what is going on with spy optic?

es337
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es337
It looks like they have discontinued the ace mx goggle which only recently came out and the spyoptic.com site is cleared out, there is almost no inventory for snow/mx/ or even apparel. Im just curious because i like the brand and ace goggles.
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kzizok
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kzizok 4/26/2017 8:39pm
4/26/2017 8:39pm
Are they still in bankruptcy?
mxjon454
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mxjon454 4/26/2017 9:17pm
4/26/2017 9:17pm
Who else do they have besides seely in the pro ranks. I know mcgrath runs them but doesnt he own some of the company?
TripleFive 4/26/2017 9:29pm
4/26/2017 9:29pm
Once upon a time, Spy Optic and No Fear used to be two of the raddest companies around.

These guys had Pastrana, McGrath, and Windham wearing their products.

The two brands also had their fingers deep in markets not directly related to moto.



And now? Dried up.
1
swedishfishmx 4/26/2017 9:45pm
4/26/2017 9:45pm
I gave up and switched to Oakley on the MTB side of things. I liked the brand as well, but when they don't have inventory for months on end, it's almost a no brainer.

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Flip109
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Flip109 4/27/2017 4:56am
4/27/2017 4:56am
TripleFive wrote:
Once upon a time, Spy Optic and No Fear used to be two of the raddest companies around. These guys had Pastrana, McGrath, and Windham wearing...
Once upon a time, Spy Optic and No Fear used to be two of the raddest companies around.

These guys had Pastrana, McGrath, and Windham wearing their products.

The two brands also had their fingers deep in markets not directly related to moto.



And now? Dried up.
Isn't alias basically the old no fear gear company?
stone881
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stone881 4/27/2017 5:06am
4/27/2017 5:06am
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has destroyed other companies in the industry and well is taking a toll on this country

Greed.

Around 2008 Spy Optics was basically a privately held company, doing quite well and growing organically. But then investment capital was sought to take the company public, which they did. What that means in every case is that now all that matters is making more money. The soul of the company and its reason for being no longer mattered. Things began to unwind at that point, because lets be honest, brands like Spy are cool because they are dedicated to the sports for which they were created.

I saw something similar happen to White Brothers and Alloy MX, whom I almost repped. They were part of the same holding company, which was bought out by MAG. The only reason MAG bought the holding company was for some H-D product line. They never intended to keep White Bros. or Alloy going, and simply put a bullet in their heads.

Of course Luxotica owns Oakley now, but it seems like they have been pretty hands off.
3
Mini Elsinore
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Mini Elsinore 4/27/2017 5:09am
4/27/2017 5:09am
stone881 wrote:
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has...
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has destroyed other companies in the industry and well is taking a toll on this country

Greed.

Around 2008 Spy Optics was basically a privately held company, doing quite well and growing organically. But then investment capital was sought to take the company public, which they did. What that means in every case is that now all that matters is making more money. The soul of the company and its reason for being no longer mattered. Things began to unwind at that point, because lets be honest, brands like Spy are cool because they are dedicated to the sports for which they were created.

I saw something similar happen to White Brothers and Alloy MX, whom I almost repped. They were part of the same holding company, which was bought out by MAG. The only reason MAG bought the holding company was for some H-D product line. They never intended to keep White Bros. or Alloy going, and simply put a bullet in their heads.

Of course Luxotica owns Oakley now, but it seems like they have been pretty hands off.
Nailed it.
c0ncEpT
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c0ncEpT 4/27/2017 5:50am
4/27/2017 5:50am
I broke 2 pair of Ace goggles in a month. The out riggers broke right off the frames on both pairs. At $120 each I was pretty upset about it...
HenryA
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HenryA 4/27/2017 6:06am
4/27/2017 6:06am
TripleFive wrote:
Once upon a time, Spy Optic and No Fear used to be two of the raddest companies around. These guys had Pastrana, McGrath, and Windham wearing...
Once upon a time, Spy Optic and No Fear used to be two of the raddest companies around.

These guys had Pastrana, McGrath, and Windham wearing their products.

The two brands also had their fingers deep in markets not directly related to moto.



And now? Dried up.
Don't forget One Industries!
HuskyEd
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HuskyEd 4/27/2017 7:19am
4/27/2017 7:19am Edited Date/Time 4/27/2017 7:22am
stone881 wrote:
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has...
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has destroyed other companies in the industry and well is taking a toll on this country

Greed.

Around 2008 Spy Optics was basically a privately held company, doing quite well and growing organically. But then investment capital was sought to take the company public, which they did. What that means in every case is that now all that matters is making more money. The soul of the company and its reason for being no longer mattered. Things began to unwind at that point, because lets be honest, brands like Spy are cool because they are dedicated to the sports for which they were created.

