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UK price drop – FT817ND
6 April 2015 | by 
I see that Martin Lynch is now selling the FT817ND for £449.95 (including VAT) which I guess is reflecting the exchange rate against the yen? Years ago it sold for less than £350 with VAT. I think the dealers are still making healthy profits? Why is this like fuel? When prices go up we soon hear about it. When price or exchange rates massively improve the suppliers are generally slow to respond.
Supply and demand? People are prepared to buy at silly prices and dealers are happy to make good profits whilst they can. At one time a few years ago £1 would get you about 125 Yen. Today £1 gets you more like 175 Yen. Have prices followed? Of course not! Don’t be silly – just a bit cheaper!
It would be nice if they were clearing stock ready for a newer model. Sadly, I doubt this is the case.
4 Responses to “UK price drop – FT817ND”
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When the FT817 first came out in 2001, it sold for £750 – I know because my friend bought one. When I came to buy one in 2007 it was around £549. It started to increase in price after a long period when it was around £350 at the dealers.
It is stilla good radio and none of the competitors have brought out a suitable rival model yet even after fourteen years of production.
All development costs were recovered YEARS ago, so by now the price should be MUCH lower.
The FT-817ND can be bought in Australia for AUD$700, with a 5-year warranty, from a long-established, “bricks & mortar” retailer. This price been constant for around a year at least. As of March 2016 it is equivalent to US$510 & £370. Very good value even for a > 15yo design.
Sadly the optional extras are ludicrously expensive. AUD$170 for the TXCO, $229 for the 2.3kHz filter and – wait for it – $19 for the dc lead! (0.5m of 1-pair with a 2.1mm plug).
oops . . . forgot to mention those prices include VK’s GST/VAT at 10% too