You’re paying for convenience and location. Location, location, location. They are right there and honestly, where else are you gonna go? They could honestly charge more than they do, as most hikers (thru’s) don’t have automobile access or many options.
As Milo says, it’s the price you pay for not doing your homework ahead of time. Can’t criticize the dimwit in class who your copying off of.
A-Train
Very helpful and hiker friendly. If you don’t like their prices don’t buy anything.
Tomahawk
I think A-Train is agreeing with me and doesn’t even realize it, or do you? Thank you for proving my point in 70 words or less!
stumpsucker
Uhm . . . yes, Mountian Crossings is very good. And I didn’t even buy anything.
Some of the hikers I was with in late March/early April know the whole story, and I don’t want to put it up here on a website. But I left with nothing but GREAT things to say about Winton, Jerry, Cornbread and the rest of the guys.
So . . . uh . . . yes, Mountain Crossings is good. Overpriced? They probably have a 50% markup on certain supplies - which is different from every other trail town HOW???
Kineo Kid
Chillin,
You don’t want to give examples? Then are we to simply take your word for it?
Compare these items, giving your wholesale price, your retail price, and MC’s retail price. I’m betting there’s not a lot of difference though given their location and staffing I’d expect some variance. Prove me wrong.
Mountainsmith Auspex Internal Frame Pack (Men’s)
MSR Miniworks EX Water Filter
Smartwool Outdoor Classic Socks (Hiker)
Skyline
it always tickles me when two people start getting at each other on these forums. looking forward to chillin’s reply:lol oh yeah chillin can you also price up a blow up doll for lonely nights on the trail!
i had great experiences at neels gap. got a free tub of ice-cream for being a sobo’er, cant knock that!
:cheers
“SQUEAKY”
Winton was very nice. I was not there to spend money yet he helped me where I’m sure others would of told me to take a hike. Thought his heart was in the right place.
Nean
Here’s my half.
MS Auspex 110.00/ 199.95
MSR Miniworks 46.37/ 79.95
SW Outdoor Classic
Medium Crew 7.85/ 16.95
You can provide the other three. And be more specific, Smartwool makes about 8 different Outdoor Classics, I used the medium crew.
chillin’
This forum dedicates a lot of space to the idea of preplanning a thruhike. Assuming even minimal preparation, why would a thruhiker - except in the case of gear failure - have a requirement to purchase a pack, filter or socks at Neels? Hey - it’s free enterprise, buyer beware, etc - and all those other cliches. Some folks must find their prices / services acceptable. If not - and their prices were so high that nobody purchased anything, they’d eventually go out of business.
booger
Chillin,
I don’t work at Mountain Crossings, and have no connection to them other than as a previous (satisfied) customer going back to the days when the Hansens owned it up until more recently.
But it was YOU who made the outlandish statement that they are a ripoff (see your own words, above). I would assume you’d know their pricing or at least their approximate markup in order to publicly make such a claim. So if you are expecting to be taken seriously that you know what you’re talking about I would expect YOU to compare your prices to theirs. Otherwise it is apparent that you have no basis on which to label MC a ripoff, which was kind of what I was getting at in the first place.
In other words, I do not have MC’s pricing but knowing them I am betting their pricing isn’t too much higher than yours, if it’s higher at all. Note I did not make an equally outlandish claim to the other extreme that they are the Discount Kings–just that I believe (a humble opinion) that their pricing would be in line with other small outfitters a thru-hiker might visit along the AT. Prove me wrong.
Skyline
Skyline
“Stumpsucker”- I haven’t been following the whole thread so I don’t know if I was agreeing with you or not, maybe so.
Neels is a fine place, and I had no problems with it. They went thru my pack and didn’t make me buy anything. I bought a sponge for about 50 cents and they told me my gear was fine and well-thought out. Sound like a scam? I don’t think so…
My point was that they have a right to charge what they did (which is resonable). They are a small private shop. They are not Campmor or Sierra, and their not gonna put stuff on sale for giggles during thru-hiker season. Nothing wrong with charging full price for stuff. Most of the companies, put out a price in their catalogues for what the items should cost (like Granite Gear) and i’d be shocked if MC charged more than that.
