Silk Road forums
Market => Rumor mill => Topic started by: realXimpact on September 09, 2012, 09:25 am
-
I've been buying solely cannabis for 6 months now and I always keep a close eye on vendors, their listings, and prices. People have complained about weed being too expensive on here before, and I didn't think it was that bad. But it's getting worse. Here's some things that I have noticed-
I was doing some calculations on some vendors' listings and came up with some alarming numbers...Even using BitInstant for low fees (4-5%), I got $157 for a quarter shipped (about $22.50/g) with one, $90 for an eighth shipped ($25.71/g!!) for another vendor, and an outrageous $34 gram shipped with yet another.
What's with these insane price increases in this free market environment? I've done some research on dispensary prices, and they generally fall within the $15-20/g range. There's a few reasons I've thought of for this-
-A vendor starts out with decent prices, amazing product, then raises the prices on those same listings significantly later on. This makes it seem like people have been buying it at that price all along.
-A modest vendor offers their product on the Road and gets over-the-top feedback, then starts price gouging because of the reputation they've gained.
-A vendor starts off with okay prices until they get their 35 transactions, then raises prices and starts with this 'get x amount of dollars back for FE' garbage.
I don't understand why buyers are putting up with this insanity... We need to speak with our wallets and let these ridiculous listings sit without purchases so these vendors will get the hint. I wouldn't pay $25 a gram even if Snoop Dogg himself sold it to me from his own grow room. These vendors would do a whole lot more business with some more reasonable pricing because-
-Getting more/new buyers raises clientele and repeat buyers
-More buys means getting higher in the seller rankings
Also, one pet peeve is shipping options. If you're offering 1 gram, why is the only option $10 Priority? A gram should go First Class and costs $2-3 even with the bubble mailer price included.
Alright... that's enough for now. I don't want to see any vendors' names discussed for anyone that wishes to reply to my madness, as I don't want to single anyone out. No names, please.
-
I've been buying solely cannabis for 6 months now and I always keep a close eye on vendors, their listings, and prices. People have complained about weed being too expensive on here before, and I didn't think it was that bad. But it's getting worse. Here's some things that I have noticed-
I was doing some calculations on some vendors' listings and came up with some alarming numbers...Even using BitInstant for low fees (4-5%), I got $157 for a quarter shipped (about $22.50/g) with one, $90 for an eighth shipped ($25.71/g!!) for another vendor, and an outrageous $34 gram shipped with yet another.
What's with these insane price increases in this free market environment? I've done some research on dispensary prices, and they generally fall within the $15-20/g range. There's a few reasons I've thought of for this-
-A vendor starts out with decent prices, amazing product, then raises the prices on those same listings significantly later on. This makes it seem like people have been buying it at that price all along.
-A modest vendor offers their product on the Road and gets over-the-top feedback, then starts price gouging because of the reputation they've gained.
-A vendor starts off with okay prices until they get their 35 transactions, then raises prices and starts with this 'get x amount of dollars back for FE' garbage.
I don't understand why buyers are putting up with this insanity... We need to speak with our wallets and let these ridiculous listings sit without purchases so these vendors will get the hint. I wouldn't pay $25 a gram even if Snoop Dogg himself sold it to me from his own grow room. These vendors would do a whole lot more business with some more reasonable pricing because-
-Getting more/new buyers raises clientele and repeat buyers
-More buys means getting higher in the seller rankings
Also, one pet peeve is shipping options. If you're offering 1 gram, why is the only option $10 Priority? A gram should go First Class and costs $2-3 even with the bubble mailer price included.
Alright... that's enough for now. I don't want to see any vendors' names discussed for anyone that wishes to reply to my madness, as I don't want to single anyone out. No names, please.
if it didn't sell, there would not be a market for it.
now, i do agree some vendor's prices are outrageous and they refuse to work deals.. but there are some good vendors out there.
i won't buy anything unless it is domestic, first of all.
second, you just gotta weed through the dumb vendors.(just like you would IRL.)
you'll find the right one eventually. :D
i recommend JahBUDS. :)
/thumbs
-
if it didn't sell, there would not be a market for it.
now, i do agree some vendor's prices are outrageous and they refuse to work deals.. but there are some good vendors out there.
i won't buy anything unless it is domestic, first of all.
second, you just gotta weed through the dumb vendors.(just like you would IRL.)
you'll find the right one eventually. :D
Oh there's definitely a market for just about everything listed there. What I'm interested in is seeing if people keep coming back to certain vendors after they've noticed it's a lot more to get the same bud they just finished off. There are tons of great vendors and even the high-priced ones are worth it for the most part. Another thing that bothers me is when there's little or no bulk incentive. Why go for the half ounce when the eighth when there is no discount?
