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Post by 2Cents on Mar 2, 2018 20:28:39 GMT -7
I just visited Humbucker Music after being off-line for a couple weeks. Wow: The radical price increases on Z-amps are breathtaking. So glad I got in when I did. Z-amps are now priced beyond my means.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 2, 2018 20:46:30 GMT -7
Price increases went into effect yesterday and a bunch of amps were discontinued as well. Doc explains why the prices had to go up somewhere on the forum. It is worth reading.
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Post by DRZ on Mar 3, 2018 1:15:54 GMT -7
Yes, my price increases on selected amps may come as a bit of a shock to some.
I guess this is what I get for trying to hold prices down for too many years.
If you take the time to compare I'm now more in line with my competitors ( i.e. Victoria, Carr, Matchless, Divide by Thirteen, 65 Amps, Tone King, Bartel, Two Rock, just to name a few ).
This week alone I have received four price increases from my major suppliers:
1) My Aluminum chassis's have had one preemptive increase with more on the way , I'm told
2) Cardboard boxes increased 8 % for the third time in less then 2 years.
3) CE Distribution supplier of many of my amp parts released their new March catalog with price increases across the board.
4) New Sensor just released their new very increased prices on tubes.
Not sure why all these price increases are happening in such rapid session this year, but with a slight uptick in our economy my suppliers see an opportunity to raise prices.
I refuse to decrease quality for the sake of increased profits, so I'm forced if I want to continue to be in business to increase prices.
Believe me I'm not happy about it either, as these continuing price bumps just eat into any increases and leave me at the same spot, and only the consumer suffers.
DR.Z
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Post by purpletele on Mar 3, 2018 3:24:03 GMT -7
I could never understand how some of the amps out there have been in the $3K range and they may be a very blatant take on a Princeton or Deluxe.
At the same time I could never understand how I could buy a Maz 18 for $1600 + tax, it seems very difficult to make $500 to $800 an amp if even that much.
So I am all for an adjustment of pricing so that the margins can an least remain constant.
The scary thing is that the inflation that can be a result of a stronger economy will need an adjustment as well. That comes in the form of a recession, which is charted and graphed to start impacting in 16 months as I understand it.
I am curious what mild inflation does to the resale value. I just sold my Therapy for $1000 and I was into it for $1200 and I bought it two years ago. So that was a good rental price for the two years.
I can see prices needing to go up and then people make a conscious decision to limit their disposable income. I have to do the same thing with my decisions as well. The amp that I want is $2K + tax, that puts me approximately in the $2300 range after taxes.
So I have to consider whether or not I can support Dr. Z amps with a brand new amp this next round, which is my preference as a capitalistic participant in small business enterprise.
Prices need to go up to keep the minimum margins for a healthy company, but it's frightening for a small business to have to raise prices and risk the scenario and decisions that I have to face and just like 2Cents described.
Price increases are painful, but I sure want to see Dr. Z amps continue to be healthy.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Mar 3, 2018 6:06:06 GMT -7
And as the good Doc pointed out, most things (including his amps) have remained pretty static price-wise almost since the crash of ‘08. People are going to feel this improving economy in some unpleasant ways, more than usual, because everything has been stalled for so long. Interest has been near zero for so long people forget what it’s like to see that move up time and again. This is why the Fed is antsy about inflation.
Still, a hand built in the USA product that doesn’t cut corners is a premium product and carries a corresponding price (as it should).
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Post by mustachio on Mar 3, 2018 6:12:59 GMT -7
Yes, my price increases on selected amps may come as a bit of a shock to some. I guess this is what I get for trying to hold prices down for too many years. If you take the time to compare I'm now more in line with my competitors ( i.e. Victoria, Carr, Matchless, Divide by Thirteen, 65 Amps, Tone King, Bartel, Two Rock, just to name a few ). This week alone I have received four price increases from my major suppliers: 1) My Aluminum chassis's have had one preemptive increase with more on the way , I'm told 2) Cardboard boxes increased 8 % for the third time in less then 2 years. 3) CE Distribution supplier of many of my amp parts released their new March catalog with price increases across the board. 4) New Sensor just released their new very increased prices on tubes. Not sure why all these price increases are happening in such rapid session this year, but with a slight uptick in our economy my suppliers see an opportunity to raise prices. I refuse to decrease quality for the sake of increased profits, so I'm forced if I want to continue to be in business to increase prices. Believe me I'm not happy about it either, as these continuing price bumps just eat into any increases and leave me at the same spot, and only the consumer suffers. DR.Z Doc, Thanks for explaining. Although it’s not necessary, it’s appreciated. I love my M12. I love your cabs. I like your simple aesthetic styles. And your new AMAs are great. I’ve owned all your competitors amps at one time or another, but your products were my first foray into “boutique” and after buying and selling and searching, my main amp has a Z on it. All the best to you and your business. I remain a loyal customer. |
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Post by Maddog on Mar 3, 2018 6:40:20 GMT -7
The price on damn near everything will be higher each new year, basically forever....Doc just held off yearly "cost-of business" increases as long as he could keeping the prices down for us. And was personally eating the ever-increasing price of parts, labor, and business.
