We do not increase our prices all at one time. We increase prices on a per item basis when we restock or rekit product. If we do not have to restock a kit for many months, creeping prices on raw materials make it necessary to raise the price when we do rekit. We do not raise prices on kits that are already in the bag at the old prices.

Tubes increase about 5% per year and balsa planks just went up again. China is buying up most of the 6-8 lb per cubic foot balsa and are willing to pay a premium of up to 250% to get it. With the devalued dollar against the yuan, their money goes farther. We have been notified to expect another 50% increase in balsa prices over the next few months. We have recently been assessed a 25% adder to get selected balsa and the lengths are 36" instead of 48", which generates more waste.

This will affect the industry and will impact the larger kits more than the smaller ones. Here is a list of the upcoming kits that we are restocking now at current raw material prices and the current projected price:


Swift-BG $14.50 -> $16.00
Magnum Hornet $16.50 -> $17.50
SLS Brighton $75.00 -> $87.00
SLS Laser-X $53.50 -> $55.00
Geehod $22.00 -> $24.00
Hydra VII $45.00 -> $49.50
Saturn 1B 1/70 $70.00 -> $76.00
SLS Aero-Dart $47.00 -> $50.00

As each one runs out over the next few weeks, we will increase the price on the new kits. If balsa, tubes, matboard, or any other primary raw material goes up between now and then, the prices could be higher.

We do not announce price increases to the general public since it is an ongoing thing, but we will try to make sure the SAM's get some advance warning.

Thanks for the update, Sheryl! At least we'll be prepared!
Allen

Sheryl- the entire team over at Semroc rocks- most companies do not even attempt to justify their pricing to their customers.
Then again, as "hobbyist" oriented as your company is, I'm not surprised.
Thanx for the heads up.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

Thank you. Considering what they contain and what went into developing them, your kits are still quite a bargain in my view.

__________________
SAM # 0011

No matter the price, when you have something that is pretty well a sole source, keeping a price point as reasonable as yours is nothing short of remarkable?

__________________
Gravity is a harsh mistress
SAM 002
NAR 91005
"The complexity of living is eminently favored to the simplicity of not."

Any chance of offering the Brighton with just the 29mm motor mount to get the cost down? It seems like thats what the majority builds them with. You could offer the other mounts as options.

That is a possibility.

__________________
Carl McLawhorn
NAR#4717 L2
semroc.com

Well the last order for plank balsa went up 35% in cost! I started calculating the new prices for nose cones and the large ones made me sick so I stopped for now. It is inevitable. I just do not want to think about it right now.

The bright side is it is ONLY 35% and not the expected 50%.

__________________
Carl McLawhorn
NAR#4717 L2
semroc.com

35% is a whole lot better than 50% !
What is driving this shortage in Balsa ?
I have heard from several sources it is due to Automotive applications and Wind Turbine blade cores.
Not sure if I buy either of those....

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

The Chinese.

__________________
I love sanding.