Yep, domestic is the way to go. I used to check international listings sometimes for fun but I rarely even bother anymore. A lot of the great ones also disappear for weeks or months, or run out of stock within a few hours. When I have the funds to keep my SR wallet stocked in advance, this will be less of a problem.
Then there's the reverse of this problem... "Wow, a quarter of top-shelf for $90 shipped? Too good to be true." lol... The buyers have it pretty tough here, too.
Also... 'bawwww, I have too many choices for weed!" First world problems, lol!
-
if it didn't sell, there would not be a market for it.
now, i do agree some vendor's prices are outrageous and they refuse to work deals.. but there are some good vendors out there.
i won't buy anything unless it is domestic, first of all.
second, you just gotta weed through the dumb vendors.(just like you would IRL.)
you'll find the right one eventually. :D
Oh there's definitely a market for just about everything listed there. What I'm interested in is seeing if people keep coming back to certain vendors after they've noticed it's a lot more to get the same bud they just finished off. There are tons of great vendors and even the high-priced ones are worth it for the most part. Another thing that bothers me is when there's little or no bulk incentive. Why go for the half ounce when the eighth when there is no discount?
Yep, domestic is the way to go. I used to check international listings sometimes for fun but I rarely even bother anymore. A lot of the great ones also disappear for weeks or months, or run out of stock within a few hours. When I have the funds to keep my SR wallet stocked in advance, this will be less of a problem.
Then there's the reverse of this problem... "Wow, a quarter of top-shelf for $90 shipped? Too good to be true." lol... The buyers have it pretty tough here, too.
Also... 'bawwww, I have too many choices for weed!" First world problems, lol!
if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. and i am out 3bands for that reason and that reason alone. :p
and yes, things are shifty here and people will always throw the shit around.
it's just like any other business/enterprise. there will always be price gouging. :x
and yah, sometimes vendors have other people do work too.. so they need to know about their listings not working out a price cut and they'll usually fix it.(unless they are just douche bags and did it on purpose.)
back to the point: IT will sell and vendors know that. that's why the price does not matter.
think about it.
if you could sell x amount of pills for 100 bucks IRL opposed to selling x amount of pills on the Road for 1000 bucks.
which would you do? the latter obviously. it's safer and you don't have to deal with anyone who knows you IRL.
mmm... the beauties of the anonymous market systems. :p
/thumbs
-
i've definitely noticed this lately too. i think one factor might also be the time of year, since it is harvest season. once this year's harvest is dried and cured, i'd expect to see prices drop a bit since there will be more supply.
the new vendor gets lots of great feedback and raises their prices scenario also seems pretty common. it can be annoying but on the other hand if you have worked hard to supply a quality product at a reasonable price and establish a good customer base, it's your decision to raise the price as long as people are willing to pay it. besides product quality, i think vendor performance is definitely a factor in pricing, and i don't mind spending a little extra to use a vendor i know to have professional practices.
when i shop weed on SR i'm really only looking for top-shelf at a decent price, and usually the vast majority of listings are either too overpriced, or not high quality enough, or from vendors i don't trust. but usually there are at least a couple listings i'm interested in. if there's nothing that looks like a good deal to me i just wait a few days and something pops up.
-
I am a new cannabis vendor who recently had to raise prices. When I first listed I knew people would have reservations buying from a new vendor so I priced my buds competitively. I didn't know what the market was like so I made bulk orders, small amounts, and everything in between available. I cut deals. As feedback came in and more people wanted to give my service a try I quickly ran low on product - I soon ran out. My next crop was close behind but I knew it was going to be gone in a week or less if I didn't change my prices. So I raised them of course. This cut back on the demand and gives me a premium for my service. No one wants to shop at a store that is only stocked for a few days a month! Now my buds are available on the shelves 24/7 so when you log on you can always get what you want as long as you are willing to pay. I am attempting to maintain a minimum stock at all times and this is what I use to set my prices.
It isn't 'price gouging' whatever that is. It is simply matching supply and demand. It is how an open marketplace works. Who is getting screwed if I price things lower then people are willing to pay?
I have had some customers comment to me on my price increase and how they won't be able to justify it anymore. At the same time I have had many more customers return to order again at the higher price. I have also had many more new customers not blink at the higher prices and jump on board for a try. Why do some customers value my product differently and who is right/wrong?
