Hi Colin Could it be that demand has risen and the manufacturers are having to expand to keep up with demand? Also, if we, as the end users, need something then we accept that we have to pay the price that is stipulated. Within reason, the manufacturers could charge what they want because the users need the product. I know that there are laws to stop manufacturers getting together and artificially setting an inflated price. How rigid are these laws and how effective? If the law allows for a 5%leeway then the manufacturers would be foolish not to take it to that limit. I'm not saying that this is the case with all; It may not be the case with any but the most ruthless. I can't believe that it never happens, though. I wonder when it was that I became so cynical. Perhaps it was when I found out that Santa wasn't real, or when I got screwed by the hospital that left me blind. Regards Barry ----- Original Message ----- From: Colin @ New Vision To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 10:47 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: In Touch: Why do we pay so much All manufacturers carefully consider the market place before setting a pricing structure for their products. They have take into account all market trends, Research and Development, Marketing, production costs and after sales support. If they get it wrong they will loose market share. Based on this it would seem that they have got the pricing right. There seems to be more Manufacturers and lots more choice in products within the last few years. The issue now should not be the pricing but the after sales support provided by the distributor, dealer or reseller. Colin ** Going on holiday and want to halt messages? Send a message to:- ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** vacation ## d ** where ## is the number of days followed by d for days. ** For other things like digest mode, send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** Going on holiday and want to halt messages? Send a message to:- ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** vacation ## d ** where ## is the number of days followed by d for days. ** For other things like digest mode, send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq