reels more expensive per sq ft than packs?

I

iplaylikeyourgrandma

New User
New to stringing but I was wondering why some reels (330ft) are more per sq ft compared to the sq ft of packs (40ft) for the same string and same retailer? Is it still worth buying a reel because a lot of string is wasted in the packs?
Maybe you only use 30ft of string if you were stringing your racquet from a reel? But of course if you buy a pack you have to throw away the extra 10 ft?
 
sorry that was a bad example...ok let's assume you have 2-6 ft left over if you're stringing with a 40ft pack...if you get a pack, it gets wasted...not for a reel. But how come reels are more expensive per ft? I would expect them to be cheaper per ft due to volume discount?
 
most places are cheaper by the reel. Mini reels (330 feet) I am not so sure about. I would think they would be as well. What kind of string? where are you getting prices?
 
People that string a lot might be willing to pay a little extra for a reel. They don't want to deal with all the individual packs.
 
All prices from Tennis Warehouse:

Bad example...but I guess I was expecting more savings for 660 ft vs 40ft?
Prince Synthetic Gut 16 Duraflex String $69 for 660ft
comes out to be $0.1045 per foot

Prince Synthetic Gut 16 Duraflex String $4.25 per pack (40ft)
comes out to be $0.1063 per foot



example #2
Prince Premier LT 16 String 330 Reel $139
or $0.4212 per foot

Prince Premier LT 16 pack $14 per 40ft
or $0.35 per foot


example #3
Prince Topspin 16 330ft String Reels $49.99
or $0.1515 per ft

Prince Topspin 16 pack $5.85
or $0.1463 per ft



I didn't check other brands...seems like if you're buying a reel, should be significantly cheaper, since they save packaging costs. Buying a reel seems hardly worth it due to the initial sunk cost of the reel compared to the small costs of packs?
 
I just ordered a 200 meter reel of both the Signum Hyperion and Signum Tornado from TW EUROPE, because in this case you really save Something like 30%, but for some reason this is not the norm, but rather the exception to the rule, which is seriously weird :(
 
Most stringers don't use the full 40 feet of string for their rackets. For example, my racket calls for around 35 feet of string. If I buy packs of string, I waste 4 feet of string each time, but if I buy reels, I don't waste anything because I can measure out 35 feet of string easily. So in the end, I can squeeze 1-2 extra strings jobs from a reel than I would from just packs.

Unlike most people, I actually prefer packs for ease of stringing. It's a little tighter coiled, but you don't have to measure. Just uncoil, snip in 1/2, and you're good to go.
 
From what I can tell by in large buying a reel does save you a little money, however, as you now know that's not the case with every brand. In your first example the difference is neglible as you pretty much break even (16.5 sets costs $70 vs. a reel which runs $69). As for your second example, yeah, the cost savings is significant; it's definitely better to buy by the set. The bottom line I suppose is you can't just assume there's a discount associated with buying volume where string is concerned.
 
meowmix said:
Most stringers don't use the full 40 feet of string for their rackets. For example, my racket calls for around 35 feet of string. If I buy packs of string, I waste 4 feet of string each time, but if I buy reels, I don't waste anything because I can measure out 35 feet of string easily. So in the end, I can squeeze 1-2 extra strings jobs from a reel than I would from just packs.
Click to expand...

Seems like the numbers make sense when you aren't using all 40 ft...
Let use the above examples and compare # of string jobs instead (assuming you use 36 ft per job)...
a 40ft pack will give you 1 string job
a 330 ft reel will give you 9 string jobs (330/36)
a 660 ft reel will give you 18 string jobs (660/36)

Prince Synthetic Gut 16 Duraflex String $69 for 660ft = $3.83 per job
Prince Synthetic Gut 16 Duraflex String $4.25 per pack (40ft) = $4.25 per job

Prince Premier LT 16 String 330 Reel $139 = $15.44 per job (WTF???)
Prince Premier LT 16 pack 40ft = $14.00 per job

Prince Topspin 16 330ft String Reels $49.99 = $5.55 per job
Prince Topspin 16 pack = $5.85 per job

So my question is...who in their right mind would buy the 330 ft reel of Prince Premier LT when the pack is available? Someone who doesn't want to fiddle with packs? Why isn't there a discount on the reel? Seems like Prince messed up the pricing on these reels?
 
I only string for myself and I've found packs work better for me. I always get bored with the string before I finish the reel and then end up having to pawn it off for a lower cost than what it is worth.
 
