KEM significant price increase coming July (1 Viewer)

[Venturalvn]

A look inside the boardroom.

"Sir our sales are down over 50%."

"That's easy, just raise the price by 50%."

 

[dpeks13]

So you're saying I should try a few setups of Guild?

 

[davefr]

So you're saying I should try a few setups of Guild?

No, if you want KEM like feel and handling but don't like the price, warping or smell then buy these. They are just about the perfect cards. Shipping is expensive so buy several setups to spread out the shipping cost. I just rec'd my order and love these cards:

They're called Angel Poker but they're bridge size. These are Angel's top of the line acetate cards.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B06XRBRWZR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

[upNdown]

So you're saying I should try a few setups of Guild?

In response to the speculation that guild cards were made by Modiano, @Dix said that if they were, they were the thickest, heaviest, stiffest Modiano cards he’d ever seen.
So it seems like the only things Guild cards have in common with Kem is that they both have fronts and backs.

 

[pokerplayingpisces]

No, if you want KEM like feel and handling but don't like the price, warping or smell then buy these. They are just about the perfect cards. Shipping is expensive so buy several setups to spread out the shipping cost. I just rec'd my order and love these cards:

They're called Angel Poker but they're bridge size. These are Angel's top of the line acetate cards.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B06XRBRWZR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Are these poker/wide or narrow/bridge size?

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

So you're saying I should try a few setups of Guild?

In response to the speculation that guild cards were made by Modiano, @Dix said that if they were, they were the thickest, heaviest, stiffest Modiano cards he’d ever seen.
So it seems like the only things Guild cards have in common with Kem is that they both have fronts and backs.

Echo this; I love Guild but very very different, some of the stiffest cards I've felt and pretty textured too.

 

[davefr]

Are these poker/wide or narrow/bridge size?

narrow bridge. I don't think Angle even makes a poker size plastic card.

 

[upNdown]

narrow bridge. I don't think Angle even makes a poker size plastic card.

Angel Aristo club. There was a big group buy here a couple years back. Poker size jumbo

 

[halfbreed]

Haven’t been here for a while but when I saw the crazy prices for decks I thought I’d check in to see WTF. It’s too bad because I think they are the best out of all the brands I’ve tried (Copag, Modiano, Bicycle plastic). I was lucky enough to pick up 2 decks a few years ago for around $25 each. $60-$90 now on Amazon? I ‘ain’t paying that.

 

[PKF655]

I bought some before the prices went up. I will not be buying anymore at the current prices they are just way to high. I have enough cards to last my life as well as my sons.

Side note has anyone used or have experience with this or something similar

https://www.kem.com/6-deck-auto-shuf

 

[matthewb]

Haven’t been here for a while but when I saw the crazy prices for decks I thought I’d check in to see WTF. It’s too bad because I think they are the best out of all the brands I’ve tried (Copag, Modiano, Bicycle plastic). I was lucky enough to pick up 2 decks a few years ago for around $25 each. $60-$90 now on Amazon? I ‘ain’t paying that.

This is pure insanity - They'll go out of business eventually, and it'll be another poker memory

EDIT: Weren't they $35 a year ago? So like an 80% increase

 

[surfik]

Screw KEM
Fournier and DalNegro rule....
i dont like Fournier font but noticed that they print Bicycle Prestige now
and yeah...2012 WSOP Fourniers are the best cards I ever had (with standard index)

 

[Quad Johnson]

View attachment 1333324
This is pure insanity - They'll go out of business eventually, and it'll be another poker memory

EDIT: Weren't they $35 a year ago? So like an 80% increase

It's USPCC though. It's one of many prints they own the rights to? Or is the KEM factory still in production?

Either way, they're insane. I stay supporting @desjgn, the only cards at my home game. That blackjack index is the nuts.

 

[matthewb]

It's USPCC though. It's one of many prints they own the rights to? Or is the KEM factory still in production?

Either way, they're insane. I stay supporting @desjgn, the only cards at my home game. That blackjack index is the nuts.

