Brodak price increase

[Joe Ed Pederson]

Just went to Brodak website. Kit prices have jumped significantly.

I guess the increase in balsa prices are the reason.

Joe Ed Pederson

[Phil Spillman]

From the Source, the prices of balsa for Brodak have gone up 125% over the past year. This increase initially came out after their last Catalog had just been released. They opted to let it go until this year. New Catalog will soon be released but most if not all prices will be going up unless they have already been increased. I think we can lay the price increase directly at the move to elect wind turbines and the urge to "Go Green"! Most of the prices on the web as to Brodak's own products reflect the new price structure; other brands carried my not yet show all increases. This is up to date as of yesterday's chat with the Brodak Store.


Phil Spillman

[Keith Miller]

125%??? As in - more than doubled? 
I find that very hard to believe.

[mike londke]

125%??? As in - more than doubled? 
I find that very hard to believe.

So a $10 piece of balsa is now $22.50? I'm skeptical too.

[Dennis Leonhardi]

When Mike Griffith states his cost went up to more than double his previous order, I will believe him.  I note that Bud Nosen Models website doesn't even bother to post prices, just the sizes he has available - for the past 10 years.  Probably a very wise decision on such a volatile commodity.

On a sheet 1/4" x 3" x 36", Sig now charges $3.63 and Balsa USA (who used to be the lowest price I believe) $4.42.  Just out of curiosity - what prices are marked (if any) on the sheets that size YOU have?  Just asking for a friend ...

[Gerald Arana]

I don't know about the rest of you guys but, there are alternate materials, such as foam and fiber glass or carbon fiber if you are rich enough............but then again if you are rich enough, why complain about a price increase? 

Jerry

PS: I love building with FG & foam.

[david beazley]

125%??? As in - more than doubled? 
I find that very hard to believe.

125% increase of $10.00 is $12.50 in retail world. 10X125%=12.50 on my calculator.   $10 X 225% = $22.50.

[Neil Rogers]

Correct calculation: $12.50 is 125% of $10 is the same as saying a 25% increase from $10 is $12.50.  A 125% increase is $12.50 for a new value of $22.50.

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Let's have a show of hands - how many here went through this era -

https://stunthanger.com/smf/open-forum/think-balsa-is-hard-to-find-now/

For what it's worth, I aint complaining ...  That stuff defines the word "crap"!

[aj bagg]

No complaining here either. Glad we can get kits at all. What I haven't understood is the balsa trade. I manufactured a product for many years that required perfect wood and bamboo. I bought standing trees at the source, and had to out bid the lumber companies. It didn't take much more money to win and the owners liked selling to real people over the greedy buyers. Why can't an importer for model balsa do the same? Why does it all go to the windmills?

[Doug Moisuk]

125% increase of $10.00 is $12.50 in retail world. 10X125%=12.50 on my calculator.   $10 X 225% = $22.50.

Think about what your saying. What would a 100% increase of $10.00 be? 100% is a doubling of $10.00 to $20.00.

[john e. holliday]

Maybe he is a blonde in disguise.

[Mike Griffin]

When Mike Griffith states his cost went up to more than double his previous order, I will believe him.  I note that Bud Nosen Models website doesn't even bother to post prices, just the sizes he has available - for the past 10 years.  Probably a very wise decision on such a volatile commodity.

On a sheet 1/4" x 3" x 36", Sig now charges $3.63 and Balsa USA (who used to be the lowest price I believe) $4.42.  Just out of curiosity - what prices are marked (if any) on the sheets that size YOU have?  Just asking for a friend ...

Dennis is exactly right.  I have been trying to tell everyone that this was coming and I guess people did not believe it.  Call Mike Hanson at RSM and ask him also. 

Here is exactly what transpired on my last order I placed with Bud Nosen not to long ago.

