Kit Price Inceases

[FlyerJumper]

Anyone have some input on Vans history of kit price increases. I'm getting close to purchsing my first kit, and was just curious because they indicate "kit prices adjusted Jan 1".

Thanks,
Mark.

[Mike S]

If my memory is correct, it is in the 3% area.

Mike

[mgomez]

Don't think of it as buying a kit. Think of it as "investing in aluminum futures." It's much easier to explain to...you know who...that way.

[jcoloccia]

Their prices pretty much go up every January 1st like clockwork. Also, the price you pay is the price at time of shipment, NOT at the time you place your deposit. You can call them and check on my facts here, but the bottom line is that I think you're pretty much hosed on the wing/fuselage since there's no way it'd ship in time for the new year.

You can probably still get the empennage at the current price, though. They keep those in stock and you'd have it in about 1 1/2 weeks typically (few days to process the order and crate it. A few days for delivery).

[TShort]

I talked to someone at Van's about this the other day ... she said they hadn't decided about price increases yet.

She told me that if I order the QB fuse and put 25% down before Jan 1 then I can "lock in" the current price. Only stipulation is that when it is ready to ship I have to pay the balance and take it (she said this is to prevent people ordering now and then saying "I don't need it for another year - don't ship yet")

Thomas
-8 flaps

[grover]

am curious about this myself, as I ordered the fus a couple days ago. provided the 25%, but because of my ability to procrastinate, what should have been ordered well before jan 1 was instead ordered . . . well, now.

james kleen

[jcoloccia]

Originally Posted by grover

am curious about this myself, as I ordered the fus a couple days ago. provided the 25%, but because of my ability to procrastinate, what should have been ordered well before jan 1 was instead ordered . . . well, now.

james kleen

It'd be nice if they had some sort of consistent policy on this. Based on a previous post, maybe you'll be OK after all

[mgomez]

I paid for my QB kit in full when I ordered it, just before the new year. I was not affected by the price increase, even though it shipped 6 months into the year. It would've meant another $600 or so.

[Tom Maxwell]

I don't think Van's policies have changed at all. Price changes occur at the beginning of the year. If you order before the beginning of the year you get the old price. 25% is needed to place the order with the remainder due before shipment. It makes sense that you can't indefinitely hold a price with a down-payment and must take delivery when kits become available or pay the higher price when you are ready.

I think I remember reading that Van's tries to limit price increases to 4% or less. From my perspective the kits are still very popular (I haven't seen Van's books to substantiate this) so I can't anticipate any reason why Van's wouldn't raise prices again, but who knows. As a previous poster indicates, Van's hasn't decided yet. The only sure thing is if you order now and take delivery when kits are available you will get current pricing.

If you have the storage room and have no doubts about finishing the kit, there really is no reason to wait. If you want the comfort of not committing and paying as you go, the priviledge could cost you upwards of $600 to $800.

[tomwebster]

I thought you had to pay in full to
get the ending year price.
I may be wrong, but you may want
to check with Vans.
Tom