We've been in business for nearly 10 years now and we've worked really hard to deliver quality high performance training products with service to match. From humble beginnings we've grown up and at this point in time we've had over 26,000 customers.
And we love you guys. We have a great time looking after you and catching up when you pop into our Richmond showroom or when we meet through our workshops or other events around Australia. It's a privilege to do business with you.
But there's been a sad trend of late. Success breeds copycats and we're noticing a few companies that sit back and wait for us to make a move. From here our products are copied and then sold at a buck or two lower than our prices.
For the most part we take it on the chin. As they say, copying is a form of flattery and we get on with doing what we do best. And to be honest, if other companies are selling great products and helping promote kettlebells and other high performance gear, everyone wins.
But sometimes people push things too far. Like the time our emails were copied word for word. It's just not on.
This is not something we're comfortable doing but I feel strongly that the truth be told. A competitor has recently come out with a Matrix copy and started promoting it. Again, we don't mind competition, in fact, as a company we encourage it - helps us stay on track and continually improve our products and service.
But in this instance they have pushed the friendship
They have copied the name
Our images have been copied
A complete copy of design
Accessories have been cut and pasted
I only became aware of this when a fellow customer sent us a link. I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am.
This has been over three-years in development
Multiple prototypes created
Engineered, tested and designed here in Australia
Market research conducted to prove its viability
Over $100K all up
For lazy bastard copy cats to come along and pinch our concept and pass it off as their own pisses me off. This is the first time I've ever written like this and I hope it is the last.
The good news is that this little incident as brought the Iron Edge team closer together and heightened our determination to;
- Deliver the best products
- Be competitive on prices
- Providing excellent service
- And keep helping you achieve your fitness goals
Here's the offending link. If you'd like to see the real deal then here's our Matrix.
Thanks for reading and your continual support.
Rick
Every product that is good will ultimately be copied; it's just a matter of time. Usually though the offending company tries to do it a little more tactfully :)
I'll point out that at the start of the post I was meant to quote "we have been open for ten years"
It sounded asthough I work there. I dont.
Cameron Barratt
As Rick started in the beginning of his post, we have been open for ten years, what he doesnt mention is the countless hours of dedicated hard work that was necessary to accomplish even remaining open over then years.
Sure, some of Rick's products are very similar to those of Sorinex, Muscle Driver, Rogue Fitness, this isn't to say that Rick has not invested many hour testing and preparing these products and ofcourse many thousands of dollars invested also.
In building fitness equipment, there are really only a few ways to skin a cat so to speak, in doing so each supplier points out these differences as specifications and attaches differing photos and descriptions to the competitors.
So, putting it as simply as "copying and complaining" is quiet ignorant to the fact that Rick and all those involved at IronEdge feel although their hard work, time and dedication has been taken without consideration by another fitness equipment supplier,Who could have atleast bothered to develop their own products.
Perhaps your replies were a little inconsiderate themselves.
Anyway, If gym and fitness feel the need to succeed by riding on other people's back, then that says a lot about the service and commitment they can make to their customers.
Thats about all.
I understand Rick's post and also the replies it received.
Cameron Barratt.
Stop complaining, start competing.
Complain about the images and name, but not the product.