Monster Cables = Monster Rip-off - 80% Markup

[saxwork]

An interesting feature found over at The Consumerist

http://consumerist.com/353938/monste...off-80-markups

Ever wonder why gadget store employees push Monster cables like they're crack? *****in' markups, just like you suspected all along. That's what we found when a Radio Shack employee sent us his store's entire inventory list, which included the wholesale and retail price of every item in stock.

Some cables, like the 19ft HDMI-DVI cable, have markups as high as 80%. Retail: $179.99. Wholesale, $99.40, a profit of $80.54. Or consider the 16 ft S-Video cable, which Radio Shack buys for $61.24 and sells for $114.99. We found non-name brand versions of both on Mertiline for under $20. It's not just limited to Radio Shack, Best Buy charges the same retail price, and, presumably, gets them for a similar wholesale price. Our recommendation? Buy generic digital cables on Monoprice.com, Meritline.com, eBay, or other places online. If you're the type who wants afford Gucci-brand cables, then god bless, but our TV looks fine. Sister site Gizmodo even ran a series of tests and found Monster cables are for the most part, completely unnecessary. (see The Truth About Monster Cable - Grand Finale (Part III), HDMI Cable Battlemodo Resumes, The Truth About Monster Cable, Part 2 (Verdict: Cheap Cables Keep Up...Usually), and The Truth About Monster Cable).

Full price list of Monster products below.

