Zip Dee price increases.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Zip Dee just announced a price increase that goes into effect with Sept 1st, 2007 shipments.

We still offer a 10 percent discount on all patio awnings.

Suggest that if your in the market, place your orders now, since we have not been told by Zip Dee, the amount of the increases.

Andy

[bobkelly]

Andy---Thanks for the heads up.

[overlander63]

Andy, when you find out how much the prices are going up, could you post it here, and let us know?
Thanks.

[SLVRSRFR]

That figures... My awning is hurting bad and I budgeted for winter this year. Keep us informed if you hear anything. Thanks!

[lewster]

IIRC,

The last Zip-Dee price increase effective 8-1-06 was approx. 15%. I'm sure that they are fighting huge materials cost increases, as it had been some years before the '06 increase was done.

BTW, we are still offering the 'Forum Courtesy Discount' for ANY Zip-Dee procucts of 15% off MSRP.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Andy, when you find out how much the prices are going up, could you post it here, and let us know?
Thanks.

As of today, July 20, 2007, the best information that I can obtain from Zip Dee indictaes the there will be an accross the board increase.

However, depending on what item or part that someone wants, the percentage is very different.

Ball park, at least as of today, awnings will increase in price 3 to 5 percent, again this is preliminary, and "NO" guarantee.

Parts will also increase but at much higher percentage.

As soon as I learn more, I will post accordingly.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

This is this last month for Zip Dee's current prices.

Their prices "will" go up effective September 1, 2007.

How much they will increase has not stated as yet.

Order your Zip Dee patio awnings now at the low prices, along with our 10 percent discount.

Andy

[Kevbo10]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

This is this last month for Zip Dee's current prices.

Their prices "will" go up effective September 1, 2007.

How much they will increase has not stated as yet.

Order your Zip Dee patio awnings now at the low prices, along with our 10 percent discount.

Andy

Andy,

i'd do it...

but i did last time, on all three sides...

now a hemi w/ a zip dee, i'm in!!!!!!

Kevin

[Inland RV Center, In]

All Zip Dee prices will increase effective September 1, 2007.

The average increase for Patio and window awnings is a little over 10 percent.

Orders must be processed no later than August 30th, 2007.

Place your orders now to save that 10 percent.

Andy

[guy99]

Originally Posted by lewster

IIRC,

The last Zip-Dee price increase effective 8-1-06 was approx. 15%. I'm sure that they are fighting huge materials cost increases, as it had been some years before the '06 increase was done.

BTW, we are still offering the 'Forum Courtesy Discount' for ANY Zip-Dee procucts of 15% off MSRP.

I ordered my rear window awning from Lewster - painless and money saving.

Then I drove to the Hood River to have him install it - well not really . He did install it and it was at the Hood River but I was passing by on my way to Idaho, Montana, and the Dakotas.

[BIGED52]

And if potential customers don't buy their awnings at all to protest these price increases I bet the prices would fall. These increases affect everyone but it is still a supply and demand consumer item that ZipDee sells. If they don't continue to sell due to the ever increasing prices then they will lower prices or go the way of the dinosaurs! That is what I truely love about America.... Our right as consumers to refuse to buy items that companies seem to think we cannot do without! Some have priced themselves right out of business with a policy of continued price increases. Just my two cents worth. Happy Trails, Ed

[tschat]

Andy,

I just tried purchasing new fabric through inland for my Zip-Dee. The price was up over 20%, but when I contacted my local zip-dee rep, their price was the same (5% more than inland's origional price, but 15% less than the new price).

-thomas

[lewster]

Originally Posted by BIGED52

And if potential customers don't buy their awnings at all to protest these price increases I bet the prices would fall. These increases affect everyone but it is still a supply and demand consumer item that ZipDee sells. If they don't continue to sell due to the ever increasing prices then they will lower prices or go the way of the dinosaurs! That is what I truely love about America.... Our right as consumers to refuse to buy items that companies seem to think we cannot do without! Some have priced themselves right out of business with a policy of continued price increases. Just my two cents worth. Happy Trails, Ed

Ed,

Not to be argumentative, but as a Zip-Dee dealer and installer, I fully understand the nature of these price increases. They are NOT increasing these prices just because they feel like it, or because they want to soak the consumer.

