First off being pretty new to hunting gear and love reading about these top selling companies and their products. I was first blown away at the prices some of these companies charge for their product. I mean It's insane!! With this said, welcome to the retail world and marked up pricing for advertisement and store markup from dealer pricing. I think Jason and KUIU have a great thing going for the time we live today and internet sales. Myself speaking don't have a lot of money but am a firm believer in getting good product that should last and not leave you with a sour taste in your mouth. So his internet business design is a crazy great idea. Now, he must focus on his specialty. I read a few stories about Jason and how he came to start KUIU and believe he knows his stuff, but I think was a little overzealous in creating an entire hardcore hunting line with basically everything to sell. The problem is, he's not a master at all his products, and tried putting out to many things that were not ready, tested, and finished product inspected with a fine eye. Instead they were just shipped with minimal staff prepared to handle the response he got. With his background with Sitka and Gortex he should have just dialed in with his clothes line first. Maybe even just a few different hunting sets, and work with his seamstresses to build a relationship with them to make sure they could handle the demand. I'm sure he never thought the response was going to be as big as it was, but as a business owner, this is how you also loose customers and a business. To me what I respect and understand is the mindset of a skilled Japanese craftsman. This is a person who focuses on one product and becomes a master of it. It takes years and years to accomplish this skill and be the best. I love Japanese Knife makers for instance...These guys are masters at their craft and take pride in producing the best product available. You don't see these master knife makers decide to start making spoons, or forks, or cutting blocks do you? I appreciate his motivation for creating a whole line, but realistically what do we as consumers expect? Top notch product correct? Yes we do!! This saying, do your homework guys....Know your product!!! You spent a lot of money on products this guy never made before, and products where your life actually depends on it. If I had the money I would never spend top money on somebody's first try at a tent or a backpack. In fact I never buy the first of any new product until they work the kinks out. I have in the past and learned my lesson the first time. I'm glad I live in a country where I'm allowed to do what ever I like, and start any business or any line of product I want. With this said, does it have to be the best? No....But if it were me, I would make darn sure it was because I wouldn't want to endanger anyones life, or take hard earned money on something that has not been tested in the real world. But this is America and he's allowed to do as he wants.....And thank God for the freedom to do that. This comes back to know your product, and stick with the people or companies that perfect their product, and if you take a chance at the new guy, thats on you. Yes, it should live up to it's description, but we all know that thats not always the case. So hopefully he gets focused on his dream, and backs up all product descriptions with great reviews and great functionality. I hope he keeps the prices down, as there is no retail or middleman to up the price by 30-40%. Are his products worth that now? Could you imagine tacking 30-40% on a $350 dollar 1850 backpack? No way do I think it's worth it....not in a million years...Yes, he uses top of the line material to make, but without a middleman, prices should be cheaper in my opinion. That was his theory in the beginning. Cut the middle man out, and give the savings to the consumer. Are we getting this? From the prices I'm seeing, its slowly turning into retail prices now...ok, my coffee is obviously working this morning and I hope to not piss anyone off, and if I have, I apologize. Was not my intention to you guys.
