rhd
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- Dec 7, 2010
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EDIT:
Update - for anyone who doesn't want to read all the replies / posts - we're realized that the JetLasers groupbuy Hakzaw is running has a much better deal on a similar high-powered 635nm. So consider the GB proposal below on-hold until I hear back from DD. If they can improve their pricing substantially, then this can still move forward. If not, we'll either look at finding a different laser to do a GB, or not run the GB.
Bottom line - for less money, you can get a similar style 635, with the same or higher power, from a more established source (JetLasers)
-----
It's no secret that I've been critical of DinoDirect's business policies. It's also no secret that I've been pretty positive about the last three lasers I've purchased from them, and their "certified power" line in general.
This may seem like a contradiction perhaps. Their last attempt at a "group-buy" (sponsored if I'm not mistaken) was met with fairly substantial criticism by LPF members, including myself. Given my own criticism of Dino's approach last time, nobody was more surprised than I, when DinoDirect extended an invitation to me to help them do it better next time around.
I gave a lot of thought to the request, and came to the conclusion that it was pretty gutsy of them to ask for my help, given how critical I had been. I also came to the conclusion that it was a pretty good and responsible way for them to legitimately improve the way they interacted with our community. On that note, I decided I would give them a hand. In my first response to their invitation, I made it clear that I would only help them organize a "proper groupbuy" if they agreed to some baseline commitments. My conditions to Dino were:
1) We would have to find a laser that was interesting and unique. (no generic cheap 445s)
2) They would need to establish how many purchasers were necessary in order for the group-buy to move forward.
3) They would have to guarantee the output power. Or a range of 10% +/-.
4) They would have to be open and upfront about what their warranty was.
5) Once we decided on a laser, I would purchase one myself first, measure the output, take my own pictures, photograph the beam, comment on the build quality, etc. I would pay for the laser like everyone else. Although it would be great if I could pay the wholesale cost, or something reduced from the regular site price, or at least the groupbuy price (even though it would be prior to the groupbuy happening) if possible.
At any rate, there was a little bit of back and forth in the process of trying to find an interesting laser to propose. I suggested their 473s initially, but it turned out that their markup was very small on those, and the discount even in a groupbuy would have been fairly tiny. I essentially came back with a few high powered greens (532s) and a high powered red (635). It took some time at each step of the way, because Dino would need a few days to check internally to see what they could do on the various items. I also delayed a bit this week before posting this thread on account of a hectic weekend. But in the end, here's the suggestion that seemed to be the best mix of Unique + Decent Ability to Discount:
The Proposal - SECOND TRY!
Firedragon-III 532nm 300mW Flashlight Style Elite Green Laser Pointer Kit (Certified Power Guaranteed) - DinoDirect.com
It's a 300mw 532nm FireDragon - Power Certified. The normal price is $176.99. When I say "normal" I mean the typical price you'd actually pay if you went to buy it on their site (I'm ignoring entirely the whole "original price" claim, because everyone knows that is just an arbitrary value)
Groupbuy:
- If there are 10 people willing to purchase this laser, DinoDirect can get the per-unit price down to $149.
- One departure from a normal groupbuy scenario would remain, and that would be that these units would still be shipped to you individually, and you would pay Dino directly.
- The groupbuy structure is retained by virtue of the fact that only once we had 10 committed buyers, would Dino release the coupon code to me, to disseminate to those 10 (or more) buyers. The total technical details of this aren't entirely clear to me, but the crucial part is that this would be a legitimate group buy in the sense that it won't run without 10 buyers. It's not just a "discounted laser", it's actually a bulk purchase.
My thoughts:
- I own one of the DD FireDragon 300mW units (slightly different host) and I've been really happy with it.
- $149 for 300mW of 532nm is a good deal, and it's a nice host.
What now?
- Input from the forum.
- Are there 10 people interested in this?
- Was this a good choice of laser to propose?
- Are people comfortable with the procedure/process suggested?
