Many paintball players complain that the cost of guns and equipment is simply too high. Store owners, though, complain that they are not high enough and the small profit margins are forcing fields and shops to close. The manufacturers, though, don't seem to be making a killing, but they're still going forward. The end result is that the sellers think prices are too low, buyers think they're too high and manufacturers (at least those that are still in business), think they're about right.
My question for the players, then, is what is the right price for a paintball gun and what do you realistically want to get for your money? Do you have an idea of what a fair price is for equipment and what is it? I know this will vary by the type of gun, but, in general, do you think the price of guns is fair or is it too high?
Comments
I choke every time I see a new “high end” marker come out that is priced over $500. It was particularly disappointed when Tippmann priced their “new” SL68 at $169. That’s pretty sad for a pump. I was expecting $99 tops.
I think that it mostly depends on the type of play that you are going to be involved in. If you planning to run with the more experienced players, then you might need to pay a little more to play. but if you need good deals I would really suggest this site, they just started offering paintball and thats how I found them. I like their prices, and I thought they were great.
http://www.airsplat.com/Categories/paintball.htm
Like all other aspects of life, the cost of our toys should be in proportion to our income, our debts and how often we will utilize that toy. If we are taking away from our daily needs to fund a hobby–shame on us. Anytime we are thinking of making a purchase, we need to analyze the following considerations: 1. Do I have a steady income? 2. Do I have money in savings for emergencies? 3. Can I purchase this luxury without dipping into that savings? 4. Are all of my debts current and in proportion to my income? If the answer to all of these questions are “yes”, then a whole set of new questions come about. Just two of these questions are: 1. How often am I going to utilize this toy? 2. How long is this hobby going to hold my interest? Deciding on the answers to these questions is the determining factor for the answer to this bloggers question as to how much a paintball marker should cost. I am a proponent that we should always purchase the best quality that will fit into our financial criteria. A beginner should purchase a less expensive gun to try out the hobby to see if the interest is even there and will be lasting. Then progressively advance the quality as the longevity holds. An older paintballer should, conceivably, be able to spend more than a newcomer, just because the answers to some of these previous questions have already been answered. Also, never equate cost of an item with the quality of it. Go for quality, rather than cost every time. When you are out on the field, playing, you don’t want to be having continual problems. Shielding behind a disabled marker yelling, “But I paid a fortune for this gun”, won’t keep you from getting hit.
Here at http://www.RAP4.com We have a Tactical T68 for $169.00. For a top of the line Marker that is modular and can be added on to with other accessories and add on’s it boggles the mind what can be done for the Scenario or Woodsball Player. It comes with a 5 year warrenty.
Video:
http://www.rap4.com/paintball/RAP4_paintball_videos.php?title=T68 Tactical Marker&id=5f9259f82690aeea4cd
Check it out:
http://www.rap4.com/paintball/os/t68-tactical
Pete
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Website: http://www.rap4.com
Videos: http://paintballtree.com
Again, this author proves to be an idiot and that he knows basically nothing about the paintball industry has a whole. I have no idea why he’s a “paintball author”.
It wasn’t too long ago, when you had to buy an $500 gun (take the cocker for example) and add another $500-600 on to it in upgrades to make it shoot fast. When the Ion first cam it it changed all that.
The ion came out and retailed for $350 originally. It was the first “inexpensive” electronumatic gun out on the marker. The Old Impulse was still $600 the SFT shocker was $1k.
The Ion dropped in price over the years to a meager $164. If $164 is not low cost and affordable, you should be saving your money to pay your rent. These days you can walk into any walmart and buy a paintball gun kit for $80!. How is that expensive? Over the years paintball technology has become more and more inexpensive. Obviously quality items cost money, however you can get a Tippmann 98 Custom power pack for under $170.
In response to an above comment on the Tippmann SL68, it is pricy, however tippmann obviously has a market small specialty market willing to pay it. If they had a larger market and could make more I’m sure the price would drop. Especially if there is competition. My Old PMI tracer cost $100 new, however that was back in 1994
The cost of guns have gone down quite a bit. We have Piranha and Extreme rage guns that start right around $50. To get something you will be happy with for longer, check out the 100-150$ guns.