Do leatherman's prices look pretty low lately?

[scrappy]

I noticed some of leatherman's prices seem low lately. Like the wingman is cheaper than a gerber suspension. Replaceable cutters are $5 while gerber's are three times the price. The surge file and saw are $5. That would cost $20 from sog. Even the new rebar seems real cheap. I see sites that list it's MSRP at 55. That is less than the gerber steady or evo even. Less than a pocket power plier! Looks like dealers are making some profit on it at 50. (which isn't a bad thing). I wouldn't be suprised to see walmart or amazon seel it for considerably less in a few months.

[Metropolicity]

It maybe that Leatherman engineers have found newer and less expensive ways to tool up for production. Bulk steel purchases and proper sales projections can contribute to lower prices, that way they can anticipate a larger material purchase, which transfers to lower cost for the end user.

It's smart, by lower costs, and keeping the quality more or less the same can knock out competition quite easily, or at least make the low end market less saturated with crappy products.

[AimlessWanderer]

I've actually thought about the real costs of tools a few times.

I'd say firstly it's economies of scale. A bigger company buking materials in a higher tonnage can command a better price on their purchases. Secondly they have the facilities in place for very large scale production, minimising the production costs over companies procuding fewer tools. However, that doesn't eliminate the possibility of them cutting corners in their production processes, or simply making less of a margin to ride out these leaner times. Same with the dealers too.

If we play with figures for a minute ... all made up just for fun. If something (whatever it is) should list at $60, with some dealers pumping them out at $50, then lets pretend the wholesaler is selling to dealers at $35-40 plus shipping and logistic costs. Wholesaler has got to have a slice of the cake, so lets say they're buying at $25-30. Toolmaker still has to make a few quid on it though, so production cost lets say $15-20 (including all the indirect costs) ... just how cheaply can a complex tool be made and still be worth owning to use  Big expensive machines, rising material costs, rising fuel cost (production & heat treatment) labour costs, admin, advertising and everything else ....

Personally I'd actually be a little concerned if the established big name companies start dropping prices "too low", as ultimately the cost reductions will be reflected in the tool quality somehow. Then again, we'll all buy less tools at higher prices while we've got less surplus in our pockets 

[Syph007]

I was pretty shocked to buy a rebar for $41 in canada from mec.ca  Up here we usually pay mrsp and then some. 

[Gryffin]

It maybe that Leatherman engineers have found newer and less expensive ways to tool up for production. Bulk steel purchases and proper sales projections can contribute to lower prices, that way they can anticipate a larger material purchase, which transfers to lower cost for the end user.

I think you're right. It's amazing how much $$$ you can save with an efficient supply chain, and the economy of scale.

[patrat]

They are eliminating processes from the manufacture of each tool. For example, the "classic" plier heads, used on full size LM without removable cutters, are precision ground to give them that nice rounded shape on the outside.

The pliers on ST300 and MUT appear to be used as molded/sintered/cast. That's one less step. The rivets instead of pivot screws, easier for automation. Some of the new tech in sheet metal working has probably reduced their tooling costs.

Overall I bet it is largely due to less handling of tools, more automation.

[Metropolicity]

ROBOTS!

Just wait till they rise up against humanity.

[turnsouth]

It could be something as simple as perhaps we have been paying more than we should for what we get
 (Charge TTi comes to mind)

I'm guessing that extremely comfortable profit margins have been adjusted for a down world economy...
 

[Biru]

Let's hope the prices are falling. I'm planning on proposing to a Surge in a few weeks. The old Wave needs a break. 

[genevabuck]

I know that a lot of people complainded when the Wingman/Sidekick came out.  As I said then, it is obvious that Leatherman is making the smart choice of adjusting to a struggling economy. 

[ironraven]

Its the shipping costs. Making it here uses a lot less fuel than making it someplace else and shipping it across the Pacific....

[Metropolicity]

Its the shipping costs. Making it here uses a lot less fuel than making it someplace else and shipping it across the Pacific....

That's not true at all. Cost of labour and materials is substantially more here in NA, quality control is higher here. Wholesalers can get 'mulittools' of reasonable quality (think Gerber, Ganzo, etc) for WAY less and there is still profit to me made.
   

[Bensasupertool]

Dont go to LLBean For a leatherman 35 dollars for a sidekick or wingman. 80 bucks for a Stainless wave. Geeze 20 bucks for thick cotton sox. WTF

[Aleister]

ROBOTS!

Just wait till they rise up against humanity.

[demonoflust]

sad... it's almost usd60 for a PS4 this part of the world.

[Threeme2189]

Prices here are still smurfing high.

