Ruger Survey - More $$$

[mohavesam]

Seems like they're now considering charging for packaging?

- What additional cost would you be willing to pay for the packaging of your firearm: (zero to $20.)
- Does gun price drive the expected value or quality of packaging of a firearm? Meaning as the cost of the firearm goes up, do you expect the quality of the packaging to go up as well?
- Please leave any comments that you may have below to assist us with this packing project. Please note that we are currently not looking for feedback on the following elements, but will be covering those topics in future Voice of the Customer Surveys. In-Box Extras (Gun Rugs, Holsters, etc.), In-Box Materials (Instruction Manuals, Decals, etc.), On-Product Branding (Grip Bands, Stock Decals, etc.)

Fire the pinheads that came up with this idea and build better quality and safety into the firearms.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Fire the pinheads that came up with this idea and build better quality and safety into the firearms.

Hi,

Perhaps it's time for Ruger to come up with a CEO who's a real gun guy, preferably one who's read Dr. Deming and understands the link between the good doctor's work, the Magnuson Moss Act and the consumer. He might understand the statement above. Ya nailed this one, Sam!

Of course, we could be all off base with those thoughts. The real reason behind better packaging might be to survive repeated trips back to the factory to get the gun to work the way it should have the first time it came out of the box. Hmmm... now that America's greatest gun salesman ever is out of a job, it's hard to guess the directions stockholder pressure may turn things.

Rick C

 

[Pistolero]

Zero, Zip, Nada! Better quality would be nice.

 

[Big Old Boy]

I almost replyed to the survey then decided not to, how stupid I thought. The plastic boxes can't cost them that much. Why would anyone want to pay more for packaging. If Ruger made available wood presentation boxes for an up charge I could see that such as Henry does.

 

[Bull Barrel]

A better box wont improve out of the box quality.
Building a better gun is the solution.

 

[nvbirdman]

A Ruger right now costs x number of dollars. Will the price be lowered because you are buying the Ruger only, or will the price be raised because you are buying the Ruger plus the box?

 

[Pat-inCO]

Picking two as an example (Kimber and Sig) for a handgun, the cost of
a molded plastic, clam-shell box (with foam liner) is right at $5.

Lets see . . . . a $600 to $1,000 gun, and they are hesitant to provide us
with packaging that costs . . . less than . . . one percent of product cost?
One Percent . . .
ONE percent . . .
ONE PERCENT!

Sorry, but I think the bean counters need to be replaced!

 

[rkrcpa]

I replied to the survey, I didn't take it the way some of you have. I look at it as simple market research.

I couldn't care less about the packaging, it goes on a shelf in the basement and I never see it again. But, I appreciate that they are trying to be responsive to the consumer. I'm sure there is a large segment of the market that would pitch a fit if they paid $2,500 for a shotgun and it came packed in a simple cardboard box like my LCP did.

If they don't ask, they'll never know.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Didn't take it they're to charge for packaging either. Instead took it them simply wanting to get a feel of what customers prefer for packaging compared to other manufacturers and how important packaging is. Couple scenarios... Look at eBay. The old cardboard boxes are now a hot commodity ppl are willing to pay $$ for while the cloth pouches for the small pistols are numerous and barely selling at all.
Good to see it's automatically a bean-counter thing though. Always good to jump to conclusions with those assumptions. .

 

[powder smoke]

Packing only has one job getting the product to the customer
in the same condition that it left the factory. If it ain't broke don't fix it. ps

ETA don't tell this to the collectors

 

[trapperon]

Yep. No upgrade needed. Put the $$$ in quality control. A great example is c sharps arms. They hand produce high quality black powder cartridge rifles at 2k to 10k plus each. They are shipped in a plain cardboard box with not even a company logo! Nobody cares!

Ron

 

[exavid]

I don't care if they come wrapped in newspaper as long as I get 'em undamaged. Never could see why anyone gives a rip about the boxes. I don't have the boxes most of my tools came in either.

 

[RSIno1]

.. Look at eBay. The old cardboard boxes are now a hot commodity ppl are willing to pay $$ for ......

You have struck upon their goal - add collector box prices to the guns because in 20 years when you sell the gun it will be worth more with the original box.

 

[powder smoke]

The box will always be, no need to make it cost more. ps

 

[lark63]

How about putting some cheap bubble pack in with the revolvers to stop the 7 lb. china lock from bouncing around beating the crap out of the gun?