Not sure exactly. KEM cards in general can't sustain a $65 price point, lol

 

[Jake14mw]

Been away for a while, just seeing this. What a joke. I love the feel of Kems, but never bought many because of the warping. Their sales have to be down 75%. I also wonder what the increase to casinos was. There's no way casinos would put up with increases like that. Absolutely delusional.

 

[edwardstarcraft]

For context, the price increases seem to be because there's a global shortage of raw materials to produce cellulose acetate.

https://blog.donau-chemie-group.com/blog-posts/Essigsaeure-Verknappung?lang=EN

https://tobaccoreporter.com/2023/09/01/a-common-thread/

 

[upNdown]

For context, the price increases seem to be because there's a global shortage of raw materials to produce cellulose acetate.

https://blog.donau-chemie-group.com/blog-posts/Essigsaeure-Verknappung?lang=EN

https://tobaccoreporter.com/2023/09/01/a-common-thread/

That would make more sense. But didn’t they say it was due to increased packaging costs?

 

[Defarse]

I think it was just last year that the cards were $27 with free shipping. This price increase is insane. Time to put the rest of my decks in the safety deposit box. Tried to not use Copag for as long as possible but that's where I'm headed. Wish Modiano Platinum or Bicycle Prestige came in bridge size.

 

[Defarse]

But didn’t they say it was due to increased packaging costs?

Yes, a new style cardboard box

 

[philhut]

For context, the price increases seem to be because there's a global shortage of raw materials to produce cellulose acetate.

https://blog.donau-chemie-group.com/blog-posts/Essigsaeure-Verknappung?lang=EN

https://tobaccoreporter.com/2023/09/01/a-common-thread/

So what other applications is cellulose acetate used for?
Military?
Healthcare?

 

[davefr]

I guess the cellulose acetate shortage isn't affecting Angel. Angel Poker (acetate) are still only $22.91 + shipping. They are the finest cards I've ever used. The shuffle and pitch is almost orgasmic.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/product/B06XRBRWZR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[wcsmik]

Damn.. maybe one day I can afford some KEMs

 

[MrWookie69]

There will be a day when NAGB's will focus on casino KEMs. No way casinos are paying $50 (or will pay $80) for a setup.

Of course not. Casinos buy high volume at wholesale pricing.

 

[BigSlick4523]

Of course not. Casinos buy high volume at wholesale pricing.

yeah casinos get those for the Low I would love to know how much per deck I mean they buy them by the 10s of thousands prob so they are obvs way cheaper

 

[surfik]

yeah casinos get those for the Low I would love to know how much per deck I mean they buy them by the 10s of thousands prob so they are obvs way cheaper

I bought like 35 sets of Circle back jumbo for like 12 USD per set, the seller was some sort of floor manager in casino....good times

 

[Timmah]

Of course not. Casinos buy high volume at wholesale pricing.

Our casino uses KEM. Each setup costs us $76. We are allowed to use them for 3 months then they must be replaced. The old ones are destroyed.

 

[BigSlick4523]

Our casino uses KEM. Each setup costs us $76. We are allowed to use them for 3 months then they must be replaced. The old ones are destroyed.

no way what casino is this ?

 

[Timmah]

I work in a casino in Indiana. Casinos are required to purchase gaming equipment by vendors that have been approved by the gaming commission. Cards and dice have to be the highest of quality and are delivered in crates with security seals. Also, the cards all have unique patterns and art for each casino. This way no one can buy an off the shelf set and bring in a card.

 

[BigSlick4523]

I work in a casino in Indiana. Casinos are required to purchase gaming equipment by vendors that have been approved by the gaming commission. Cards and dice have to be the highest of quality and are delivered in crates with security seals. Also, the cards all have unique patterns and art for each casino. This way no one can buy an off the shelf set and bring in a card.

oh yeah they prob have rfid cards too or naw ?

 

[Timmah]

oh yeah they prob have rfid cards too or naw ?

Our cards do not have RFID.