I only buy reels when it makes sense i.e. Gosen. Others, it'll be cheaper to get sets. Depends on your racquet and if you're going to measure just enough to string or measure more for safety.
 
it is like shopping.... you try to find the best buy and is worth buying small quantities or bulk. i buy bulk in deals like cyberflash, psgd, gosen og micro, and maxim touch, which i string a lot of customers with. other sets, i just buy packs because i don't use that often.
 
to one of the above posters 18 frames for a 660 is being VERY precise in your measuring. If you have a kps or a small framed racquet, yes. If you're stringing something along the lines of the fxp radical you're looking at less...(chose that one becuase I've been stuck dumping half sets thanks to missing an inch or two to pull/tie)

Packs are, as a whole easier to deal with for doing full jobs. It can get a bit annoying re-coiling and zip-tie-ing the remaining half sets at times --> perks of having a reel. For a few cents difference I'd personally go for the pack...

I also noticed that for some silly reason customers automatically assume that you're saving a huge amount and making SO much more money when you have reels than packs...I actually had someone complain once that I was charging them too much since I had a reel! (20.00 for pro line II)
 
If I'm stringing rqts like pure drives with a syn gut or multi, I only need to measure 34.5ft for each rqt so I can get 19 rqts out of a reel. Poly reels are slightly difference as I tend to err on the side of caution as they don't stretch as much. So if I allow 36ft for rqt using poly I can still get 18 rqts out of a reel.

I keep reels of my most popular strings, but buy sets for least frequently requested or most expensive strings.

Regards

Paul
 
I prefer individual packs over reels because I never end up with a string that is too short. Sooner or later if you try to cut corners and only 36' 7" (or whatever) of string you are going to end up short. I would rather spend a little bit more to get more than enough string.

But one point I would like to say about reels that I like is there is less recoil or memory in string that comes on reels. I guess because it is not wound as tight. When I buy reels (and I do) I still like to measure off 17.5 racket lengths of string to be sure I am not going to end up short. If I have a racket I think may come close to 40' I use 18 lengths or more.

Irvin
 
Irvin said:
I prefer individual packs over reels because I never end up with a string that is too short. Sooner or later if you try to cut corners and only 36' 7" (or whatever) of string you are going to end up short. I would rather spend a little bit more to get more than enough string.

But one point I would like to say about reels that I like is there is less recoil or memory in string that comes on reels. I guess because it is not wound as tight. When I buy reels (and I do) I still like to measure off 17.5 racket lengths of string to be sure I am not going to end up short. If I have a racket I think may come close to 40' I use 18 lengths or more.

Irvin
Click to expand...


I also find this a big advantage with reels. And it's a bit more convenient if you string a lot of hybrids. Someone above also mentioned having to recoil and bag the remaining half set -- another hassle. One more advantage of a reel (especially if it's a string you really love) is that some racquet stringing patterns recommend a bit more than 21' for the Mains. In a pack, it would be a bit more difficult (cutting it very close, so to speak) to use the other "half" for another set of Mains.

But I buy both reels and packs. Packs because I like trying other strings and it is pretty convenient to just snip it in half without measuring.
 
Last edited:
you divide the amount of the reel by the number of feet of string needed to do a racquet.

In every 95" headed racquet i've strung, i've needed 36' at the most. Usually 34-35'.

That's where the cost savings is. With a 40' pack, you're throwing away a minimum of 4'. By going the reel method, you get to capture and prevent that wasted 4' and after stringing 9 racquets it's like getting a 10th racquet free.
 
Just my general thoughts here - reels seem to suit me better for hybrid jobs - I use the Pure Storm Limited - but basically any racquet with an 18 x 20 string bed - Customers I string for that like a poly set up of say PHT mains and syn gut crosses - it's easier for me to cut 21' fromthe reel rather than try to cut a regular set to 21' and somehow try to use the other 19' either in a cross or a smaller 16 x 19 frame - I have a drop weight machine so I need the extra length to pull tension - obviously I know you can always tie a second string to the end of the polys to make it work but I've found it's easier (maybe Im lazy) to just cut the 21' from the reel - I figure what Im losing in the poly reels I am gaining in the syn gut reels...

Just a thought
 
I use gut, so I can only buy in sets. I really dont think throwing away 4 feet is that big of a deal , I need that foot at each knot to pull my last main/cross. I dont know how you could string a racquet and not have some string left over.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Quick Reel Questions
Replies
11
Views
1K
pvaudio
P
W
X-one biphase reels more expensive than sets.
Replies
16
Views
1K
Irvin
Irvin
P
Why is reel more expensive than buying packs?
Replies
6
Views
965
migjam
migjam
B
Why are reels not significantly cheaper than packages?
Replies
14
Views
2K
DavidGarcia
DavidGarcia
S
What's the deal with reels of string?
Replies
16
Views
1K
Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Back
Top