We didn't want to do it, and we fought hard against it, but we must raise our prices effective August 1, 2008.

With the sharp increases in all of our costs over the last 6 months, we must implement an 11% price increase across the board. However, to try to mitigate this increase, we are not raising prices until August 1st - anything placed on order before that date will be honored at the 2007 price.

To make it easier to reserve a sword at the 2007 price, Mike can work with you on payment plans, deposits, etc and schedule the final delivery of the sword to suit your finances.

Sorry,

Howy

I would like to note that Albion has had a program where they give a 10% discount to those who have served in the military. I find this to be very generous on their part so I'm not going to cry about a price increase now. In fact I'm going to place another order prior to August.

Yes, this is a wonderful country.

It's too bad, but higher prices is still better then no Albion. Besides, I can't readily afford an Albion anyway so I guess it makes no actual differerance to me.

On the other hand, with the dollar dropping I get more for my krona, so who knows...

Howard: I'm sure that you are doing this reluctantly and if you could keep the price down by changing your manufacturing process and material costs if you could, but basically you can't do very much to make your methods of production more effective and less costly for you.

In other words there are few corners you can cut without it meaning also cutting the quality of the swords.

So to maintain a viable profit margin you can only increase the price as you can't cut your production costs and many of these are rising in ways you can't control.

As Matthew said in another way there does come a point of diminishing returns where an increase in price is negatively affected by a loss of volume of sales and this is a delicate balance: Even if an increase has potential risks you may be in a position where it is the only viable option at the moment.

Obviously we all want your business to continue longterm.

Every few years the financial Market seems to go " Insane " when what seemed like good ideas or sloppy management creates " Bubbles " and they burst ! I don't think these thing can be prevented as greed and fear alternate dominating the Markets. Well, was is worrying is that the scale of these corrections can be mild or severe, of short duration or can drag over decades ....... :eek: Well, it always gets better but the question is " when " and surviving the bad periods. :\

Would the current pricing still be in effect for swords that aren't even in production yet? I've been eyeing one that's 'available for advance reservation', but would usually wait till it's actually in process before ordering... However, if it would save me 11% it might be worthwhile to put in a reservation/deposit before the increase...

Cheers!

-Stephanie

What about getting on the reservation list for swords that aren't out yet... do we get to lock in the 2007 price if we place the down-payment on it before August? :)

EDIT: Dang, beaten to the punch with my question :)

Hey Howie!

I'm sorry you have to do this, but I completely understand. I also want to thank you for holding it off for as long as you have. Do whatever you have to do to keep going because I'd rather give up more Starbucks than not have you all around. I'll even give up my Microbrews (some of them, anyway) to meet the new prices. For those who think I'm being flipant, I appologize. But in the words of my financial advisor- in answer to my comment to stop loosing money: "You know, we're all gonna get through this." He's sooo right.

Just a thought, maybe we vets could forgo our 10% discount to help out a little.

Thanks again, Howie. Let's do what we have to to survive.

You wouldn't do it unless you need to, or wanted to, or could, so it all sounds good to me!!!! Any of those reasons are fine! On the other hand, don't mind if I become a little more vocal about what I'd like to purchase ;)

I'm ready to buy another round of 7 swords but I'm waiting for a few things: to see the final version of the Chevalier, future announcements of swords, more museum level swords, more swords like the Valkyrje, and finally I'm dying to get the XVIIIc and the tall wide XXII as drawn in your 2007 catalog where Peter J. illustrated those swords. For me, I'm totally fine putting a deposit down and waiting a few years, at least my anxiety is decreased by knowing that I don't have to look around for a particular sword and that eventually, some day in the future it will come. Damn I love that XVIIIc and that tall wide XXII !!!

Please keep new releases coming... !!! We'll all just have to buy more swords!!

I want to chime in to add support for your venture... not that I am happy to see any prices on anything go up, but if everything is going up - like a rising tide - if you guys don't keep pace, you'll get swamped, and then your wonderful swords and craftsmanship would be gone, and that would truly be a great loss.
My own collection plans are on hold as I am currently unemployed, but I expect to get back on track again, and have several of your wares in mind.
So you guys keep up the great grinding, hammering and casting, okay!?!

Well, I only had one more sword on my must have list for a while now. Being a student, funds are hard to stash for big purchases. I think the price has gone up $500 since I decided to get it for sure. (IIRC) Either way, I had planned on getting it for my graduation next June, but I guess I'll have to lock it in now with whatever I can. I just wish jobs could match the increases that businesses present. With things becoming more expensive jobs don't seem to keep up with the reality of inflation. :(

Due to a series of small technical difficulties, we won't be updating the prices on our webpage until Tuesday, August 5th.

As a result, you have a few more days to reserve swords at the old price.

Best,

Howy

Everything is becoming more expensive, from eggs to gasoline to swords. Didn't stop me from ordering a Dane though. If you want to do something about the economy, the guys at Albion aren't the ones you should be petitioning.

Although price increases are never fun, if that is what is required to keep Albion from going the way of Wilkinson Sword, please raise your prices! Wilkinson was a terrible loss, and I would hate to see such a wonderful company as Albion join them on the proverbial scrapheap.

Price increase is in place now!

Boy am I glad I got my order in!