Message Sent To Manns Bait Company

[Stasher1]

I'm sure the rising costs of materials influenced their decision to increase their prices, but I also believe the increased popularity of their Jelly Worm was a bigger influence. Let's face it, these things had fallen out of favor MANY years ago and have just become popular again in the past couple years.

I think they (Mann's) are looking at the prices the competitors are charging and increasing theirs to match.

If you like their products and they produce for you when others don't, keep buying them. However, if you can get the same performance out of a cheaper product, buy the cheap ones. They're free to set their own prices, and you can make the final decision whether to absorb the cost or spend your money elsewhere.

I'd vote for elsewhere.

ETA: From the looks of their website, they're just plucking their prices from their butts.

8" Jelly Worms (20) = $4.89

9" Jelly Worms (20) = $4.99

$.10 difference per 20

8" Jelly Worms (100) = $20.25

9" Jelly Worms (100) = $24.49

Logically, there should be a $.50 difference between the two packages, not $4.24 :-?

It's also cheaper to buy five 20 ct bags of the 6" Jelly Worms @ $3.19 a bag ($3.19 x 5 = $15.95) than to spend $16.47 for the 100 pack.  :

[Raul]

I also believe the increased popularity of their Jelly Worm was a bigger influence. Let's face it, these things had fallen out of favor MANY years ago and have just become popular again in the past couple years.

I positively agree  with the popular =r ise in prie , the truth is that from all my pals only another guy and I continued to fish Jelly Worms ( and other Mann 's products ( Jelly Waggler, Augertail, Mannipulator ) for years, more out of a combination of old habits, absurdly insane reserve and the fact that they 've always caught fish, it 's like Culprit 's 7.5 inch ribbontail worm ( still got a ton of them  ), Now somebody rediscovered the black thread and surprise ! they become popular again with oldies and are discovered by newb 's.

[K_Mac]

I agree with Stasher1 that the price increase seems to be a little random and arbitrary. On the other hand the cost is certainly not out of line with any other name brand plastic on the market. $.25 for a 9" worm is still a pretty good deal.

RW you talk about buying cheap, but are always recommending Rage and Yamamoto baits. I use them at times also because I'm willing to pay a premium for a specific bait. My point is manufacturers charge what the market will bear. If enough people vote with their wallets and don't buy at the new prices, the price will come down. I suspect that the people who have confidence in them will pay the extra. Calling Gary Yamamoto greedy because he charges what he does may be fair, but as long as people are willing to pay $1.00+ for a Senko it is not likely the price is coming down.

[RoLo]

No matter what the commodity may be, manufacturers and dealers

are focused on profits rather than feelings. Manns Bait does not have the power

to set product prices without the support and consent of the angling community.

The law of supply-&-demand automagically sets prices at the limit

of what traffic will bear. Rising prices are a clear message of corporate strength.

Naturally, consumers seek the lowest prices, but understand that the lowest prices

are always found at the most stressed manufacturer or dealer,

where imbalances are the greatest.

Stockholders dump stocks when the underlying company 'lowers' their prices,

while accumulating stocks able to raise their prices, especially in an anemic economy.

Realistically, unless your letter offers a business model for expanding profit margins,

it's not likely to raise many eyebrows

Roger

[Dan:]

Still seems pretty cheap to me.

[farmpond1]

Home values dropped, in part, because they were excessively inflated (big time) in the first place.

Don't get me wrong.  I get really irritated when I see prices increase too but, while some would have it otherwise, we still live in a free market economy and as such a company has the right to set it's prices as it chooses.  While it's good you wrote a letter to express your displeasure (It's, perhaps, the best way for Manns to receive consumer feedback), if they choose to increase their prices, they can do so.  It might, ultimately, hurt them but it's their prerogative.

[flipin4bass]

You're right farmpond. They have a product that I like and I will fork it out if I want it. I guess .25 per worm is still cheap entertainment. Not many of us were using that jelly worm and then that guy down at Falcon Lake had to break a record with it......remember what happen to the price of that Bagley crank after Omori won the Classic with it? Has nothing to do with supply and everthing to do with demand. Well, got to go, I have to place my $80 order for Jelly Worms.....yep, I go through em like a hot knife through butter.  :'(

[Its a big one]

Home values dropped, in part, because they were excessively inflated (big time) in the first place.

