Coarse DE Price Point -- Please Read, Vote and/or Comment

[milehigh_7]

I have not decided for sure but unless I can figure out a way to reduce costs, I likely won't be selling DE. I have a pretty strict rule when it comes to Cost of Good Sold and break-even point (yes among other things I have an accounting minor).

It would not be as much as people are paying for akadama but I would need to charge quite a bit more than pumice to break even. I'm thinking I would need to charge about $40 for a large flat rate, approx 3.5 gallons. (By comparison, Bonsai tonight sells akadama for $42).

Personally, I am a believer in DE and this product is fantastic. I should say the box you would receive will have less than 2% fines which is like buying two bags of Optisorb or Napa. Additionally, it seems to be a darker color.

Here is what I will do. If I get enough interest on this thread, I will put a presale on my website for $38 a box no limit. This price would only be good until the shipment arrives then the price would go up.

This would help me gauge public interest.

 

[jriddell88]

I’ve yet to use it because I can get akadama priced pretty well, is it the same as what American bonsai is selling ? They have it for $45/5 gallons ??

 

[bonsaidave]

Americanbonsai.com DE is pretty small. It is comparable to napa8822 in size. Maybe just tad larger.

Also my soil needs are pretty small, at best I would order 1 maybe 2 per year if I got good results.

 

[wsteinhoff]

Personally I wouldn't. Napa DE is small but it works well enough for me and at 1/4 the price it's still much cheaper even after sifting. It's also easy to obtain with no need to ship. I do wish you luck with it though.

 

[PiñonJ]

Not competitive enough with akadama, which has performance advantages.

 

[milehigh_7]

I just don't know at this point. I think it is a good product and I would use it over lava/ pumice or anything else. I have zero knowledge of akadama because I am a cheapskate. I would love to make it available but I would be taking all the capital away from my plant business. I suppose worst case would be I have years of soil. I think if I could presale say... 20 boxes I will do it.

 

[milehigh_7]

I’ve yet to use it because I can get akadama priced pretty well, is it the same as what American bonsai is selling ? They have it for $45/5 gallons ??

I am guessing they have something like sifted NAPA. Anyone can get 8822 at about $9 a bag but like I mentioned you will lose half to sifting and with NAPA your biggest will be about 1/8th with most >= 1/16th.

The stuff I would be selling is about 90% between 1/4 and 1/8th with 8% between 5/8ths and 1/4 and 2% fines. So it's much higher quality than what is currently available. Honestly, if you wanted the smaller size to mix in, a person could get a bag of Optisorb or just use your other ingredients.

 

[milehigh_7]

HANG ON Stop the presses... I effed up on my estimates. It's going to be quite a bit less... OOPS! Gonna ask BNut to delete this one and I am going to try again.

 

[M. Frary]

Not competitive enough with akadama, which has performance advantages

Such as?

 

[Tieball]

I’m just visually oriented I guess. Do you have a close up photo of this product?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Closing the thread...