Reasons for these price increases!!!

[RoadWarrior/RW]

Just out of curiosity I checked out Best Sellers : Radar Busters - Shop at Radar Busters

no special reason, I'm very happy with my STI received from Roy 3 years ago when he used to own the site but... something fully got my attention, very same products more expensive than they used to be 3-4 years ago, some examples of products I have personally used so far:

My very first RD, for a year, 2005-2006:

Escort Solo S2 Cordless Radar Detector - Radar Detectors at Radar Busters was $320 in 2005

Visor Clip Radar Detector Accessory - Radar Detector Accessories at Radar Busters for my STI, was $5 three years ago

and of course the STI:

Beltronics STi Driver Radar Detector - Radar Detectors at Radar Busters

$450 in 2006

So what's the basis for these price increases?

Share your own views, ultimately it's our hardworking $$$ and we all would like to keep most of it IN our pockets, right?

Chris

[dpatel01]

The manufacturer increased their MSRPs too.. something to do with exchange rates, Belscorts being made in Canada and I can't be bothered to think about the economics behind it.

[F=MA]

As the previous poster mentioned, Belescorts are made in Canada (Mississauga to be exact). When the Sti was released and priced at $450 USD, this is when the exchange rate used to be around .75 cents. The increased the price to $500, when the the canadian dollar hit parity, right now the dollar sits around .90 cents and swings up and down with oil and gold prices.

[RoadWarrior/RW]

Well, I've tried to bring the exchange rate into the equation but personally I can't see anything linked to this factor, this is not IMPORTING some products from Canada to US, to be more exact, that place in Mississauga does not sell its products to Beltronics head office in Ohio, Beltronics is just one company so no exchange rate btwn the plant and the head office!

IMHO the transportation costs are the main reason for this price increase, FUEL PIRCES skyrocketed in 2008 and we know that all RDs made at the Mississauga plant get into US (DUTY FREE btw!!!) by truck, all trucking companies have drastically increased their delivery rates to cover for their losses due to high fuel prices, also I think higher production costs to make the RDs in Canada then in USA due to way higher taxes (a new Ontario heathcare tax right after the Provincial Liberals got reelected 2-3 years ago) and we all know that companies pass the tax increase onto the consumer, that's us, right? so these are my views on the price increase on all Beltronics products.

BTW, anybody knows if the V1 (built in USA) has kept the very same price as before?

[proudNMAmember]

Shop around RW if you want good prices. Why heck, my first Bel STi cost me $350, then the second STi at $175, and the third STi at $150. SHOP AROUND MY FRIEND!

[BlinderGuy]

Shop around RW if you want good prices. Why heck, my first Bel STi cost me $350, then the second STi at $175, and the third STi at $150. SHOP AROUND MY FRIEND!

I would like to know how you got a STi for $150!

[Freebird]

Truck Stop Parking lot Special I would bet. . You find some good deals over the CB radio sometimes. Especially around Casinos. Drivers lose in the Casino and start selling stuff cheap.

[BlinderGuy]

Truck Stop Parking lot Special I would bet. . You find some good deals over the CB radio sometimes. Especially around Casinos. Drivers lose in the Casino and start selling stuff cheap.

I have a STi I am using now but I'ld buy a couple more for that price!

[RoadWarrior/RW]

Shop around RW if you want good prices. Why heck, my first Bel STi cost me $350, then the second STi at $175, and the third STi at $150. SHOP AROUND MY FRIEND!

NO NO NO, I don't buy USED RDs unless I really really really know the person personally, like a family member or good friend, never ever bought USED electronics!!! And I do not need any RD, my STI works flawlessly, no need for any new one or exchange of any kind!

But my thread was NOT about USED RDs, as a matter of fact it was not about ME, was just to see what other forum members think of the reasons for these price increases!

[Freebird]

I think its from the gas prices spike and the weak dollar. Heck look at how much groceries have gone up. Gas prices fell but the prices stayed up.