Item | Retail Price | Wholesale Price | Profit Margin

MONSTER 19FT HDMI-DVI | $179.99 | $99.94 | $80.05
MONSTER 8M L 26.24' | $137.99 | $73.49 | $64.5
MONSTER 19FT HDMI-HDMI CA | $169.99 | $105.5 | $64.49
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $149.99 | $88.87 | $61.12
MONSTER HTS 950 | $149.99 | $90.89 | $59.1
MONSTER SLVR FLAT MNT-37I | $149.99 | $91.44 | $58.55
MONSTER 16FT DVI-DVI CABL | $149.99 | $93.08 | $56.91
MONSTER 13FT HDMI-DVI CAB | $149.99 | $93.08 | $56.91
MONSTER 6M L 19.68' - COM | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER 8' DIGITAL FIBER | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER 25' SUBWOOFER W/R | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER 16' S-VIDEO CABLE | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER ULTRA 8FT HDMI CA | $119.99 | $69.3 | $50.69
MONSTER ULTRA 4FT HDMI CA | $99.99 | $49.5 | $50.49
MONSTER 8FT COMPONENT CAB | $91.99 | $41.6 | $50.39
MONSTER 50' GOLD XLRS | $119.99 | $71.1 | $48.89
MONSTER 4M L 13.12' | $103.99 | $55.25 | $48.74
MONSTER 8FT HDMI CABLE | $99.99 | $52.23 | $47.76
MONSTER FLAT SCREEN HDMI | $99.99 | $55.7 | $44.29
MONSTER 20' GOLD XLR | $129.99 | $86.05 | $43.94
MONSTER HTS1000 MKII SURG | $149.99 | $107.04 | $42.95
MONSTER THX V600 4' HDMI | $79.99 | $38.23 | $41.76
MONSTER THX 600 4FT COMPO | $68.99 | $27.52 | $41.47
"MONSTER 12' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $99.99 | $59.24 | $40.75
MONSTER 4FT HDMI CABLE | $79.99 | $41.78 | $38.21
MONSTER 3FT HDMI-DVI CABL | $99.99 | $62.04 | $37.95
MONSTER 3FT HDMI-HDMI CAB | $99.99 | $62.04 | $37.95
MONSTER 36' PIECE 10.97M | $84.99 | $47.1 | $37.89
MONSTER 16' SUBWOOFER W/R | $84.99 | $47.1 | $37.89
MONSTER 19' RCA ADV AUDIO | $89.99 | $55.83 | $34.16
MONSTER 8' RCA AUDIO INTE | $74.99 | $41.38 | $33.61
MONSTER 30' GOLD XLRS | $79.99 | $47.39 | $32.6
MONSTER THX V500 CV-8 | $54.99 | $22.41 | $32.58
MONSTER 24' PIECE 7.32M | $67.99 | $36.47 | $31.52
MONSTER 6FT HDMI-HDMI CAB | $89.97 | $58.57 | $31.4
MONSTER 10' GOLD XLR | $74.99 | $44.42 | $30.57
MONSTER 18' PIECE 5.49M | $57.99 | $28.13 | $29.86
MONSTER 8' DIGITAL COAX C | $99.99 | $70.31 | $29.68
MONSTER 16' RCA AUDIO INT | $99.99 | $70.31 | $29.68
MONSTER HTS800 HP SURGE | $99.99 | $70.31 | $29.68
MONSTER 4M OPTICAL CABLE | $64.99 | $35.66 | $29.33
MONSTER 12' PIECE 3.66M | $64.99 | $35.66 | $29.33
MONSTER 24' PIECE 7.32M | $79.99 | $51.27 | $28.72
MONSTER RADIOPLAY 300 | $59.99 | $31.9 | $28.09
MONSTER THX V500 CV-4 | $45.99 | $18.35 | $27.64
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $64.99 | $37.47 | $27.52
MONSTER 19FT AUDIO W/RCA | $54.99 | $27.53 | $27.46
"MONSTER 6' 1/4"" AUDIO CAB" | $54.99 | $27.53 | $27.46
MONSTER 3FT DVI-DVI CABLE | $69.99 | $43.05 | $26.94
MONSTER GAME TO GO MOBILE | $99.99 | $73.15 | $26.84
MONSTER 6M 19.68' | $51.99 | $25.28 | $26.71
MONSTER 13' RCA ADV AUDIO | $69.99 | $43.43 | $26.56
MONSTER 18' PIECE 5.49M | $69.99 | $44.87 | $25.12
MONSTER 4' DIGITAL COAX C | $62.99 | $38.14 | $24.85
"MONSTER 21' ANGLED 1/4"" P" | $59.99 | $35.54 | $24.45
MONSTER 1000 SPEAKER CABL | $59.99 | $35.54 | $24.45
MONSTER FLAT SCREEN F-PIN | $49.99 | $25.69 | $24.3
MONSTER HT800 SURGE | $79.99 | $56.24 | $23.75
MONSTER PC800 HP SURGE | $79.99 | $56.24 | $23.75
MONSTER 4M 13.12' | $45.99 | $22.42 | $23.57
MONSTER 13FT AUDIO W/RCA | $44.99 | $22.22 | $22.77
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $49.99 | $29.61 | $20.38
"MONSTER 21' 1/4"" PLUGS " | $49.99 | $29.61 | $20.38
MONSTER 15' GOLD XLRS | $49.99 | $29.61 | $20.38
MONSTER 50' PRECISION XLR | $59.99 | $39.7 | $20.29
MONSTER 4FTDIGITAL OPTIC | $35.99 | $16.25 | $19.74
MONSTER SIRIUS HOME ANTEN | $49.99 | $30.31 | $19.68
MONSTER HDMI TO DVI ADAPT | $34.99 | $16 | $18.99
MONSTER DVI TO HDMI ADAPT | $34.99 | $16 | $18.99
MONSTER 6' RCA ADV AUDIO | $49.99 | $31.01 | $18.98
MONSTER 2M DIGITAL COAX | $49.99 | $31.01 | $18.98
"MONSTER 1M 1/4"" SEND&RETU" | $39.99 | $21.08 | $18.91
