I’ve been playing paintball for about 4 years and I’ve used plenty of good equipment that doesn’t break the bank. But what I don’t understand is why Dye costs so much money. I’ve used Dye’s equipment and I honestly think it’s worse than some more inexpensive equipment. I don’t understand why the charge so much for their equipment.
Paying mostly for the name. Same reason a Nike sweatshirt costs more than a generic sweatshirt. I think they also do it so an elite few own their gear, and/or so it’s reserved more for their sponsored teams, who pay less (or nothing) for it.
Of course, that’s what the used market is for. I’ve gotten all my Dye guns used for a fraction of their original cost, although i usually wait a few years. For example, i only recently purchased a DM7 this february, $275 used.
Because who wouldn’t shell out a couple hundred more bucks for a blue circle on all their gear!! ;D
The reason is because the market will pay it. I know that’s seemingly a trite answer but it’s very true. There are those that will pay lots of money, for good reasons and bad, for the latest and greatest equipment that companies have to offer. Sometimes also you can’t sell a so-touted “High-end” marker for less. What would you think if someone offered you a $5,000 Lamborghini?
Tournaments are a funny thing because small advantages tend to get magnified and sometimes all that is needed is the player’s confidence needs to change and suddenly he goes from scrub to a terror in no time flat! For most players Paintball guns aren’t always about the accuracy (Although I beg to differ). It’s also about ease of use, comfort, and trust because it’s ultimately a human that uses it. If he doesn’t believe in his tools he will ultimately fail.
So even though a Dye which costs about $1300 is probably not that much different (performance-wise) than a MacDev Droid which runs about $1000, somebody who buys it is paying for more than the performance. There’s also comfort, ease of use, ease of maintenance and quite possibly even, for the perception of performance.
Markets set prices, and markets are people. If it seems irrational, it’s because people are irrational.