FS: Alex Titanium Gradient shift knob

[555sexydrive]

I purchased 2 shift knobs, first was the J's Racing Ti shift knob with my order of other stuff from J's and forgot I had and then I placed an order through AJ Racing for some lugnuts, centercaps, shiftboot and another Ti shift knob.

Well anyways the knob arrived today and I don't really need it. I paid $130 plus shipping and will let it go for $120 shipped. My slight loss is someone's gain (if anyone would even want this).

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy114/555sexydrive/Alex1.jpg
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy114/555sexydrive/Alex3.jpg

[EXWRX]

It's beautiful, but too rich for my blood. Plus I try to avoid metal shift knobs. Cold in the winter and burn you in the summer. :eek:

[555sexydrive]

Well I feel even more dumb, somebody asked on the other forum why I didn't just buy it in Japan. Honestly I thought it might be slightly higher because of the ¥/$ exchange. I never bothered to look, plus I ordered a couple more items from AJ Racing. Well I decided to check today and if I purchased directly from Alex and had it shipped to my residence here, it would of come to about $105. So not sure why it costs what it does on AJ's site, but it is what it is.

So with that, I will now sell it for $105 shipped. I don't believe in screwing people over. This is definitely a fair deal in my mind as I will end up losing about $40~50 (after shipping) and will never have used the piece. :) That's OK though, money was only created to be spent and we supposedly only live once in this life to spend what we have.

[manxman]

The reasons for the price difference between AJ and Japan are little things called "profit, and expenses"- like shipping and handling from Japan to N/A and back again.

[555sexydrive]

Well that is one huge profit markup. :) Obviously Alex here would still be making a profit on this thing as well at the price it costs. The shipping is quite ridiculous from what I have learned from my move back over here from Guam. Anyone that brings that into the equation is pretty much bullshitting people. A 20' or 40' container costs what it costs regardless of what is inside (and it is not very much in reality), not entirely true as if the thing is filled to the max with stuff like grain or rice that is when weight starts to play a part. Most places are not using express service (air) as I always hear companies stateside and/or Canada talking about waiting for a container to arrive.

I'm not knocking AJ, well maybe a little bit, because that truly is a huge price difference, plus there is a little more I learned about this company shortly after placing my order with them by another company here in Japan. Pretty disgusting business ethics and that is all I am going to say.

[manxman]

Well that is one huge profit markup. :) Obviously Alex here would still be making a profit on this thing as well at the price it costs. The shipping is quite ridiculous from what I have learned from my move back over here from Guam. Anyone that brings that into the equation is pretty much bullshitting people. A 20' or 40' container costs what it costs regardless of what is inside (and it is not very much in reality), not entirely true as if the thing is filled to the max with stuff like grain or rice that is when weight starts to play a part. Most places are not using express service (air) as I always hear companies stateside and/or Canada talking about waiting for a container to arrive.

I'm not knocking AJ, well maybe a little bit, because that truly is a huge price difference, plus there is a little more I learned about this company shortly after placing my order with them by another company here in Japan. Pretty disgusting business ethics and that is all I am going to say.
Marketers usually set their profit margin at "all that the market will bear". If people will pay what you did, why would they have any incentive to sell the knob for less? Most of their customers don't live in Japan, and don't have the ability to stumble onto the true facts the way that you did. Car parts have almost the same rip-off profit margin as the jewelry market. Your guy Alex is probably making 100% profit also.

But the profit margin on truly good quality products is not as obscene is it may seem. As a manufacturer who invests his time and talent in creating good quality, all he has to do is put his products on the market to bring out the copy-cats who sell garbage, and claim in their ads that their quality is equal to the expensive (good) brand. As a past manufacturer and international marketer of a uniquely good product, I am speaking from experience.

You are right though about the profit margin charged by AJ Racing. They didn't invent or manufacture the knob that you paid twice too much for.

[erik]

That's a good looking knob. I have a Ti knob that looks almost exactly like it. It's feather-weight at only 1.2 ounces.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/erikivy/Si/tiknob.jpg

I got it from Password JDM about 3 years ago for the Si I had prior to my Fit. It was "only" $70! It amazes me how costly titanium is. As it turns out, I hardly ever use it. I just like the feel of a weighted knob. I currently have a Razo knob in my Fit and love it.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/erikivy/Si/weight.jpg

Sorry for the hijack. I'm suspect someone will snap it up real quick.

[manxman]

I will add to the hijack- GREAT looking Razo knob Erik!

[erik]

I will add to the hijack- GREAT looking Razo knob Erik!

So you don't think it looks sorta like a penis???? :) That's the most common statement I hear when someone gets into my car. :D

[manxman]

So you don't think it looks sorta like a penis???? :) That's the most common statement I hear when someone gets into my car. :D
No, simply because I generally don't think in such terms. As an engineer, I see a lever as a lever, not an anatomical body part. You need more mature passengers, IMO. JK!. "Give a man a big enough lever, and he can move the WORLD". I forget which Greek philosopher coined that phrase.

[erik]

You need more mature passengers, IMO. JK!.

Nope, you right on with that comment. It's all about the company I keep......3 teenagers who see nothing but body parts in everything they look at. :)

[manxman]

Nope, you right on with that comment. It's all about the company I keep......3 teenagers who see nothing but body parts in everything they look at. :)
Wow! If they don't outgrow it, you're going to have grandchildren years prematurely.
Again, jk. I hope.

Sorry 555sexydrive, for diluting your thread. But how weirdly appropriate for your own user name! Hee hee.