MONSTER GAMELINK 450 COMP | $69.99 | $51.2 | $18.79
MONSTER AV800 | $39.97 | $21.42 | $18.55
"MONSTER 12FT ANGLED 1/4"" " | $44.99 | $26.65 | $18.34
MONSTER 6' PEICE 1.83M | $34.99 | $16.91 | $18.08
MONSTER 6' RCA TO 1/8 MIN | $49.99 | $32.04 | $17.95
MONSTER 8M L 26.24' | $40.99 | $23.08 | $17.91
MONSTER 12FT SUB | $39.99 | $22.32 | $17.67
"MONSTER 4M STEREO 1/4"" PL" | $39.99 | $22.5 | $17.49
MONSTER 4M XLR CONNECTORS | $39.99 | $22.5 | $17.49
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $49.99 | $33.07 | $16.92
MONSTER 400 STEREO RCA TO | $32.99 | $16.51 | $16.48
"MONSTER 400 1/4"" .75M " | $32.99 | $16.51 | $16.48
MONSTER INSTRUMENT 12'-1/ | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 12' 1/4 PLUGS | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 10' GOLD XLRS | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
"MONSTER 10' STRT 1/4"" PLU" | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 2M OPTICAL CABLE | $44.99 | $28.83 | $16.16
MONSTER 1M S-VID | $29.97 | $13.93 | $16.04
"MONSTER 4M 1/4"" RCA " | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
"MONSTER 4M RCA-1/4"" " | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 4M 1/4 | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 4M RCA | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER 100 SPEAKER CABLE | $44.99 | $29.76 | $15.23
MONSTER 3FT ADV AUDIO W/R | $39.99 | $24.8 | $15.19
MONSTER 1.5M L 4.92' | $28.99 | $14.05 | $14.94
MONSTER TYPE A MALE TO TY | $34.99 | $20.55 | $14.44
MONSTER 6M L 19.68' - COM | $39.99 | $25.62 | $14.37
MONSTER 4M TRS-TRS CABLE | $34.99 | $20.72 | $14.27
MONSTER 4M XLRM-XLRF CABL | $34.99 | $20.72 | $14.27
"MONSTER 6' STRAIGHT 1/4"" " | $34.99 | $20.72 | $14.27
MONSTER 13FT HDMI-HDMI CA | $99.97 | $85.74 | $14.23
MONSTER SIRIUS ANTENNA EX | $44.97 | $31 | $13.97
"MONSTER 2M 1/4"" SEND/RETU" | $44.99 | $31.09 | $13.9
MONSTER PRINTER HIGH SPEE | $39.99 | $26.45 | $13.54
MONSTER KEYBOARD 12' -1/4 | $39.99 | $26.45 | $13.54
MONSTER 30' PRECISION XLR | $39.99 | $26.45 | $13.54
"MONSTER 8"" ANGLED 1/4"" PL" | $29.99 | $16.52 | $13.47
"MONSTER 2M STEREO 1/4"" PL" | $29.99 | $16.52 | $13.47
MONSTER GAMELINK 350 S-VI | $49.99 | $36.55 | $13.44
MONSTER GAMELINK 400 COMP | $49.99 | $36.55 | $13.44
MONSTER 3FT AUDIO W/RCA | $26.99 | $13.65 | $13.34
MONSTER 2 HIGH RES VID CA | $34.99 | $22.43 | $12.56
"MONSTER DJ CABLE 4M 1/4""-" | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER DJ CABLE 4M RCA-R | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER 4M ANGLED RCA-RCA | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
"MONSTER 8"" ANGLED 1/4"" PL" | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER 1000 SPEAKER CABL | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER GAMELINK 300 S-VI | $44.99 | $32.9 | $12.09
"MONSTER 2M 1/4""-RCA " | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
"MONSTER 2M RCA-1/4"" " | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 2M 1/4 | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
"MONSTER 1M STEREO 1/4"" PL" | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
MONSTER LCD POWER PROTECT | $29.99 | $18.78 | $11.21
MONSTER 2M L 6.56' | $29.99 | $19.2 | $10.79
MONSTER GAMELINK 300 S-VI | $39.99 | $29.25 | $10.74
MONSTER 2M TRS-TRS CABLE | $24.99 | $14.79 | $10.2
MONSTER 12' 5 PIN DIN | $24.99 | $14.79 | $10.2
MONSTER PRINTER HIGH SPEE | $29.99 | $19.82 | $10.17
"MONSTER 4M RCA-1/4"" CABLE" | $29.99 | $19.82 | $10.17
MONSTER 100 SPEAKER CABLE | $29.99 | $19.82 | $10.17
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M 1/4 | $19.99 | $10.54 | $9.45
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M RCA | $19.99 | $10.54 | $9.45
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M RCA | $19.99 | $10.54 | $9.45
MONSTER GAMELINK 200 A/V | $34.99 | $25.58 | $9.41
MONSTER MALE DVI-FEM HDMI | $29.97 | $21.06 | $8.91
MONSTER 2M XLRM-XLRF CABL | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
MONSTER 2M XLR CONNECTORS | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
