About the first question… it’s simple: when we started Van der Waal, profit was not our main goal. We dreamed about creating a great surf wax alternative that would keep your boards looking great as at the same time we challenged ourselves to excel in all aspects of running a surf business, but most of all, have fun. Of course, if we could make some extra bucks for new surfboards or wetsuits, that would be great, but that was not our primary focus. And still isn’t. We just want to create a cool, transparent and high grip, wax free solution to your surfboard. Or at least, for mine ;)
But in 2023 a lot of things changed... and that led us to the second part of our tittle: why do we need to update our prices in 2023? Because:
PRICES IN PRODUCTION INCREASED BY AROUND 20%
Van der Waal manufacturing prices have increased by about 20% since 2021. If last year we could afford it, with the 2022 energy surcharge plus the increase in our raw material prices, it turned out to be almost impossible.
TRANSPORTATION PRICES
As you may know, we offer free shipping to all orders. With all the prices firing up. In 2020 transportation companies started to apply the Brexit tax - whatever that means - and now we have the energy surcharge + peak surcharge + the fuel surcharge… I think you can imagine our transportation fees right now.
CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES
At the beginning of February I received an email from Stripe - our payment gateway - stating that ‘Starting 10 April 2023, fees for card processing and disputes will be higher due to increases in network costs’… This was the final straw: if since late 2021 the prices to produce and ship our surf grip pads have been climbing but we could afford it, with this fees on top of our sales turned to be impossible to keep the same prices.
THIS MAKES ME REALLY SAD BECAUSE KEEPING OUR PRICES WAS A WAY TO KEEP YOU IN THE WATER CATCHING SOME WAVES…
We managed to keep it as low as possible, as fair as possible, and as always with a tremendous respect for our customer’s money. And I can assure you that if by any chance it’s possible to revert the prices, I will.
Thanks again for all your support.
Martim
