Unfortunately it would not necessarily have a good effect. In the UK you buy your sails direct from PSE (the builder) and they are a lot more expensive than in the US. Thus, eliminate one set of delivery and profit charges and the price to the customer goes up.
I think it is an issue of the modern economy - no longer "a fair product for a fair price" but as much profit as possible. Shareholders/owners often clamour for ever increasing profits and they have to come from somewhere.
Ian
If the class allows the builders to abuse the class members as you describe, then perhaps the class should start considering other arrangements.
I couldn't agree more. We currently get a sail that can't last one day in breeze and have no options about it.
It's not a production cost issue to make a better sail for the current selling price point. It's just a matter of getting enough members to demand a sail for $600 that isn't junk.
If the current suppliers aren't willing to change the status quo, we should vote to use a new production/royality/distribution model for Sails.
I presume that when you say "direct from PSE" you mean from www.lasersailing.com, which is the "Laser Centre" in Northhampton. My understanding is that this is a retail outlet owned by PSE. So, I'd expect all their prices to be equal to the dealers... and in any case if they are to support their dealers in such a small geographical area it would not make a lot of sense to undercut them.
Yes, I did mean the Northampton www.lasersailing.com. As I understand things in the UK local chandlers do not stock things like sails. The will often stock the smaller parts (blocks and things like the clew sleeve, etc.), but not stuff like sails, masts, etc. Thus, for such products there is not the same dealer network as probably exists in the US and thus not the same competitive aspect. My (limited) experience anyway. With other dinghy classes I've sailed you tend to get the sails direct from the sailmaker.
Ian
Just to show my ignorance of how the class operates; is there any reason why the class cannot vote and allow e.g. Bogus Sails Inc to make and sell sails for the Laser (e.g. direct) and that as they are "Class Approved" they would be fully legal. i.e. to bypass the builder, etc.
I admit it might not be a "good idea" as (if it could be done) it would undoubtedly annoy builder, retailers, North/Hyde, etc. but just the thread that they could do it might make the supply chain think again and at least try to keep people a bit happier as far as the pricing issue goes.
Ian
If true, this means the damn fools do not recognize the value of a strong local enthusiastic Laser dealer. Few fleets begin without a strong local dealer. Few fleets grow without the support of a strong local dealer. No fleet can survive without a strong local dealer.As for the dealer network, I think the nature of that is going to change here. When we bought the Bahia at Annapolis, I spoke to the PSE rep and asked him how things were going to change in America. For one thing, he said that distribution would change. There will no longer be sales districts in which dealers can't work out of. I'll let you draw your own conclusions.
He also said that production would change and that we would get better boats.
Merrily said:He also said that production would change and that we would get better boats.
What?? All Lasers are either 100% alike or they are not Lasers!! if the builder decides to build a different boat...
huh???
There are four parties that have a say in what happens: the class (i.e. its members), the builders, Bruce Kirby and, finally, ISAF (though it would be hard for ISAF to go against something the other three agreed to).
It would be a hurdle to get the builders and ...
But... this is not the message that the membership is communicating to the ILCA office. Rather, the message ILCA has received, with respect to sails, is that people do not want to see a radical change to the game. Rather, they want to see the same sail made more durable. And that is the challenge that has been put to the builders/sailmakers.