Message #12831

[jbotti]

The big issue with the Dodge boots and should be true for all CF boots until they hit mass market volumes is that they are exepnsive to make and the margins right now are real low. I think the delaers are paying $1200 for a boot that they sell for $1500. That is versus more like 100% markup on plastic boots (boots that the dealer/retailer sells for $750 cost him $375). As well where as Nordica may be maing a 40-50% gross margin whenn they sell their boots to a retailer, I think Dodge is taking very low margins right now to get their product out there, and that doens't include the ones they are giving away to WC ski racers. My point with all this is that I think we are a long way away from this becoming a mass market product. Certianly if some of the big boot cos decide to develop competing product with CF, we shoud see manufacturing costs comes down and ultimatelly that will drive adoption and ultimatley prices will come down. I don't think this will be a quick process.