Lee Precision dies and presses. FYI

[hunter63]

FYI:
I have been a customer/user of Lee dies and presses for a lot of years, and I still think they are a good value for the money for the casual re loader.

But I have to tell you that I was disappointed to find that the prices on their web site are a LOT higher than the same products for places like Mid South.

Example: Lee list price on their site, for the Challenger Press is $69.00 bucks.
The same press from mid South is 39.99. (New Master cat. 2008, page 80.

As I was talking to Lee customer service today, I pointed that out, and was told that they don't want to "step on the toes" of their distributors, that they sell for full retail, but come on that's $30 bucks difference.
Or if you look at it another set of dies.............

I guess I will be doing business with Mid South, not Lee directly.

[kawalekm]

I like Lee dies also, especially their carbide pistol dies. I usually go with MidwayUSA but buy only when they're on sale. Then, they are pretty darn cheap!

I think that some states have laws stating that the manufacturer can not sell their products at prices less than their distributors can. That's one reason why their price is higher. Maybe another reason is simply that they don't really want to be on the retail side of the business and the higher prices are just to push custumers over to the distributors where they want them to be.
Michael

[seekeroftruth]

What he said. In addition, even if it isn't a law that they can't sell lower than their distributors. It's just good business practice. You buy maybe $200 a year from them. A distributor may buy $20000 or more. And no matter how you slice it. Wholesale is Wholesale, and the lower prices are to be had from the biggest buyers. Which allows them if they so choose to sell them at a lower price than the manufacturer can.

seek

[hunter63]

I hear ya, but gheesh, that's about double.
This was a FYI only.........

Any way, a lot of companys won't sell directly or even give you pricing, just refer you to a vender.

I like their product and will continue buying them, but I will stay away from the Lee site when ordering.