Completed Lone Industries L4

[Josh | NFC]

I'm still working on pricing, but I estimate about $115 USD. It's tempting to increase the cost slightly to make shipping appear less. In the past I wanted to be transparent and show actual shipping costs, but shipping is such a turn off.

Yes, this is a big decision.

On the one hand we both value transparency, and so do our customers. But if you think about it, if you make the cost $200 but offer free shipping, this can help customers because the value of their their chassis matches the value of their payment.

Example: If a customer buys a chassis for $100 then pays $100 to ship it across the globe, they have spent $200. If they resell the chassis, it has a perceived value of $100, not $200. Obviously I am simplifying this but I think the base principle is true.

I have really thought about doing this for a future case.

 

[Lone]

Excellent example Josh, thank you. I will look into this further and see if I can't work something out. I've wanted to keep the case somewhat affordable to Canadian customers, but maybe I can find some middle ground. If I can't provide 100% free shipping to all locations at least it will help make the more expensive/reliable shipping options more affordable (so to speak).

 

[jeshikat]

Example: If a customer buys a chassis for $100 then pays $100 to ship it across the globe, they have spent $200. If they resell the chassis, it has a perceived value of $100, not $200. Obviously I am simplifying this but I think the base principle is true.

I try to be logical and aware of my biases, but I have to admit I still find myself falling prey to this value perception issue.

So I agree, I think "subsidizing" shipping with a slight increase in the case cost would make customers feel better about the purchase.

 

[Josh | NFC]

I try to be logical and aware of my biases, but I have to admit I still find myself falling prey to this value perception issue.

So I agree, I think "subsidizing" shipping with a slight increase in the case cost would make customers feel better about the purchase.

Right--there is a value perception we can fight and making customers feel better is VERY valuable. I also think it fights depreciation. I paid something like $400 to import my DIMASTECH test bench. I'm going to put it up for sale in our forums. If it had cost $400 and shipping was "free" I could get alot more than what I am going to get for it...

 

[janas19]

Sorry for my ignorance, but why the high shipping cost [from China]? I assume these cases are manufactured in China. I know the Chinese government subsidizes cargo shipments to the US, that's why I can buy Chinese goods on eBay for $1 shipped.

 

[jeshikat]

It's manufactured and shipped from Canada.

 

[Lone]

Sorry for my ignorance, but why the high shipping cost [from China]? I assume these cases are manufactured in China. I know the Chinese government subsidizes cargo shipments to the US, that's why I can buy Chinese goods on eBay for $1 shipped.

No problem, sorry for the confusion. If you're referring to the $100 shipping that Josh | NFC mentioned, it was just an example. I can ship for much less.

 

[devinkato]

I'm still working on pricing, but I estimate about $115 USD. It's tempting to increase the cost slightly to make shipping appear less. In the past I wanted to be transparent and show actual shipping costs, but shipping is such a turn off.

I agree - Adding the thing to my cart, then seeing a huge shipping charge is always a big bummer.

 

[Lone]

Well, some bad news. The machinist I was going to use to create some blind holes, increased the price from $3/part to $30/part, so the parts are on hold while I look for another option.

 

[jeshikat]

Someone misplace a decimal in the quoting software? Been there, done that with two different companies

 

[Lone]

Apparently my machinist can't guarantee a price. If things "go well" then it would be $3/ea + $100 setup, but if not, then it could be 2-3 times that amount. Not sure I can live with that.

 

[jeshikat]

Ouch, that's quite a price difference for what should be a simple operation.

 

[Lone]

Ya, if things don't go well, they revert to a more expensive, but more precise machining process. Needless to say, I'm considering a few alternative options now... Who knows, maybe it's a blessing in disguise.

 

[devinkato]

James - thanks for working so hard to get this to market.

Had a future looking question - Any thoughts on the new STX format? Any opportunity for an even smaller Lone case to take advantage with the same beautiful aesthetic?

 

[Lone]

James - thanks for working so hard to get this to market.

Had a future looking question - Any thoughts on the new STX format? Any opportunity for an even smaller Lone case to take advantage with the same beautiful aesthetic?

Thanks. I seem to be doing a lot of waiting as opposed to working.

I would mostly echo what others have said about Mini STX. I have thought about making a Mini STX version of the L4, but it's not very compelling at the moment.

 

[Norslander]

Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't it be much cheaper to manufacture from China than from Canada?

 

[Lone]

I really don't know. I think part of the whole China is cheaper mentality is that most of what you see that's inexpensive and made in China is produced in large quantity. I would also have to pay in USD, which is a disadvantage given the current exchange rate. I could be wrong, but I believe NCASE for example, used Lian Li because of their experience and manufacturing capability. China does have some great manufacturing capabilities, which can translate into a price advantage.

 

[jeshikat]

Not only that, but finding and vetting a factory, and holding them to the agreed upon QC standards usually requires visiting China in person.

 

[Lone]

Had a future looking question - Any thoughts on the new STX format? Any opportunity for an even smaller Lone case to take advantage with the same beautiful aesthetic?

Another thought I've had is to create a Mini STX "option" for the L4, which would just be an alternative chassis, that could be sold separately or as a new model. With all the extra space I could add support for larger internal PSU, and maybe a hamster wheel.

 

[devinkato]

Another thought I've had is to create a Mini STX "option" for the L4, which would just be an alternative chassis, that could be sold separately or as a new model. With all the extra space I could add support for larger internal PSU, and maybe a hamster wheel.

I could be down with that - I am very anti-brick I'm also loving how the STX boards are getting power through a DC jack on the rear - No more bulky PSU cables or pico units. Of course, if we move the AC/DC PSU internally, we'd have to do a little modding/soldering for the power delivery, but nothing too bad at all. Maybe a pass through "jumper" on the rear re-using the original input jack for an output jack that jumps to the board's input instead.

It could also be a good basis for a strong HTPC mini-server with more room for cooling/storage. I'm getting excited now....