[Aleister]

What about a 215 euros / 270 usd Charge TTi: http://www.actionitems.gr/%CE%A0%CE%BF%CE%BB%CF%85%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%B1-Leatherman/Leatherman-Charge-TTI.html  These are the normal prices here and this e-shop is one of the cheapest...

And they wonder why they don't sell much... I got mine for about $110 - $115 each from ebay, shipped.

[fenofedd]

Dude, here it is for about 150 euros in the shops.

[BIG-TARGET]

Maybe, due to the crappy economy.  Leatherman decided to simply lower prices to stimulate sales.
May lower their profits, but will be able to gain marketshare

[scrappy]

it seems to me they loweed the price on the last few tools they made

[Mercury]

As for older models, at least here in the US they fluctuate.  Like when I want one they are expensive, but when I'm selling one they drop in price.   

As for the Wingman and Sidekick, those tools are obviously a cost-cut production model and were originally intended to be cheap, and cheap they are. 

[Metropolicity]

I just went to Bass Pro with Beerplumber and I picked up a SS Rebar for $53. Seems to be congruent with US prices, but MEC still has it beat with a $41 price tag. Just have to wait and I don't have the time to wait!

[MedusaOblongata]

I know everyone (including myself) wants to buy tools as inexpensively as possible, but multi-tools are very inexpensive for what you get. Even at the high end, say, a Charge TTi for $110 - if you buy an S30V folding knife from another maker it's likely to cost close to $100, but in the Charge you also get pliers, serrated knife, saw, file, screwdrivers, scissor, etc., and instead of one locking mechanism, it's got six. For the price, you get a lot. The price to value ratio of the less expensive tools is even better, and it's only with the Wingman and Sidekick that you find a point of diminishing returns. I was stuck at the mall looking for a last minute Xmas gift and bought a Wave for $75, and, even though I could have bought it much cheaper elsewhere, I didn't feel like I overpaid - I felt that price was fair for the functionality I received. (Note: I do feel bad for our fellow forumites who are stuck in other countries with smurfty gun laws and overpriced tools.)

[Mercury]

I'm with medusa.  I think the charge models are well worth the price.  Much better value than say an atwood for the same price.  Atwoods are cool but i want a bit more bang for my hard earned buck.


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[gustophersmob]

Its the shipping costs. Making it here uses a lot less fuel than making it someplace else and shipping it across the Pacific....

That's not true at all. Cost of labour and materials is substantially more here in NA, quality control is higher here. Wholesalers can get 'mulittools' of reasonable quality (think Gerber, Ganzo, etc) for WAY less and there is still profit to me made.
 

Actually, it depends on where in NA and what product we're talking about.  For multi's, you're likely right, as the cost of shipping is probably fairly low compared to larger items (TVs, Cars, etc).

Currently in the US, due in part to the rising standard of living and wages of countries like China, coupled with the falling dollar and the rising unemployment rates here in the states, and the rising costs of shipping, there are many manufacturers moving some or all of their production back to the states.

But, as with anything, it is very complex, especially when you consider things like corporate tax rates, the product's target market, profit margin, etc, etc.  I think we are in a state of flux, especially when talking about the US, where we will see an odd mix of businesses who decide to produce here or abroad for may varied reasons, some which may seem counterintuitive.

[DIYMultiTool]

I noticed some of is cheaper than a gerber suspension. Replaceable cutters are $5 while gerber's are three times the price. The surge file and saw are $5. That would cost $20 from sog. Even the new rebar seems real cheap. I see sites that list it's MSRP at 55. That is less than the gerber steady or evo even. Less than a pocket power plier! Looks like dealers are making some profit on it at 50. (which isn't a bad thing). I wouldn't be suprised to see walmart or amazon seel it for considerably less in a few months.

I do not see the leatherman's Wingman as cheap as below? 

Gerber Suspension $29.97 (12-implements), made in China, sold at ChinaMart
Gerber Mini Suspension $17.97 (9-implements), pair, made in China, sold at ChinaMart

[parnass]

I noticed some of leatherman's prices seem low lately. ..

As I posted in the Deals and Auctions forum, the local Meijer store (in Illinois) priced the Leatherman Wave at $38.49.  It was marked with a clearance sticker.

[jzmtl]

A local store just dropped price on rebar to $41, which seems pretty damn good to me.

[turnsouth]

I've been following the price of Charge AL's over the last few months, and they have been steadily increasing. A good discount price was about $78.00 at the beginning of the year, but now it's closer to $90.00
 

[jzmtl]

Yeah the charge prices keep going up, I wanted a TTi but with the way it's going I'll never get one.