It's probably time for change...
A number of changes have occurred lately regarding the Arteb headlights.
- The jobber pricing has increased by about 11% (in quantities of four)
- The carrier, Correios, has increased their shipping rates about 5%
- The exchange rate has moved against us
The bottom line is that per-pair pricing delivered to the US under these conditions is at least $368/pr. That's "at cost", which is how I've always priced them.
I'm guessing that's more $$$ than the market will bear. At least I'm no longer willing to buy stock in advance, in anticipation that it'll move in short order.
Under the present conditions, I'll assist a buyer with a purchase but terms will be "cash in advance" at spot pricing. Carlos will then buy and ship on the buyer's behalf. Delivery will probably be on the order of 5-6wks. Pricing might be north of $400/pr under these conditions, since the jobber will be pricing "unit quantity".
If the interested reader wades back through this thread, they'll find the posts where I discuss how I priced the headlights at cost. At one point I was able to offer them at $296 (from memory... and I think that was the lowest). I was buying a dozen pairs at a time then, and the jobber was willing to work on price.
Lately, much of the demand has been satisfied, so buying a dozen at a time isn't sensible. Coupled with the recent exchange rate and increased pricing, buying even four at a time isn't sensible.
That's the status for now, anyway. Things could change, particularly if the exchange rate makes a marked move in our favor.
That's the story on pricing and availability.
One nagging issue has been Arteb's quality control, primarily regarding the functioning of the adjusters. It's been a repeating issue and one that is (evidently) here to stay. It sucks when "new product" comes with problems, but it's not a difficult problem to address if the buyer's handy.
I know there have been other issues, but the adjuster issue is the most prevalent and recurring.
So that's the situation as of May5, 2023, Cinco de Mayo.