Yes, his amps are more expensive now, but you know what you're getting both sonically and investment-wise: a killer-sounding amp which will be incredibly guaranteed by the manufacturer: "Priceless"!
If you're like me, that cheaper brand X amp you buy to save a few bucks is just gonna soon become a buzz kill every time you flip "on" its PC mounted power switch....Buying a lower quality non-Z amp will only frustrate you and cost you more money in the long run when you finally decide to dump this boat anchor, and go after that Maz or Z-Plus, etc.
If you want the best, buy a Z. If it's a bit more money than you can spend now, just learn to have patience.... learn how to save and pay cash..... (for everything).... It's a much economically smarter way of life anyway; just ask John....
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 3, 2018 6:51:13 GMT -7
The price on damn near everything will be higher each year, basically forever.... Heck, I just raised my prices at my teaching studio! If we took a poll here of everybody who owns a business and asked them if they have raised their prices in the last year, I bet the overwhelming response wouod be "Yes!" On the flip side, there was a guy on Reverb who was asking what I thought was too much for a used Z-Lux, pre-price increase. He just sold his Z-Lux for full price. Time will tell on this, but I spectulate that you will get more for your used Z when you sell it to buy your next new Z. |
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Post by digs57 on Mar 3, 2018 7:28:03 GMT -7
As I look at h buckers web site at amps in 1600.00 range ...most are fender clones/couple exceptions...the ghia 110 can still add up to a fair bargain considering your getting that has more pop/vol,unique design and tone/solid build.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Mar 3, 2018 11:34:59 GMT -7
Do whatever makes good business sense Doc. Price increases are like getting old, you can’t stay the same age forever. Just keep’m coming, I’m in for life.
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Post by Stephen on Mar 3, 2018 12:55:15 GMT -7
When I was a practicing CPA I was explaining my bill to a kindly old gentleman and he stopped me and said, “Stephen, you just charge me whatever it takes for you to make money.” I used that advice for 35 years and never explained another bill to anyone.
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Post by Snare227 on Mar 3, 2018 13:34:51 GMT -7
..I refuse to decrease quality for the sake of increased profits.. DR.Z This is exactly what makes Dr. Z, the Doc. Someday I'm going to save up and spring for another amp, a Z of course, to compliment my old Ghia head. I'd rather save a little longer and get the quality amplifier I have fell in love with than save a few bucks and get something that would be a shadow of it's former self. Good on you sir! |
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Post by Maddog on Mar 3, 2018 13:35:20 GMT -7
When I was a practicing CPA I was explaining my bill to a kindly old gentleman and he stopped me and said, “Stephen, you just charge me whatever it takes for you to make money.” I used that advice for 35 years and never explained another bill to anyone. Awesome.....The older fella obviously TRUSTED you Stephen, and probably made you realize the rest of your clientele did as well. My clients trusted me for all those years too because they knew I never took advantage of them, and never would. Makes life much easier when you treat clients "right" from the start, just like you, me, Dr. Z, and many others here have... |
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Post by easttexas on Mar 3, 2018 18:03:18 GMT -7
I love my Dr.Z amps, and I wasn't bothered too much by the price increases. I must say, that I feel a little sad to see some very familiar and wonderful amps dropped from the line up *sniff*. Hey...maybe I should grab a Z-28 and a Remedy before they get too hard to find...
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Post by trojanhov on Mar 4, 2018 11:50:22 GMT -7
Dr. Z amps are worth every penny. I played my 1x10 z-28 today in the morning at service and I still have a huge smile on my face and it's been about an hour since I played it. Just content.
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Post by DRZ on Mar 4, 2018 12:24:04 GMT -7
Give the customer his money's worth.
If a customer thinks something is worth the money, they will gladly hand over the cash.
If it's a really good amp it will sell.
DR.Z
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 4, 2018 13:00:23 GMT -7
Zs are definitely the best bang for the buck!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2018 13:02:40 GMT -7
I figured it was only a matter of time before this filtered down to other industries.
Commodities have been increasing exponentially over the last 12-18 months. Paper, plastic, metal, petroleum, feedstock, etc. I work for a vertically integrated packaging manufacturer, and we are kicking serious butt right now, as we've been insulated from a lot of the same increases our competitors have been taking.
