Sig Labeled Merchandise Rip Off Warning,

Status
Not open for further replies.
Acera

Acera

Member
Joined
May 26, 2007
Messages
3,169
Location
Free State of Texas
Just a note for some of you who might be interested in purchasing that new fore grip and flashlight combination that Sig has come out with. I saw one at Gander Mountain the other day, and the price amazed me....over $200!

Here a few links if you don't know what I am talking about.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76638538
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/50930-64832-2276.html
http://www.directoutdoorsupply.com/SIG-556-GRIP-LIGHT-VERT-FOREND-GRIP-p/sg1511213.htm
http://www.blackrifles.com/catalog/...id=812&zenid=8110ab04d9cbcfa7f8ebfecaf74dfc4c

Well here is the answer, if you don't mind not getting the pretty blue box and the Sig label on the flashlight.

http://www.zahal.org/FAB/T-grip.htm

It's the same grip for $56, add a surefire G2 for about $35 and you have the same set up for less than $100. That is half the price of basically the same product, without the SIG Label!

Or get it here, with some different options (like a green laser) for a few bucks more.

http://www.blackrifles.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=739


Sorry for the rant, it just irritates me when there is no basic obvious differences, and the pricing is so far out of line.:cuss:

By the way, I don't have anything against SigArms, I think that their firearms are some of the finest made, and priced accordingly to their quality.

The reason I noticed this is because I want a light on the carbine, but not for the $500+ a good surefire set up costs.
 
let's compare apples to apples though. you're comparing a G2 plastic light that is cheaper than an aluminum flashlight. also the Sig product carries a warranty that you can actually use (meaning, you can actually mail it to Sig and they will honor their warranty). i dont think id be mailing this product back to Israel and expect it to be cost-effective, nor would i expect them to return it to me!
 
I've looked at both products, they are the same, except for paint! If you want a metal flashlight, without the blue sig paint, get one it will not cost you the difference. Warranty, lol, it would be the same process. The apples are from the same barrel.
 
im not saying that i'd buy this contraption from either Sig or this other Israeli company. i dont think Sig is "ripping off" anyone though.

with the Sig item you are getting a metal flashlight vs. a plastic flashlight. you also have a reputable company to do business with in the event it breaks. with the other company you are buying from out of the country. if it breaks, do you expect them to replace or repair it?

also what is the shipping for the item from Israel?
 
Then buy it from the American company, what you don't seem to understand is that it is the same thing. I have held both the sig and one from Israel 30 minutes apart and they are identical (except for the label). One was at a gun show, then we stopped by Gander on the way home. Like I said, if you want a metal flashlight, they are only a few dollars more, not over a hundred more. I am more likely to trust a Surefire light than one labeled Sig. And the shipping, extremely expensive $5, yes five whole American dollars.
 
Then buy it from the American company, what you don't seem to understand is that it is the same thing.
Click to expand...

read my reply above:
im not saying that i'd buy this contraption from either Sig or this other Israeli company.
Click to expand...

i understand they are the same body (of the item), but they are slightly different in the sense that the flashlight module you are pricing is less in price as it is plastic. plastic costs less than metal. that is because injection molding costs less than CNC machining.

there is added value with a reputable company that can service their product that is located in the continental U.S. what i am merely saying is that Sig is not "ripping off" anyone as you accuse them of.

just because they are asking more for their item doesn't mean they are malicious in their intent.
 
Sig may not be malicious in their intent, but I see no problem with anyone telling the board about a product that has same or better performance for less money.

I'm also willing to bet that the Sig branded product wasn't made in the US either. Overall, I think every bit of Israeli hardware that I've ever owned provided better performance and durability than Asian junk.

You can get those Chinese aircraft aluminum lights at walmart for $15, also.
 
I don't think the Israeli one comes with a flashlight. It's $60, and then add a flashlight for more money.

It says 'compatible with any 1" flashlight.' A lot of people already own flashlights that would work fine with that grip. Thus total cost to be up and running is negligable, since the light is already owned.

I own both the plastic and metal Surefires (G2 and 6P), and I can say that the G2 is tough as nails. The grip itself is plastic, why worry if the flashlight is too (not exactly plastic, but rather a polymer/nylon iirc). The G2 also physically lighter than the 6P, which is an advantage.

FWIW, Surefire make a shock resistant bulb assembly that fits into the G2, it can also be modded to fit into some other cheaper lights. There's also solid state LED drop ins (3W and 5W) for many 1" flashlights.