 

[Johnnu2]

IMHO, it's, once again, all about the money. They will reap a HUGE PROFIT by providing a fancy $5 box and telling you it's a $100 (or more) item. GREAT IDEA for the bottom line; crappy idea for the loyal customer. Sadly, they can't take a hint from Springfield Armory which provides a very nice plastic brief case, with a holster and mag pouch and multiple mags WITHOUT raping their customers. SA still keeps the price down while providing LOTS of quality AND all that extra junk that nobody really uses or cares about..... J

 

[mohavesam]

Of course its all about the money! Why else would marketing spend thousands of $$ on developing and sending a survey (when they could have used Surveymonkey for a fraction of that).
Ruger has discovered that they can sell a $2.00 clamshell plastic case for up to $25 or more, and wants to make money on the items. My company has a roto-mold facility in Toccoa GA and I know about what they would cost to make in materials and time... and of course they have the molds already built, etc.

I anticipate an option or two in "customer-requested packaging" in the near future. If it were my company I'd also go with plain brown cardboard, and an option for a fitted plastic case for the higher-end firearms of the lines. It took Ruger 40 years to catch on to the 10/22 aftermarket and offer some factory options, so why not look at packaging (and move that product to the suppliers anyway). Someone gets a huge bonus for this initiative! Betcha there will be a new Jaguar in some Ruger parking lot.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Where is the survey? I didn't see it on the Ruger website. Perhaps I missed it.

 

[WAYNO]

Where is the survey? I didn't see it on the Ruger website. Perhaps I missed it.

E-mailed directly to folks on Ruger's mailing list. Are you signed up?

And to the question, I see a survey concerning such a non-issue is to draw attention away from their other "real" issues.

A 50-cent box compared to a two-dollar plastic box? The only difference to me, is the plastic box lasts longer, but I don't rally care. Another concern...Cardboard boxes stored unassembled in a warehouse takes up tons less room than the plastic boxes.

WAYNO.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Thanks, Wayno. No, I am not "signed up", and I don't know the secret handshake.

As far as I'm concerned I consider the packaging to be only what is required to deliver the gun to me undamaged at minimal cost to me.

Yes, I covet the old revolver boxes, but only because they are part of a "package" and I'm pretty sure that, knowing Mr. Ruger's tendency to pinch pennies, they were not a large contributor to the price of the Old Models.

I suppose those who pursue collecting New Models may feel the same way about current packaging, but that's none of my concern.

If Ruger wants to sell "special" packaging as an option or after-market accessory, that's up to the individual to rationalize.

JMHO

 

[WAYNO]

As far as I'm concerned I consider the packaging to be only what is required to deliver the gun to me undamaged at minimal cost to me.

Yes, I covet the old revolver boxes, but only because they are part of a "package" and I'm pretty sure that, knowing Mr. Ruger's tendency to pinch pennies, they were not a large contributor to the price of the Old Models.

I suppose those who pursue collecting New Models may feel the same way about current packaging, but that's none of my concern.


JMHO

Yep, on New Models, the value of any box is for shipping protection. In re-selling New Models, the included box as a complete package is valuable, but I don't expect most new Model boxes to ever have the grail status of many Old Model boxes. It just always makes a gun easier to sell when the box is included.

WAYNO.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I dunno, Wayno. Fifty years ago who would have foreseen what Old Model boxes go for now, and how many simply got thrown away?

Collectors is a weird bunch.

 

[powder smoke]

That's a fact the complete package means everything to them. Not
knocking it just saying. ps

 

[mohavesam]

Consider:
One can only collect that which is produced.
And if it doesn't make expected margin, it won't be produced.

That's about all there is to Ruger as a company. Stockholders surely understand it.

-

 

[steveodtw]

As a longtime Ruger customer, I have no basis for evaluating and comparing every other firearms manufacturer's packaging. All I have is a bunch of Ruger boxes. I don't need a whole bunch of more expensive fancy boxes/cases. My satisfaction and excitement comes from what's inside of the boxes.

 

[H.H. Hipshot]

Well, I took the survey seriously. I could not compare with other manufacturers, but:
- my Ruger No.1 came in a cardboard box
- some parts like the rings had come loose inside and had beat things around
- the sights and lever had beat holes in the cardboard

So, I told them (I hope) that the No. 1 should be packaged better in order to protect the contents. If that means a $20 molded plastic case, then so be it.

HHH

 

[Klondike Mike]

I wish I took the survey. Someone needs to tell them to include a return shipping label on the box so you can send the new Ruger back for service. They should spend the survey money on a quality control team!

 

[WestTex]

I want the gun to look, feel, perform well in my hand - not in a container.

 

[toysoldier]

I have purchased very few new firearms. Only one of those, a Ruger Mk III, came with a plastic case. My custom-built E.R. Shaw rifle arrived in a cardboard box. I keep my guns in a safe, and don't need a lot of plastic cases taking up space. I deleted the Ruger e-mail.

 

[Jeepnik]

Well gee. With ideas like this it looks like Ruger is going to head the way of Colt before long. Seriously, charge for packaging? What if I don't want to pay for the packaging, do they just ship it without?