Grumps can suck it, it's Friday!

[Marvinlungwitz]

How does Concept 2 keep the price of their rower nearly the same after almost 30 years?

Nowadays, it has to be the ultimate bargain in exercise equipment.

[Kev inc.]

I just got a used one through my local rowing club in Grand Rapids, MI
Model D with working PM5. Used but in good shape.
$500

[robin3mj]

How does Concept 2 keep the price of their rower nearly the same after almost 30 years?

Nowadays, it has to be the ultimate bargain in exercise equipment.

It's refreshingly free of feature-creep for sure.
Basic screen, but periodic firmware updates to ensure you have access to the latest companion phone app, connect HR straps, etc.
I don't use mine year round but certainly am thankful to have it for the times of year it's useful to knock out workouts due to weather or time of day constraints.

[bigbill]

I think we have a house in Wyoming. I'm waiting on the e-sign paperwork. 2300 square feet four bedroom, 2.5 bath on .25 acres in a cul-de-sac on the eastern end of town. Our AZ house will go on the market in two weeks and I'm offering up my VA 2.87% mortgage to sweeten the deal and hopefully allow me to walk away with a nice equity check. I did the math, if someone bought my current home at 7%, they will pay almost $800 more a month in mortgage than at 2.87%. It will mean my VA will be tied up and unusable to me, but since the early 90s, I've purchased and sold five houses with zero down. The house I'm buying in Wyoming will be a conventional mortgage.

The "new" house was built in the late 70s with a full finished basement, a large two car garage that angles to the alley so it's easier to back out, a wood stove, central heat and air, and lots of trees. Inside, it's a blank slate, the kitchen cabinets are worn and either need replacing or shown some love and paint, I'll get a new fridge, and likely spend many days cleaning before moving in.

The "short way" between our AZ place and the new house is 15 hours. I'll do a one way rental of a large Uhaul, Penske, or Ryder truck and a dolly to move the car. It's hard logistically, we have two 3/4 ton trucks, a 33' travel trailer, and a two horse trailer (with two horses). Then there's my bikes, I might make an art/bike run with my F250 and large Uhaul trailer. I think the next few months will be really stressful but we'll be in the house by April and enjoy a full summer to work on the house in good weather.

[Markco]

Regarding the concept 2 rower



They import a lot of components from china. Have a contract manufacturer in their back yard that does final assembly. Don’t change the design so they can invest in tooling to bring down the cost per unit. Opposite of fashion. The design is simple proven and robust but some components are difficult to manufacture. Buy in bulk on long term contracts instead of just in time. The domestic vendors they use give them favorable pricing since it’s steady state business that keeps the lights on. The introduction of the rogue rower will likely be a challenge to the business model.