1 gal of milk is 2.04 from Target or Walmart, same item costs maybe 10 dollars on the other side of the globe. You don't compare things like this.
As it is with most things: Location, location, location. Price for stringing in my small town is usually $10-20 because there is a only one tennis shop and about 3-4 private stringers. So I only charge $5 for labor if you provide string, $3 if you buy string from me. It's how I stay competitive. Drive east 30 minutes and what I charge becomes the standard because there is a plethora of both public and private stringers because it's the Capitol and a very urban populated city. That being said, I charge $8 to string a racket with ZyMax. I offer a half off deal to those who have never tried it, so I let them try it at $4. I've coverted virtually everyone I string for to ZM67. I almost don't have a reason to stock BG65 anymore.
that's even cheaper than Asia prices. BG80 in HK goes for around US$12-13 down here in the Bay Area, shops regularly charges $15 for labor. a full string job is $22+ +tax. i charge $12 labor.
Ashaway and Victor also have some sort of agreement together in Europe. Wouldn't be suprised at all if Kimony, Ashaway and Victor share knowledge and cooperate together.
..dude, your stringing service deals are so competitively low, if i'm living near your area, i would drive and sprint as fast as i could to you to do the stringing service. Of course, if i live far away say in the Silicon Valley, i have to consider the long drive and the gas cost i have to incur..
Hah maybe if I were looking to making a living doing it, I'd charge a little more. But a lot of people oddly enough didn't know they COULD restring their racket, and didn't know that changing from the factory string or BG65 would make such a huge difference. This is about furthering the sport, improving games and player levels, and maybe making enough on the side to get a boba drink
you can get cheaper Zymax 62/67 in your homeland boss (string only) http://sport-malaysia.blogspot.com/2010/01/ashaway-string.html
So on average, how long does the Zymax 62 last for if you play 3 times per week 3 hours each session? Since I am back to indonesia, it is not easy to get your hands on Zymax 62 especially where i'm from. i am currently experimenting with Li-ning AP62 @25lbs and have lasted more than 2 weeks. So if Zymax 62 would last me that long I might just give it a try.
i haven't tried the AP62, but some folks here are speculating that the AP62 is the same string as the ZM62.
i let him strung all my rackets when i was still in KL area and the B$200 includes labor which is very cheap compared to Malaysia
and it went POP tonight. i think i might have used it a grand total of 5 evenings. it frayed and popped right at the sweet spot. but damn. there is no going back. there is nothing like it.
it went POP means your stringing standard for 27lbs is somewhere there otherwise it won't break so fast! going high tension with fine string not only cost you the strings but grommets as well. when the pop starts to be off-centerd, ehmm... you should know what to do..
if i managed to stay awake after such a tiring day, i will be re-stringing my T2 and the ARC10 with ZM62@27lbs tonight. otherwise, might have to wait for the weekend.
Sleep should always win .... besides stringing while tired is a recipe for mistakes (DWI= drowsy while interweaving)
kwun, give the lining ap62 a try. I have been playing with it for almost 2 weeks @ 25lbs. It might even last longer than BG66, which only last me 2 weeks tops. MAYBE it is just like zymax62 with a little bit more durability.
so what's the verdict on the AP62? some have speculated that it is the same as ZM62 as it is a USA made string, the only USA string manufacture we know is Ashaway. LN probably OEMed it from Ashaway.