I needed a small fill in order that came to $450.00 based on their 2019 price sheet.  Sandy, whom I deal with at Nosen, told be to take the current price shown on their price sheet and add 150% to that price.  Here is an example.  The price of a piece of 1/16 x 4 x 36 contest balsa was $1.60 on the 2019 price sheet.  I had to add 150% increase to the $1.60  which made that piece of balsa cost me $4.00,   A 150% increase is $2.40 then you have to add that to the $1.60 and that gives you the $4.00 piece price.  A $450.00 order based on their Jan 2019 price sheet cost me $1125.00. 

Keep in mind this is at wholesale, not retail. This with my physical problems is what pushed me over the edge to stop producing kits and pretty much building and flying,

Unless you just have a lot of money laying around to buy balsa, I suggest a very hard look at alternative materials would be a good idea.

[Joe Ed Pederson]

In my 20,s I discovered what everyone discovers, you will never live long enough to build all the models that pique your interest.

I had my eyes on a couple of Brodak kits, but realistically I have enough kits, plans, and balsa on my “to build” list that it would 2 or 3 years before I got to the Brodak kits I was looking at.

Hopefully, balsa becomes more reasonable by then, but if not I will pay the going rate.  I don’t want Brodak or any of the cottage industry guys to go out of business because they didn’t pass along the increase of their costs.

Edit: two of the kits on my “to build” list are kits I bought from Brodaks: Their Barnstormer and their Shark 402.

Joe Ed Pederson

[mccoy40]

Has anyone found out what they do with the OLD wind turbine blades ? after they are done with them?

Could be a large source of "used " balsa 

[Jim Catevenis]

Back on May 12th, Tom Dixon ask me to post a note concerning the increased cost of balsa.

See: https://stunthanger.com/smf/open-forum/tom-dixon-the-bad-news-the-good-news-and-the-bad-news/

After everyone thought Tom was crazy, Mike Griffin posted a note backing up what Tom stated.  Now it is October and this increase in the price of kits should not come as a surprise to anyone.

JCAT

[Mark Mc]

I understand that the kit manufacturers will have to raise prices, but what really ticks me off is the local hobby shop gouging me.  I buy enough wood that I know when he gets a shipment in.  I went there the other day because I needed a sheet of 1/8" medium balsa.  All the balsa he has he bought months ago at the pre-increase price, but he's marked up all his stuff to the post increase price, and claims it is because he has to pay more for his balsa.  HE DIDN'T PAY MORE FOR WHAT HE HAS ON THE SHELF!!!!

Sorry, but I really hate people who take advantage of their customers.

[Dan McEntee]

Has anyone found out what they do with the OLD wind turbine blades ? after they are done with them?

Could be a large source of "used " balsa 

    You need to read the forum more often, and more thoroughly. this had been discussed several times before. They grind up the balsa, and mix it with a resin to form parts for the interior of the turbine blade. With all the composite materials in them, they aren't even worth burning
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[James Holford]

I have like 3 kits from Brodak thats on my Bucket list then Im done ever buying a CL kit again.

 Free flight is far cheaper anyways

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[11290]

Has anyone found out what they do with the OLD wind turbine blades ? after they are done with them?

Could be a large source of "used " balsa 

From a Bloomberg article earlier this year:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-05/wind-turbine-blades-can-t-be-recycled-so-they-re-piling-up-in-landfills

[mccoy40]

Thank yo all for updating me on the wind turbine blades.   

Oh well. I was hoping it was recyclable for our use.

 

[john e. holliday]

I understand that the kit manufacturers will have to raise prices, but what really ticks me off is the local hobby shop gouging me.  I buy enough wood that I know when he gets a shipment in.  I went there the other day because I needed a sheet of 1/8" medium balsa.  All the balsa he has he bought months ago at the pre-increase price, but he's marked up all his stuff to the post increase price, and claims it is because he has to pay more for his balsa.  HE DIDN'T PAY MORE FOR WHAT HE HAS ON THE SHELF!!!!

Sorry, but I really hate people who take advantage of their customers.

Bet you didn't complain when the gas stations would change prices at the pump depending on what mood they are.   Especially when we are coming up on a national holiday when there is lots of traveling.   But in the last 4 years haven't noticed the gas price changes that much.  Maybe because I don't travel as much now.  But remember when they gas would be over $4.00 a gallon in my area.  Got close once.   