MONSTER 15' PRECISION XLR | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
"MONSTER 2M RCA-1/4"" CABLE" | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER DJ CABLE 2M RCA-R | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER 1M TRS-TRS-CABLE | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 2M RCA | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
"MONSTER 8"" 1/4"" PLUG " | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER GAMELINK 200 PS2 | $29.99 | $21.92 | $8.07
MONSTER LIGHTWAVE 100 FIB | $29.99 | $21.92 | $8.07
MONSTER OUTLETS TO GO | $19.99 | $11.97 | $8.02
MONSTER SIRIUS CAR ANTENN | $39.99 | $32.13 | $7.86
MONSTER ICARPLAY 200 | $49.99 | $42.46 | $7.53
MONSTER 10' PRECISION XLR | $21.99 | $14.53 | $7.46
MONSTER 1M XLR CONNECTROS | $24.99 | $17.78 | $7.21
MONSTER 1M L 3.28' | $19.99 | $12.79 | $7.2
MONSTER LCD SCREEN CLEAN | $19.99 | $12.95 | $7.04
MONSTER HTS850 SUR | $67 | $59.97 | $7.03
"MONSTER DJ CABLE 2M 1/4""-" | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 2M ANGLED RCA-RCA | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 1M XLRM-XLRF CABL | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
"MONSTER 8"" ANGLED 1/4"" " | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
"MONSTER 12' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 100 SPEAKER CABLE | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 6' 5 PIN DIN | $19.99 | $13.23 | $6.76
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M 1/4 | $19.99 | $13.31 | $6.68
MONSTER 2M S-VID | $26.97 | $20.45 | $6.52
MONSTER DJ CABLE 1M RCA-R | $14.99 | $8.87 | $6.12
MONSTER 1M ANGLED RCA-RCA | $14.99 | $8.87 | $6.12
MONSTER 3' 5 PIN DIN | $14.99 | $8.87 | $6.12
MONSTER PLX12 AC POWER CO | $19.97 | $14.03 | $5.94
MONSTER GAMELINK STD 100 | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER GAMELINK STD 100 | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER GAMELINK X-LINK E | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER GAMELINK STD 100 | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER 7' USB | $12.97 | $7.83 | $5.14
MONSTER DJ CABLE 1M RCA-1 | $14.99 | $9.9 | $5.09
"MONSTER DL CABLE 1M 1/4""-" | $14.99 | $9.9 | $5.09
MONSTER 7' USB CABLE | $19.99 | $14.97 | $5.02
MONSTER 6FT HDMI-DVI CABL | $69.97 | $65.08 | $4.89
MONSTER ICLEAN SCREEN CLE | $14.99 | $10.5 | $4.49
"MONSTER 3' STRAIGHT 1/4"" " | $12.99 | $8.58 | $4.41
MONSTER GC COMPOSITE CABL | $19.97 | $15.82 | $4.15
"MONSTER 8"" STRAIGHT 1/4"" " | $9.99 | $6.59 | $3.4
MONS AUDIO W/RCA | $19.97 | $16.73 | $3.24
MONSTER MINI-AV | $19.97 | $17.91 | $2.06
MONSTER PATOL 49MH | $19.57 | $17.97 | $1.6
MONSTER PATROL 27M | $19.02 | $17.97 | $1.05
MONS 1M COMPONENT | $29.97 | $28.94 | $1.03
MONSTER IEZ CLICK | $9.97 | $9.97 | $0
MONSTER DVI400 2 M DVI CA | $29.97 | $29.97 | $0
MONS 1M OPT CABLE | $19.97 | $19.97 | $0
MONS 2M COMPONENT | $29.97 | $29.97 | $0
MONSTER SNOWBOARD (D) | $0.97 | $0.97 | $0
MONSTER PATROL (D) | $19.97 | $19.97 | $0
MONSTER TRUCK SPEED BOOST | $0.97 | $0.97 | $0
MONSTER TRUCK TIRE/WHEEL | $0.97 | $4.09 | $-3.12
MONSTER PWR PS2 | $4.97 | $9.82 | $-4.85
MONS 1M DIG COAX | $8.97 | $22.32 | $-13.35
MONSTER 360 COMPONENT AV | $29.97 | $43.88 | $-13.91
MONSTER 360 VGA VIDEO CAB | $9.97 | $29.97 | $-20
MONSTER SIRIUS RADIO/TV C | $29.97 | $52 | $-22.03
MONSTER ICASE TRAVEL PACK | $6.97 | $42.16 | $-35.19
MONSTER MP AVS2000 | $1499.99 | $909.12 | $590.87
MONSTER MP HTS7000 | $1299.99 | $787.9 | $512.09
MONSTER MP HTS5100 | $699.99 | $453.5 | $246.49
MONSTER MP HTS3600 | $499.99 | $355.27 | $144.72
MONSTER BLACK TILT MOUNT- | $249.99 | $152.43 | $97.56
MONSTER SILVER TILT MOUNT | $249.99 | $152.43 | $97.56
MONSTER HTS2600 SURGE | $349.99 | $253.43 | $96.56
MONSTER MP HTFS500 SURGE | $299.99 | $211 | $88.99
MONSTER FLAT BLK MOUNT-60 | $199.99 | $121.94 | $78.05
MONSTER FLAT SLV MOUNT-60 | $199.99 | $121.94 | $78.05
MONSTER BLK TLIT MNT-37IN | $179.99 | $109.74 | $70.25

