Redarc Manager30 Price

[UIZ733]

Redarc list this item on their Website at ~ $2190. This seller and a few others list it around $1300; http://www.autoelec.com.au/redarc-bms1230s2-dual-battery-management-system-ch
I inquired about fitting the Manager30 as an option to our new rig IF we decide to install Lithium batteries. The camper manufacturer has given it the 'tick of approval' as a product, and have fitted quite a few. When pricing the option, they told me that the price they pay for the Manager is $2190 direct from Redarc. The reason for buying direct from Redarc to ensure after sales support as apparently YOU MUST BUY directly from Redarc to ensure after sales support. I absolutely believe what I have been told is correct.
How can Redarc therefore justify selling their product to a business that is clearly going to retail it (for ~$800 less) and somehow indicate it MAY NOT HAVE after sales support. It makes no sense to me. Does the re-seller have an 'overseas' registered business or some other scheme to enable them to on-sell the product?
Confused 

[Bird]

Does the re-seller have an 'overseas' registered business or some other scheme to enable them to on-sell the product?

Have you asked autoelectau about warranty etc?

[UIZ733]

I have not contacted either Redarc of any of the re-sellers..............................yet. I would like to have some idea of 'what is going on' before I do.

[corndog]

I have never bought anything direct from Redac and they have always answered any questions I have had. Never had anything fail but it is all out of warranty now so I would be paying for their service anyway if it needed fixed. Prices were well under RRP of Redarc. Sounds like the camper manufacturer wants all he can get from you. They might be supplying it but at the premium price. They might also be covering themselves for their aftersales service if needed. And on top of this is the installation charge, how much for that?  Autoelectau is an  authorised Redarc dealer and he sells a ton of their products. I would be getting some other quotes before I go with them for the install. I would think the $800 saving has just paid for the install including the 240 work.

[Bird]

I have never bought anything direct from Redac and they have always answered any questions I have had.

I've even asked questions on their forum and had replies back without question even on items I didnt own.

I think someone wants you to pay lots of 100's for their xmas fund.

[DSzuke]

I have been wondering the same thing. I need to get a system put in our new trailer and really want The Manager.

I thought it was possibly just the "market rate".  The manufacturer gives a rrp but the sellers need to price them more realistically to actually sell them. If I decide to get one it will most likely be through Autoelectau but I will follow this thread with interest.

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[UIZ733]

Sounds like the camper manufacturer wants all he can get from you. They might be supplying it but at the premium price. They might also be covering themselves for their aftersales service if needed. And on top of this is the installation charge, how much for that?  Autoelectau is an  authorised Redarc dealer and he sells a ton of their products. I would be getting some other quotes before I go with them for the install. I would think the $800 saving has just paid for the install including the 240 work.

I find it difficult to accept that this is the answer.
The camper comes standard with A Victron MPPT Solar Controller (if the solar option is chosen), a Victron 240V charger and a VSR (cannot remember the brand) as standard. Total value would be $500-600. The installation of these three items, must be more time consuming than the Redarc I would have thought. If Autoelec is selling the Manager30 for about $1300, one would assume it is at a profit. Why would Redarc sell cheaper to Autoelec (or some other re-sellers) than a camper manufacturer? I could accept that the Camper manufacturer wants to 'rip me off' IF he was insisting that the Redarc MUST be fitted. He is not. He is simply saying that the price he pays for the Manager30 direct from redarc is $2190 and that if it is selected, that is the cost. He is quite happy to supply/install Enerdrive products. I would have thought that a reputable camper manufacturer would have little if any interest in making money in this manner, particularly when the client can see what the item could be bought for, elsewhere. One would assume that the item being retailed is the genuine product? Why would Redarc even try to sell the product directly (at an rrp that is substantially more expensive) if they have approved 'sales outlets'?
I am not hell bent on having the Redarc product, rather trying to make sense of the way the product is marketed and retailed.

[Paddler Ed]

I struggle time and time again to beat Autoelec's prices - even our local Lion battery place tells you to buy from there if you want a Projecta ID25S battery system, they just can't compete on price.

I could get within $100 of Autoelec buying the Projecta ID25S locally; Repco were $200 more (but happy to match the local lowest price) and the local parts place was north again...

I paid $220 for my Redarc Brake controller from Autoelec; locally it was Redarc's RRP (like their website)

Personally, I suspect that he's not paying $2190, but a price perhaps 25%-50% lower than that and following the RRP - however, I know at times Autoelec are lower than some retailers buy-in price, and they just can't compete. If buy in is say $1000, I suspect that the other retailers are following the normal margin, whereas Autoelec have gone for a low margin, high volume/turnover model.

