lawallac, are you sure he can ship to US? It was mentioned that he cannot ship to the US, possibly due to sales territory conflicts. If this is not the case, then $13 shipping is not bad at all and that’s for two units.
I had asked before that was brought up. But I haven’t heard from lips yet anyways. His Gb has considerably more followers at this point but this. I know he has run gbs in the past for some great lights but I always took it as a benevolent gesture more than a capitalistic opportunity, mostly due to the work of routing packages and potential unhappy people. Maybe he is ok with everybody going to do a Gb with bill? We have lots of time still.
Lips in the FF3 GB sold the light for more (25$ more) than what you could buy it at a retail like flashlight-torch.com, who now pre-lists the FF4 at 289$, wouldn’t be surprised if the FF4 was around 300$ in Lips GB.
As to a thread on CPF, it says that someone has exclusive dealership rights in the USA for the FF prducts. Bill can only sell to you if you are not geographically located in the USA.
Just trying to see if it even makes sense. I’ll see how much tracked shipping will be. The main issue could be US duty. Not sure how much that will add up to, if any.
Edit: I need exact package dimensions too.
The FF3 would do about 10mins on high before it dropped down to its lowest mode. The FF4 is supposed to do double that. Turbo on the FF4 AFAIK is yet to be finalised (timewise) 1 to 4 mins.
The FF3 does get hot but it’s very small torch for the amount of light that comes out of the end.The FF4 should be better.
Lips said that he had not heard any info on prices yet. .though he did mention ‘too good to be true deals’.
I have read a few comments in various places saying it will be a lot more than $210 as his GB for the FF3 was high, how true that is I do not know.
Nor has he said what the shipping costs overseas approx’ would be (I have asked). Considering the closeness of claimed shipping dates (from various sources) worrying there is so little info about.
Surely they will be getting from the same manufacturer since there are no clones of the FF, however just like in any business, selling prices can be varied, depending on the seller’s desired profit margin. As to whether $210 is too good to be true, I have previous dealing with Bill as well as my friend who bought 2 Blackshadows and genuine Panasonics. He has consistently given very competitive prices and so far I have no reason not to believe him. The internet is a small place now someone who does not live up to his word is easily exposed.
Edit: Remember how Thrunite’s TN31/30 prices dropped by almost 100% (plus a free Ti at that) after its sales was fast eroding due to the advent of the K40s? That was also too good to be true!
Agreed they all must be getting the FF4 from the same place. But the wholesale price would be dependent on the quantity ordered. I don’t know Bill but I will take your word about him. If he says that he can supply 20 @ $210 I don’t disbelieve him. From other prices I have been quoted it is a good discount but not unbelievable.
I do not know the import duties levied by the US (if any) but that might just add a fair bit to the other GB and might account for the differing views on price. But I must admit that I am fearing that the price for the US GB might be a lot higher than I first thought.
As I said in an earlier post things are seemingly getting ugly with all the ‘who supplies where’ issues. A real pity. And maybe a reason why no firm price has been finalised for that GB.
And you are absolutely correct the internet can destroy a reputation fast.