ESC price/ESC amp rating
07-01-2006, 11:56 PM
#1
ESC price/ESC amp rating
Ok, this is a serious question. Why does the cost of ESCs go up as the amp ratings go up? Every manufacturer I've looked at uses this same pricing strategy with their ESCs. It reminds me of the way a .46 glow engine costs more than a .40, and a .75 costs more than a .61.
I find it a little hard to believe that the cost of parts and manufacturing are the sole reason. Sure, it might cost more to produce a 40amp ESC than a 12amp one, but I seriously doubt it costs more to produce a 20amp ESC than it does for a 15amp one. The pricing of ESCs goes up in increments that mirror the amp ratings just as it does with glow engines. Even though it doesn't cost a penny more to make a .46 than it does a .40, and they sell about four times as many .46s, too.
Of course I've heard the marketing argument that if you sell a "smaller" product at the same price as a "bigger" one the public will think the "smaller" one is overpriced - "I'm getting less so I should pay less." I'm sure we've all bought into that illusion at one time or another. Anyway, it just surprises me that so many consumers never question that pricing/marketing technique.
I find it a little hard to believe that the cost of parts and manufacturing are the sole reason. Sure, it might cost more to produce a 40amp ESC than a 12amp one, but I seriously doubt it costs more to produce a 20amp ESC than it does for a 15amp one. The pricing of ESCs goes up in increments that mirror the amp ratings just as it does with glow engines. Even though it doesn't cost a penny more to make a .46 than it does a .40, and they sell about four times as many .46s, too.
Of course I've heard the marketing argument that if you sell a "smaller" product at the same price as a "bigger" one the public will think the "smaller" one is overpriced - "I'm getting less so I should pay less." I'm sure we've all bought into that illusion at one time or another. Anyway, it just surprises me that so many consumers never question that pricing/marketing technique.
