This is becoming an interesting conversation. I leave for Japan in 12 hours, but I'll try to check in on this thread while I'm gone.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ben
This is becoming an interesting conversation.

 

You guys have any idea the mark-up on stuff you buy on an everyday basis? Believe me you'd be in shock. The difference is these are luxury items and not necessities.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by turbo_pwr
You guys have any idea the mark-up on stuff you buy on an everyday basis?

 

its this simple. the big tuning houses are infact loosing money. if knock offs were not avalable for people to buy then the people who bought the knock offs would have no choice but to save and buy the real thing. which i'm sure many would if they wanted the part bad enough. yes i know not 100% of them would but at least 50% would. so in turn they are loosing money.

 

Sorry brutha but I'll disagree with you. First, you're basing your argument on too many assumptions and by nature is prone to be flawed. One could easily argue that nowhere close to 50% would buy the part. Second, one could also argue that knock-offs (1) increase exposure to the product and thus help create demand, not only for the knock-off, but for the genuine product as well. Ben already admitted that he gets orders from people that bought a knock-off and decided to go with the real JDM product....(2) if anything is lost by the tuning house, its a "opportunity loss" and doesn't represent a "real" loss....only paper.

For example, Sony created the Walkman portable tape player and later portable CD player. Did they do out of buisness? Did Coke go out of buisness when Pepsi, RC and other "knock-off" colas were introduced....no. Their sales declined, sure, but that is the reason why the create more products and lower prices.....its called a free-market. Again, if the tuning house priced their products reasonably there would be no demand for the knock-off and they wouldn't be made....plain and simple.

 

oh i agree with what you are saying. of course what i was pointing out was just based on opinion and no facts. but its true they are loosing business regardless. no they won't go under but just like you stated sony lost some business and so did coke. same with the major tuners. the one thing i will have to disagree with is the exposer, i have never heard anyone say the first time they saw a product was a knock off. so i don't think having them brings more business. if that was the case ben wouldn't bother saying a word.

 

woops exposure

 

good catch
After PMing Ben, I will agree that knock-offs can make it harder for a small tunning house. But, then you could argue, that the market is the market and strong companies (those that make different products i.e. ECU, exhaust, wings, etc) will still survive.

Interesting points.... later guys.

 

i'm gonna have a hell of a time reading this thread after it gets sent to the dumpster.