How does Monster justify its high cable price?

[NFS4]

So what exactly does Monster do that makes it think that its cables demand such a premium over say...Monoprice cables?

Seriously, I don't get what's the big deal with them.

 

[FoBoT]

they want to make vile extreme pornographic profits

$$$$$$$$$$$$$4

 

[FleshLight]

Marketing and ignorance.

 

[jfall]

uneducated people are willing to pay for it

 

[YetioDoom]

The price justifies the price.

If they cost so much, they've gotta be good!

 

[shilala]

There needs to be no justification. There doesn't even need to be a higher quality.
They just need people to buy them.
Welcome to marketing to stupid people. It's what makes the world go round.

 

[yankeesfan]

People buy them

 

[imported_Mike]

sales

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: shilala
There needs to be no justification. There doesn't even need to be a higher quality.
They just need people to buy them.
Welcome to marketing to stupid people. It's what makes the world go round.

That's what I loved about working for CC and BB. Monster Cable at employee discount was about as cheap as regular cable. Pretty much everything in my HT is Monster because of that. I'd never pay regular retail prices for it though.

 

[NFS4]

Anyway, the reason why I ask is b/c of an article I posted on DailyTech about a new WirelessHD standard to provide high speed A/V connectivity in the 60 GHz spectrum. It is intended to replace HDMI, DVI, etc.

And some of the comments just had me rolling:

Oh, don't worry, I'm sure Monster will find a way to still sell you $5 cables for $80. LOL! They'll sell some sort of "wireless signal enhancer/cleaner" for $700. I can only imagine how Monster, a company constantly marketing against the ills of EMI suddenly outdone or supporting a radio-based system.

Retail chains can kiss some of their beloved margin away as well...

heh Monster.. they'll likely sell high quality air that improves the trasmission of 60GHz signals.

:laugh:

 

[Baked]

Bose and Monster Cable have the same marketing department.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Someone just posted "you get what you pay for" in another thread, failing to understand that:
- it generally only applies to in the other direction, at the lowest price point
- diminishing returns set in for almost any product type
- it's only true for increasing cost if you choose the right product.

 

[Heisenberg]

Re: P.T. Barnum

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: jtusa

Originally posted by: shilala
There needs to be no justification. There doesn't even need to be a higher quality.
They just need people to buy them.
Welcome to marketing to stupid people. It's what makes the world go round.

That's what I loved about working for CC and BB. Monster Cable at employee discount was about as cheap as regular cable. Pretty much everything in my HT is Monster because of that. I'd never pay regular retail prices for it though.

Exactly.

The majority of consumers are uneducated. The majority of those uneducated consumers would rather have someone educate them, rather then educated themselves. This means that the majority of consumers will visit their local B&M for education. Whether it be Frys, BestBuy, CircuitCity, CompUSA, it doesn't matter.

There, you will find 2 types of employees. These employees are similiar in the fact that they get Monster Cables at a 60-80% discount off of retail prices, and they have both taken "training" that is mandated by management explaining the Monster produced "benefits". The difference between these 2 employees is that one actually believes Monster cables are worth the extra cost. The other knows they arn't worth the extra cost but sells them anyways becuase of pressure from management. Either way, the consumer is talked into purchasing the Monster Cable.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: NFS4
So what exactly does Monster do that makes it think that its cables demand such a premium over say...Monoprice cables?

Seriously, I don't get what's the big deal with them.

They charge that much because people are willing to pay that much

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: NFS4
So what exactly does Monster do that makes it think that its cables demand such a premium over say...Monoprice cables?

Seriously, I don't get what's the big deal with them.

They charge that much because people are willing to pay that much

Well I know that...but I was more interested in what their "catch" is. Normally if you try to sell something at a higher price, you have to "sell" it. What is it that they claim makes their cables better than lower cost alternatives?

Like if I'm trying to decide between a Toyota and a Lexus, I know that a Lexus has better service, higher quality interior, higher levels of fit and finish, quieter ride, more powerful engine, etc.

