Amen, and I might tweak that a bit by saying its always the hunter behind the equipment.

And I have a cousin who is a lawyer/doctor,yes,she is liscenesed in both professions but that has nothing to do with me.


I am not an operator,I am a tool maker,big difference but you already knew that didn't you?

Here is an example what it would cost you and me to buy enough aluminum to build a hoyt,I did a quick search and didn't find rectangular bar stock but did find square stock.My Hoyt would require a 3 1/2" X 6" X 24" raw material to make.


Since I didn't find a rectangular stock,I used an average of 4 1/2" square and the price is more than acouple dollars a pound.


Alittle over $200.00 for the bar if it were you or me buying this material.All the big bow makers are not paying nearly this much because of bulk BUT I would say they are paying more than half. This is just raw material,no machining or designing whatsoever.


Ask your friend what some of the software cost that they use to design with,you will be surprised.

Again.I agree the prices are getting out of hand but it isn't Hoyt's fault,it is the consumers right now.They are demanding bigger, better and fasterdesigns each year(thread about this right now) and are willing to pay.Supply and demand,the demand is there and people are willing to pay so it is a matter of the supply.



http://www.speedymetals.com/pc-2510-8378-4-12-sq-6061-t6511-aluminum-extruded.aspx

Nice research TFOX.


I'm not trying to fuel any fires here, because I have no dog in this fight. I know THIS year Hoyt's MSRP took a real price hike. Last year's Vectrix XL and the new Katera XL, both "cost" our shop the exact same amount of money. However this year, Hoyt gave the new Katera XL, a MSRP of $899, while last year's VectrixXL was $799. Justification? While they aren't charging us anymore, why are they want us to charge the customer more?

It is because of the new design,that is how it works.Hoyt isn't the only ones to do that.I will have to double check those numbers,they seem a little off to me.

How many really sell them for that?


It really wasn't that much research,I already new it,just needed numbers to show.I have priced aluminum before and in many cases,it is cheaper to buy a product already made than it is to make it myself if I have to buy all the raw materials.

Ok, from your guys speculation. How much do you think these bow manufacturers are making (profit) on each bow they put out the door?

Hey Fran....again just "discussing".....and I know a little about people disagreeing bassed on the author.

I'm a builder - by trade. What was the cost of that metal bldg/sq. ft. 10 yrs ago?

Wages to pay that empoyee (including labor burden) 10 yrs ago?

I remember gasoline at $0.35/gallon.

How much has the cost of doing business risen in the last 10 yrs?

I'm NOT arguing with you. I'm qrguing your point(s). Your argument has "some" merits. Mine does, too. I paid $8,500.00 for a really nicely equipped Nissan pickup truck in 1997. Price me one, today

I really don't know an exact number,but I would bet it is no more than the profit margin on most any other products we buy.


I would bet it is about a 35%-45% profit margin for them.

I found some plate on that site.Check out what a 3" X 6" X 24" would cost.

My average was very close and remember,I needed a 3 1/2" piece,not 3"


http://www.speedymetals.com/pc-2380-8351-3-x-6-6061-t6511-aluminum-extruded.aspx

I find this quote funny only because it comes from a guy who shoots a bow from a company with a Nascar sponsored vehicle and invovlement in PBR sponsoring.How much do you think that costs Bowtech? The big boys all got big by making lots of money. We live in a a capitalist country so I'm not going to begrudge them that.

Back on topic, one thing I will say is that when Elite started out it was nice that you got such a quality bow for around $650. Now the price has crept up and I just don't see them being to the point yet where they can price themselves with the big boys. IMO they should focus on continuing to make great quality bows that compete with the top bows in performance and price them lower. That will help to establish them more as a company and boost sales. If I were forced to buy a bow tomorrow and had to choose between the Bowtech 82nd Airborne and the GTO (picked these two because of similar performance specs) I would go with the Bowtech because I know the company and know what to expect.