Return of the King

[RoryM]

There is one other demographic we have not mentioned on this debate either and that is the factor of 'diposable income' which is far greater in the US, and they genrally have more of it.

The US recball market is well supported by this factor and the rec ball scene in America may well be far greater by the fact of the size of the states. Alot of people may not really be interested in hauling themselves and their kit all over the place by plane just to go and play in the US major tournament's.

People eventually progress through this if they have the desire to to go and play in the local leagues and then majors.

Unfortunately the opportunity cost of playing in the UK and Europe is far greater and and I think it would be safe to assume that this is a factor in the amount of players we have taking up the sport.

The knock on effect of site owners possibly not focusing so hard on walk on players as they are a small, but happy,group of people within the European countries. Their business is appreciated, but a site owners time is better economically spent in getting the rental customer through their doors. And return custom is vital to sites. It's that one group organiser that is willing to get the groups together is vital in keeping your income streams going.

Another point may be the advent of more affordable markers that are able to keep up with the high end gear may improve things. Kids with spyders, silver bullets etc. that arrive and subsequently get outgunned by the wealthier players that we have on walk on days may stay in the game longer rather than the 6 month fad that happens to some of them.

Food for thought really above, so debate away and tell me I've missedthe point maybe!!!

 

[Gyroscope]

Originally posted by Intheno
... in the US they actually have Antiques Roadshow on the TV.
Antiques in the US!

How else are we to know the value of all the shiny things we plunder? It isn't as if we dump those shiny thing overboard as we come home, and if isn't appraised on TV, how will other people know how much they should envy? Not so surprising when you think about it.

 

[Beaker]

Originally posted by RoryM
There is one other demographic we have not mentioned on this debate either and that is the factor of 'diposable income' which is far greater in the US, and they genrally have more of it.
....
Food for thought really above, so debate away and tell me I've missedthe point maybe!!!

Nope, not missed the point, but also not read the whole thread, that's something that inthenoitall said a page or two back...

 

[duffistuta]

Originally posted by Intheno
oh, and you'll like this Duffster,
in the US they actually have Antiques Roadshow on the TV.
Antiques in the US!
.

Did it feature Martha Stewart in leg irons? I'd pay good money to watch that...

 

[duffistuta]

Originally posted by Intheno
No, sorry for the confusion Duffster, I guess you gotta have one to know one.....

Ah I see, you're implying Dick is King of America...yes, I agree that Cheny is the power behind the monkey. Good point.

 

[Chuck]

Chicken or the Egg?

What came first in the US, Cheap and accessable markers sold in places like Dicks, Walmart. Or a healthy walk on customer base that led to said companys offering Rec ball gear?

I ask because I own/manage a site that does offer Walk on days (with Sup Air) and all though NPS is only 11 miles from me and we are the nearest site that offers Sup Air and woodland, our walk on days have not increased in size since NPS moved to Colchester. The biggest growth has come from people buying Kits such as Game face and other Cheap and mostly inferior markers from the type of shop that sells BB guns Knives and fishing gear!

These new customers come to us to have their gas bottles filled take a look at the site and then come to a walk on day, get out gunned then spend the big dollar keeping up with the paintball arms race.

The problem for companies such as NPS is that people that get hooked paintballing are all very Internet savvy and they will just go on a search engine and find guns and Kit cheaper else where (especially tippmans posted from the states)

As a site owner I welcome all new customers, Rental or Rec ball. I however cannot stock a Pro shop to encourage people to make the transition from Rental to Rec, because the Industry changes so fast and there will always be someone on the Internet that will be able to undercut me by buying in volume.

Blaming sites for a small player base is not going to encourage me to offer more walk on days! (despite also running a team and recognising that as a massive problem for the growth of UK teams). What would is having a massive demand from players with there own kit looking for somewhere to play.

So although as Ronnie says sites are the front line, you are really preaching to the semi-converted. How about bringing in new people to paintball by shifting kit in non paintball outlets. That would expose more people to the sport and everyones a winner.

Sorry for the long post!

Chuck

 

[duffistuta]

Chicken or the Egg?

Originally posted by Chuck
What came first in the US, Cheap and accessable markers sold in places like Dicks, Walmart. Or a healthy walk on customer base that led to said companys offering Rec ball gear?

Chuck

The base was there first, the mass marketing caused it to expand...

Bottom line to my mind is quite simple: US culture and gun culture are indivisable, gun ownership is seen as a basic human right in the States. Kids grow up around guns of all sorts, they are as American as apple pie. Over here, they are stigmatised. Paintball suffers by association and will continue to do so...especially given the renewed calls to ban airguns. Forget talk about the differences in business culture - it's much more to do with the differing nature of the two societies.

 

[Piper]

Re: Chicken or the Egg?

Originally posted by duffistuta
The base was there first, the mass marketing caused it to expand...

Bottom line to my mind is quite simple: US culture and gun culture are indivisable, gun ownership is seen as a basic human right in the States. Kids grow up around guns of all sorts, they are as American as apple pie. Over here, they are stigmatised. Paintball suffers by association and will continue to do so...especially given the renewed calls to ban airguns. Forget talk about the differences in business culture - it's much more to do with the differing nature of the two societies.

Think you may have hit the nail on the head there Duff! Well done (first intelligent post from you this year)

There are shops popping up that are not paintball related that end up doing paintball stuff, it is not there sole income, so they can afford to do it. If a store opens that just does paintball equipment they will find it hard to survive, the player base is so small it is daft. However if a site opens a store then they would have more chance at survival, due to the fact they have people there every weekend so more people see the other side of it.

Baby steps is what is needed in my mind. Mind you that is not a good place to be sometimes.

 

[Gyroscope]

Duff might be onto something. You know, a lot of pball stuff was sold in Army surplus stores before it was sold in Walmart. Does the UK even have Army surplus stores? I mean, hunters there wear red coats and Black hats, not camoflage. Maybe it would work to have skate shops and tattoo places sell gear... I know one of the best places I ever saw for getting used consignment paintball guns was a tattoo shop some friends of mine ran.

 

[wildflower1975]

I remember there was a PC repair type guy selling some £80 mask gun hopper sets a coupla months back.

how we laughed!

maybe he was/is ahead of his time?