I'll be a Mule from the UK...

[Croix71]

Wow, the post started off as Cledford being a mule and transformed into a debate about boxes?!?!

Anywho, thanks for the offer Cledford.

As for the boxes, for the AO members the box won't matter much. But for those who are unfamiliar with AGD products it couldn't hurt to present the Mags in a nicer way. Reputation goes a long way, prime example Brass Eagle. I try to be open minded but it's been ingrained in my head that they're the company that makes them funny lookin guns.

Computer hardware/software companies have 2 boxes. They have a the more expensive retail version with a nice box and user friendly instructions and the other is the cheaper OEM plain brown box with just the basic informations. Can this be incorporated into the box debate?

[Mango]

Shartley has made an excellent point and I agree with him 110%! He said everything that my friends and I have been discussing between ourselves.

He should seriously be brought in to AGD for some consulting work. They need it.

[Krazy Ivan]

Do you remember when...I can't remember his name, but the other guy on here bought an IR3, everyone was like OoOo pretty box! A pretty box is cool to look at, but hey, after you take it out of the box where does the box go? Trash or buried in the closet never to be seen again!

I don't think that much time if any should be spent on the box, I like the one my minimag came in, total white, with the AGD and MiniMag logo on it. Simple yet comforting

[bofh]

Originally posted by shartley

It all depends what you compare the items against. I picked shotguns because that's what I think is most like markers in the selling. I also know squat about handguns. :) $500 shotguns and $5000 shotguns come in cardboard boxes. They normally give you a case along with the expensive gun, however. :)

However as for the Ring and Watch, these aren't accurate comparisons either. These are jewerly, and made to be looked at. That is their main purpose. I don't consider Markers to be made to look at, otherwise they should have inlay (hmmm.) (This is also a huge contention point, which I think is the real root of this issue) As for an Engine, I would consided that an accurate comparisson if it could be carried, and didn't need a crate to prevent damage. Ferrari engines however still come in crates...

Now, while I don't think that the current boxes are an issue, I also agree that a pretty box would not hurt. Someone would have to figure out if it would be worth it to develop a new box.

[MagDog68]

Originally posted by bofh

...Someone would have to figure out if it would be worth it to develop a new box.

Well, shartley did run a rather successful Intelliframe Box Design Contest - maybe this is the start of a new AO competition.

I still say the box isn't the problem though. When the guns start to look better - that is when people will be drawn to them. Once the extremes come out - that is when you should start spicing up your advertising and packaging. But putting the same product in a new box isn't going to fool anyone.

~Fred

[bofh]

Originally posted by MagDog68


Well, shartley did run a rather successful Intelliframe Box Design Contest - maybe this is the start of a new AO competition.

When I said, "Worth it to develop a new box" I didn't mean the actually design, but more of the concept of change. would it be worth it to change the way they look now, and change the amount of boxes they have on hand, the extra cost of four color printing, perhaps the cost of wood cases instead of cardboard. Different sizes, would mean different size packaging, different shipping costs. Different amounts of recognition.

Even if AGD thinks that a better box would help sales, the have to decide if would help sales enough sales to make it worth it.

[Potatoboy]

Originally posted by AGD
I LOVE YOU Tater!! :):)

AGD

Yeah, I rock.

[Rooster]

A fancy box

a whole lot of time, money, and effort into something that is going to hit my fire barrel in about 2 min after i get home.

Now selling the gun with a pelican, or some type of usable gun case is a good idea, but a cardboard box? Thats fire starter.

[Ityl]

I like the idea of the $1400 gun coming with a plastic case. It doesn't have to be a high end one, just a case with precut foam that fits the gun and barrel. That would be a great selling point.

[MagDog68]

BTW -
How many of you out there have purchased the latest version of Nike Air Jordans? They are $200 just because they come in a cool box?!?! No Thanks!

~Fred

[shartley]

bofh

However as for the Ring and Watch, these aren't accurate comparisons either. These are jewerly, and made to be looked at. That is their main purpose. I don't consider Markers to be made to look at, otherwise they should have inlay (hmmm.) (This is also a huge contention point, which I think is the real root of this issue) As for an Engine, I would consided that an accurate comparisson if it could be carried, and didn't need a crate to prevent damage. Ferrari engines however still come in crates...

Now, while I don't think that the current boxes are an issue, I also agree that a pretty box would not hurt. Someone would have to figure out if it would be worth it to develop a new box.

MagDog68
Thank you, you actually helped prove my point.

