KUIU hardcore gear or expensive toilet Paper?

[whiskeydog]

That being said most companies that produce this gear at the high price point also match the quality of the product with comparable customer service. Usually

Look at Vortex Optics...not quite swaro or zeiss, but good quality nonetheless. I plan on buying one this month based on their quality, but especially because of their warranty. With their company, I can miss a shot, get mad, throw my spotter off the cliff, and as long as I'm willing to climb down and find it, they will replace for free. Now...that's customer service!

 

[Dinkshooter]

Speaking of super HARDCORE maybe Kuiu should send some gear to my 65 year old father to test. After a three day goat hunt this is what his pants look like. Not a manufacture issue but not a strong argument on how tough the gear is.

Those pants look dirty, warranty VOIDED.

 

[whiskeydog]

even if the jacket was dirty and smelled like a sasquatch, you'd think they could have at least charged you $10 or so and washed it there...

 

[CabinFever]

Look at Vortex Optics...not quite swaro or zeiss, but good quality nonetheless. I plan on buying one this month based on their quality, but especially because of their warranty. With their company, I can miss a shot, get mad, throw my spotter off the cliff, and as long as I'm willing to climb down and find it, they will replace for free. Now...that's customer service!

No doubt there are exceptions. I certainly plan to look at Vortex next time I buy optics, you can't beat that.

 

[sweetnectar]

All I can say is if rain gear costs $500 then it better cure cancer and keep you dry. $$$$$$$$$$$

 

[jryoung]

apparently moths prefer higher quality merino wool...

and there is no way that KUIU prices are 30-40% under comparable competitor models.

My comment was in regard to their pricing at retail if they were to show up in stores, not cost under competitors.

 

[whiskeydog]

My comment was in regard to their pricing at retail if they were to show up in stores, not cost under competitors.

exactly! and if you sold them in a retailer store (at the 30-40% markup that you cited) they would not compete. because they are going direct to consumer and not through a retailer. they need to be 30-40% under competitors retail products to justify their pricing.

 

[jryoung]

That's not how it works though, their markup is based on their cost to produce which is higher. Their raw materials cost more than say Sitka, but they don't have the retailer markup that Sitka does. It's not an apples to apples comparison.

This is exactly why KUIU was created. Jason figured he could deliver a better product with better materials, but the cost of those materials would place him out of the market at the retail level so he went to a direct distributor model.

He certainly has some issue with the model, customer service and quality control. If he want to continue to succeed he'll need to make some changes. First fix customer service and the canned responses for quality control issue, while addressing the QC issue that are coming out of the MFG. facility.

 

[whiskeydog]

i haven't owned QUIU, but I have used Sitka for several years...Sitka is outrageously priced, but the quality is unreal. I would have a very hard time believing that QUIU's quality is superior to Sitka, and thus justify their comparable (but not retail) pricing. Their customer service, apparently, is not.

 

[jryoung]

I owned 90% prior to KUIU, it wasn't even a question that KUIU had better materials to me,. That aside, and 90% outerwear set is $518, while comparable KUIU is $378, a 37% difference.

All that said, I'm not sold on the Chugach rain gear. I'll take Sierra Designs Hurricane gear for $120 a set all day long.

 

[Dinkshooter]

All I can say is if rain gear costs $500 then it better cure cancer and keep you dry. $$$$$$$$$$$

Thank you!!! There is a certain price point at which you are no longer looking for headaches. My brother is currently in a different tax bracket than me. Me? I bought some Russell Gear rain gear last year. $150 for the set. If they leak, tear, rip, or delaminate I couldn’t nor wouldn’t yell out a peep.

 

[whiskeydog]

sitka has jackets priced from $190 to $550...not exactly an apples to apples comparison when looking at KUIU's limited line. that being said...i agree 100%! on the sierra designs approach. there are so many "non hunting" companies out there offering great quality gear at good prices...i honestly think that if i really wanted to, i could probably do a decent job outfitting myself for next season by shopping only at costco

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

What did all the hardcore guys do before designer hunting clothes?

 

[whiskeydog]

What did all the hardcore guys do before designer hunting clothes?

wool

 

[WV Hunter]

What did all the hardcore guys do before designer hunting clothes?

Maybe wear hipster douche bag Patagonia clothes and drink PBR?

I don't know, what did they do?

 

[whiskeydog]

Maybe wear hipster douche bag Patagonia clothes and drink PBR?

I don't know, what did they do?

anyone who doesn't like PBR is a communist...

 

[Bambistew]

After a three day goat hunt this is what his pants look like.

Did he get a goat?

 

[EBOLAVIRS]

His business model is a little odd, he is working the "exclusivity" angle like high end clubs do with only letting a certain number or certain people in thus creating hype and product interest. Kuiu gear for the most part must be ordered months in advance and he is constantly talking about "limited quantities" and "selling out". He has probably made more money than he can spend in 10 lifetimes so maybe he doesn't care. I predict he will get the KUIU brand built up just like he did with Sitka, sell it for a bundle and start something else. Rinse and repeat until you cant get enough dump trucks to drive your money to the bank. Smart guy if you think about it.

 

[Drake4]

Good God, some of you guys spend way too much time on the internet. The chances of me reading through 4 pages of this crap are about 0.

Anyways..back to the original couple of issues. I stated I was a little pissed off by the initial response about my shirt but would give them a chance to make it right before I bombed them on the internet or blew up their Facebook page (like that's going to get much accomplished anyways).

I got some time to snap a few pics of the shirt last night and emailed them off. Within an hour I had a response from thier customer service rep. A brand new shirt is in the mail to me today. Can't ask for much more than that..pretty good customer service if you ask me. Great gear.

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

I bombed them on the internet or blew up their Facebook page (like that's going to get much accomplished anyways).

Good grief! Do not underestimate the power of a thread. I started a thread on monstermuleys.com that resulted in the MDF changing their policy on collecting donations.

Someone at kuiu has read this thread. Fact.