Don't get me wrong. I get really irritated when I see prices increase too but, while some would have it otherwise, we still live in a free market economy and as such a company has the right to set it's prices as it chooses. While it's good you wrote a letter to express your displeasure (It's, perhaps, the best way for Manns to receive consumer feedback), if they choose to increase their prices, they can do so. It might, ultimately, hurt them but it's their prerogative.

You are so right about the home values I think there still a little high. And its a free market sell it for what you want I don't have to buy it.

[roadwarrior]

I agree with Stasher1 that the price increase seems to be a little random and arbitrary. On the other hand the cost is certainly not out of line with any other name brand plastic on the market. $.25 for a 9" worm is still a pretty good deal.

RW you talk about buying cheap, but are always recommending Rage and Yamamoto baits. I use them at times also because I'm willing to pay a premium for a specific bait. My point is manufacturers charge what the market will bear. If enough people vote with their wallets and don't buy at the new prices, the price will come down. I suspect that the people who have confidence in them will pay the extra. Calling Gary Yamamoto greedy because he charges what he does may be fair, but as long as people are willing to pay $1.00+ for a Senko it is not likely the price is coming down.

Sportman's Warehouse closed a store her last year.

I bought a "lifetime" supply of GYCB products for $1.00

to $3.00. My point is that things can be bought on sale

with a little patience. For me, unfortunately, I'm not sure

spending a few hundred dollars counts as "saving!"

[K_Mac]

RW I agree that watching for sales is a great way to save. I also have hundreds of dollars worth of plastics as a result. : I have never seen GY baits anywhere near those kind of prices. Well done. 8-)

[Nibbles]

I agree with Stasher1 that the price increase seems to be a little random and arbitrary. On the other hand the cost is certainly not out of line with any other name brand plastic on the market. $.25 for a 9" worm is still a pretty good deal.

RW you talk about buying cheap, but are always recommending Rage and Yamamoto baits. I use them at times also because I'm willing to pay a premium for a specific bait. My point is manufacturers charge what the market will bear. If enough people vote with their wallets and don't buy at the new prices, the price will come down. I suspect that the people who have confidence in them will pay the extra. Calling Gary Yamamoto greedy because he charges what he does may be fair, but as long as people are willing to pay $1.00+ for a Senko it is not likely the price is coming down.

Sportman's Warehouse closed a store her last year.

I bought a "lifetime" supply of GYCB products for $1.00

to $3.00. My point is that things can be bought on sale

with a little patience. For me, unfortunately, I'm not sure

spending a few hundred dollars counts as "saving!"

Overstock Bait is selling some GYCB plastics including their Ikas, Fat Ikas and Big Ikas for like 2.40 a pack right now. 8-)

4.20 for a 20 pack of Hula Grubs too. Pretty darn nice IMO.

[Gone_Phishin]

I agree with Stasher1 that the price increase seems to be a little random and arbitrary. On the other hand the cost is certainly not out of line with any other name brand plastic on the market. $.25 for a 9" worm is still a pretty good deal.

RW you talk about buying cheap, but are always recommending Rage and Yamamoto baits. I use them at times also because I'm willing to pay a premium for a specific bait. My point is manufacturers charge what the market will bear. If enough people vote with their wallets and don't buy at the new prices, the price will come down. I suspect that the people who have confidence in them will pay the extra. Calling Gary Yamamoto greedy because he charges what he does may be fair, but as long as people are willing to pay $1.00+ for a Senko it is not likely the price is coming down.

Sportman's Warehouse closed a store her last year.

I bought a "lifetime" supply of GYCB products for $1.00

to $3.00. My point is that things can be bought on sale

with a little patience. For me, unfortunately, I'm not sure

spending a few hundred dollars counts as "saving!"

Overstock Bait is selling some GYCB plastics including their Ikas, Fat Ikas and Big Ikas for like 2.40 a pack right now.  8-)

4.20 for a 20 pack of Hula Grubs too. Pretty darn nice IMO.

Yup.  When they first arrived at the store, Outlet offered an additional $1.00 of a pack to those on their email list. 

They got me for well over two bills.