I still say the box isn't the problem though. When the guns start to look better - that is when people will be drawn to them. Once the extremes come out - that is when you should start spicing up your advertising and packaging. But putting the same product in a new box isn't going to fool anyone.

bofh part II
(yes, I have been busy and people have been typing.. LOL)

When I said, "Worth it to develop a new box" I didn't mean the actually design, but more of the concept of change. would it be worth it to change the way they look now, and change the amount of boxes they have on hand, the extra cost of four color printing, perhaps the cost of wood cases instead of cardboard. Different sizes, would mean different size packaging, different shipping costs. Different amounts of recognition.

Even if AGD thinks that a better box would help sales, the have to decide if would help sales enough sales to make it worth it.

Rooster

a whole lot of time, money, and effort into something that is going to hit my fire barrel in about 2 min after i get home.

Now selling the gun with a pelican, or some type of usable gun case is a good idea, but a cardboard box? Thats fire starter.

[MagDog68]

shartley -
see my response below...
Originally posted by shartley

MagDog68My point is that the Automag's look is stale and it needs to be spiced up. That being said I do not believe much can be done with the present product that will help its image as drastically as we would like. There is a bad stereotype among paintballers regarding the Mag's preformance and I don't think flashy boxes will help that.
Obviously the ad campaign should start well in advance of the release of the product. Look at 'The Blair Witch Project,' which was promoted for months prior to release and made a fortune off of what was basically a flimsy movie. However, as you stated we are beyond AGD's present products...my opinion was strictly regarding the Extremes (which I agree should be aggressivley advertised). I am not disagreeing that AGD has lost its image either - I am simply stating that the damage to the Automag's repuation is more than skin deep (whether this is justified or not is irrelevant). People believe what they see in the industry - and what they don't see is Automags in use in high end competitions. They don't see AGD products on the front covers of their favorite magazines or in the website reviews. What they do see is alot of misinformation regarding its preformance. And this is very difficult to overcome in the paintball industry - where there are few reliable and objective sources of information to quell stereotypes.

Simply advertising it will not rebuild the AGD image. However - when they release their new product that has addressed the stereotypes (real and fictional), I believe that is a good time for them to rebuild the Automag name. When the Extremes come out AGD should use them as the flagship for a new AGD image! Only then will aggressivley advertising the existing product line make sense.

I guess you haven't seen a pair of NIKE Air Jordans lately. The shoes come in a silvery metallic breifcase that looks more like something from James Bond than a shoe box. This may attract some of the status-seekers, but I am happy with my 30 dollar Airwalks.

I am not disagreeing with you on packaging a new Prodcut differently and going all out on advertising the new products - which will in turn help the whole AGD line - I am just a little leary about trying to prop up the AutoMag's image with just a shimery box.


~Fred

[TheTramp]

Personaly I don't really care about boxes or packaging when it comes to paintball stuff. Most of the time I see the items out of their boxes and in a display case.

I can understand that AGD would want to produce a nice box for those who do care about these things but it would be nice if the products were avalable for sale as soon as they were ready. I suggest putting them on the on-line store as soon as possible with or without snazzy packaging. We could be using (and paying for)the products while they were still being packaged for regular retail.

[oldsoldier]

While we are on the issue of advertising strategies, how about ads? I agree that a pretty box may sell, but, as it was stated, you usually dont see the box till AFTER the sale. Does that asthetically impact us? Yes. Does it affect the purchase? No, unless you basae your purchase solely on packaging, which would be foolish. Remember people, more and more folks shop online now, so,to hit THAT market, you need to advertise towards THAt medium. Because when the product arrives, it really doesnt matter how it was packaged. So, IMHO, AGD should do more advertising in magazines, at shows, set up booths at tourneys, etc. This will hit a larger audience than a simple box will. THIS will be money well spent. And, before you flame this, I know this has been brought up before. I just wanted to throw in my opinion.

[MagDog68]

Originally posted by oldsoldier
Remember people, more and more folks shop online now, so,to hit THAT market, you need to advertise towards THAt medium. Because when the product arrives, it really doesnt matter how it was packaged. So, IMHO, AGD should do more advertising in magazines, at shows, set up booths at tourneys, etc. This will hit a larger audience than a simple box will. THIS will be money well spent. And, before you flame this, I know this has been brought up before. I just wanted to throw in my opinion.

Aha..I tried to make that point before - the internet has made packaging almost irrelevant to a large portion of consumers.

~Fred