General

[DFSniper]

Originally Posted by manike

KEE Never bought Vanguard. That was a rumour that simply isn't true. You can't believe everything you read on the internet.

Nor did they buy ICD. ICD had a complex deal with NPS, but I don't believe you can say that even NPS bought ICD. I can't give any more details about that sorry.

KEE has actually bought very few companies, and I can't think of one that has been killed off. What am I missing?

A lot of people are confusing KEE with NPS or PMI. It is a very, VERY different entity in many ways.

It's very interesting to see everyone opinions and thoughts on the products and brands.

and he speaks!

can you please make them do away with the WGP brand? its putting a good gun to shame...

[heinous]

Originally Posted by Weltz4u

I agree. Not a fan of KEE. I have taken my business elsewhere the past few years. I presonly hate the idea of them owning JT. Just adds to the somewhat "monopoly" they have. I guess business is business but I dont have to like it lol.

A monopoly is never good for the consumers. I wonder why Kee has not yet began abusing its position yet. They don't seem like the google type of "be good" company so that reason is out of the question. are they preparing for something? I wonder.

Originally Posted by coyote

Titus speaks the truth...

Kee basically rewards retailers that are dishonest with them and doesn't examine the history of the retailers they send packing.

There is nothing worse than getting a new sales rep that knows zero about your business or history telling you why you are no longer "worthy" of their business.

If a guy wants to do business with me and can make $5000 dealer orders selling out of the tailgate of his car he will get my business. I don't care if its a glamor operation. If he has the moxy to generate sales and profit on a very humble business model props to him!

Now that just gets confusing. Lying to kee won't help retailers get products off the shelf and money rolling in. if kee rewards dishonest shop owners, where does it get its profit? dishonest shopkeepers will eventually go down. does kee have another industry from which to draw finances?

[RCasna]

Nevermind, next time i'll read the thread before posting.

[alpha434]

Originally Posted by manike

KEE Never bought Vanguard. That was a rumour that simply isn't true. You can't believe everything you read on the internet.

Nor did they buy ICD. ICD had a complex deal with NPS, but I don't believe you can say that even NPS bought ICD. I can't give any more details about that sorry.

KEE has actually bought very few companies, and I can't think of one that has been killed off. What am I missing?

A lot of people are confusing KEE with NPS or PMI. It is a very, VERY different entity in many ways.

It's very interesting to see everyone opinions and thoughts on the products and brands.

So that we're clear on the matter... What all have you guys bought and when?

[everex5]

Every business has its pros and cons. I will not say as a player that I agree with any company who has different ethics than myself... however, SP and other companies make decisions for the business and not always the player. Think about it.. what if SP had gone under many years ago and didn't offer any of the things we are used to complaining about? Honestly, every PB business has helped shape the sport we love... in one way or another. It creates loyal fans and loyal haters alike. Bigger business will always do what they can to keep the money coming in and tweak to maximize their profits. It means change and change is good and bad. In my past and experience, most big companies can make alot of money in the near future and sometimes dont see the longterm because the longterm may not be in their own future. In that note, they also put more emphasis on the places they deem to make them the most money. If you were going to invest 200k dollars into a business, would you pick something that MIGHT work or is GOING to work? KEE will make mistakes and things will change. JT going "under" is a bad term but to some people... thats what it happening. I remember JT from many years ago and they made hardcore gear... but as demans and business picked up... they changed and changed. In the end, they had some staples and some crap. Just like everyone else. KEE will continue to buy until they have a monopoly because Paintball makes ALOT of money, even though people dont think so. Its just not being spread so thing anymore... and that is part of running a good business. They have taken control to get as much money as they can. It sucks sometimes but it is a way of life. However, I have found the smaller and dedicated owners (that some companies dont care about) know more about PB than the big chain owners who dont even know what Co2 is.

.02

[manike]

Originally Posted by alpha434

So that we're clear on the matter... What all have you guys bought and when?

I'm sorry, but that's not information I am sure I can divulge.

I know for certain KEE didn't buy Vanguard or ICD though.

[Titus]

Originally Posted by heinous

Now that just gets confusing. Lying to kee won't help retailers get products off the shelf and money rolling in. if kee rewards dishonest shop owners, where does it get its profit? dishonest shopkeepers will eventually go down. does kee have another industry from which to draw finances?

And I'm confused to what you posted. Who's lying here? Online shops who have their business lic, pay the sales taxes and maintain an inventory, deal with emails, pms, warranty work, etc? Granted if someone gets the lic and sends it in to buy 2 cases of paint a month, then I can see an issue. KEE gets their profit from the wholesale aspect of the sale, they get their money, we dealers get the product and now it's in our laps to sell it. Business 101.

Yes dishonest shopkeepers will leave or be blocked out, but shops who have bought thousands of dollars of gear, promoted the hell out of it, then shown the door, that's not right nor good business.

[Critical]

Being in the business of being a manufacturer rep (not for paintball), there's always the chance that you had a worthless rep who badmouthed you up the chain and that's why you got shafted.

[coyote]

Originally Posted by Critical

Being in the business of being a manufacturer rep (not for paintball), there's always the chance that you had a worthless rep who badmouthed you up the chain and that's why you got shafted.

Which is why I always made sure the guy at the top got a copy of any communication I had. It worked once, then the problem cropped up again, the second time i was flatly ignored.

The door didn't hit me in the ***. I have vendors that do a good job with my business.

[Instien'spaintball]

First APS was Killed by Procaps!
Is Jt next! YES
I still have issues with NPS!

Titus, I am in the same boat!
They use the excuse that people are selling under MAP!
I am in this to make some profit and have fun with something I love! So why would I cut my throat?
Yet We get cut! When people like *****supersto** sell well below MAP! Yet they Keep there Account!
It is getting so we have to go strait to the manufacture of the Product we need!