair of poi costs 250-350 nkr..
Thats... 20-29 british pound sterling..
Makes me sick..
They aren't even good!!!
*angry*
If i had the means I would open my own poi-shop..
I love Malcolm..
If he was a gal I would move to NZ and marry him..
His prices on poi-equipment is unbeatable..
I get just as horrified each time I go to the "only" juggling shop here in Oslo..
A cheap, poor, frail pair of poi costs 250-350 nkr..
Thats... 20-29 british pound sterling..
Makes me sick..
They aren't even good!!!
*angry*
If i had the means I would open my own poi-shop..
-= I am the god of Hell-fire =-
-= And I bring you......fire =-
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Posted:
you think that's bad!
oddballs in London: £45 for some of the worst fire poi I've ever seen, not frail but not exactly quality merchandise. And I still am yet to find somewhere that does decent monkeyfists other than HoP. Also, you'd be amazed at the criticisms I've heard of other companies, but never HoP. Even those that did have problems had them so quickly rectified and reimbursed that I honestly believe HoP is giving quality at a fair price.
I want to set up a HoP shop in England (so I don't have to pay p&p and duties on it)!
you think that's bad!
oddballs in London: £45 for some of the worst fire poi I've ever seen, not frail but not exactly quality merchandise. And I still am yet to find somewhere that does decent monkeyfists other than HoP. Also, you'd be amazed at the criticisms I've heard of other companies, but never HoP. Even those that did have problems had them so quickly rectified and reimbursed that I honestly believe HoP is giving quality at a fair price.
I want to set up a HoP shop in England (so I don't have to pay p&p and duties on it)!
Because ActiveAngel sounds like a feminine deodorant
Like sex, I'm much more interesting in real life than online.
'Be the change you want to see in the world around you' - Ghandi
SILVER Member
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Posted:
We can make one together!
Home Of Poi, Europe division
We can make one together!
Home Of Poi, Europe division
-= I am the god of Hell-fire =-
-= And I bring you......fire =-
SILVER Member
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Posted:
And btw, 67 pounds sterling for fire-poi in this hated juggle-shop here in Norway...
tiny tiny wicks.. yuck..
And btw, 67 pounds sterling for fire-poi in this hated juggle-shop here in Norway...
tiny tiny wicks.. yuck..
-= I am the god of Hell-fire =-
-= And I bring you......fire =-
SILVER Member
Are we there yet?
1,897 posts
Location: australia
Are we there yet?
1,897 posts
Location: australia
Posted:
I woke up this morning (as you do) and wondered about this thread...
what was the point of starting it? What was your aim in opening up the discussion?
I woke up this morning (as you do) and wondered about this thread...
what was the point of starting it? What was your aim in opening up the discussion?
SILVER Member
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Posted:
His aim was to start a debate around the pricing here on HoP.
He believed that the gear sold on the site is overpriced, which he has full right to believe.
After a round of discussion and examples from around the world, we concluded that HoP really isn't that expensive.
Agree?
-FC
Non-Https Image Link
Written by: Ade
I woke up this morning (as you do) and wondered about this thread...
what was the point of starting it? What was your aim in opening up the discussion?
His aim was to start a debate around the pricing here on HoP.
He believed that the gear sold on the site is overpriced, which he has full right to believe.
After a round of discussion and examples from around the world, we concluded that HoP really isn't that expensive.
Agree?
-FC
Non-Https Image Link
-= I am the god of Hell-fire =-
-= And I bring you......fire =-
newbie
13 posts
13 posts
Posted:
That was indeed the point and a good summation of the thread.
The main outcome of this thread seems to be that HoP might want expand their business to europe/england, setting up a franchise/distribution centre. There is clearly a call for it.
Beyond doubt is the quality of HoP gear. poi poi and alike have variable quality issues, HoP could take a big bite out of there market share if they where physically represented in europe. Even selling to local distributers would do it.
