Highland Ranger
Member
I am looking for a Surefire L2 LumaMax list price is $165 - best I can do is $157 online - what's up with that?
What's Up with Surefire Pricing?
- Thread starter Highland Ranger
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I believe they have a Minimum Advertised Price policy. You should ask for the "real" price. Try G&R Tactical ([email protected]).
Highland Ranger
Member
Not sure what that means - I know in the electronics world you'll see some items from some manufacturers (like higher end Sony stuff) that you need to call for the price.
But in this case, that's not it - all the web sites either list it for the list price ($165) or they list it at a slight discount (i.e. cabelas and a few others at $157)
I thought price fixing was illegal . . . .
It means they have to advertise at a minimum price (and pretty much everyone shows list price now) but if you ask for the non-MAP price, you should be able to get it for less. I imagine you'll pay list direct from Surefire, and probably from Cabela's, but folks like G&R usually have better pricing if you know to ask for it.
Richard.Howe
Member
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- 887
If you're not boycotting Ebay, that's the best price location I've found. Make sure to stick with a reputable seller.
cerberus
member
What I read about SureFires pricing policies
The online vendors selling their products have to hold SureFires list prices.
The online vendors selling their products have to hold SureFires list prices.
Highland Ranger
Member
I don't own one and I may never - I am having a little trouble paying $165 for a flashlight, especially if its list price for all.
Must be some light . . . .
Must be some light . . . .
Schuey2002
Member
>>"I am looking for a Surefire L2 LumaMax list price is $165"<<
The street price on the L2/L4 is more in the $120 range (sometimes less if you look around hard enough)..
The street price on the L2/L4 is more in the $120 range (sometimes less if you look around hard enough)..
Highland Ranger
Member
Think I need to go touch one . . . . $120 is still a hefty bill for replacing a $10 mag lite I have been carrying for years.
First, let me say that Grant at G&R has the best prices that I have found... PERIOD.
Second, price fixing is illegal, but what Sony, Surefire, Kodak, etc. does is not considered price fixing. Price fixing is saying that all milk, regardless of brand or type, cannot be sold at less than $2 a gallon. Kodak has complete control over the way they want their stuff to be sold. If they don't want a CX7300 to sell for less than $99, they can dictate that to the retailers since Kodak has no direct control over other brands of digital camera prices.
Third, every time someone brings up Surefire's pricing, I get the same weird twitch in my right eyebrow...
People are funny. You could sell them a Mercedes at $15K, and if you didn't give them at least $1 off, they'd whine about what a bad deal it is. I'm not for throwing money away, I will shop around for the best deal. However, I don't consider something a bad deal just because I can't get a discount. A Surefire flashlight, to me and a lot of other people, is worth it at full price. It is the best light out there for its intended purpose. You bargain hunters can go find the best compromise between price and functionality, but for me, I've got the best.
Second, price fixing is illegal, but what Sony, Surefire, Kodak, etc. does is not considered price fixing. Price fixing is saying that all milk, regardless of brand or type, cannot be sold at less than $2 a gallon. Kodak has complete control over the way they want their stuff to be sold. If they don't want a CX7300 to sell for less than $99, they can dictate that to the retailers since Kodak has no direct control over other brands of digital camera prices.
Third, every time someone brings up Surefire's pricing, I get the same weird twitch in my right eyebrow...
People are funny. You could sell them a Mercedes at $15K, and if you didn't give them at least $1 off, they'd whine about what a bad deal it is. I'm not for throwing money away, I will shop around for the best deal. However, I don't consider something a bad deal just because I can't get a discount. A Surefire flashlight, to me and a lot of other people, is worth it at full price. It is the best light out there for its intended purpose. You bargain hunters can go find the best compromise between price and functionality, but for me, I've got the best.
cerberus
member
I agree with TechBrute
Always good to get the best price also buying quality is a must on my list of needs. Surefire has a quality flashlight they also sell their batteries at cost almost to help offset the cost of their lights. There are many other quality flashlights so everyone has a choice. I am not thrilled with SF new pricing policies but that theirs to use. I guess because they have large military contracts for many flashlights they can take a few loss's form the non military side. Time will tell if they win this battle of pricing.
Always good to get the best price also buying quality is a must on my list of needs.
