Replica Kits

m4a1mustang · 02-02-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Well m4a1 usually pays for extra for small things.

If anyone knows about spending more on shipping than on the actual product it's me. Overnight or GTFO.

RedBullRR · 02-02-2011, 03:41 PM

I just had that for lunch. MMMM Bodega food in the hood for 3.50 cant beat that.

m4a1mustang · 02-02-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBullRR

I just had that for lunch. MMMM Bodega food in the hood for 3.50 cant beat that.

Jeffblue · 02-02-2011, 04:00 PM

on a serious note.... if the JDM companies weren't charging several thousand dollars for aero kits, there would be less of a market for the replicas. If you look at the price elasticity of demand for aero stuff, you dont see too many people scooping up authentic zele, amuse, etc kits. However, you see these replica threads and theres TONS of people chomping at the bit to get a kit. A product will only be successfull if there is demand for it at its selling price. Clearly there is demand, but not enough to keep these companies healthy at the prices they want.

From a ethical perspective, its clearly not 'right' to just copy someone elses kits and sell them. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these replica kits weren't really eating into the sales of the real brands as much as you would think. Anyone who is passionate enough about getting authentic amuse or zele kits, will probably still get one, and anyone who can only cought up a few hundred dollars for a replica kit, probably couldn't have afforded the real thing anyway.

370Ztune · 02-02-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

on a serious note.... if the JDM companies weren't charging several thousand dollars for aero kits, there would be less of a market for the replicas. If you look at the price elasticity of demand for aero stuff, you dont see too many people scooping up authentic zele, amuse, etc kits. However, you see these replica threads and theres TONS of people chomping at the bit to get a kit. A product will only be successfull if there is demand for it at its selling price. Clearly there is demand, but not enough to keep these companies healthy at the prices they want.

From a ethical perspective, its clearly not 'right' to just copy someone elses kits and sell them. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these replica kits weren't really eating into the sales of the real brands as much as you would think. Anyone who is passionate enough about getting authentic amuse or zele kits, will probably still get one, and anyone who can only cought up a few hundred dollars for a replica kit, probably couldn't have afforded the real thing anyway.

The price is due to several factors, cost of materials - higher quality resins for the FRP parts, Japanese labor is more expensive - you get an attention to detail that can only be seen with Japan-made parts, and the cost of R&D involves actually getting a hold of a car and doing all the clay modeling, $30,000K+ of mold making and costs of materials. The knock-off companies don't have any of those costs to worry about, plus the parts are usually made in China for pennies. Bottom line, you get what you pay for.

As far as buying real versus fake, you'd be surprised how many people think the replica is actually the original. For example, for the Spoon hardtop for the Honda S2000, the knock-off company "Shine" has made so many cheap copies that many S2K owners believe they are the originators of the design!

Again, I'm not trying to preach, but simply make sure that everybody can make informed decisions.

-Kris

shadoquad · 02-02-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Ztune

Bottom line, you get what you pay for.

phelan · 02-02-2011, 04:45 PM

Kris - who are you and what have you done with Mike?!?!?!?????

toxik · 02-02-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

Kris - who are you and what have you done with Mike?!?!?!?????

Mike's replica

370Ztune · 02-02-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

Kris - who are you and what have you done with Mike?!?!?!?????

I'm actually the GT-R specialist, but I know a bit about the 370Z, so I've been getting more involved with Z stuff.

Trips · 02-02-2011, 04:59 PM

Lemers · 02-02-2011, 05:18 PM

Yes the original designer has R&D costs but they should also reduce the price of the product once the R&D has been recouped.

tonybui · 02-02-2011, 05:24 PM

geez, this thread is full of hatred against replica .... Am I gonna be killed for buying the Amuse aero kit ??

Vegitto-kun · 02-02-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybui

geez, this thread is full of hatred against replica .... Am I gonna be killed for buying the Amuse aero kit ??

the real one or fake?

tonybui · 02-02-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegitto-kun

the real one or fake?

Lets not start it again hahaha.

Lemers · 02-02-2011, 05:25 PM

Only if you buy the replica

02-02-2011, 04:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 38 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 39	on a serious note.... if the JDM companies weren't charging several thousand dollars for aero kits, there would be less of a market for the replicas. If you look at the price elasticity of demand for aero stuff, you dont see too many people scooping up authentic zele, amuse, etc kits. However, you see these replica threads and theres TONS of people chomping at the bit to get a kit. A product will only be successfull if there is demand for it at its selling price. Clearly there is demand, but not enough to keep these companies healthy at the prices they want. From a ethical perspective, its clearly not 'right' to just copy someone elses kits and sell them. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these replica kits weren't really eating into the sales of the real brands as much as you would think. Anyone who is passionate enough about getting authentic amuse or zele kits, will probably still get one, and anyone who can only cought up a few hundred dollars for a replica kit, probably couldn't have afforded the real thing anyway. Last edited by Jeffblue; 02-02-2011 at 04:02 PM.

02-02-2011, 04:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 40 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3408	Kris - who are you and what have you done with Mike?!?!?!????? __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

02-02-2011, 04:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,736 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	__________________

02-02-2011, 05:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 54	Yes the original designer has R&D costs but they should also reduce the price of the product once the R&D has been recouped. __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

02-02-2011, 05:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 54	Only if you buy the replica __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

02-02-2011, 03:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
RedBullRR Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 336 Drives: 2010 370Z Red Rep Power: 16	I just had that for lunch. MMMM Bodega food in the hood for 3.50 cant beat that.

02-02-2011, 05:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
tonybui A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,397 Drives: 09 Sports 6 Speed Rep Power: 428	geez, this thread is full of hatred against replica .... Am I gonna be killed for buying the Amuse aero kit ??

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Replica OEM Rays, yuck	chuckd05	Wheels & Tires	21	11-28-2010 12:41 PM
Replica lips	sofa_king	Exterior & Interior	8	05-17-2010 12:17 AM
VIS Carbon Fiber/FRP Replica Nismo Lip Kits - LOTS of INSTALLED Pics!!!!	ElementMotorsport	Body Interior/Exterior	28	04-02-2010 03:23 PM
auto infantry nismo replica kits!!	AutoInfantry	Body Interior/Exterior	68	02-25-2010 03:20 PM