For anyone who is left wondering if i have done a 180 on this thread, i have.
My only experiance of buying poi so far, is from a shop in york. The most exspensive poi they had were globalz @ £19. The cobra and cobra II were on a par with what you can see on the net when you take p+p into account. This might shed some light i why i though HoP to be exspensive when i first looked at the shop.
Written by: FlameChild
His aim was to start a debate around the pricing here on HoP.
He believed that the gear sold on the site is overpriced, which he has full right to believe.
After a round of discussion and examples from around the world, we concluded that HoP really isn't that expensive.
Agree?
-FC
Non-Https Image Link
That was indeed the point and a good summation of the thread.
The main outcome of this thread seems to be that HoP might want expand their business to europe/england, setting up a franchise/distribution centre. There is clearly a call for it.Beyond doubt is the quality of HoP gear. poi poi and alike have variable quality issues, HoP could take a big bite out of there market share if they where physically represented in europe. Even selling to local distributers would do it.
For anyone who is left wondering if i have done a 180 on this thread, i have.
My only experiance of buying poi so far, is from a shop in york. The most exspensive poi they had were globalz @ £19. The cobra and cobra II were on a par with what you can see on the net when you take p+p into account. This might shed some light i why i though HoP to be exspensive when i first looked at the shop.
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Posted:
that'll be the day, when Home of Poi turns into a Multinational Company!
Written by: FlameChild
We can make one together!
Home Of Poi, Europe division
that'll be the day, when Home of Poi turns into a Multinational Company!
Because ActiveAngel sounds like a feminine deodorant
Like sex, I'm much more interesting in real life than online.
'Be the change you want to see in the world around you' - Ghandi
GOLD Member
master of disaster
3,354 posts
Location: New York, USA
master of disaster
3,354 posts
Location: New York, USA
Posted:
ooh then we could all get in on the ground floor when it goes public
ooh then we could all get in on the ground floor when it goes public
kyrian: I've felt your finger connect with me many times
lou kitten: sneaky little meatball..
ezz: please corrupt me more
SILVER Member
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Posted:
I'm playing with the taught of opening a web-shop here in Norway.
And every saturday go out on the high-street here in Oslo and set up a little shop.. Poi'ing and demonstrating.. Then people see it, gets impressed and buys poi thinking: "I want to do this too!".
But where to get cheap poi?
I'm thinking about buying from www.poitoy.com, but I sort of feel like I'm letting HoP down..
I'm playing with the taught of opening a web-shop here in Norway.
And every saturday go out on the high-street here in Oslo and set up a little shop.. Poi'ing and demonstrating.. Then people see it, gets impressed and buys poi thinking: "I want to do this too!".
But where to get cheap poi?
I'm thinking about buying from www.poitoy.com, but I sort of feel like I'm letting HoP down..
-= I am the god of Hell-fire =-
-= And I bring you......fire =-
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
Personally I'm a complete and utter cheapskate, and a geek, so I've been buying most of my non household items online for years. It's great, I do lots of research on everything I buy, have gotten some cracking deals and have far more stuff to show for it than most people on my salary.
One thing that I've learnt however, is that paying a few quid more to buy from a shop which you know has excellent customer service, isn't run by con men, isn't going to spam you and sell your details, is honestly run, excepts returns etc is money well spent. I've had no end of hassles dealing with certain big online companies in the past, who are great when the stuff you buy works, but pretend to not exist when that isn't the case. When you buy things from a normal shop you are paying for things like rent, electricity, shop displays etc, it's all part of the price. With online shops that are really competitive they are forever lowering prices, and the money has to come from somewhere, and generally it's customer support that suffers.
Example 1: IKEA home delivery in the UK have horrendous customer service (it took about 8 attempts to deliver a sofa, and whenever I phoned they either lied through their teeth about it, didn't know what was going on etc). Cheap furniture, rubbish aftercare.
