Re: [Harp-L] RE: Hohner Price Increase - and competitive products

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Suzuki is introducing highly competitive product not only on the diatonic side with the Manji, bit also on the chromatic side with the three new Sirius models in 12-hole, 14-hole and 16-hole configurations. These promise to be very good instruments, utilizing parts and technology descended from the top-end Fabulous line.

Without knowing whether these price increases originate with Hohner Germany or with Hohner USA, it's difficult to understand their strategy in raising prices at this particular time.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Thu, 1/21/10, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I do think it's odd that Hohner has decided to raise prices significantly at a point in time when:
1) Unemployment in its target markets is higher than at any time in decades, meaning that many potential buyers are already cutting back on non-essential purchases, and
2) A major competitor has introduced a new line of high-quality instruments that compete directly with the top-line Hohner instruments, and were already priced in the neighborhood of 20-30% below Hohner, BEFORE the price increase.