Postby jumptheshark » Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:03 pm
Drama aside, ALL of this reflects on a kite company. This forum wields significant influence on the global kite scene.
Like it or not, we're in the age of influencers and how a brand reflects on here is a factor to their brand.
I venture to guess the majority of kiters have not tried a core product, but that won't stop them from forming an opinion, based more on how they reflect than the merit of performance, quality or service.
One of the local kiters I respect most has a Core kite. Thats a big influence on my opinion. We both follow the industry as enthusiasts. I value his opinion highly. He loves his XR, it looks super clean and solid in the sky, and I can clearly see it's quick and powerful for it's size. If this place didn't exist, I'd be super keen to try one, but Im ambivalent and not really inclined to make an effort. Why is that? Ive tried to figure it out myself.
Its pretty much solely based on what I've read here that my opinion is what it is. There are so many good kites out there, that simply reflecting poorly is enough, to drop a brand down a very long list.
The three biggest factors pushing them down my list..... Their marketing, their UK distributor, their super fans, their price.
They have always had over the top marketing with crap editing and uber tech nonsense. As they grew it went from garbage speak to the shallow end of Instagram culture. Future C and tectanium to bubble butts in indo. Hollow, cringe worthy gloss, with the wiff of elitism. Would think a German brand self aware enough to do better. - first gen German descendant with plenty of time in country and around Germans abroad.
Their UK distributor is one of the least genuine personalities on here with multiple accounts, slander, and derision as hallmarks. You can look into previous business history if you wish, but the fact he was banned from his native kite forum and openly anti kiting as a windsurfing distributor prior to selling kites was enough for me to discount those who choose to hire him.
Super fans are not really up to the company itself, but non the less reflect on them. Something in the brand speaks to these people, and they in turn speak volumes.
The pricing reeks of elitism. The first bar in the industry over $600. Production twin tips over $1000. Breaking new ground that no one outside a share holder should be proud of. It's excessive to the point of transparency. Kite gear as status symbol is most definitely a personal turn off.
On another note. I think its absolutely essential for this forum to call out inappropriate consumer behaviour. In this case, I already know I'm a little too ignorant and biased to weigh in on the OP. Maybe one of Captain Core's other personas can shed a more balanced light on that!