[Mark Mc]

Bet you didn't complain when the gas stations would change prices at the pump depending on what mood they are.   Especially when we are coming up on a national holiday when there is lots of traveling.   But in the last 4 years haven't noticed the gas price changes that much.  Maybe because I don't travel as much now.  But remember when they gas would be over $4.00 a gallon in my area.  Got close once.   

I understand blend changes with seasons, and holiday price increases.  And prices do change quite a bit here.  I did pay $4.03 for gas at the pumps for a couple of tankfuls.  I also remember that grocery and food prices went up when gas prices screamed up.  And I noticed that the prices did not go back down when the fuel prices went down....

[Steve Lotz]

At this moment, gas price is $1.86/gallon in central Ohio.

[John Given]

I bought a pre formed wing from Brodak last week. $20 in the catalog, $25 is the new price. 25% increase. Like others have said I’m ok with with it if it keeps Brodak’s in the game.

[Craig Beswick]

SERIOUSLY!!!!!
That works out to 45c per litre!!!
We pay $1.10 per litre in Brisbane Australia

[GERALD WIMMER]

Hello
Brodak still seem to have reasonable prices considering the specialized items they sell . Their freight prices sending to New Zealand are not too dear considering how much imported items cost here, like our fuel prices (where most of what we pay is tax) and once converted from litres to US gallons and to US currency would be $4.92 per gallon.
Regards Gerald

[katana]

SERIOUSLY!!!!!
That works out to 45c per litre!!!
We pay $1.10 per litre in Brisbane Australia

By 'eck Lad - Thar's lucky! We are currently forking out £1.15 per litre, so $AUS 1.80. and $US 1.30 or $4.92 US Gall. And this is cheap compared to this time last year!

[Andre Ming]

At this moment, gas price is $1.86/gallon in central Ohio.

Enjoy it while you can. Come November this could all change.

Andre

[pat king]

I have increased my kit prices twice in the last two years. Balsa is now at least 2 1/2 times what it was 2 years ago. The price of Balsa is ridiculous, the kit prices are too high. If kit makers do not raise their prices they won't be in business for long. The way to make a million dollars in the Control Line kit business is to start with two million dollars.

Pat

[Mike Griffin]

I have increased my kit prices twice in the last two years. Balsa is now at least 2 1/2 times what it was 2 years ago. The price of Balsa is ridiculous, the kit prices are too high. If kit makers do not raise their prices they won't be in business for long. The way to make a million dollars in the Control Line kit business is to start with two million dollars.

Pat

You are so right Pat.  These insane price increases are one of the main reasons I am no longer in the kit business, that along with not having a reliable laser cutting source. 

Mike

[Wayne Collier]

The reality of small business is the need to price toward replenishment cost. If you don’t get enough to replace what sells you can’t sustain the business. Increasing the price on existing stock helps determine if potential sales will merit acquiring additional inventory.

It may not directly apply to balsa but lumber is generally treated as a commodity. Price to the market and discount higher volume/better customers. Repeat sales is the name of the game. I don’t personally buy enough to matter to most retailers but I appreciate the ones that remember me and treat me well.

[Mike Hanson]

What a year 2020 is turning out to be.

The balsa price increases have been a real challenge to deal with it. Hopefully, in a few years times the wind mill industry will move on to composite type materials, and leave the balsa forests alone. It's really mind boggling to learn they buy at forest level scale. Really hard to compete against that.

But even when you try to compete there just might not be any wood available to sale. For example, BNM can't fulfill my current pending order. I've been told a container is on a boat, and hopefully, it'll be here at the end of the month/some time in Nov. I suspect this is just how it's going to be for the foreseeable future when dealing with balsa.

BTW, RSM still around, and still laser cutting if you need any work done in the future, Mike. Obviously, I can't help with the balsa price increases, but I'm still here on the cutter working.



Regards,
Mike H.
RSM Distribution
https://www.rsmdistribution.com