Originally Posted by
ortcutt
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However, there are darker suggestions on this thread, to the effect that Petersen is deliberately marking up his products so as to generate "snob appeal." Now, none of us can make him open the company books, so we'll never "know"; but this sounds to me like sheer, malicious fantasy. It's vastly more plausible that his bikes are expensive because his plant, materials, and labor are expensive. Which returns us to the question: Are you willing to pay more for a bike that's produced under GP's chosen conditions?
It's probably not an either/or but more likely a bit of both. In my mind there's no question he could produce a less expensive bike that's as good without sourcing from China. Custom lugs for example add no extra intrinsic value. There's also no question that his bikes are more expensive because his labor is more expensive.
Unfortunately doing the right thing alone won't generate much of a market when the cost to the consumer is going to be double what they'd pay for an already expensive type of bike. So I will say he's been forced to try to appeal to those will larger pocketbooks and to those who take pride in owning things that not everyone can afford.
I find it very likely that part of the appeal to owning a Rivendell for many buyers is the fact that not that many other people (relatively speaking) own one.