Surefire has a quality flashlight they also sell their batteries at cost almost to help offset the cost of their lights. There are many other quality flashlights so everyone has a choice. I am not thrilled with SF new pricing policies but that theirs to use. I guess because they have large military contracts for many flashlights they can take a few loss's form the non military side. Time will tell if they win this battle of pricing. Highland Ranger
Member
I am a big fan of the best . . . . especially in guns, tools and cars.
However when it comes to electronics (and I am not sure this qualifies) I have learned that this years $500 cell phone comes free in a box of cracker jax next year.
Slight exaggeration but we've all seen it. And as I get older, I no longer need to be first or trendy (not sure this is completely applicable here.)
If this is indeed the best (and your not the first to say it -hence my interest) and won't be sold for a dollar next year . . . well I may still get one.
And yes, I am allergic to paying list price. List price leads me to seek the competition because it tells me there is too much demand and not enough supply.
Same with cars - new model and you pay list, older model and you get a discount based on cost (instead of an artificial demand price) and often a more reliable car because the bugs have been worked out of the design.
Again, not sure that applies either; if it is indeed $165 worth of materials and workmanship, I guess I am OK with that; if it's $50 in materials in workmanship and $100 in artificial demand or price fixing . . . less interested.
However when it comes to electronics (and I am not sure this qualifies) I have learned that this years $500 cell phone comes free in a box of cracker jax next year.
Slight exaggeration but we've all seen it. And as I get older, I no longer need to be first or trendy (not sure this is completely applicable here.)
If this is indeed the best (and your not the first to say it -hence my interest) and won't be sold for a dollar next year . . . well I may still get one.
And yes, I am allergic to paying list price. List price leads me to seek the competition because it tells me there is too much demand and not enough supply.
Same with cars - new model and you pay list, older model and you get a discount based on cost (instead of an artificial demand price) and often a more reliable car because the bugs have been worked out of the design.
Again, not sure that applies either; if it is indeed $165 worth of materials and workmanship, I guess I am OK with that; if it's $50 in materials in workmanship and $100 in artificial demand or price fixing . . . less interested.
cerberus
member
It's the Combat design and engineering
If you really look at a Surefire Combat flashlight and you understand just how they are designed and engineered. They are not for just setting on a table until needed. They are really designed and engineered for tough Combat service where they are dropped and slammed against hard non-forgiving objects.And are required to still preform when needed. Surefire is the standard that all other flashlights follow.
M3 M2 Z2
If you really look at a Surefire Combat flashlight and you understand just how they are designed and engineered. They are not for just setting on a table until needed. They are really designed and engineered for tough Combat service where they are dropped and slammed against hard non-forgiving objects.And are required to still preform when needed. Surefire is the standard that all other flashlights follow.
M3 M2 Z2
Highland Ranger
Member
Somehow I am not conveying my point well . . . long week at work.
Going with the car analogy even though I am not sure it completely applies, what I am saying is, if I want a mid-sized SUV, everyone makes one; at my stage of the game I don't need or want to pay extra for the newest or trendiest. Same quality and capability should = similar $$
Case in point: Chevy Trailblazers were leasing 3 years ago for $450/month (12k miles, no $ down etc.) same lease today is $325 . . . . same car, maybe better because they worked out the first year bugs but its no longer "hot".
Value is another story and may be the deal with these lights. Sounds like they are the best and very well made, perhaps with no real competiors, hence the premium price.
But the price fixing still annoys me!
cerberus
member
Kia Sorento
I sure understand the truck/suv type thinking. All the big 3 names have been screwing the buyers with their trucks and suvs it's the only thing that has kept them from really hitting the dumps as the rebaits can do just so much when your already not making any profit. So when I needed a new truck I went for the Sorento this was back in 03 the first year it was in the USA. Not the newest tech. stuff same V6 as the Huyundi uses in this autos. nice strong box frame. great style copied from another brand name. But at around $18K it sure beat paying $25K or $35K What does this have to do with Surefire flashlights? 
Oh well nothing.
I sure understand the truck/suv type thinking. All the big 3 names have been screwing the buyers with their trucks and suvs it's the only thing that has kept them from really hitting the dumps as the rebaits can do just so much when your already not making any profit. So when I needed a new truck I went for the Sorento this was back in 03 the first year it was in the USA. Not the newest tech. stuff same V6 as the Huyundi uses in this autos. nice strong box frame. great style copied from another brand name.
But at around $18K it sure beat paying $25K or $35K What does this have to do with Surefire flashlights? Oh well nothing. HR, I guess you don't own a Surefire. I'll just tell you that they have no direct competitor. Sure, their bottom of the line lights have some competition, but 90% of their line has no other manufacturer making a similar product.