Surefire bulb is about $35. LED drop ins run anywhere from $5 to $30 depending on quality, and brand of LED). So you can get the Israeli grip + surefire light + proper bulb or LED for about $100 if you're frugal.

Personally I'd spring for a traditional Surefire set up, but it seems like the $60 unit is a viable option for someone on a budget -- especially if you already own a good light with a 1" body.

The Sig version, well, imho they are VERY proud of their name if they want $200+ for that grip/light combo.
 
Well put Dave, maybe next time I can write in such a manner that doesn't accuse any one of improperly marketing their product. And not get people riled up about it.
 
This is really in the wrong forum. Moving to Gear.

And I got in one of the lights to try. I didn't like it.

Quality was okay. But I think it is really a really really bad idea to activate your light with what is basically a second TRIGGER.

Because, you know, nobody in the history of the world has ever screwed up which finger they were using under stress. Like in the middle of a gunfight, and the adrenalin is flowing, and your heart is pounding like a jackhammer, and you go to activate your light, and pull the real trigger instead. Oops.
 
OEM merchandise always costs more than non-OEM, even if it's the same item from the same manufacturer. You can buy Callaway golf club head covers from your local pro shop, or non-Callaway branded golf club head covers from Wal-Mart for a fraction of the price. Is Callaway ripping you off?

I needed a brake job, and the OEM rotors were more than the non-OEM rotors, even though they were made by the same manufacturer. I didn't think the automobile maker was ripping me off.

Nighthawk Custom sells electronic hearing protection with their logo on them. They're Pro Ears. You can probably buy the same muffs from Pro Ears for less without the NHC logo. Is NHC sticking it to their customers?

There probably isn't a Sig-owned factory making forward grips with lights. Somebody has to be making them. So it would be safe to assume that factory makes them for other brands as well, sans logo or a different color.

There really aren't many companies whose branded merchandise can't be found for less without the logo. I don't really see this as some sort of epiphany.
 
There really aren't many companies whose branded merchandise can't be found for less without the logo. I don't really see this as some sort of epiphany.
Click to expand...

No, I just call it price gouging, that logo adds a lot of value y'know. :rolleyes:

As with the OEM brakes versus the NON-OEM brakes example. There's a reason automotive dealerships get called "stealerships." This is simply another example of the same issue in regards to this product. Sure, plastic light versus metal light, but beyond that, it's a paint coating and/or a sticker. Support the brand name if you want, me, I'm a function guy, form is one thing, paying way too much for the identical product is different.

Oh yeah, that fancy box makes up for the difference...sheesh. Sig simply knows there are folks out there that will pay it, so they do it, nothing more. People buy hummers too thinking they're great offroad vehicles because some buy into the good advertising. Jeeps pass them on the trails all day long, often taking the "hard route" to get around said stuck Hummer. If you don't choose wisely, you simply pay more.
 
It is not "price gouging". I'd respectfully ask my fellow HighRoader to look up the definition. I think a more appropriate phrase would be caveat emptor.
 
Call it what you want, price gouging without the felonious undertones, profiteering, ridiculous markup, retailer exclusivity, buyer beware, etc. It all equates to the same thing, inflated markup. You pay a premium for the name, and with that name comes some backing, from Sig in this case, for warranty services, free replacement and maybe some other service related offerings should there be an issue with the product that you likely would not get from purchasing from the other manufacturer offering the same product w/o the logo. Back to the automotive parts example. Same parts from Autozone cost 1/3 what they do at a dealership.

Since a dealership deals namely in cars, inventorying the parts is kind of a hassle, requires more overhead, space and tracking. So you pay more than an outfit that only deals in parts. Like a typical $25k car for example. You buy it for $25k off the lot. Or, you can buy it for nearly $400K piece by piece from the dealership. The manufacturer/retailer can charge what they want, in this case, you are paying a lot more for a paint job and a logo and the service that Sig provides. Is it worth double the price, you be the judge, it's your money.

I'm apologize for using the term price gouging for it does imply malicious intent where it is clearly not the case here. But I did not want to withdraw the statement so the thread had coherence.
 
also the Sig product carries a warranty that you can actually use
Click to expand...

Which will mean squat when you really REALLY need a light on your rifle.

with the Sig item you are getting a metal flashlight vs. a plastic flashlight.
Click to expand...

Instead of a rifle that is prolly 40-50% plastic?
 
Rip Off

It's not a rip off. Where else would you get the flashlight/grip to match your SIG baseball cap and key chain. SIG owners already get reamed for the pistol, so why not the flashlight to go with it too.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top