Example 2: Ebuyer.com in the UK generally have the cheapest computer gear. At work I have access to wholesale prices of the same gear from UK distributers so I know what profit they are making, generally under 2%. I use them a lot, but I know that if something is duff, i pay courrier back to them (instantly loosing whatever discount i got) and then wait a *long* time for them to refund me. I still use them for regular stuff, but never for items where I want it to be what I bought. With harddisks etc, you buy something with a model number and that's what you'll get. With products made by themselves (ie they arn't, they are bought in from places like taiwan on the cheap and rebadged), they rarely look like what they do in the picture. I've bought really cool looking cases before which turn out to be usual crap. When it comes to specialist computer gear I use places like kustompcs.co.uk, who I know have excellent customer service, have a phone number to call, are run by an honest bunch. Some of their prices are higher, but they also sell a lot of stuff no where else does. You're also paying for the fact that they've done research for you, and are able to sell you things which you couldn't get on your own (ie they buy direct from a company in taiwan, which has a minimum order of 20, and you want 1).
I think the hop shop is great, i've used it several times in the past few years and customer service has been excellent. The prices reflect the facts that this is so, that they have done research on your behalf and the products are good quality. Part of it is the exchange rate, but I'd still not hesitate to use them.
Personally I'm a complete and utter cheapskate, and a geek, so I've been buying most of my non household items online for years. It's great, I do lots of research on everything I buy, have gotten some cracking deals and have far more stuff to show for it than most people on my salary.
One thing that I've learnt however, is that paying a few quid more to buy from a shop which you know has excellent customer service, isn't run by con men, isn't going to spam you and sell your details, is honestly run, excepts returns etc is money well spent. I've had no end of hassles dealing with certain big online companies in the past, who are great when the stuff you buy works, but pretend to not exist when that isn't the case. When you buy things from a normal shop you are paying for things like rent, electricity, shop displays etc, it's all part of the price. With online shops that are really competitive they are forever lowering prices, and the money has to come from somewhere, and generally it's customer support that suffers.
Example 1: IKEA home delivery in the UK have horrendous customer service (it took about 8 attempts to deliver a sofa, and whenever I phoned they either lied through their teeth about it, didn't know what was going on etc). Cheap furniture, rubbish aftercare.
Example 2: Ebuyer.com in the UK generally have the cheapest computer gear. At work I have access to wholesale prices of the same gear from UK distributers so I know what profit they are making, generally under 2%. I use them a lot, but I know that if something is duff, i pay courrier back to them (instantly loosing whatever discount i got) and then wait a *long* time for them to refund me. I still use them for regular stuff, but never for items where I want it to be what I bought. With harddisks etc, you buy something with a model number and that's what you'll get. With products made by themselves (ie they arn't, they are bought in from places like taiwan on the cheap and rebadged), they rarely look like what they do in the picture. I've bought really cool looking cases before which turn out to be usual crap. When it comes to specialist computer gear I use places like kustompcs.co.uk, who I know have excellent customer service, have a phone number to call, are run by an honest bunch. Some of their prices are higher, but they also sell a lot of stuff no where else does. You're also paying for the fact that they've done research for you, and are able to sell you things which you couldn't get on your own (ie they buy direct from a company in taiwan, which has a minimum order of 20, and you want 1).
I think the hop shop is great, i've used it several times in the past few years and customer service has been excellent. The prices reflect the facts that this is so, that they have done research on your behalf and the products are good quality. Part of it is the exchange rate, but I'd still not hesitate to use them.
newbie
13 posts
13 posts
Posted:
maybe you should pm malcom and ask him about giving you some wholesale stuff to sell on, who knows you may even end up being the european distribution centre
. That poitoy link looks like they have it going on, dead simple to become a retailer for them (although they are wholesale only, so hardly a fair comparison). There are poitoy products in my local shop, i never seen any up close but they all have this type of cord which is just asking for trouble.
https://www.poitoy.com/img/prod_photos/cord_large.jpg
its an image but its mahusive, so you'll have to click if you want to see.
