EMS stores closing

[harleyhutch]

The State and Feds want their cut for doing absolutely nothing.

[24Pink14Stink]

The State and Feds want their cut for doing absolutely nothing.

Yup.

[masterswimmer]

I think it's tough to find cheap Kuhl stuff. I think a lot of brand manufacturers place limits on how much a retailer can discount their stuff.

100% accurate. Even in my business, saltwater reef aquariums, certain manufacturers require a contract before they'll take you on as a retailer. The contract commits you to two things, MAP & MRP. That is Minimum Advertised Price & Minimum Retail Price. If you don't agree to never advertise below a set price and never sell retail below a certain price then you can move on to another supplier.

The above program helps to preserve retail sales for the small retailer. With internet sales and big box stores able to buy and sell for much less than the little guy they preserve their distribution chain and keep their prices elevated.

Not good for the consumer, but why would they care about that?

[WARFAB]

Right now EMS is facing trouble. Is agreeing to MRP terms that greatly reduce their customer base part of what has caused their problems?

How many members of this forum consider EMS stuff affordable?

[masterswimmer]

Affordable is relative. I've got a down winter coat with the EMS branding. I bought it as a freshman in college while in NH. That was 1977. I still wear that coat. Warmest one I've ever owned.

Affordable? At the time it was a good chunk of change. Expensive even. Looking back, it was probably the least expensive piece of clothing I've ever owned.

[24Pink14Stink]

Right now EMS is facing trouble. Is agreeing to MRP terms that greatly reduce their customer base part of what has caused their problems?

How many members of this forum consider EMS stuff affordable?

EMS branded stuff is cheaper than premium brands like North Face, etc. It's of decent quality and I always like a local place where I could get hands on with gear, then decide if i want to buy there or online.

Therefore I'd say it's affordable.

[WARFAB]

Affordable is relative. I've got a down winter coat with the EMS branding. I bought it as a freshman in college while in NH. That was 1977. I still wear that coat. Warmest one I've ever owned.

Affordable? At the time it was a good chunk of change. Expensive even. Looking back, it was probably the least expensive piece of clothing I've ever owned.

I agree with that. I dumped what I considered a large sum of money on a Hard Corps snowboard coat while I was in college. I still use it and enjoy it to this day. But there is a difference between larger ticket items that are supposed to be durable and everyday clothing that isn't expected to last 20+ years. EMS has a lot of larger ticket items like backpacks and boots and equipment that should last a long time. But then they also have a lot of $30 T-shirts and $80 button downs that I have a much harder time justifying the cost of. They're nice, but not 2-4x as nice as what I can pick up at a mall shop or other retailer.

I have no idea where EMS makes most of their money. When I look at one of their stores my impression is the vast majority of their floor space is being taken up by overpriced short lifespan goods. The durable goods that I can justify the price of are usually more around the outskirts of the store. Who knows though. Everyone's perspective on it is different. EMS has had a long run of business, so obviously either they changed something or the business environment changed and they didn't adapt.

I'm with 24Pin14Stink about wanting to get my hands on gear. There are so many variables and nuances involved in properly assessing a lot of these purchases that I'll always prefer a brick and mortar store. I have had very few online clothing buying experiences that didn't involve an exchange or return. Usually that just adds to the price and is a pain in the rear.

[Meketrefe]

what is EMS? lol ...seriously never heard of them.

[24Pink14Stink]

You could probably Google it .

ems.com

[thughes]

what is EMS? lol ...seriously never heard of them.

http://bfy.tw/BTvC