Mysterious Popularity: MX-P, G-1, Rakza7, Vega Pro

DonnOlsen wrote: The argument concerning the sales popularity of the top selling rubbers at a certain company being dominated by the 4-for-the-price-of-3 discount is an interesting one.  It is alleged by some that this is the primary reason for the specific sales results, implying that the top selling list would be substantially different had there been no discount feature influencing the buyers. A valuable contribution to this argument and this discussion would be lists by those advocates of this position of what, in their view, would be the top selling list absent the currently available discount.

Can anyone compare the G1 to the Vega pro to the mxp?

Dream1700 wrote: The 10 Best Selling Table Tennis Rubbers of 2018 at Tabletennis11.com! 10. Nittaku Hurricane Pro 3 Turbo Orange 9. DHS Hurricane 3 Neo 8. Tibhar Evolution MX-S 7. Tibhar Grass D.TecS  6. Xiom Vega Europe 5. Xiom Vega Pro 4. Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft 3. Yasaka Rakza 7 2. Nittaku Fastarc G-1 1. Tibhar Evolution MX-P Some of these rubbers have been around for almost 10 years  (e.g. Vega Pro was introduced at the end of 2009). The list does no cover Butterfly because TT11 does not sell their rubbers to most countries.

[EDIT]: I see someone already posted what I posted. So there you go.

They're the most popular on TT11 because TT11 offers them with a 3+1 sale (one for free). That's the reason.

I emailed TT11 and asked them why they don't simply allow ALL rubbers in a 3+1 sale, where the free one is the cheapest of the rubbers in the deal, like all the local shops here do, but they said it won't work for them for some reason. I'm not sure why but I don't work there.

It seems really silly to me (not knowing their business model), since it seems this would dis-incentivizes people from buying new and more expensive rubbers, and indeed, you can see that the top selling rubbers are the ones on sale.



Also they're good rubbers. Or at least a known quantity. I wouldn't say they're all better than the newer rubbers but generally...



Edited by Lightzy - 02/27/2019 at 8:36pm

darucla wrote: The discounts at TT11 are a little misleading.  If you spend enough money, you get a 25% discount, which is the equivalent of 4 for 3.  The discounts don't add to each other, so the biggest one applies. What i don't understand is why there is any mystery about the popularity of the top rubbers at TT11.  They are all perfectly acceptable rubbers, with slightly differing characteristics. MX-P has been the goto non-Tenergy for some time, G1 is enjoying a revival of interest on the forums.  Rakza 7 and Vega pro are long term favourites.  Apart from runaway EJs, people tend to buy familiar equipment. And, the list doesn't indicate absolute numbers, so the differences in sales could be in single figures. Plus, as has been pointed out, there are 46 different rubbers on the 4 for 3 promotion. AFAICS, they are all ESN rubbers, which are the most popular anyway. Unless they all sell in exactly the same numbers (very unlikely), some have to be at the top of the list.  I suspect that Butterfly products would be up there if they could ship them worldwide. DHS Hurricane series and other Chinese rubbers are available from China at lower cost, so TT11 is much less attractive for these.  And as is often the case, the pre-discount prices at TT11 are not hugely competitive and even with the discounts, not necessarily great.  GA8, which is made in Germany, is cheaper from China. Remember that European orders attract roughly 20% VAT, so the prices shown to shoppers in the US and Australia seem that much lower.   OTOH, we pay no import duty on goods from the EU.  On the other other hand, I have never paid either VAT or import costs on goods from China, and I can order a single £30 item which will be sent free shipping.  I never place such a low value order at TT11. So, no mystery really.  People like some stuff that is offered more than other stuff.

fatt wrote: Lightzy wrote: Except you have to buy 8-20 rubbers (premium to non-premium) to get a 30% discount, while you can get 4 rubbers (more sensible) with a 33% discount on the 3+1. Also, just so happens that all those rubbers are on the 3+1. I think it explains it away fairly well 3+1 means you get 4 and 1 is free, 1 is 1/4 or 0.25 or 25%. 3+1 is not as good a saving than spending $300 and getting 30%.

Edited by Lightzy - 02/28/2019 at 6:28pm

darucla wrote: DHS Hurricane series and other Chinese rubbers are available from China at lower cost

Their 4 for 3 promotion is one of the reasons I decided to switch back to the MXP from V>15... even though I slightly prefer Victas and Tenergy overall. I am just not at a level where the difference matters that much. The mix and match option is amazing since my 9 y/o plays Xiom rubbers and I am now back to the Tibhar. Previously I had to haunt for Tenergy and recently Victas all over the world hoping to score a decent price on a volume purchase.