As mentioned above there are also seasonal considerations in play here. I wouldn't doubt that in November/December there will be lots of new outdoor listed here for much lower rates then you are finding right now. At the moment though that grower is staring across the room at his last LB of outdoor from 2011 and thinking how he still has so much more to pay for before his 2012 crop is finished. How much is the last LB of weed on earth worth? Obviously that isn't the last LB on earth, but just think if it was... what would it be worth then?
I don't think indoor prices are going to change much seasonally of course. There are other factors in play though - mostly how hard the State is trying to stop us. As it gets more risky to do business prices will of course rise as fewer growers/vendors are willing to take the risk. The supply will shrink relative to the demand and prices will rise. If cannabis were legal then many would jump in the game and prices would plummet. I know I would have lower prices if I were able to grow like I know I can... a huge plantation with thousand of 3-5 LB plants. Unfortunately the State will take my freedom from me if I do this right now and that isn't worth the risk for me.
If I am able to maximize my return here from my investment of time/labor then what do you think I am going to spend my money on once I receive payment? More production of course! This means I am able to put that money back into my business and grow more herb for my customers. As my supply outpaces the demand I am going to have to drop my prices. Everything will settle out just where it is supposed to be.
One more thing to consider... how come everything else in America has gone up in price (gas, bills, food, etc) in the past 15 years but cannabis has generally remained the same price? Who is absorbing that? Why are prices rising all around us IRL and who is to blame? How much did an oz cost on here in usd a year ago compared to now? How much did an oz cost on here in btc a year ago compared to now?
You (the customers) are the ones we are working for. You tell us where to set our prices. You determine if we close up shop or increase production. This is done collectively and not via PM, but simply by you choosing to click the 'buy' button or the 'back' button. Tell me what you want and I will give it to you, but I am only listening to what you say with your hard earned money.
-
Vendors on SR ask super premium prices and supply you with standard grade weed is the problem (or slightly above average)
-
I'm just a nobody cannabis lover, but I totally agree with farmer1, I would much rather see my favorite vendors raise prices to cut back on demand than get overwhelmed and bug out permanently. Plus I will never, ever FE so if that means paying a little more to stay in escrow, so be it. The prices on here are higher than when I lived in a medical state (where supply is HUGE) but they are still comparable (even with bitcoin fees) to local prices and quality here in bumfuck nowhere.
I am a new cannabis vendor who recently had to raise prices. When I first listed I knew people would have reservations buying from a new vendor so I priced my buds competitively. I didn't know what the market was like so I made bulk orders, small amounts, and everything in between available. I cut deals. As feedback came in and more people wanted to give my service a try I quickly ran low on product - I soon ran out. My next crop was close behind but I knew it was going to be gone in a week or less if I didn't change my prices. So I raised them of course. This cut back on the demand and gives me a premium for my service. No one wants to shop at a store that is only stocked for a few days a month! Now my buds are available on the shelves 24/7 so when you log on you can always get what you want as long as you are willing to pay. I am attempting to maintain a minimum stock at all times and this is what I use to set my prices.
-
I have been shopping on the road for about 5 months now. Burned through 6 grrr on different vendors and such, all the while only looking for true top shelf quality. I have had wonderful luck with quite a few awesome people along the way. Some more reasonably priced than others. I have to say that price to quality is always a concern, but not top priority. Quality is the deciding factor. So going with this line of thought mushitup is tops on my list. The price for this type of quality is very reasonable. JahBUDS is also right on point. Lastly, a newbie has gotten some of my attention lately as well. The farmacy has some DANK offerings. It is like anything in life though, you can't afford it if you need to ask how much it costs....
-
i have wasted A TON of money on here buying "Medical Grade" cannabis, which really turns out to be dispensary-reject buds.
i will have to agree with monster on JahBUDS. their product, communication, packaging, shipping.. it's all on point and they are just a really good group of people... i am guessing? haha.
i have recently ordered from PlantDepot.. and it should be here tomorrow.
hopefully that Super Silver Cheese is immaculate. i'd hate to be let down.. like i usually am when i open a package.
gonna look into mushitup and lucymcgee. both of their strains right now look dizzaaaankkkk.
definitely check JahBUDS out. they're the killa' fo' rilla'.
/thumbs
-
Why buy grams? Plenty of vendors sell ounces here for 240-320 respectively. Remember as well than all prices on here have to be raised because SR Fees, Shipping, Risk, etc. As far as cannabis prices.. It's about to be harvest in about three weeks, so prices should drop and new vendors will probably join the ranks. Also no one is forcing you to buy these items remember that. Vendors continue to do so because they can. People pay not to have to meet someone face to face.