Suppliers

[Derhakenwendung 0]

Hi,

I have read the discussions on the Hurricane and ZP canopies as well as the Vortex II harness made by ChuteShop, their service and the problems.

I dont work for ChuteShop. I don't get anything from them and have no personal ties with these guys. I however have to say this;

If you think you have problems buying from these guys, imagine how difficult it is for a non-millionaire in South-Africa to get his hands on new American or European equipment. Import costs, handling fees, 200% middleman markups and plain straight daylight robbery will get you a system for +/- R65000.

Now incase you guys were wondering, The SouthAfrican Rand was at US$12 just the other day. That would translate into US$5500.

Now seeing that PISA (the ex-manufacturers of Teardrop harnesses and Heatwave and Hornet canopies not to forget the Tempo reserve) have sold to Aerodine, we end up paying USA and European prices for their equipment, we don't get dicount for no shipping and import costs.

So, the Vortex II is a very, very nice container. It is a goodlooking, very well designed and exellently manufactured toy. The new ZP-EXE canopy is nothing like the old ZP. I couldn't believe the bottom-end flare on this show when I had a demo jump with it. (Once again this free of charge, what do you say about service now?). The Hurricane is a beautifull eliptical canopy. As with most canopies, you have to fly it to understand.

Now,
The following system:
Vortex II with hip and chest rings.
Hurricane 135
Decellerator 135 Reserve

This will cost me R18000 / US$1500

How on earth can I sit around and listen to stories of how bad these guys are. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be able to fly a new system, made for me.

Do yourself a favour, give Pierce a ring, you will be amazed how their attitudes have changed. I'm not saying this was allways the case, but hell, service is a new concept in Africa.......

If you guys can get me a better system at a competing price, I'll take 2.

[andy2 0]

I'm confused, you can't go directly through manufacturers if you live in South Africa? That's weird...

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[Derhakenwendung 0]

1-You have to deal with the agents.

2-We pay the same price that you would pay for it, their reasons being that "otherwise the guys from abroad will buy from SouthAfrica and not from Aerodine's dealers in other countries".
This makes sence from their point of view, however, why should they make more money of me than what they would make of you? That bites me!!!
3-Then the dealers will ask you R6000 for artwork on it and when you speak to Aerodine they tell you it should be 1/4 of that....????!!!!*^#$%~

Quote

And all I wanna do is fly.......

And all I wanna do is fly.....

[linuxguy 0]

I aggree with what you have said. as I am looking for my first Rig, Have spoken to many diff ppl and all have said that Vortex2 harnesses are just as good and probally better than International brands.

The only unfortunate Thing Is that we are paying the same prices that the international market pays for products made in our country ?!!?!?

My question is how is the sport going to grow in a country - where ppl can not afford rigs etc ??
Is it not beneficial to all involved to lower prices, thus get more Jumpers- which would also help DZ'S and Thus get sponsors easier, after all Corporate sponsors are not interrested in a sport with probally less than 3000 ppl activley participating ?

[trigger 0]

It's the same the whole world over it's the poor that get the blame!Imagine my my horror,after importing a new crossfire2 from Spain to the UK i was clobberred for£300 VAT and then so a £1400 canopy becomes a£1700 canopy and i think sh*t [hindsight] should've gone to the states or Spain and picked the thing up directly or as would've been possible had a friend pick it up for me! Oh well,thats life

.CHOP WOOD COLLECT WATER.