The ENTIRE Weaponlight line is unmatched. The Special Ops line is unmatched. A very few of the Personal Lights have competitors (Streamlight, Pelican, Inova, etc.) The Z lights are proprietary, to my knowledge (heck, it's called the Surefire Rodgers technique for a reason.) Their LED technology is untouchable.
The ENTIRE Weaponlight line is unmatched. The Special Ops line is unmatched. A very few of the Personal Lights have competitors (Streamlight, Pelican, Inova, etc.) The Z lights are proprietary, to my knowledge (heck, it's called the Surefire Rodgers technique for a reason.) Their LED technology is untouchable.
A surefire is to a maglight like a blowtorch is to a match. Really....
Not sure what model maglight you are replacing, but I've got a surefire Nitrolon G2 (lowest price model available at ~$30, fits in a pocket) that will throw more light than any of the multiple D cell mag lights I've ever owned.
Not sure what model maglight you are replacing, but I've got a surefire Nitrolon G2 (lowest price model available at ~$30, fits in a pocket) that will throw more light than any of the multiple D cell mag lights I've ever owned.
If I wanted to put a light on an AR, I'd get a SureFire. But if I want a flashlight, my discretionary funds are not unlimited and there are many competitors that offer 90% of the performance for 25% of the price (or less), and I'll pick the competitors all day long. Please don't say the G2 is only $30, fine, yes it is, and I'm sure it's a great light, but I just get irritated by SureFire's pricing for regular flashlights so I choose not to buy one. Plus most of them only last an hour before the batteries are fried, ah, I'm getting carried away here.
tvdilbert
Member
Name one light that puts out over fifty lumens for 8 bucks. Do you think a Mini Mag puts out anywhere close to the amount of light a G2 does? MiniMag/Surefire E2e Beamshot Comparison
Are there cheaper lights that can match the output of a Surefire? Sure. Do they match up to a Surefire in other respects -- beam quality, build quality, water resistance, lens? Highly unlikely. Look for a flashlight that is comparable in all those aspects, and you'll find that they cost almost as much, if not more, than a G2.
One shouldn't buy a G2 because a Surefire L4 is expensive? So because a Ford Triton F-150 Lariat is expensive, they shouldn't buy a Focus? Not buying an entry-level product becuase you don't like the cost of the high-end models makes no sense to me.
If Surefires seem too expensive, then by all means grab an inexpensive light. Heck, I have plenty of Mags laying around because they're cheap. I got a Brinkman Legend LX ($20, 50+ Lumens) to put in my glovebox. It lasted 2 months before it started failing -- it's now completely useless. My Surefire 6P has lasted 6 years. That alone tells me enough.
- Jon -
40five
Member
I feel that I should throw my two cents in here...
I have owned a Surefire e2e for about 7 months now. It goes wherever I go due to the handy pocket clip, which most other brands DON'T have. I work nights and go in at 2pm in the afternoon and generally get off anywhere between Midnight to 5 am. I cannot tell you how valuable that light has been on most nights when I get off and have to walk to my SUV (again this topic comes up, I have a 2000 Xterra). My workplace is in an area that's not so savory. Along with my CCW permit (I also am allowed to carry at work, even though it isn't job related, just self-required by the area we work) and my co-worker's feel completely safe with my presence (along with my training, which I am formerly a deputy for two local parishes, and I've attended Thunder Ranch twice) and my Surefire which I use to aid them to their vehicles. While I used to be on duty, we were required to carry Maglite's. If we wanted anything else, it was at our own expense. I bought a Surefire E2 and NEVER used my D-cell Maglite, it just sat in my unit every shift. The Surefire put out MUCH more light (almost 5 times more) in a package that didn't weigh down my already HEAVY duty belt and just clipped inside one of my front pockets.
As far as the pricing goes, personally I cringed when my local dealer swipes my credit card for one. Premium prices for Premium lights. Still, I forked over the funds to have one, not because it was the latest, greatest trendy thing to have in a pocket next to the latest Spyderco, just because I want a flashlight that will work EVERY time I use it and do it better than anything else available, simply because (as someone above said) they have no competition. I've tried the Innova and even though it was rugged, the batteries had a bad tendency to run out quicker (possibly due to the extra LED's) plus, no pocket clip. The Surefire has only had to have the batteries replaced twice in 7 months and that's with DAILY usage.