There's also a monkey see, monkey do approach to price increases. Supplier "X" sees supplier "Y" selling at higher prices and they decide they don't want to leave margin on the table, either. Not to mention there's the increased cost of just doing business, in general.
Tough time to be a business right now, especially a small business. I still choose to support the little guys when I can.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 4, 2018 13:55:36 GMT -7
Doc, I think it's high time that you raised your prices. I was thinking about this thread yesterday and got to thinking about how I see you posting replies to customer's problems at all hours of the day. There isn't a time of day that you're not "On The Clock" except while you sleep, which doesn't seem to be very much. They say that if you love your job you'll never work a day in your life, and that must be the case with you.
I applaud you for keeping prices as low as you have for so long, and honestly...they're still very reasonable. You provide a top quality, brilliantly engineered product. Each one is hand crafted by skilled people that are really, really good at what they do. You provide customer service at a level that is unheard of nowadays. You could probably charge more and your sales probably wouldn't suffer, but that's not the point. The point is that you really care about your customers and that's very, very rare in today's business world.
Thanks for that, sir! Your attitude and ethics shine through and I'm a customer for life.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Mar 4, 2018 14:02:50 GMT -7
Like the good Doc said in one of the AMA's ... these amps are heirloom quality. My Z's will go to my son eventually, and he'l have them his entire life. That's how I plan to justify the ZPlus to my wife -- not really for me, it's for our son, I'm just using it a while (and paying for it)  |
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Mar 4, 2018 14:10:04 GMT -7
Zs are definitely the best bang for the buck! Agreed!! And sound better too! |
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Mar 4, 2018 14:15:31 GMT -7
Like the good Doc said in one of the AMA's ... these amps are heirloom quality. My Z's will go to my son eventually, and he'l have them his entire life. That's how I plan to justify the ZPlus to my wife -- not really for me, it's for our son, I'm just using it a while (and paying for it) This worked for me!  |
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Post by zpilot on Mar 17, 2018 17:30:01 GMT -7
I contemplated building amps as a part-time business once. Then I figured up what the components would cost. The price I could get for a quality product didn't leave much profit. It just wasn't worthwhile except for the satisfaction of putting my name on something I designed and built. I resigned myself to refurbing and tweaking old Fenders and a few others.
Anyone think Doc is getting rich?
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Post by zpilot on Mar 17, 2018 17:49:15 GMT -7
We can still get a Z-Plus for less than $2K. What are we complaining about.
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Post by djcakadave on Mar 17, 2018 18:46:43 GMT -7
You will never hear this boy complain
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 17, 2018 18:57:53 GMT -7
Anyone think Doc is getting rich? I sure hope so! That will mean he'll keep on making them! |
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Post by bbutler356 on Mar 19, 2018 9:13:48 GMT -7
Yes, my price increases on selected amps may come as a bit of a shock to some. I guess this is what I get for trying to hold prices down for too many years. If you take the time to compare I'm now more in line with my competitors ( i.e. Victoria, Carr, Matchless, Divide by Thirteen, 65 Amps, Tone King, Bartel, Two Rock, just to name a few ). This week alone I have received four price increases from my major suppliers: 1) My Aluminum chassis's have had one preemptive increase with more on the way , I'm told 2) Cardboard boxes increased 8 % for the third time in less then 2 years. 3) CE Distribution supplier of many of my amp parts released their new March catalog with price increases across the board. 4) New Sensor just released their new very increased prices on tubes. Not sure why all these price increases are happening in such rapid session this year, but with a slight uptick in our economy my suppliers see an opportunity to raise prices. I refuse to decrease quality for the sake of increased profits, so I'm forced if I want to continue to be in business to increase prices. Believe me I'm not happy about it either, as these continuing price bumps just eat into any increases and leave me at the same spot, and only the consumer suffers. DR.Z ******************************** I saw that the prices went up within days of when I was going to buy. The amps are worth it, so it didn't much faze me. I bought a new Z-LUX and oh my gosh! it's even more stunning than my M12. Additionally, they took on trade my 1964 Fender Pro which just wouldn't sell. The amp had a new Mercury transformer and sounded fabulous. I got only $800!..... but I'm so happy with the Z-LUX "nothing else" mattered. By the way, this Z-LUX performs even better than I had imagined, and I had imagined it would sound amazing. It sounds so big, I'd give it a "Yikes!" (in the good sense). -smile- And it's so light. My back is good, but still....a 65 lb. amp isn't exactly FUN to carry... |
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Post by digs57 on Mar 20, 2018 18:15:08 GMT -7
Im glad I got my lil ghia 110 when I did too...still think 110 ghias a best buy for a smaller grab and go...looking around at other boteak amps...
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