Where most of your gear really comes from, what it really costs, and why you should care
February 6th, 2012For some reason, we get solicited by companies on a multiple-times-a-day basis. Electronic spam is a game of numbers and despite the prominent “Made In America” symbol on our front page, people still try. Just today, we got 6 different emails from 6 different manufacturers (4 from Pakistan, 2 from China). The last one, however, got my attention. See why below:
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Dear Sir ,
Hope you will be fine.
We are quality manufacturer of Grappling/Gym Wears/Boxing/Textile Products, our factory is in Sialkot-Pakistan.
FOB Prices
1. MMA Gloves Cowhide Leather………..US$ 9.20
2. Boxing Gloves Cowhide Leather……..US$ 13.50
3. Bag Gloves Cowhide Leather………….US$ 8.00
4. MMA Short Taslon……………………….US$ 7.00
5. MMA Short Micro…………………………US$ 6.00
6. Boxing Short……………………………..US$ 5.00
7. Rash Guards Stretchable Lycra……….US$ 7.00
8. Shirts cotton………………………………US$ 6.00
9. Hoodies……………………………………US$ 10.50
10. Polo Shirts………………………………US$ 6.50
11. Thai Kick Pads…………………………..US$ 15.50
12. Handwraps………………………………US$ 1.20
13. Power Fitness Belts……………………US$ 5.00
14. Weight Lifting Belts……………………US$ 5.00
15. Weightlifting Gloves…………………..US$ 6.00
16. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu white ………………US$ 23.00
17. Brzilian Jiu-jitsu black/blue………….US$ 25.00
1. Motor Bike Cadora Jackets………….US$ 22.00
2. Motor Bike Pant……………………….US$ 13.50
3. Ladies Tank Tops……………………..US$ 6.00
4. Gym Short……………………………..US$ 6.00
5. Gym Suit……………………………….US$ 13.00
6. Tuta Suit/Working Suit cotton……..US$ 23.00
Hoping to have prompt reply from your side.
wish you all the best.
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I’m leaving this company’s name out on purpose. More than 60% of the grappling gear out on the market today comes from this factory. But ethics and child labor, etc. aside (just this time), let’s do a bit of math here.
They offer a lycra rash guard for $7 wholesale. Note, this is their starting price and definitely negotiable based on factors such as MOQ (minimum order quantity), pricing concessions, bundled orders, etc. Let’s for the sake of the argument say a company could purchase some number of these rash guards for around $6/unit. We don’t import from overseas, so correct me if I’m wrong here, but add 20% for freight, customs, etc. You’re looking at a $7.20/unit cost price. Hell, round it up to 8 bucks just in case I missed anything.
Cost to random brand? Around 8 bucks. Cost to shady company in Pakistan? Who knows, but even at $7 they are making money, so it has to be less than that. What do most branded rash guards retail for in stores, both online and brick/mortar? $50 and up. If you’re not furious by now, you should be.
I don’t think I’m stretching the truth at all when I say that our rash guards are pretty much the gold standard as far as rash guards are concerned. There is plenty of public data to back up this claim. Without revealing our cost, I can tell you that it is more than twice the $8 price given here – excluding logistics costs such as shipping, QA, etc. We retail our rashies for $49.90. They’re designed in the USA, and sublimated, cut and sewn in a state-of-the art factory in California using the highest quality materials available from a US fabric mill.
The moral of this story is two-fold:
1) Companies should stop being greedy for the sake of greed, and begin to act in the best interest of consumers. 600% profit is a bit ridiculous by any standard. I believe the term used to describe this is “rip-off“.
2) At the same time, consumers should start asking questions such as where does my gear really come from, under what conditions is it made, and how much does it really cost the company to make it?
Ultimately, the onus is on the consumer to hold the companies accountable. As long as most companies are allowed to mark up their inventory by 600% or more, and have a willing, buying audience, the pattern of behavior won’t change. Ask the questions, and ask them publicly. And save your money.
