Price rises
Wow, another year, another price rise steeper than the last: 18% vs 12% last year. What is going on?
For me, with the exchange rate, prices have risen 63%, which seriously curtails my spending power.

You left out your custom MDF base cutting, a service I used with some extravagance in 2024. I'd call it a success.

Quote from: Leon on 24 December 2024, 12:27:26 AMwe'll need to train someone from scratch in resin casting,

I would volunteer for this if I lived nearer, Resin smells sooo good!

Quote from: Orcs on 02 January 2025, 04:21:07 PMI would volunteer for this if I lived nearer, Resin smells sooo good!

Steady on!

You have done a very good job this year. I am ignoring the announcement about bronze age armies in the hop i don't notice them when they are released 

Can I ask about the  WW2 Armoured Train, that was discussed a while back. To be done in 3d resin I believe? - why do I feel like Oliver asking for more?

Quote from: Orcs on 02 January 2025, 04:21:07 PMI would volunteer for this if I lived nearer, Resin smells sooo good!

Quote from: d_Guy on 02 January 2025, 05:38:17 PMSteady on!

Its almost a good as the smell of the laser cut bases.

Anyway we all know Leon is already  a purveyor of addictive substances - namley lead, resin and MDF 

Quote from: Aston on 02 January 2025, 04:38:27 AMPrice rises
Wow, another year, another price rise steeper than the last: 18% vs 12% last year. What is going on?
For me, with the exchange rate, prices have risen 63%, which seriously curtails my spending power.

Aston, You may not be aware that the latest UK government has hit businesses with a big increase in the National insurance tax that employers have to pay, plus increased the National minimum wage.

For each employee on minimum wage the two increases have added approx £2000 per year onto the employers costs. For every £1000 per year they earn above this, the employer must pay another £150 in National Insurance.

Many companies in the UK have frozen recruitment and laid staff off because of it.

Added to this Gas and Electricity bills have risen in the UK over 50% compared to pre-Covid levels (2019). They are due to rise another 3% in April.

Most Insurance has risen by 25% in the last three years.

Obviously the exchange rate is something that Pendraken has no control over, and cannot be reasonably expected to take into account, as it would vary from country to country.

So you can see that far from being an exorbitant price increase over the last few years Pendraken are probably taking a hit. 

Quote from: Aston on 02 January 2025, 04:38:27 AMWow, another year, another price rise steeper than the last: 18% vs 12% last year. What is going on?

A lot sadly!  As Orcs says above, the National Insurance, staff minimum wage, business premises taxes, metal costs, energy costs, are all going up. 

Last year's price increase was largely a reactive change to get us back on an even keel, but then we saw other unexpected increases come along that we had to try and manage through.  The higher increase this year is more proactive in that we've built in a bit of a buffer, in the hopes that we can get ahead of any potential hits for a change.

The exchange rates are frustrating at this end too, all of our metal costs are priced in dollars so the $ strengthening again hits us directly.  It only takes a few cents in either direction to cause £1000's of difference to our material costs.

QuotePrice rises
Wow, another year, another price rise steeper than the last: 18% vs 12% last year. What is going on?

My local cafe has gradually raised the price of its breakfast & drink from £4.95 pre-covid to £7.95. C'est la vie. 

As several have said before we would much rather see Pendraken raise its prices and remain a successful business able to invest in new codes and ranges

Leon has always provided advance notice of price rises and explained the reasons behind them. Both very rare from any business

Quote from: Orcs on 02 January 2025, 07:02:53 PMAston, You may not be aware that the latest UK government has hit businesses with a big increase in the National insurance tax that employers have to pay, plus increased the National minimum wage.

For each employee on minimum wage the two increases have added approx £2000 per year onto the employers costs. For every £1000 per year they earn above this, the employer must pay another £150 in National Insurance.

Many companies in the UK have frozen recruitment and laid staff off because of it.

Added to this Gas and Electricity bills have risen in the UK over 50% compared to pre-Covid levels (2019). They are due to rise another 3% in April.

Most Insurance has risen by 25% in the last three years.

Obviously the exchange rate is something that Pendraken has no control over, and cannot be reasonably expected to take into account, as it would vary from country to country.

So you can see that far from being an exorbitant price increase over the last few years Pendraken are probably taking a hit. 

Thanks very much for the explanation Leon, that is very tough. God, the UK is a mess. Sorry times are so tough for you and the business and really appreciate the transparency. Makes it a lot easier to accept the price increases. Good luck to you and Pendraken in the year ahead!