Orvis/Timeless Airstream Auction

[Globie64]

fascinating to see this thread, I had seen the Orvis ad for the trailer auction... and sort of imagined that it could go for 100k. I wondered about the quality of the materials and more importantly, the work underneath, the infrastructure of the trailer. If it was done to flip in a high profile auction, they might have not gone crazy with high quality bits. I am curious about the copper end cap, and how they kept it separate from the aluminum- I think there is a di-electric issue, and the aluminum suffers? It's always something..

[Eric H]

Similar trailers of this caliber without the Orvis name do not command such a price. The Orvis name is the difference, therefor, that is what contributes to the inflated cost.
If you study economics then you have to admit that branding, marketing and hype can inflate prices (which of course have nothing to do with the labor or material). Orvis may not have a premium name in fishing, but it certainly has a premium name in high end yuppy clothing:-)

Look people, the trailer is a beautiful piece of work, I'm saying otherwise, but it's simply naive to actually think that the name has nothing to do with the price this thing is commanding. The name may not have EVERYTHING to do with it, but it certainly adds to the equation.

Originally Posted by FlashSilver

I have to disagree about the Orvis name adding something to the price of a trailer. Orvis isn't even a premium name in fishing (as is Sage, Winston, Hatch) and has no reputation in the trailer business. The name Timeless is another story as they have a reputation for both quality and design, a rare feat. I don't know how much input Orvis had in the design, but I suspect very little, beyond saying they wanted something that looked like a traditional fishing shack. As a fly fisherman who owns an AS primarily to camp near his favorite streams, I am more than impressed with the job Timeless did in the whale tail.

As a former Economics major, I must take issue with the comparison of the projected price with the cost of materials and labor. In a capitalist system, price and cost are unrelated. The price of a good is determined by what the market will bear. Remember, supply and demand is not just a good idea, it's the Law. Given that this trailer is unique and very attractive, the demand far exceeds the supply (of one), thus mandating a very high price. I know, capitalism is a bitch but it's the best we have. If this trailer was mass produced, the demand would remain the same (or even decrease as the uniqueness fades ) while the supply is increased driving the price down to its marginal (not actual) cost.

In other words, this trailer is worth a lot of money and will get it. It is the Law.

[SteSpot]

But Timeless Travel Trailers does. I know about Timeless' excellent reputation and what their work costs. So I am not surprised at the over $100k price. I suspect there are others like us out there that have had conversations with or considered having work done by Timeless. If you have questions about what exactly they have done, they will tell you. And that is important....without a solid base, the rest is meaningless IMHO. paula

[mojo]

I second that...it's all based on perception and not with reality. Orvis is a well known brand that is perceived to equate quality.

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by mojo

I second that...it's all based on perception and not with reality. Orvis is a well known brand that is perceived to equate quality.

If that is the case, it makes for a good match.....which I am sure both Orvis and Timeless thought about that from the start......so now I may be inclined to check out Orvis in the future.....and you are right, perception may or not have much to do with reality......paula

[Gene]

Doesn't the money go to a charity? I have a vague memory of that. Auctions where the money goes to charity often get better bids than the same item would otherwise do.

Gene

[Denis4x4]

I've done several promotions combining different national companies and this one is a home run. Orvis and Airstream are both iconic brands with great name recognition whether or not you're a flyfisherman or an RV'er. They complement each other and the added value is a two way street. The Orvis edition of the Grand Cherokee made sense and benefited both companies. The fact that there have been over a 100 posts on this issue has not gone unnoticed at Orvis, Airstream and Timeless.

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

I've done several promotions combining different national companies and this one is a home run. Orvis and Airstream are both iconic brands with great name recognition whether or not you're a flyfisherman or an RV'er. They complement each other and the added value is a two way street. The Orvis edition of the Grand Cherokee made sense and benefited both companies. The fact that there have been over a 100 posts on this issue has not gone unnoticed at Orvis, Airstream and Timeless.

Very true, that's what a lot of this is about, brand recognition. It would be hard to argue that anyone does a better job then Timeless in their field of work.... Orvis on the other hand is mainly about hype, sorry to stir the pot again here, but their stuff is over priced, period, example:
Anyone who's worked under a trailer knows that these pair of Carhartts at $64 Carhartt - Product - Cordura® Front Work Dungaree
are as good and probably better to the similar pair of Orvis pants for $214 (down from $275): Mens Twill Work Pants / Rising Sun Miner's Pants -- Orvis
People pay the Orvis price so they can have the little tag that says Orvis...
Not to mention Orvis makes some of their stuff in China... Orvis Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock Reels : Questions, Answers, How To, FAQs, Tips, Advice, Answers, Buying Guide
At least the Airstream and Timeless are all American.
It's great that it goes to charity.

