First Lite death spiral?

[sewbadithurts]

Anyone know what's the deal with those guys? PE disease?

Site had been out of stock on corrugate pants and traverse gaiters for like a year. Finally just got some gaiters off ebay.

 

[Macintosh]

What is PE disease?

Most smaller manufacturers only do one production of a item per year. FL definitely counts as a smaller manufacturer. hunting companies especially where nearly 100% of their sales are seasonal. Dont expect a fall hunting item to be back in stock until right before hunting season, and then if they sell out to be out until the following season. Cant say that's what you are seeing, but it's a strong bet it's a big part of it.

 

[Nova]

They must only make certain items once or twice a year. I have had this issue before too, but it is worth the wait if you can. Most of their gear is very good.

 

[Poser]

I wouldn't be surprised if they are holding out on certain reorders due to tariff related price instability. These particular products could have lower margins and their consumer research shows a price increase hits the profitability tipping point of too much leftover stock.

 

[Nova]

I wouldn't be surprised if they are holding out on certain reorders due to tariff related price instability. These particular products could have lower margins and their consumer research shows a price increase hits the profitability tipping point of too much leftover stock.

That's a very good point. I forgot about the tariffs.

 

[ChrisAU]

Anyone know what's the deal with those guys? PE disease?

Site had been out of stock on corrugate pants and traverse gaiters for like a year. Finally just got some gaiters off ebay.

Pretty sure both of those items have been soft discontinued for a while. Selling out what they have with new options coming this year, Corrugates have long been replaced by the Corrugate Foundrys.

 

[ChrisAU]

Yeah just looked, 25% off but no sizes in stock. The original Corrugate pant isn't coming back. On the Traverse gaiter, the L/XL is too small for me and I'm average size. You probably won't see S/M come back.

 

[sewbadithurts]

PE = Private equity, you know the enshittification of everything.

The soft drop of a product sort of makes sense but you know selling it out and dropping it from the store makes more.

 

[adamm88]

Anyone know what's the deal with those guys? PE disease?

Site had been out of stock on corrugate pants and traverse gaiters for like a year. Finally just got some gaiters off ebay.

If i were to guess tariffs but also the big game hunting season cloth buying is Summer-December Holiday rush. I looked on Kuius site for something today they are out of a bunch as well.

 

[Twobeers]

Some of my favorite hunting clothes are older first lite items. Their newer stuff is over priced and not as good as what they were selling 4-5 years ago.

 

[Macintosh]

PE = Private equity, you know the enshittification of everything.

The soft drop of a product sort of makes sense but you know selling it out and dropping it from the store makes more.

Both of those products are still in stock. Just not the size you want. You can expect them to do exactly what you said—take them down when they have sold through.

Re: PE. Sure, might have something to do with it. Might not. Minimum order quantities and the need to pay 100% up front for goods produced by nearly all factories Ive ever worked with means that on seasonal products (like technical hunting clothing with a very concentrated seasonal demand) there can only be 1 production per year. Once out, they are out until next season. It doesnt take private equity to make decisions like that to manage your cash flow—thats just what it takes to make payroll and keep the lights on year-round.