Spin it fast and i bet it instantly goes full length. Could be cool if you mean to do it, but more likely that you will just smack yourself in the face. Ok as a beginners range i guess...
Written by: FlameChild
I'm playing with the taught of opening a web-shop here in Norway.
And every saturday go out on the high-street here in Oslo and set up a little shop.. Poi'ing and demonstrating.. Then people see it, gets impressed and buys poi thinking: "I want to do this too!".
But where to get cheap poi?
I'm thinking about buying from www.poitoy.com, but I sort of feel like I'm letting HoP down..
maybe you should pm malcom and ask him about giving you some wholesale stuff to sell on, who knows you may even end up being the european distribution centre
. That poitoy link looks like they have it going on, dead simple to become a retailer for them (although they are wholesale only, so hardly a fair comparison). There are poitoy products in my local shop, i never seen any up close but they all have this type of cord which is just asking for trouble.https://www.poitoy.com/img/prod_photos/cord_large.jpg
its an image but its mahusive, so you'll have to click if you want to see.
Spin it fast and i bet it instantly goes full length. Could be cool if you mean to do it, but more likely that you will just smack yourself in the face. Ok as a beginners range i guess...
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
depends what you mean. HoP provides us all with lots of lovely bandwidth. If the shop didn't exist, then malcolm would need to be rich and very generous to host the non shop part of HoP (such as these forums) for free. When i made my 1000th post I made a point of putting in an order (the plus side was i got stuff to play with)
Written by: FlameChild
I'm thinking about buying from www.poitoy.com, but I sort of feel like I'm letting HoP down..
depends what you mean. HoP provides us all with lots of lovely bandwidth. If the shop didn't exist, then malcolm would need to be rich and very generous to host the non shop part of HoP (such as these forums) for free. When i made my 1000th post I made a point of putting in an order (the plus side was i got stuff to play with)
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,785 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,785 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
Flamechild
HoP does wholesale
https://www.homeofpoi.com/company/Contact.php#wholesale
poitoy are ok but the cheap ones (orbiter i think) are absolutely awful. On ebay some sellers are having to give them away free with other poi because they have had so many complaints about them and no longer feel like they can charge for them!
Flamechild
HoP does wholesale
https://www.homeofpoi.com/company/Contact.php#wholesale
poitoy are ok but the cheap ones (orbiter i think) are absolutely awful. On ebay some sellers are having to give them away free with other poi because they have had so many complaints about them and no longer feel like they can charge for them!
SILVER Member
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Posted:
Hmm..
How about using the orbiters to get people to start with poi, and when they get profient enough (and decides they want to really learn this) they will come back and buy better ones?
Have to get me some funding then.
Take up a loan maybe to afford buying the poi's..
This could be really profitable..
Hmm..
How about using the orbiters to get people to start with poi, and when they get profient enough (and decides they want to really learn this) they will come back and buy better ones?
Have to get me some funding then.
Take up a loan maybe to afford buying the poi's..
This could be really profitable..
-= I am the god of Hell-fire =-
-= And I bring you......fire =-
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,136 posts
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
I remember thinking that about buying glow sticks mail order and selling them at festivals......thankfully i never got round to it
Written by: FlameChild
This could be really profitable..
I remember thinking that about buying glow sticks mail order and selling them at festivals......thankfully i never got round to it
SILVER Member
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Pyromantic
136 posts
Location: Norway (Way way up North, on the left side of Swed...
Posted:
My brother used to do that.
He earned good cash on it for 15-year old.
He got himself a new mobilephone for the money.
Written by: flidWritten by: FlameChild
This could be really profitable..
I remember thinking that about buying glow sticks mail order and selling them at festivals......thankfully i never got round to it
My brother used to do that.
He earned good cash on it for 15-year old.
He got himself a new mobilephone for the money.
-= I am the god of Hell-fire =-
-= And I bring you......fire =-
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