So what could Monster claim over a generic cable?

 

[buzzsaw13]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: NFS4
So what exactly does Monster do that makes it think that its cables demand such a premium over say...Monoprice cables?

Seriously, I don't get what's the big deal with them.

They charge that much because people are willing to pay that much

Well I know that...but I was more interested in what their "catch" is. Normally if you try to sell something at a higher price, you have to "sell" it. What is it that they claim makes their cables better than lower cost alternatives?

Like if I'm trying to decide between a Toyota and a Lexus, I know that a Lexus has better service, higher quality interior, higher levels of fit and finish, quieter ride, more powerful engine, etc.

So what could Monster claim over a generic cable?

Monster cables usually look cooler

 

[shilala]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Someone just posted "you get what you pay for" in another thread, failing to understand that:
- it generally only applies to in the other direction, at the lowest price point
- diminishing returns set in for almost any product type
- it's only true for increasing cost if you choose the right product.

If you're not busy later, would you make me some pudding?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: NFS4
So what could Monster claim over a generic cable?

Let's look at Monster's HDMI cable.

Advanced Design and Construction for the Best Possible Sound and Picture
Monster HDMI 400?s advanced design and construction exceeds HDMI standards to transfer digital AV signals with optimal power, accuracy and clarity. 24k gold contacts resist corrosion to provide optimum signal transfer. Triple-layer shielding rejects interference for the clearest picture possible. And Monster?s gas-injected cellular dielectric helps facilitate high velocity transfer and maximum signal strength, even over long lengths.

From what I've seen, this is typical of most of Monster's cable product - The gold contacts, gas injected whatzits.

Honestly, I've had monster cables and I've had some standard cables and I never noticed much difference between the two if at all.

 

[Howard]

How do they justify it? Why do they need to? Like any other company, they'll charge what they want (smart companies will charge for max profit).

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: yankeesfan
People buy them

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: NFS4
So what exactly does Monster do that makes it think that its cables demand such a premium over say...Monoprice cables?

Seriously, I don't get what's the big deal with them.

They charge that much because people are willing to pay that much

Well I know that...but I was more interested in what their "catch" is. Normally if you try to sell something at a higher price, you have to "sell" it. What is it that they claim makes their cables better than lower cost alternatives?

Like if I'm trying to decide between a Toyota and a Lexus, I know that a Lexus has better service, higher quality interior, higher levels of fit and finish, quieter ride, more powerful engine, etc.

So what could Monster claim over a generic cable?

Monster basically claims their cables more accurately preserve picture and sound quality during transmission through the cable, therefore resulting in cleaner, crisper, more colorful images and less distortion on the sound. (For those who use the audio pass-through on HDMI cables). However, I've never met anyone who could tell monster cable from a knockoff competitor, if they didn't know which cable was providing the image to begin with. Most people over at avforum also agree Monster is like Bose... simply overhyped to the point of absurdity. If you talk something up enough... people "assume" it really must be the best and so that's all the justification they need to drop $300 on that monster HDMI cable. I mean, how can it NOT be the best! It comes in a felt-lined box!

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: FleshLight
Marketing and ignorance.

Waiiiiit, so Apple owns Monster?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Monster HDMI 400?s advanced design and construction exceeds HDMI standards to transfer digital AV signals with optimal power, accuracy and clarity. 24k gold contacts resist corrosion to provide optimum signal transfer. Triple-layer shielding rejects interference for the clearest picture possible. And Monster?s gas-injected cellular dielectric helps facilitate high velocity transfer and maximum signal strength, even over long lengths.

The first sentence is their pitch, so let's ignore that.

Gold plating is hardly exclusive to Monster, so we'll take that away.

Triple-layer shielding is often inferior to a good foil and braid shield (reference), so this is not a valid selling point.

Foamed dielectric is can be found in any decent [bulk] cable. In short, Monster has nothing special.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: InlineFive

Originally posted by: FleshLight
Marketing and ignorance.

Waiiiiit, so Apple owns Monster?

Oh snap!