American Kitefliers Association

You are absolutely right, Jim. Costs for labor, material, and shipping have all increased. Part of the reason for a larger jump is that we've resisted making small annual increases and after several years, have to make larger ones.

At GKPI, our G-Kites series increased but our custom show kites did not. That's the good news.

One other example you will understand all too well. We represent Peter Lynn Kites from your own New Zealand. But in the past four years, the exchange rate has climbed from $0.60 per US dollar to over $0.80 So costs for those kites have climbed significantly, even though our margins are smaller and the PL company makes the same amount in their domestic currency.

We'll do all we can to keep fun stuff affordable. But some increases are unavoidable.

David

Shipping costs are really causing problems for the small retailer.  Manufacturers used to provide shipping on orders of a certain size.  That has stopped so the retailers have to pick it up.  Yes, you can only raise prices so high before the public says "No way" and gets their kites from mass markets.  And when they don't fly well they blame the whole industry.  It's a no-win situation. 

kjm

As David says,  the New Zealand dollar has climbed a lot in relation to the US dollar.  That has been lucky for me, as it has made my purchases from David and other American sellers more affordable.  But I certainly feel sorry for anyone over there wanting to buy the big PL kites.  Maybe being satisfied with the smaller sizes made by David's company is the way to go.

It's an unfortunate fact of life, at least where I live, that most people see kites as "kids' things" and expect prices to match.  When I am flying, people often ask me, "Where can I buy one of those?" and I always tell them "Gomberg Kites" or wherever.  But when I tell them the price, they almost invariably lose interest.   So they maybe go to a toy shop, pay a few dollars for something that is basically rubbish and doesn't fly well, and then give up on kite-flying.  The same people will probably pay huge money to buy the latest in skis or the newest fashion in tennis rackets, but kite-flying has to be "cheap."

How do we convince people that kites are valuable objects that are worth the price asked?  I have no idea, except to keep flying and try to show that a well-designed and well-made kite from a reputable source is a thing of beauty and interest worth investing in for the years of pleasure it can bring.  Perhaps the kite industry as a whole needs to run a publicity campaign stressing the quality of its products compared to the cheap unbranded rubbish.  Maybe a slogan is needed: "Quality kites for intelligent kite-fliers," or some such thing that appeals to the buyers' vanity.

I just checked at random an American website selling ski gear.  The first pair of skis I looked at cost $350, a pair of boots another $350.  I didn't bother to check further , but with the clothes, the goggles, the poles and whatever, the total cost is enormous.  They might be used a few times in a year, whereas a kite costing a fraction of the amount could be flown a hundred times.  Why, then, are potential kite-buyers so reluctant to pay a reasonable price?  Again, I think it comes back to the idea that kite-flying is a kids' thing. 

We need to "adultify" the sport, hobby, or whatever we call it, in order to change this mindset.  Another slogan or two, maybe?  Perhaps "Real men fly kites," (sorry, far too sexist) or "Kites - the best stress reliever there is - and cheaper than a shrink." I really believe that, by the way.  Here in this earthquake-stricken city, I can either sit at home waiting for the next quake to rumble through, or go fly a kite and forget about everything.

Sorry about the ramble, and I know there are much greater minds than mine working on how to maintain the kite industry.  I just hope it continues to exist and to thrive so that more people can get to enjoy the simple pleasure of flying a real kite.

Agree with you Jim.  The notion of "kites are for kids" goes hand in hand with "toys". 

But serious adults (and there are plenty of them out there) looking for serious thrills or enjoyment will appreciate  that such activities are value-for-money in the long run.  Initial outlay may be perceived as large, but try to put a price on hourly enjoyment over a lifetime!? 

As an aside, our first family car was converted from petrol to LPG, when LPG was 29 cents per litre and petrol was double the price.  LPG is now near 80 cents per litre, but... compared to petrol? - still much, much cheaper! 

And we still drive to all the places we did before.  "Acceptance"... go with the flow...

I've been thinking again about the idea of publicising kite-flying more.  The old adage that "a picture is worth a thousand words" is very true.  I don't know how much advertising kite companies do, and obviously I see none of it in my remote part of the world.  I do appreciate that print or TV advertising is very expensive.  But it is not too expensive to produce posters, and if they can be distributed and shown widely enough, they could have a big impact.  Give them to clubs, schools and other organisations, get AKA members and others to show them in their (non-kite related) businesses, whatever.

I'm rambling again, but I just spent a few minutes on the computer and came up with a few suggestions.  I'm sure the experts could do a lot better.

Jim   

The photo with the "flowers" has wording that, on the preview at least, appears only when you click for the big picture.  Strange.

Every kite store should self-promote like this!  Are they all your own photos Jim? 

I'm not sure HOW best to develop this concept, but I could envisage they'd be a hit in schools as wall posters.  Sponsored by local kite businesses, perhaps?

Yes, they are just a few of my many photos.  I love to photograph kites almost as much as I love to fly them.

And on non-flying days like this (bad weather), I play around with the photos or my videos or my website instead - or fix kites if they need a small repair!

Jim

Looks to me like Jim really needs to submit some Kite Month poster suggestions....

David

A bit late for this year, but maybe, David, if I am still around next time I'll give it a go.   Feel free to use the idea from the Diablo one if you want!

Jim