[corndog]

I would think that a reseller wouldn't buy at RRP, they would buy at wholesale or better, depending on sales volume. If they buy at RRP with no profit margin what's the point. The profit margin would be what the seller is happy with. I agree that Autoelec is working on high turn over low profit margin. If a camper manufacturer is selling this at the RRP he will be making his profit on it and if people are willing to pay it, good for them. The best answer to your question might be to contact Redarc themselves to find out why the difference in price and why YOU MUST BUY from them direct to have after sale support. Please post their reply as I think lots would like to know.

[Bird]

I struggle time and time again to beat Autoelec's prices - even our local Lion battery place tells you to buy from there if you want a Projecta ID25S battery system, they just can't compete on price.

mate who worked at Opposite Lock told me the same.

[kylarama]

they told me that the price they pay for the Manager is $2190 direct from Redarc. The reason for buying direct from Redarc to ensure after sales support as apparently YOU MUST BUY directly from Redarc to ensure after sales support. I absolutely believe what I have been told is correct.

Sorry, but I'm struggling to swallow this one.

From my dealing with Redarc and reading the tons of threads on Redarc. They will happily give advice to any current or potential Redarc buyers. Regardless of where the purchase was/is made.

As for wholesale price being the same as the website RRP. Sounds more like large mark up justification.

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[DrewXT]

You also have to consider with autoelec, that he buys a pallet of TowPro Elite brake controllers at a time, so his wholesale discount will be massive.

There are a few products he's not as competitive on, such as Victron, as he gets supplied via Queensland on that gear rather then direct

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[GuJohnno]

I used to be an "Authorised Redarc Installer " in my previous business. But I still couldn't buy direct off Redarc, very few (ARB) can. Most buy through Ashdown Ingram or Cooldrive.
The prices Autoelectau sell them at is cheaper than what I could get them at even though I was an authorised installer.
I don't believe that Autoelectau buy from Redarc either but have a connection with Ashdowns and buy by the pallet load to get these pricing.
Redarc have tried to stop this but it is very hard to do under consumer law.



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[corndog]

Lets not single out Autoelec. A quick search on Flebay and you'll find others selling this well under the RRP.

[UIZ733]

Redarc have tried to stop this but it is very hard to do under consumer law.



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Surely, all they would have to do is NOT sell to them. Autoelec clearly states he is an 'authorised agent/seller'. Preventing somebody on-selling would be different proposition I guess.
None of it makes any sense to me, except Redarc believe that punters are dumb enough for some reason to pay $800 more if they purchase direct from them.

[GuJohnno]

Surely, all they would have to do is NOT sell to them. Autoelec clearly states he is an 'authorised agent/seller'. Preventing somebody on-selling would be different proposition I guess.
None of it makes any sense to me, except Redarc believe that punters are dumb enough for some reason to pay $800 more if they purchase direct from them.

They don't sell to them. As stated above.


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[UIZ733]

I have decided NOT to contact Redarc on this matter. I have NOT 'chickened out'. My reasons are;
1. If it is available at a cheaper price, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, just buy it at that price.
2. Warranty conditions will be as provided by consumer law.
3. Don't stir a hornets nest and potentially 'shut down' a retailer and create 'bad blood' all round.
4. The most likely explanation as to why my camper manufacturer is buying from Redarc is similar to the arrangement Enerdrive have with Kedron Caravans and other premium builders. Basically that is; 'do it our way' otherwise we are not really interested, and our 3yr warranty does not apply. In a nutshell, do it 'our way' and we all can have a chubby.
Thanks to all who have responded.

[Bird]

3. Don't stir a hornets nest and potentially 'shut down' a retailer and create 'bad blood' all round.

Bad Blood?
Shut them down??? hahahahahhahahahhahahha!!!!!
You dont think redarc dont know about Autoelec already? if they were going to or could actually do it dont you think they would have?

[GuJohnno]

Bad Blood?
Shut them down??? hahahahahhahahahhahahha!!!!!
You dont think redarc dont know about Autoelec already? if they were going to or could actually do it dont you think they would have?

That's the problem, they can't.
These units will have warranty.
If you bought one and got it installed by someone and you had a problem with it (unlikely) you would also have to arrange to have it removed at your cost and ship it back to where you bought it to be assessed.


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[kylarama]

Can't imagine a manufacturer/supplier getting too pi55ed off at a retailer that is consistently buying pallet load after pallet load of their product.

Different story if Autoelectau are selling below wholesale.  'Loss Leader' law means Redarc can stop suppling them.

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[Bird]

Can't imagine a manufacturer/supplier getting too pi55ed off at a retailer that is consistently buying pallet load after pallet load of their product.

bINGo!!!!!!