Rifle scope price increases

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Just noticed that the Vortex Razor LHT prices have gone up a lot very recently. Not too long ago you could get them from about $750-$1000. Now they are going for just under $1000-$1300+.

No plans on buying one but a 30%+ price increase over the short term is a bit much.

Any one else seeing sizable price increases on optics?

 

[gcronin]

Appreciate you checking out our optics - The past few years have presented some unique challenges for not just Vortex, but companies both within our industry and elsewhere. With rising material costs, supply shortages and inflation all playing a large role in our daily lives, you may have noticed a price increase for certain Vortex products. We are paying close attention to all the factors listed above, and as things change, will continue to do whatever we can to always put the customer (you!) first and maintain both the quality and service you’ve come to expect from Vortex. Most of all, thank you for being a part of Vortex Nation and for your patience – always feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

You are welcome America

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Appreciate you checking out our optics - The past few years have presented some unique challenges for not just Vortex, but companies both within our industry and elsewhere. With rising material costs, supply shortages and inflation all playing a large role in our daily lives, you may have noticed a price increase for certain Vortex products. We are paying close attention to all the factors listed above, and as things change, will continue to do whatever we can to always put the customer (you!) first and maintain both the quality and service you’ve come to expect from Vortex. Most of all, thank you for being a part of Vortex Nation and for your patience – always feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!

Appreciate you commenting on this.

My intent was not to knock Vortex but was more of an eye opener. We've seen price increases on ammo and reloading components but prices have been fairly static on other hunting-related items including rifle scopes. Another member this morning posted that Tikkas at Sportsmans have gone up $50 overnight.

May be time to move up some planned purchases.

 

[nobody]

What's disgusting is, on the retail side, not all wholesale prices have increased, but retail prices have. We've been instructed to perform price changes on the guns behind the counter at my second job, some of them as much as 3 to 500 bucks. When we scan the item to check the sku, the store cost on those items has not increased, but the markup has significantly. Typical retail firearm markup has been about 15%, now it's as high as 40%.

In the case of Vortex, their retail prices have gone up because their build costs and overhead costs have gone up. But in the case of many firearm companies, build costs have not been increased to retailers, but the retail chains have sure chomped at the bit to take advantage of the inflation and the political climate. It's disgusting.

The Tikka that OP mentioned, cost hasn't increased. Only the retail price. So the retail chains are now just making an extra $50 per sale of that Tikka because "inflation did it." Markup percentages have increased dramatically unfortunately, and not all of it is because of the cost of wholesale goods.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

What's disgusting is, on the retail side, not all wholesale prices have increased, but retail prices have. We've been instructed to perform price changes on the guns behind the counter at my second job, some of them as much as 3 to 500 bucks. When we scan the item to check the sku, the store cost on those items has not increased, but the markup has significantly. Typical retail firearm markup has been about 15%, now it's as high as 40%.

In the case of Vortex, their retail prices have gone up because their build costs and overhead costs have gone up. But in the case of many firearm companies, build costs have not been increased to retailers, but the retail chains have sure chomped at the bit to take advantage of the inflation and the political climate. It's disgusting.

The Tikka that OP mentioned, cost hasn't increased. Only the retail price. So the retail chains are now just making an extra $50 per sale of that Tikka because "inflation did it." Markup percentages have increased dramatically unfortunately, and not all of it is because of the cost of wholesale goods.

Thank you for the additional information.

 

[KHNC]

Must not be the 4-22 LHT . It lists at 2000 if im not mistaken. Not sure if it increased above that either.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

I bought a Leupold VX-5HD right after they came out for $599. Can't find them anywhere near that now

 

[kickemall]

Two things come to mind. Supply and demand is one the other is as the price of fuel climbs everything else has to also.

 

[svivian]

What's disgusting is, on the retail side, not all wholesale prices have increased, but retail prices have. We've been instructed to perform price changes on the guns behind the counter at my second job, some of them as much as 3 to 500 bucks. When we scan the item to check the sku, the store cost on those items has not increased, but the markup has significantly. Typical retail firearm markup has been about 15%, now it's as high as 40%.

In the case of Vortex, their retail prices have gone up because their build costs and overhead costs have gone up. But in the case of many firearm companies, build costs have not been increased to retailers, but the retail chains have sure chomped at the bit to take advantage of the inflation and the political climate. It's disgusting.

The Tikka that OP mentioned, cost hasn't increased. Only the retail price. So the retail chains are now just making an extra $50 per sale of that Tikka because "inflation did it." Markup percentages have increased dramatically unfortunately, and not all of it is because of the cost of wholesale goods.

If you are working for the store i think you are, are you looking at the age of the item? Are these new items recently shipped in? Sometimes the system is reflecting the wholesale price at the time the product was ordered and wont update until new stock comes in or is ordered by your centralized fulfillment center.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Two things come to mind. Supply and demand is one the other is as the price of fuel climbs everything else has to also.

The cost of fuel is still spread out across the contents inside the 18-wheeler. How many thousands of scopes can fit in a container? You can double the cost of fuel and it will won't result in a 20-30% increase in the cost of an individual scope scope.

The price increase is selective. Not seeing a 20-30% or higher price increase on their spotting scopes (all lines), binoculars (all lines), and almost all of their rifle scopes (all lines). The current price increase was pretty much limited to the LHT that I see.

Prices on Leupold VX5 HDs and VX6 HDs have gone up about $50-$75. This is based upon what I paid for both models a couple of years ago versus what I can buy the same models today.

My intent on the original post was not to disparage anyone. If folks are planning on making a hunting-related purchase, they may want to move their purchase up before getting an unexpected price increase. Easier to eat a price increase of $50 than $300+.