- Discuss
Update - for anyone who doesn't want to read all the replies / posts - we're realized that the JetLasers groupbuy Hakzaw is running has a much better deal on a similar high-powered 635nm. So consider the GB proposal below on-hold until I hear back from DD. If they can improve their pricing substantially, then this can still move forward. If not, we'll either look at finding a different laser to do a GB, or not run the GB.
Bottom line - for less money, you can get a similar style 635, with the same or higher power, from a more established source (JetLasers)
-----
It's no secret that I've been critical of DinoDirect's business policies. It's also no secret that I've been pretty positive about the last three lasers I've purchased from them, and their "certified power" line in general.
This may seem like a contradiction perhaps. Their last attempt at a "group-buy" (sponsored if I'm not mistaken) was met with fairly substantial criticism by LPF members, including myself. Given my own criticism of Dino's approach last time, nobody was more surprised than I, when DinoDirect extended an invitation to me to help them do it better next time around.
I gave a lot of thought to the request, and came to the conclusion that it was pretty gutsy of them to ask for my help, given how critical I had been. I also came to the conclusion that it was a pretty good and responsible way for them to legitimately improve the way they interacted with our community. On that note, I decided I would give them a hand. In my first response to their invitation, I made it clear that I would only help them organize a "proper groupbuy" if they agreed to some baseline commitments. My conditions to Dino were:
1) We would have to find a laser that was interesting and unique. (no generic cheap 445s)
2) They would need to establish how many purchasers were necessary in order for the group-buy to move forward.
3) They would have to guarantee the output power. Or a range of 10% +/-.
4) They would have to be open and upfront about what their warranty was.
5) Once we decided on a laser, I would purchase one myself first, measure the output, take my own pictures, photograph the beam, comment on the build quality, etc. I would pay for the laser like everyone else. Although it would be great if I could pay the wholesale cost, or something reduced from the regular site price, or at least the groupbuy price (even though it would be prior to the groupbuy happening) if possible.
At any rate, there was a little bit of back and forth in the process of trying to find an interesting laser to propose. I suggested their 473s initially, but it turned out that their markup was very small on those, and the discount even in a groupbuy would have been fairly tiny. I essentially came back with a few high powered greens (532s) and a high powered red (635). It took some time at each step of the way, because Dino would need a few days to check internally to see what they could do on the various items. I also delayed a bit this week before posting this thread on account of a hectic weekend. But in the end, here's the suggestion that seemed to be the best mix of Unique + Decent Ability to Discount:
The Proposal - SECOND TRY!
Firedragon-III 532nm 300mW Flashlight Style Elite Green Laser Pointer Kit (Certified Power Guaranteed) - DinoDirect.com
It's a 300mw 532nm FireDragon - Power Certified. The normal price is $176.99. When I say "normal" I mean the typical price you'd actually pay if you went to buy it on their site (I'm ignoring entirely the whole "original price" claim, because everyone knows that is just an arbitrary value)
Groupbuy:
- If there are 10 people willing to purchase this laser, DinoDirect can get the per-unit price down to $149.
- One departure from a normal groupbuy scenario would remain, and that would be that these units would still be shipped to you individually, and you would pay Dino directly.
- The groupbuy structure is retained by virtue of the fact that only once we had 10 committed buyers, would Dino release the coupon code to me, to disseminate to those 10 (or more) buyers. The total technical details of this aren't entirely clear to me, but the crucial part is that this would be a legitimate group buy in the sense that it won't run without 10 buyers. It's not just a "discounted laser", it's actually a bulk purchase.
My thoughts:
- I own one of the DD FireDragon 300mW units (slightly different host) and I've been really happy with it.
- $149 for 300mW of 532nm is a good deal, and it's a nice host.
What now?
- Input from the forum.
- Are there 10 people interested in this?
- Was this a good choice of laser to propose?
- Are people comfortable with the procedure/process suggested?
- Discuss
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(Possibly this one, I'm still on the fence.)