wind gypsy
WKR
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2014
- Messages
- 9,676
They are essentially built to order. It’s the only way a very custom, niche product like this gets made. No way one of the big mfgs would take the risk, and if one of the “boutique” tent makers made it, it would cost 2-3x.
Massdrop’s (Now “Drop”) business model is taken from the idea of a forum “group buy”. For those familiar or experienced with “group buys” you know they normally take a lot of logistical planning, someone to collect all the payments and then work with the Mfg or supplier on fulfillment. Usually there are long lead times due to a separate manufacturing “run”. This is similar.
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I didn’t mean it as a complaint, if I didn’t own a SS2 I’d probably order one. Just saying that I think they would sell a bunch more if they were more readily available. I prefer the Xmid design to the new 2 pole options from seek outside (which are sweet in their own right) and they have some benefits over existing designs like the stratospire and sierra designs high route, not to mention the many pyramids in use. I’m not sure they are such a niche item.
Speaking of the SS2, it uses “better” or at least more expensive materials and is quite a bit less than 2x the price.