I saw something similar happen to White Brothers and Alloy MX, whom I almost repped. They were part of the same holding company, which was bought out by MAG. The only reason MAG bought the holding company was for some H-D product line. They never intended to keep White Bros. or Alloy going, and simply put a bullet in their heads.

Of course Luxotica owns Oakley now, but it seems like they have been pretty hands off.
Sounds just like GoPro Dry
SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 4/27/2017 7:29am
4/27/2017 7:29am
stone881 wrote:
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has...
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has destroyed other companies in the industry and well is taking a toll on this country

Greed.

Around 2008 Spy Optics was basically a privately held company, doing quite well and growing organically. But then investment capital was sought to take the company public, which they did. What that means in every case is that now all that matters is making more money. The soul of the company and its reason for being no longer mattered. Things began to unwind at that point, because lets be honest, brands like Spy are cool because they are dedicated to the sports for which they were created.

I saw something similar happen to White Brothers and Alloy MX, whom I almost repped. They were part of the same holding company, which was bought out by MAG. The only reason MAG bought the holding company was for some H-D product line. They never intended to keep White Bros. or Alloy going, and simply put a bullet in their heads.

Of course Luxotica owns Oakley now, but it seems like they have been pretty hands off.
SPY is a publicly traded company? That's news to me. What's their ticker symbol?
SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 4/27/2017 7:30am
4/27/2017 7:30am
HuskyEd wrote:
Sounds just like GoPro Dry
How so?

What's GoPro doing differently now than they were before their IPO?
HuskyEd
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HuskyEd 4/27/2017 7:32am
4/27/2017 7:32am
HuskyEd wrote:
Sounds just like GoPro Dry
SPYGUY wrote:
How so?

What's GoPro doing differently now than they were before their IPO?
Going public and then tanking.
nc_mx_kid
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nc_mx_kid 4/27/2017 8:13am
4/27/2017 8:13am
something is going on as I'm an avid cyclist I know the current/ex VP of Spy optics is Michael Marckx and he puts on the "Belgian Waffle Ride' in San diego MAY 21st this year its a 144mile road bike ride consisting of 40miles off road & 100miles of road.... I did it last year, LONG day in the saddle. Anyways in 2015 SPY was the title sponsor, was just a sponsor last year, and NOwhere to be seen on the 2017 brochures/flyers/advertising.....

tcallahan707
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tcallahan707 4/27/2017 8:14am
4/27/2017 8:14am
SPY went back to being private.
SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 4/27/2017 8:16am
4/27/2017 8:16am Edited Date/Time 4/27/2017 8:17am
HuskyEd wrote:
Going public and then tanking.
I don't think you understand some key differences between the two companies.
peelout
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peelout 4/27/2017 8:21am
4/27/2017 8:21am
stone881 wrote:
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has...
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has destroyed other companies in the industry and well is taking a toll on this country

Greed.

Around 2008 Spy Optics was basically a privately held company, doing quite well and growing organically. But then investment capital was sought to take the company public, which they did. What that means in every case is that now all that matters is making more money. The soul of the company and its reason for being no longer mattered. Things began to unwind at that point, because lets be honest, brands like Spy are cool because they are dedicated to the sports for which they were created.

I saw something similar happen to White Brothers and Alloy MX, whom I almost repped. They were part of the same holding company, which was bought out by MAG. The only reason MAG bought the holding company was for some H-D product line. They never intended to keep White Bros. or Alloy going, and simply put a bullet in their heads.

Of course Luxotica owns Oakley now, but it seems like they have been pretty hands off.
yep

X100

one of my best friends was one of the top reps for a long time and lost his job to greed within the company. from what i remember him saying, management was changed around and they wanted their bro's doing the job, rather than the guys that had been slaying it for years.

i still have 3 newish pairs of Spy goggles, love them but can't for the life of me get a lens to last more than a handful of rides without the film rubbing off the lens.
RandyS
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RandyS 4/27/2017 9:11am
4/27/2017 9:11am
I read a story on TW Business about how they were profitable last year for the first time in the last 10. Maybe they're just trimming all the fat.
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NV825
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NV825 4/27/2017 9:29am
4/27/2017 9:29am Edited Date/Time 4/27/2017 9:29am
TripleFive wrote:
Once upon a time, Spy Optic and No Fear used to be two of the raddest companies around. These guys had Pastrana, McGrath, and Windham wearing...
Once upon a time, Spy Optic and No Fear used to be two of the raddest companies around.

These guys had Pastrana, McGrath, and Windham wearing their products.

The two brands also had their fingers deep in markets not directly related to moto.



