Are masks overpriced ?

[Loneranger]

I am not sure there is much difference between the quality of the $19.99 and the $69.99 new fangled release mask. Proper fit is not a problem for me and I like Watler have used a $20.00 clearance table special mask for the last 7 years. I bought a Cressi Matrix for Christmas and I hope it proves to be an upgrade.

 

[Puffer Fish]

I am not sure there is much difference between the quality of the $19.99 and the $69.99 new fangled release mask. Proper fit is not a problem for me and I like Watler have used a $20.00 clearance table special mask for the last 7 years. I bought a Cressi Matrix for Christmas and I hope it proves to be an upgrade.

If you don't like it, would be happy to buy it from you..

 

[Wayward Son]

Cressi Big Eyes masks can be had for about $27 from both http://www.scuba.com and http://www.divers-supply.com/

scuba.com has cheaper shipping

 

[joewr]

I am not sure there is much difference between the quality of the $19.99 and the $69.99 new fangled release mask. Proper fit is not a problem for me and I like Watler have used a $20.00 clearance table special mask for the last 7 years. I bought a Cressi Matrix for Christmas and I hope it proves to be an upgrade.

I think that I wrote earlier in this thread that my wife, unlike the venerable Walter, has trouble with mask fit. So, she did an experiment and purchased a very inexpensive "snorkle" mask. It fit perfectly and has been her mask for over 300 dives. The cost? I think it was ca. $20. I believe that would even fit Walter's budget!

joewr

 

[southernblue]

Hello all, i gave the lens one last scrub with "Jiff" a liquid form similar to ajax, and it worked.

I dove 3 dives Saturday and another 3 on Sunday, and had no fogging at all with the Shadow or the Big Eyes.

I changed between them both to see if they would fog, and used Sea drops one dive and then baby shampoo the next, all dives were fog and leak free

I now have 2 masks that will give me fog free dives for some time, yes i am now a happy camper.

 

[mdb]

Cressi Big Eyes masks can be had for about $27 from both http://www.scuba.com and http://www.divers-supply.com/ scuba.com has cheaper shipping

Wayward son: The OEM Cost for most masks, including box etc., goes from about $9.00-$17.00 US. The normal mark up to retail is around x5. Expect to pay $45-$85 @ retail. Most masks come from just a few OEM's. A "generic" mask is, often, the same as the "brand name" mask.

 

[ZzzKing]

You might try an acetylene torch followed by a light sandblasting. Not so much that the glass breaks or heavily pits...

 

[fast5frog]

Hey DrBill, how much do you think you could get for a 2oz. bottle? Does it come with its own bacteria included guarantee???

 

[Hoosier]

Wayward son: The OEM Cost for most masks, including box etc., goes from about $9.00-$17.00 US. The normal mark up to retail is around x5. Expect to pay $45-$85 @ retail. Most masks come from just a few OEM's. A "generic" mask is, often, the same as the "brand name" mask.

Yes. What I was told is that an actual cost for SP Frameless is about $10.

It isn't a suprising fact that an eye glasses is also 1000% mark up business.

 

[drbill]

Of course masks are over-priced, but you have to understand the economics of them. Let's say a company sells 2 million masks a year for $100 each. About half that goes to the retailer, maybe 10% to the wholesaler/rep. That leaves only $40 net to the manufacturer. The workers who make the masks get minimum wage for whatever country they live in, so that knocks off another $1-2 per mask leaving just $38-39. Incorporating salary, stock options and amortized severance pay, the CEO of the company gets $35 per mask sold. That only leaves a paltry profit of $3-4 per mask. It's a wonder companies continue to manufacture them at all.