Innovation First acquires Vex from Radio Shack

[petek]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

At the Redmond Radio Shack, the staff had built a VEX robot and had the products displayed right inside the door with the robot sitting on top. They said they still had trouble selling the kits: "Why would I pay $300 for a radio-controlled Erector Set?"

Apparently enough people are willing to spend $100 to $300 for several companies to make a business out of it. I think the Vex started kit is priced right for the value you get, but to sell it you have to market it to the people who can and will spend that money.

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Probably the biggest problem is that sales reps make a $40-60 spiff for selling each cell phone contract, but only get a commission of a few bucks for each VEX sale. If I were working at Radio Shack, I know which product I'd be excited about.

I think you hit the nail on the head!

[GeorgeTheEng]

Originally Posted by petek

Apparently enough people are willing to spend $100 to $300 for several companies to make a business out of it. I think the Vex started kit is priced right for the value you get, but to sell it you have to market it to the people who can and will spend that money.

Compared to all those on that Link, I think VEX provide much more versatility. I still think the programming kit needs to be included but it's still a good value for what you can do with it.

[Qbranch]

are any of the prices for vex stuff going to change now that Dean's empire includes VEX?

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by Qbranch

are any of the prices for vex stuff going to change now that Dean's empire includes VEX?

IFI is an independent company of FIRST, DEKA, Segway, etc. Dean does not own or control it anyway. IFI is a supplier and a sponsor of FIRST, not in anyway connected beyond that.

[Barry Bonzack]

I would not mind seeing figures of profit made when the price dropped. I went out and spent some scholarship money on a kit and many other of the accessories (275 dollars worth) but I can not afford on my budget anything at the set price. I can see how competition teams, both FRC and FVC, can afford this with sponsorships, and also schools for curriculum. I wonder, however, if this is targeted to high school students as a shelf product if it sold better at a lower price. Which would the majority of high school students buy if given the choice for a $300 Christmas present, an Xbox360 or a Vex kit?

That being said, I am very happy with my kit, and am looking forward to projects in the future. I shall be putting my ps2 controller down for a while during the summer. Go IFI, turn this thing into something BIG!

[jeffmorris]

People would rather spend money on TV sets, music players, cell phones, game consoles, etc, than on building sets. They would rather watch TV, listen to music, play games, waste time talking to other people, etc, than to try to invent anything.

[skimoose]

I only hope that IFI will find a way to keep Vex in the non-FIRST retail arena. Best Buy or Circuit City, or some other retailer(s). Vex is still the best tool for recruiting new schools and students into FIRST. I don't want to see Vex revert to another niche market.

[JVN]

Originally Posted by skimoose

I only hope that IFI will find a way to keep Vex in the non-FIRST retail arena. Best Buy or Circuit City, or some other retailer(s). Vex is still the best tool for recruiting new schools and students into FIRST. I don't want to see Vex revert to another niche market.

There are lots of options on the table for other distribution partners. I believe we are also going to be pushing the potential of this program in the educational marketplace.

-JV

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by JVN

There are lots of options on the table for other distribution partners.

I see many stores that cater to the educational 'toys', like Learning Express or the late Noodle Kidoodle stores. IFI Marketing would be well advised to find the entry points for those kind of stores for the retail end.

I am also advising all FIRST teams to get a kit plus a programming kit. If you can program the Vex kit, the FIRST RC will be very familiar, just more capable. An excellent tool to educate your new team members...

Oh, yes: Am having loads of fun with my Vex kit.

Don