The Good Times May Be Coming To An End

felinevet · **on:** October 09, 2009, 02:57:06 AM

Well, the inevitable has happened. Victorinox has notified all dealers that, effective immediately, they are implementing a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) Policy. Dealers can sell at whatever price they want BUT "accounts of retailers who do not adhere to this policy will be suspended or terminated." No official notification yet if Wenger plans to do the same.

I'm not sure yet what adjustments I might have to make but I will try to keep the impact minimal. Thanks to everyone who supports FVEAP.

Freudian Frog · **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2009, 02:59:23 AM

I still got 'cha bra!

This wouldn't effect used prices though, right?

Chako · **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:03:09 AM

That doesn't sound good for us buyers and dealers.

felinevet · **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:03:21 AM

Quote from: Freudian Frog on October 09, 2009, 02:59:23 AM

I still got 'cha bra!

This wouldn't effect used prices though, right?

Correct. Or Vintage stuff either.

max6166 · **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:16:44 AM

Sellers often display the MAP with an explanation that you need to add the item to your shopping cart in order to see the lower actual price.

It is a real PITA for everyone though... $:-\$

M.TEX · **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:23:07 AM

Yeap bad news for everybody....

too bad I never could buy from Felinevet before....
I hope I can catch the train before is too late....

jzmtl · **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:24:48 AM

Uh oh, this would also mean their price in B&M store will skyrocket, since they can't do shopping cart price like websites...

I foresee drop in sales...

max6166 · **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:27:05 AM

Leatherman has this policy too, doesn't it?

felinevet · **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:38:18 AM

Quote from: max6166 on October 09, 2009, 03:16:44 AM

Sellers often display the MAP with an explanation that you need to add the item to your shopping cart in order to see the lower actual price.

It is a real PITA for everyone though... $:-\$

Actually it specifically prohibits that. No "phone for lower price" or any getting around the MAP by any means. We'll see how many people comply.

american lockpicker · **Reply #9 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:40:23 AM

They will price themselves out of the US market.

Bowman1911 · **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:50:09 AM

Quote from: american lockpicker on October 09, 2009, 03:40:23 AM

They will price themselves out of the US market.

Yep!

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2009, 03:57:17 AM

It would be worth contacting Victorinox and explaining that such a retrictive policy will put small online retailers out of business since there will be no way to compete with Amazon.com and the like.

I don't actually see why they care as long as they get their wholesale price.

PoliceScannerMan · **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:20:59 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on October 09, 2009, 03:57:17 AM

It would be worth contacting Victorinox and explaining that such a retrictive policy will put small online retailers out of business since there will be no way to compete with Amazon.com and the like.

I don't actually see why they care as long as they get their wholesale price.

Perhaps the bigbox sites like Amazon who have big shark lawyers are complaining about the little sites who offer lower prices? Either way this sucks!

MultiMat · **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:22:31 AM

I wonder what prompted this change

That is a bummer though

american lockpicker · **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:23:41 AM

I'm calling Vic customer service and complaining. Heres the number for the USA: 800-442-2706

jzmtl · **Reply #15 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:26:40 AM

Quote from: max6166 on October 09, 2009, 03:27:05 AM

Leatherman has this policy too, doesn't it?

Duno, but you still see various prices on website/store anyway.

I don't buy surefire anymore because of their price fixing policy, hope I won't have to do the same with victorinox.

max6166 · **Reply #16 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:41:09 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 09, 2009, 04:26:40 AM

Quote from: max6166 on October 09, 2009, 03:27:05 AM
Leatherman has this policy too, doesn't it?

Duno, but you still see various prices on website/store anyway.

I don't buy surefire anymore because of their price fixing policy, hope I won't have to do the same with victorinox.

Amazon doesn't show the price for many LM products until you add the item to your shopping cart. I am not sure if it is for the exact same reason though.

My perception is that most non-SAK people think that many of Vic's products are already overpriced. I can't see this helping sales.

Rightly or wrongly, I also feel a little betrayed actually. Weird, huh?

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #17 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:43:42 AM

Quote from: max6166 on October 09, 2009, 04:41:09 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 09, 2009, 04:26:40 AM
Quote from: max6166 on October 09, 2009, 03:27:05 AM
Leatherman has this policy too, doesn't it?

Duno, but you still see various prices on website/store anyway.

I don't buy surefire anymore because of their price fixing policy, hope I won't have to do the same with victorinox.

Amazon doesn't show the price for many LM products until you add the item to your shopping cart. I am not sure if it is for the exact same reason though.

My perception is that most non-SAK people think that many of Vic's products are already overpriced. I can't see this helping sales.

Rightly or wrongly, I also feel a little betrayed actually. Weird, huh?

Actually, me too. Seems a fairly petty way to treat your best customers...

american lockpicker · **Reply #18 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:49:12 AM

I feel betrayed and with Vic having a monopoly on SAKs we can't just support there competetor like we could 10 years ago.

ecfiffer · **Reply #19 on:** October 09, 2009, 04:52:37 AM

that sucks tim! but hey i know you will do your best for us....

Anthony · **Reply #20 on:** October 09, 2009, 05:13:04 AM

What a bogus decision.

So just as a point of reference if this happens, what would a $30 OHT cost? $40 - $50?

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #21 on:** October 09, 2009, 05:15:39 AM

Sigh. I hope they notice their dropping sales.

jzmtl · **Reply #22 on:** October 09, 2009, 05:21:09 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on October 09, 2009, 04:43:42 AM

Quote from: max6166 on October 09, 2009, 04:41:09 AM
Quote from: jzmtl on October 09, 2009, 04:26:40 AM
Quote from: max6166 on October 09, 2009, 03:27:05 AM
Leatherman has this policy too, doesn't it?

Duno, but you still see various prices on website/store anyway.

I don't buy surefire anymore because of their price fixing policy, hope I won't have to do the same with victorinox.

Amazon doesn't show the price for many LM products until you add the item to your shopping cart. I am not sure if it is for the exact same reason though.

My perception is that most non-SAK people think that many of Vic's products are already overpriced. I can't see this helping sales.

Rightly or wrongly, I also feel a little betrayed actually. Weird, huh?

Actually, me too. Seems a fairly petty way to treat your best customers...

Same here.

MultiMat · **Reply #23 on:** October 09, 2009, 05:25:07 AM

If some one could post a Victorinox customer service email address here I will send them a message saying how disappointed I am in this change in policy & in particular how it could well effect the great work Tim does.

Black Rose · **Reply #24 on:** October 09, 2009, 05:28:23 AM

Is MAP and MSRP the same thing?

Looks like the good times at B&M stores like MEC here in Canada will be ending.
I wonder how long it will take for them to implement this change?