I know I've rambled on here, but the point is you get what you pay for. If your willing to cut corners on price, your willing to cut corners on performance. If there was a way to haggle, trust me, I'd be there with you guys. Again, I am NOT happy with Surefire's pricing, and hopefully with the cell phone analogy described above, we'll be able to get the same models cheaper in the future or maybe another company will step up and create lights comporable to Surefire. Until then, we have to accept the prices and be content with our purchases.
Just one more thing, cajuncoona has a good point, check ebay. There's always used Surefires there at reasonable prices. The e2e mentioned above was bought on ebay for only $40 and it was brand new in the box. The seller just didn't know what he had...
Thanks for the floor guys! Be safe!
I have owned a Surefire e2e for about 7 months now. It goes wherever I go due to the handy pocket clip, which most other brands DON'T have. I work nights and go in at 2pm in the afternoon and generally get off anywhere between Midnight to 5 am. I cannot tell you how valuable that light has been on most nights when I get off and have to walk to my SUV (again this topic comes up, I have a 2000 Xterra). My workplace is in an area that's not so savory. Along with my CCW permit (I also am allowed to carry at work, even though it isn't job related, just self-required by the area we work) and my co-worker's feel completely safe with my presence (along with my training, which I am formerly a deputy for two local parishes, and I've attended Thunder Ranch twice) and my Surefire which I use to aid them to their vehicles. While I used to be on duty, we were required to carry Maglite's. If we wanted anything else, it was at our own expense. I bought a Surefire E2 and NEVER used my D-cell Maglite, it just sat in my unit every shift. The Surefire put out MUCH more light (almost 5 times more) in a package that didn't weigh down my already HEAVY duty belt and just clipped inside one of my front pockets.
As far as the pricing goes, personally I cringed when my local dealer swipes my credit card for one. Premium prices for Premium lights. Still, I forked over the funds to have one, not because it was the latest, greatest trendy thing to have in a pocket next to the latest Spyderco, just because I want a flashlight that will work EVERY time I use it and do it better than anything else available, simply because (as someone above said) they have no competition. I've tried the Innova and even though it was rugged, the batteries had a bad tendency to run out quicker (possibly due to the extra LED's) plus, no pocket clip. The Surefire has only had to have the batteries replaced twice in 7 months and that's with DAILY usage.
I know I've rambled on here, but the point is you get what you pay for. If your willing to cut corners on price, your willing to cut corners on performance. If there was a way to haggle, trust me, I'd be there with you guys. Again, I am NOT happy with Surefire's pricing, and hopefully with the cell phone analogy described above, we'll be able to get the same models cheaper in the future or maybe another company will step up and create lights comporable to Surefire. Until then, we have to accept the prices and be content with our purchases.
Just one more thing, cajuncoona has a good point, check ebay. There's always used Surefires there at reasonable prices. The e2e mentioned above was bought on ebay for only $40 and it was brand new in the box. The seller just didn't know what he had...
Thanks for the floor guys! Be safe!
I have bought two Surefires. Note: I did not write "own." That's because my wife, after using my first Surefire (G2 Nitrolon) once, promptly absconded with it. The gal knows quality.
I then bought a 6P for myself.
I have not regretted paying retail for either
G2 ~$35
6P ~$55
They ARE that good.
BTW, for years I tooted Maglight's horn & still own:
6 D-cell
3 D-cell
3x 2 AA-cell
2x AAA-cell
The Malights have been demoted to second line use.
I then bought a 6P for myself.
I have not regretted paying retail for either
G2 ~$35
6P ~$55
They ARE that good.
BTW, for years I tooted Maglight's horn & still own:
6 D-cell
3 D-cell
3x 2 AA-cell
2x AAA-cell
The Malights have been demoted to second line use.
Highland Ranger
Member
"No competition" interesting . . . .
I think I have an idea for a company!
I think I have an idea for a company!
DarkKnight01
Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2005
- Messages
- 391
150$ + for a flashlight? are you people insane? sure itll probably work when you need it..... so does my mini mag light.... ive had them fall out a truck window doing 70mph down the highway.. went back to pick it up and it just had a few scuffs.... still worked just fine.... their truely tuff lights.... and for 10$ ill buy 10 mini mag lights before I pay for a 150$ flashlight.... if you lose it theres no warranty for that.
35$ and 55$ is a little more realistic.... id pay 35$ for a good light, where did you get them?
35$ and 55$ is a little more realistic.... id pay 35$ for a good light, where did you get them?
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