[Sylin]

Interesting detail, but nothing new. I think most home audio products have ridiculous markups. Back in the day I worked for CC and we used to be able to buy Monster speaker wire for pennies by the foot... stuff they sold for $1/pf or more.

Speakers also have ultra-high mark-up, although competition on pricing has brought a lot of this back down. I remember buying a set of $1300 Polk floorstanding speakers for less than $400.

As a side note, you have to remember that these prices are the MSRP's, which very few shops sell at anymore. Also, once you factor in delivery and the depreciating cost of overhead inventory (ie. product sitting on the shelf that no one is buying, but the store already paid for), it's not necessarily as huge a margin as it first appears.

[Psiweaver]

Plus the margin on video is nothing. In fact most smaller dealers tend to lose money on video and make it up on audio and cable. It all works itself out in the end.

[dew912]

not just monster, all cables. audioquest is about the same, if not higher. most average 55% markup or so. that's why the smart consumer doesn't buy high-end cables, and if they do they make sure to buy online, not in a retail store. anyways, digital cables don't make a difference. DIGITAL means 0 or 1. an example of a digital calbe is the HDMI cable we've all come to know and love. I have a 400 dollar HDMI cable (I didn't pay that much for it), and i can say with confidence it gives me the same performance as the cheapies off e-bay.

[Siberian29]

I think the Best Buy markup is even higher I got my 6ft 1080P PS3 HDMI cable through a friends employee discount for $41 when they have it priced at $99. Even that was over priced but I thought I was getting a deal. Avoid retail stores for cables at all costs.

[DC_Street]

when I worked at RadioShack I was Monster certified and got 60% off the retail price of the Monster Products , I know how much mark up there is but welcome to the world of business.

I keep seeing everyone saying that the price of Monster is insane and no one would buy them, that is not true. Look at BMW for example, they make more profit on every vehicle sold then any other manufacturer in the world. Why do they do sooo much markup like Monster? Good business. BMWs are a image status, you own one and you are automatically put into a higher class. BMW could easily lower the prices on all of their vehicles but then they lose their status and become a grocery getter. Research has proven that the "higher" class will not buy a cheaper vehicle because it is too cheap to them. If you start out with a $10,000 BMW, none of the rich guys are going to touch it...but if you raise that price to $100,000 and do absolutely nothing to the car then all the rich guys are going to want it. This is the world we live in, Monster raises the bar and has amazing products, yes you can get the exact same cable for $5 that Monster charges $100 for but the high status that Monster has would go out the window if they went cheaper. All of my cables and wires are Monster and even my surge protectors are. When I have someone come over and they see them they automatically note the amount of money I have invested into the system and they "assume" I spent a ton of money on it (employee discounts rule!). The only cable I do not have Monster is my HDMI, I ran out of money, hahaha. I bought some generic one and it is fine for now. I also drive a BMW (got it used at a great price) and of course where I work requires a button shirt and tie and when people see me driving the car they assume that I'm rich (far from the truth). Monster is just like BMW, it is a status symbol!

[kingofgrills]

That is nothing new, and it doesn't indicate anything bad about Monster products. That's the difference between wholesale and retail, and it's not unique to Monster by any means.

The difference between the wholesale and retail price is not "profit" by Monster as implied. Radio Shack or whoever the retailer is must help balance their costs and hopeful profit with the spread between the two prices. Those costs include rent, distribution and shipping costs, advertising, utilities and labor. Monster makes up their costs and profit somewhere between their manufacturing costs, which weren't listed, and the wholesale price.

Economics 101. That's the way the world works, and as a consumer it pays to shop around.

[jkwest]

<yawn>

I think you are preaching to the wrong crowd....everyone that visits this site knew that....

we just need to get this information out to the general public...

print a couple sheets out and put them up on BB, CC and Radioshacks doors...then you will see something happen.

[dk3dknight]

I never really paid too much attention to cables...

say what would be the lowest price I should look for from
say a brick and motor store.

[Tok]

Aren't you aware of the patented technology that Monster uses in their cables to change the laws of physics to improve the signal between your devices? Their electron smoothing technology is especially impressive.... said the local flunkie at BB

[Tok]

Originally Posted by dk3dknight

I never really paid too much attention to cables...

say what would be the lowest price I should look for from
say a brick and motor store.

Actually it's brick and mortar....