[clancy_boy]

Look at all the free advertising they have here on the forums. That alone is worth the selling price in their eyes. Orvis is in the search function here too if anyone can figure out how to use it.

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Eric H

Similar trailers of this caliber without the Orvis name do not command such a price. The Orvis name is the difference, therefor, that is what contributes to the inflated cost.
If you study economics then you have to admit that branding, marketing and hype can inflate prices (which of course have noting. The name may not have EVERYTHING to do with it, but it certainly adds to the equation.

When you take a vintage trailer apart and rebuild everything, it can cost $100,000 or more. It is a custom job, not an assembly line product (and I am not knocking our made in America Airstream assembly line trailers either). It is a one of a kind and I am sure someone is going to be a very happy owner. No one else is going to have one like it and some people think it is worth it. It is worth quite simply what someone is willing to pay. The proof is in the bidding. P

[Eric H]

[QUOTE=SteSpot;1081790]

Originally Posted by Eric H

Similar trailers of this caliber without the Orvis name do not command such a price. The Orvis name is the difference, therefor, that is what contributes to the inflated cost.
If you study economics then you have to admit that branding, marketing and hype can inflate prices (which of course have noting. The name may not have EVERYTHING to do with it, but it certainly adds to the equation.[/Quote

When you take a vintage trailer apart and rebuild everything, it can cost $100,000 or more. It is a custom job, not an assembly line product (and I am not knocking our made in America Airstream assembly line trailers either). It is a one of a kind and I am sure someone is going to be a very happy owner. No one else is going to have one like it and some people think it is worth it. It is worth quite simply what someone is willing to pay. The proof is in the bidding. P

Depends on who rebuilds everything. If the company overcharges for hourly work (like REALLY overcharges) then yes, it could be 100K, could even be 500K if they rate their hourly wage as such... is that reasonable? No.

Look, it doesn't take anything away from the trailer to admit that a portion of the crazy bids this thing is getting is because of the Orvis name, it's still an amazing piece of work, albeit inflated because of said name.

Of course it's worth what someone will pay... monetarily speaking, and that's great, it goes to charity.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Everyone is blown away by this $100k mark. Airstream has models selling for $100k+.

... and just for the record; Trailer guys wear these jeans. They hide the aluminum oxide better than the brown dungerees and because the material is slightly thicker it makes laying on the ground easier during the winter months.

[exthemius]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Everyone is blown away by this $100k mark. Airstream has models selling for $100k+.

... and just for the record; Trailer guys wear these jeans. They hide the aluminum oxide better than the brown dungerees and because the material is slightly thicker it makes laying on the ground easier during the winter months.

AWESOME....I think Frank'll be on QVC this holiday season pitching Carhartt jeans!!!

Think the Mike Rowe for Carhartt!

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I have to say I love Vince. He makes me want the products he sells like no other can.
http://youtu.be/QwRISkyV_B8

not sure why it links as just code now. It used to be a screen you could click. I guess Airforums did not pay it's "contributing member" fee.

I have been wearing those logger pants for the past 15 years. Nothing holds up to the abuse I put them through.

Has this thread been highjacked or what?

[clancy_boy]

Wonder who the buyer is?

[rebelstand]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Has this thread been highjacked or what?

only slightly

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by TomR

Toyota Land "Cruisers"...

I agree that the Wagonmaster Wagoneers would be appropriate tow vehicles...but I do think we would be quickly be reminded of the improvements in vehicles since the demise of the Wagoneer (1991?) Tom R

It was the werst TV, even for our 22' Safari, noisy, uncomfortable and a real gas hog.

Bob

[flyfisher]

How much time polishing do you think it would take per year to keep a small trailer like this Orvis one looking like it does now? Stored inside most of the year, and maybe used 2 months per year?

[cojer]

quality and name brands aside i for one would be scared to death to take this trailer out on the road or into the woods knowing i paid 109,000 (probably more when all is said and done) for it. i guess i look at airstream or any other camper as just that......A CAMPER!! at this price for me it has gone from camper to ...guest house? office? studio? in other words she gets parked and that's that.
but i'm just a cynical a**hole so what do i know

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by rebelstand

only slightly

Are you the highest bidder? p