New ADA Products Arrive in USA Dec 7th

[Shango]

A big container of ADA products arrives in the US on December 7th. It includes all the new 2011 products.

Also, there will be a price increase in the New Year.

Find out more here...

http://www.tankgeek.com/2010/11/26/a...arrives-japan/

Enjoy,

Shango

[GitMoe]

20% increase in price? Thats good...

[doubleott05]

how do you know this? what is your source?

[AzFishKid]

Quoted directly from the ADG/ADA USA facebook group statuses:

"Aqua Design Amano headquarters in Niigata, Japan announced an increase in cost of goods due to the inflation of raw material cost at the manufacturing level. The new prices were effective as of November 1st, 2010. Among other factors, costs in manufacturing and shipping have caused the need for an increase in the price of the Aqua Design Amano product line in the United States, similar manufacturer based price incr--"

"Just in case it is missed - for the sake of our client's benefit, we will not be implementing the price change until the new year, giving all an opportunity to purchase before the price increase goes into effect."

"There isn't a universal increase formula for each and every item, since each item type is different from another - e.g. the cost associated with selling and shipping an aquarium is significantly different than those associated with a bag of aquasoil, which is also very different from say a bottle of Brighty K. As a result, some items will go up more than others, but overall the product line will have a stable price point. The initial numbers has shown an average estimate of 10% increase. However this is not finalized yet and could be slightly higher or lower."

[TLE041]

ADA products are priced so low, I'm surprised they didn't raise the prices sooner.

/sarcasm.

You'd think that even though the prices for raw materials might be going up, their order volumes should be going up as well (due to higher demands and more sales). This should either cancel each other out or lead to lower prices.

[Hoppy]

Labor costs are high in Japan, where skilled craftsmen make all of the ADA products. Just imagine the man hours to hand paint the logo on every tank.

Ok, what this most likely indicates is that the labor costs in China are going up, as they are, faster than their productivity is going up, so ADA has to pay more for everything. That's life.

[!shadow!]

time to stack up on aquasoil bags and cubes :P

[Momotaro]

You'd think that even though the prices for raw materials might be going up, their order volumes should be going up as well (due to higher demands and more sales). This should either cancel each other out or lead to lower prices.

Doesn't work that way. You miss a few factors in your equation.

I don't think a slam on ADA for raising prices is really in order. Everyone's price is going to go up. ADA just chose to inform folks ahead of time instead of surprising them.

Prices on everything will be going up. My sister works in product development for Babies R Us and has been telling me for the past few months the price of cotton would be going up. Lo and behold, cotton prices have sky-rocketed. My advice would be to skip the ADA stuff and go out and buy some clothes!

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by Momotaro

My advice would be to skip the ADA stuff and go out and buy some clothes!

lol

[Francis Xavier]

We reluctantly had to opt for increasing prices this year. Operating cost associated with simply getting the product to the United States has just increased too much, in combination with the fact that we did not increase prices in the past when similar situations arose, barring the price change that accompanied the manufacturer switch to China.

It is an unfortunate reality to have to do so, but one that we have taken up with all due measures to keep the hobbyist and core clientele in mind first and foremost. That's the reason for the announcement towards the price increase (versus an unannounced, "silent" increase), so that everyone has the opportunity to exploit the current prices while they can. We've also taken measures to exactly calculate new cost vs. old cost taking into account all the factors that go into providing the product so that there isn't an unnecessary level of price increase based on 'best guesses' rather it's calculated to the penny on exact cost and exact best price offering. This revised model of calculation will allow us to be more efficient in our product offering and make a better overall and stabilized price point for all of our clients.

However, with this also comes a number of new initiatives that aren't factored into the price - catalogues come with all product purchases completely free, or are available individually for just postage paid. Additionally, the customer service offering for this product line is bar none - and we have the customer feedback to back it up. I believe that with the price tag comes it's weight in gold in customer service flexibility, options and availability. Not that I necessarily want to encourage a call at 4 am in the morning, but there are no hours in which the phone line closes to answer questions or concerns, etc. In addition to that we have other things in the works to supplement the catalogue offerings, which include ADA / Nature Aquarium / Planted Tank specific videos and how-tos that are scheduled to go into development in December. Not to mention the availability of the offer that's always there for us to hand select hardscape materials to your specifications for you so you just don't blind order materials and get disappointed. That service is free of charge.

These are all things that come completely free of charge that are efforts only really being taken up by ADG and all directly factor in to making the ADA price tag worth so much more than just the price of a glass aquarium. With ADG/ADA you get everything on the back end and front end that supports the whole system at large regardless of purchase amount - that's something that's really worth it's merit. That's what makes ADG offerings more than just products, it's the people, the clients, the vision that make the difference.

There is something that isn't quantifiable in price that backs up peace of mind when you invest in our offerings from Aquarium Design Group. You know the consistent results will be, that it will work, that it is backed up by experienced people giving the best advice to our ability, and that you will have success with the line. There isn't any guess work involved with using the ADA line.

[!shadow!]

Xavier for president! :P

[plantbrain]

I think it's tough for ADA really, Chinese knock offs are already doing some market share and cost cutting into their business. Increasing the prices hurts even more.

But......heck, they cannot lose $ to make the stuff either.
So it's a tough place to be.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Hoppy]

Did anyone else notice the date the shipment will arrive?

[Francis Xavier]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

Did anyone else notice the date the shipment will arrive?

Pure coincidence, I assure you!

I think it's tough for ADA really, Chinese knock offs are already doing some market share and cost cutting into their business. Increasing the prices hurts even more.

But......heck, they cannot lose $ to make the stuff either.
So it's a tough place to be.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Sure there has been an upsurge in knock off brands being offered, however in some ways this has served to strengthen the brand's identity in America. ADA is the definitive designer brand in the market and the only real brand offered to the market that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. ADA continually reinnovates it's line and incorporates different styles that all make it part of a complete system that people -want- to have on display, rather than hidden from view.

I think the future of ADA distribution will be in targeting that design-minded individual who specifically wants an aquarium system that appropriately looks like it belongs as a centerpiece item in their home and specifically does not have a 'bought at walmart' look. Ultimately it's a niche product that serves it's purpose very well. However, the vitals of the line, the things with the most mainstream appeal, such as the aquasoil, will still be the best return on investment for clients. Fortunately, the effectiveness of the Amazonia system does not discriminate between ADA and non-ADA aquariums.

[bigboij]

ada is now Chinese made? might as well stick with the lower priced knockoffs. I wouldn't be surprised at all to find they are made in the same factory along side the ADA tanks. happens alot in chinese manufacturing, make the same item and slap diffrent logos on it to suit the different customers.

Ive heard the argument on customer service before, but how much support do you need with a tank?