Like I said originally, its about location. If you didn’t do your research before hand, or didn’t bother to go test out your goods, well, you can’t complain about the prices. 50 cents for a Ramen? Yes that’s pricy, but can you really complain? Thats the price for not having to hitch 15-20 miles and spend half a day shopping or for not taking the time at home to prepare a maildrop.
Nothing wrong with the way they run that shop. Nice folks
A-Train
Booger makes a good point–IF everyone you meet on the Trail paid attention to the advice available for free on this and other websites, at the Gathering or the Rucks, etc.
But if you’ve spent much time on the AT in Georgia during thru-hiker Prime Time then you know there is a large contingent of newbies without a clue out there. They are carrying way too much, and/or gear more appropriate to car camping (i.e., HEAVY). It amazes me how many hikers start at Amicolola or Springer, having never backpacked even once and sometimes having never tried the gear they’re carrying.
These are the folks who might indeed be prime candidates for purchasing packs, filters, socks–or a lot of other gear–at Mountain Crossings. Thank the stars they are there, only three or four modest days from the start. They have saved hundreds of thru-hikes over the years by showing hikers how to pare weight and yes, selling them more appropriate gear.
Skyline
How can I prove you wrong when you haven’t proved yourself right? If I have to jump through hoops on this site for people like you to even LISTEN to me, shouldn’t you? You make one claim, I make another. You named these products of which I have no clue if MC even carries, but I did give you my prices. Maybe you could call them up and prove me wrong. Sounds like I called your bluff.
P.S. I never said they weren’t justified in making money, they are a business. They can sell for whatever, and I can decide not to buy. Whatever. It seems like people here are explaining how to justify why the prices are higher (if in fact they are). i.e. convenience. Fine. My only point is that the price is higher (for what reason, it doesn’t matter).
All things aside, I like you Skyline, you make good points.
chillin’
Wow- what an outpouring of support for Mountain Crossings, WOW we are truly humbled. I won’t get into a big piss’in contest with anything said, it’s not my style.
Chillin’ wow–$40 for waldies… man that’s some profit… at the time you must have been looking we bought 1000+ for about 9.50 a pair and sold them for $18.95 (waldies went bankrupt 3 months ago). They now cost 13.00 a pair and we sell them for $24.99 we never recall $40… bold statement. Chill’in we do try to sell some equipment it only makes sense…but I spend about 15% of my time trying to talk people out of buying **** they don’t need. Skyline, let me help you with the price answer that Chill’in put on the table. MS Auspex-- don’t and wouldn’t carry the pack…in the past two year we counted no less then 12 blow-outs… below the hipbelt (just behind the lumbar pack) there… that information may have saved someone $199 bucks. Smartwool… his cost is correct at 7.85 our price is 16.99 (chill’in got me on 4 cents) MSR miniwork… again cost is correct at 46.37 and our retail is at $79.95 right on SRP. Chill’in last year we shipped back 9000 lbs of gear and helped over 500 people with there packs from fit to gear selection. I work between 6-7 days a week 10-11 hours a day and brought home to my family about $35,000 last year (need financials). To some that’s RICH to others it’s not much to me it provides just enough freedom to be able to do what I LOVE to do everyday and have for 23 years to serve industry, this business and the people who come from all accross the country.
Last- have always matched prices and continue to do just that as long as the items are not on sale or on the internet.
Remember, it ain’t about the miles it’s all about the smiles. MANY MANY thanks to all who support our store on the A.T. Peace…Winton
WINTON
I’m really glad Winton responded, and can’t WAIT to hear what, if anything, Chillin’ has to add. Not much he could add IMHO. Really good news to hear that Mountain Crossings’ prices are in line. I know there service is extraordinary. So that’s all good news.
The bad news is that I use the Mountainsmith Auspex pack. I really like this pack, and am sorry to hear that it has what would seem to be a widespread flaw. I think I’d better take a close look at how it’s wearing.
Skyline