The key is don't buy any cables at retail. BB and Circuit City will not carry a lot of generics especially long HDMI cables that compete with their highly stocked overpriced Monster junk.

Stick with monoprice.com. Great quality HDMI cables ranging in price from a few dollars to a high quality 25-ft HDMI 1.3 cable at under $50 with shipping. That same monster cable would have been well over $300.

[coolmilo]

I used to buy Monster Cable products but I kept having problems with Monster's $200 plus HDMI cable. I was forced to find an alternate solution. One of the nuggets that I have learned from frequenting Blu-ray.com and AVS Forum is MonoPrice.com. Mono's products are quality and sell for a fraction of Monster's prices. Monster is to cabling what Bose is to speakers - simply a ripoff.

[Horhay]

Yeah here at work we used to test their products, but every time we told them that they failed the electrical test they would get pissed off, eventually they just pulled their products and took their biz somewhere else, I guess they get "Good" results somewhere else LOL. If you need cables go to Monoprice.com I always buy stuff from there, they have cheap prices and good products!

[dk3dknight]

Nothing against that, but by brick and motor is a place I walk to,
Ive had "a" credit card become public property before, over a Major Retailer not securing there site well enough.

Thankfully it was proven that the purchase was impossible and thrown out but none the less I avoid online purchases unless its imperative or no further option available.

Plus the United States Postal Service would probably steal it, I swear there plotting against me.

Btw I think you confuzed my question as part of the great HDMI debate.

[surfdude12]

back when I was a HT idiot, I was buying HDMI cables in CC and asked the guy working there what the difference between the cheap $40 cable and the $120 monster cable, he said (NOT KIDDING): "well sir, this riaaght heare (holds up monster) is like a mercedes, you know?? and this riaaght here (holds up cheap cable) is like a ford....now don't that make it easy???"

[blujacket]

A ripoff even at cost.

[supersix4]

meh I tried crappy cables and got crap broken picture exc. ... I dont mind paying that

Originally Posted by KingLeerUK

In summary, you don't need to buy $1000 cables for every connection, but don't think that bargain-bin Radio Shack specials will give you the performance you paid for out of your equipment. It's like buying a Ferrari and then putting unleaded 87 in it.

and thats what happened when I bought a 12$ cable on ebay

[dk3dknight]

So far I hear $40 being the acceptable rate for retail, do I hear lower?

[1Fish2FishRedFishBlu]

I did significant research on this and the independant testing pretty much determined that the Monster Cables were not any better then the generic ones.

For HDMI cables in short length and not long runs in walls and ceiling Generic is perfectly fine. I recommend certified and tested cables. I own a pair of 1.3a certified gold plated cables and they work great.

A few places I have bought from and a co-worker has as well are:

http://www.monoprice.com/home/

http://www.mycablemart.com/

I ordered and received my cables in 3 business days via USPS at a low cost.

Here is the review that confirms Monster is a ripoff...
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cabl...lly-268788.php
http://gizmodo.com/tag/hdmi-cable-battlemodo/

[blujacket]

Originally Posted by DC_Street

when I worked at RadioShack I was Monster certified and got 60% off the retail price of the Monster Products , I know how much mark up there is but welcome to the world of business.

I keep seeing everyone saying that the price of Monster is insane and no one would buy them, that is not true. Look at BMW for example, they make more profit on every vehicle sold then any other manufacturer in the world. Why do they do sooo much markup like Monster? Good business. BMWs are a image status, you own one and you are automatically put into a higher class. BMW could easily lower the prices on all of their vehicles but then they lose their status and become a grocery getter. Research has proven that the "higher" class will not buy a cheaper vehicle because it is too cheap to them. If you start out with a $10,000 BMW, none of the rich guys are going to touch it...but if you raise that price to $100,000 and do absolutely nothing to the car then all the rich guys are going to want it. This is the world we live in, Monster raises the bar and has amazing products, yes you can get the exact same cable for $5 that Monster charges $100 for but the high status that Monster has would go out the window if they went cheaper. All of my cables and wires are Monster and even my surge protectors are. When I have someone come over and they see them they automatically note the amount of money I have invested into the system and they "assume" I spent a ton of money on it (employee discounts rule!). The only cable I do not have Monster is my HDMI, I ran out of money, hahaha. I bought some generic one and it is fine for now. I also drive a BMW (got it used at a great price) and of course where I work requires a button shirt and tie and when people see me driving the car they assume that I'm rich (far from the truth). Monster is just like BMW, it is a status symbol!

Wow.