AMB Personal Transponders...Too Expensive?

Fred Perkins · 12-28-2005, 09:08 AM

Look I am not trying to be a complainer but does any one else think that we are getting ripped off by AMB? When the personal first came out it was $45 which I think was a fair price. Now we pay anywhere from $70 to $100 for a new personal transpoder. I think this is getting out of hand!

i.a.s · 12-28-2005, 09:18 AM

Ive a bloody good idea about this from a thread that I read about 6 months ago but not sure I could post it on here. anyone with electronics capability please contact me.

pops · 12-28-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC Old Man

Look I am not trying to be a complainer but does any one else think that we are getting ripped off by AMB? When the personal first came out it was $45 which I think was a fair price. Now we pay anywhere from $70 to $100 for a new personal transpoder. I think this is getting out of hand!

The reason they are so much more expensive today is do to the value of the dollar vs. the Euro, and other currencies. U.S. products are cheaper elsewhere in the world but now imported products cost more today.

nmt6789 · 12-28-2005, 09:21 AM

Personals arent a neccesity but they probably save weight and you dont have to put them back....

Core Creations · 12-28-2005, 09:24 AM

There are a lot of tracks where they don't have any handout transponders and you have to have a personal.

...And yes, they are too expensive period. Some other "American" company needs to come up with an alternative.

Fred Perkins · 12-28-2005, 09:24 AM

It has nothing to do with the currancy conversion it's just a way to make more money.

Core Creations · 12-28-2005, 09:26 AM

AMB has always gouged us...no question. The sum of these parts does not equal the cost. They just know they are the only game in town...so we all pay.

Mark Mixon · 12-28-2005, 09:34 AM

Are stock motors too expensive? Batteries? We live in a market economy....supply and demand ring a bell from 7th grade economics? They can only charge what people will pay. Stop buying, the market will glut and prices will come down....or we need a competitive alternative. Until then, just hope AMB doesn't raise prices again.

Core Creations · 12-28-2005, 09:36 AM

I think that is an easy way to explain it, but that's not really the way it is. You pay more for premium batteries and ultra tuned motors...but you can get less expensive stuff and it will work just fine. With the PTs you have no cheaper alternative. The only way force them to be more realistic in pricing is if another company comes up with a cheaper alternative. My guess is those PTs would cost 10-20 bux tops to produce. I see no reason why someone couldn't come up with something that would work for $50 or so.

I think saying "if you dumb a$$e$ stop buying them they will be forced to lower prices." is wrong. A lot of people either use them or don't race, simple as that. Most of us who have a budget to stay in like to make our money stretch a litlle and when companies are just straight out taking advantage of us, that is wrong.

Fred Perkins · 12-28-2005, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CIVIC91

I think that is an easy way to explain it, but that's not really the way it is. You pay more for premium batteries and ultra tuned motors...but you can get less expensive stuff and it will work just fine. With the PTs you have no cheaper alternative.

Exactly!!! There is no alternative! I would put a good bet that it cant cost AMB more than $5.00 to produce the transponder it self. If they would cut there cost to the shops then the shops would cut there cost to us and still make more money in the long run. Plus AMB would sell more of them.

XMSRacing · 12-28-2005, 09:42 AM

I guess its all a matter of what your used to. I didn't even blink twice when I was told the cost of the transponder. But then again I just came from racing Karts. The AMB transponder for Karting is $220 new. I picked mine up for $150 and it was a DEAL. I can easily sell just the transponder in my package for $160-175 and people will scarf it up.

By the way.. if your looking for a kart... PM me!

MADHAT · 12-28-2005, 09:46 AM

No disagreement on the fact that the transponders are expensive, but this is not an inexpensive hobby. What other component for your r/c car do you only buy once? Some tracks will rent you a transponder, but if you race a lot then renting ones soon becomes more expensive than purchasing. When you look at how much you spend over a years time for purchasing equipment, race entry fees, parts, etc. a transponder is, for me anyway, worth the expence.

Core Creations · 12-28-2005, 09:49 AM

Look, obviously some people don't blink twice when a battery costs $100 a pack, and they buy 20 motors with no problem. But for those of us who have a more responsible spending habit are getting blindsided by a greedy company, that sucks. It takes money away from other things we would like to get to race. I know there are some people that spend 10Gs a year without a problem, but most of us aren't in that boat.

killingtime · 12-28-2005, 09:53 AM

Listen up AMB, the Mini-z's are running a different type of transponder that is 1) lighter. It's about as thick as a credit card. 2) Keeps all your info on it. No more trying to remember your #. 3) And best yet CHEAPER! about $20.

Now before we get too excited, they are still trying to get it to work for the larger scales. Last I read, Kyosho is distributing it, and any new updates I hear I'll let everyone know.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Core Creations · 12-28-2005, 09:53 AM

Some people get lucky with purchasing them once and then they are set...Unfortunately my PT suck, it misses laps and I'm sure to have it serviced (even though it's pretty much new) isn't worth it.