Look to China as the economic reason for these increases. The Chinese, due to their burgeoning economy, are sucking up the World's raw materials at an alarming rate to keep their white-hot economy supplied and burning. They scour the world markets and are willing to pay top dollar for what they need, causing the prices of aluminum (awnings) steel, nickel, copper and a host of other industrial materials to go off the charts.

If you ran a manufacturing company here in the US (unlike many these days) and payed a living wage to your highly skilled and qualified workers, along with proper benefits and your main expense (aluminum) went thru the roof, you would have to raise your prices accordingly also!

Every US manufacturer is facing these same problems. It's a free country and you can choose to buy what you want from whatever outlet you like and you can support the economy of China if you like by purchasing from giants like Wal*Mart.

I chose to support the economy of the United States and the folks that live and work here by buying American as often as I can, from smaller local shops. Sure it might cost a little more, but in the long run I firmly believe that it is best for me and this country.....(rant over)

[Tim A.]

I think Lew has it right, but he did leave off one item. The fabric used for the awnings is synthetic which requires hydrocarbons as feedstock for production. The most common source of hydrocarbons is crude oil and look at the price of oil these days. Even if a non-oil source is used, its price would be essentially based on the price of crude.

[doorgunner]

Lewster-- you can park at the vinyard anytime!! U.S.A. all the way.

[BIGED52]

Lew and all, I don't remember slamming them regarding if the product was American made or not! I was just pointing out that reguardless... if prices continue the upward trend that the consumer in the end determines what they are willing to pay for any product! As for Wal~Mart they have gone away from Sam Waltons' ideal of buying Made-in-America whenever possible to a policy of... Make it foreign and make it Cheap to make a huge Profit! There are things that Sam would never have done being done by the company now! I do agree with you to Buy American if at all possible. That was why I wanted an Airstream and not an SOB! I do not believe that you can make any better a case against items made in other countries than to look at all the failures and recalls that are occurring in products that were once made here in the U.S. and are now being made to a lower standard in other countries. Like Goodyear tires that have tread separations and blowout failures at much increased rates since the quality assurance is not a major concern to those folks who just want to make a huge profit on the backs of foreign workers making a very low wage. Look at all the other items including toys for toddlers that now contain lead paints! This is a major issue and I as a Union Worker take it very seriously! We have a choice as I see it to not buy items made elsewhere and to not buy items that we feel are over priced! That is my soapbox rant! Thanks for listening! Happy Trails, Ed

[Inland RV Center, In]

Companies have employees.

Employees have families.

Families like to do things together, like eat.

If we all boycotted the automotive industry, because of high prices, that would be ok.

Then we could all buy bicycles.

Hey, as Wally showed all of us, you can tow an Airstream with a bicycle.

Now, we could really talk about fuel economy.

Just think what the scene at the national rally would look like. WOW.

Marvelous.

Payroll increases must come from the customers of any company.

I remember a new 30 foot Airstream selling for six thousand dollars.

Ah yes, those were the days.

Andy

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

I remember a new 30 foot Airstream selling for six thousand dollars.

Ah yes, those were the days.

Andy

And I remember at that time selling premium gas (Sunoco 260) for $.29/gal, and maybe a cent and a half less than that if the Esso station across the street dropped their price. And I would check your oil, wash your windshield, and fill your tires with air. A Coke in a 6 1/2 oz bottle was a nickel, and if you drank it in the store, I wouldn't charge you the $.02 deposit.
Those were indeed the days.

[guy99]

I just checked my records and Lewster's 15% Forum Member discount on my rear window awning saved me over $50.

I guess that tells you how much these things cost .

OTOH, I am completely satisfied with the ZipDee product (the original awning on my 1984 is still completely functional). I once had occasion to visit the ZipDee facility, it sure wasn't plush but the folks there were great and it made me happy to know that such companies still exist in our country.

I was also very happy when the company was acquired in a management buy out rather than being sold to a marketing machine who would spend lots of money on selling and try to cut costs on the product.

Similar to the feeling at Jackson Center except that the quality control at JC doesn't seem nearly as good.