And now? Dried up.
Spy and No Fear hold a special place in my heart as they were awesome sponsors to me in the early 2000's in my faster racing days. They used to send me a bunch of free stuff, and when No Fear tried their hand in the energy drink realm they would send us like 10 cases a week to give away at our local races for free.

I'd like to see Spy turn it around and get back to their roots, and RIP No Fear.
1
HuskyEd
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HuskyEd 4/27/2017 10:00am
4/27/2017 10:00am
HuskyEd wrote:
Going public and then tanking.
SPYGUY wrote:
I don't think you understand some key differences between the two companies.
You're probably right there. I do know that when their stock went public they did very well initially and then the bottom fell out.
RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 4/27/2017 5:40pm
4/27/2017 5:40pm
Spy goggles, best out there bro.
Mini Elsinore
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Mini Elsinore 4/27/2017 5:44pm
4/27/2017 5:44pm
Google "Mark Simo" and read his resignation letter to the board. It's all water under the bridge, but it appears he tried to keep it on course. Hopefully, they have things figured out and will be rolling strong again.
r.sal923
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r.sal923 4/27/2017 6:30pm
4/27/2017 6:30pm
What is up with cheaptearoffs.com . Nothing in stock? They are my go to for lenses and tear offs
KirkChandler
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KirkChandler 4/27/2017 8:20pm
4/27/2017 8:20pm
I'd ask one of the 20 or so people I knew who worked there, but none of them work there anymore.

TripleFive 4/27/2017 8:29pm
4/27/2017 8:29pm
NV825 wrote:
Spy and No Fear hold a special place in my heart as they were awesome sponsors to me in the early 2000's in my faster racing...
Spy and No Fear hold a special place in my heart as they were awesome sponsors to me in the early 2000's in my faster racing days. They used to send me a bunch of free stuff, and when No Fear tried their hand in the energy drink realm they would send us like 10 cases a week to give away at our local races for free.

I'd like to see Spy turn it around and get back to their roots, and RIP No Fear.
X2. I also had NF and Spy support.
1
gnarwhip
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gnarwhip 4/27/2017 8:50pm
4/27/2017 8:50pm
stone881 wrote:
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has...
I can tell you what ruined them, because I used to be a rep for them about 8 years ago. Its the same thing that has destroyed other companies in the industry and well is taking a toll on this country

Greed.

Around 2008 Spy Optics was basically a privately held company, doing quite well and growing organically. But then investment capital was sought to take the company public, which they did. What that means in every case is that now all that matters is making more money. The soul of the company and its reason for being no longer mattered. Things began to unwind at that point, because lets be honest, brands like Spy are cool because they are dedicated to the sports for which they were created.

I saw something similar happen to White Brothers and Alloy MX, whom I almost repped. They were part of the same holding company, which was bought out by MAG. The only reason MAG bought the holding company was for some H-D product line. They never intended to keep White Bros. or Alloy going, and simply put a bullet in their heads.

Of course Luxotica owns Oakley now, but it seems like they have been pretty hands off.
Posts like this are what make vital great. Thanks for the info. Damn it seems like Von Zipper is the only goggle co left that is still run by the dudes who founded it (Tomlinson, etc) even though it was bought out by Billabong corp.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 4/27/2017 8:51pm
4/27/2017 8:51pm
Mini Elsinore wrote:
Google "Mark Simo" and read his resignation letter to the board. It's all water under the bridge, but it appears he tried to keep it on...
Google "Mark Simo" and read his resignation letter to the board. It's all water under the bridge, but it appears he tried to keep it on course. Hopefully, they have things figured out and will be rolling strong again.
Damn. Thanks!

That was a great read.
vm616
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vm616 5/19/2017 1:29pm
5/19/2017 1:29pm Edited Date/Time 5/19/2017 1:29pm
This is Vicki and I'm the Motorsports Marketing Manager at SPY. I came across this thread and wanted to address some of your concerns and questions.

- SPY’s got a lot of good things happening. Check it out http://www.grindtv.com/transworld-business/spy-makes-a-solid-comeback/#…

- There’s a better version of the Ace MX coming

- We’re still committed to MX. Did you see the Moto Bros video at www.brosyouknow.com ? Or the Jersey Series launch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp5ektTWF04

- Any snow brand has limited inventory at the end of the season. It means people bought it! Wait until October for the new goods from us…

- We pulled out of cycling because it’s a non-profitable line of business and that ultimately led to us pulling funding from the BWR

- @RCMX Racing – thanks for the support!
1
DavetheVintageGuy 5/19/2017 1:48pm
5/19/2017 1:48pm
vm616 wrote:
This is Vicki and I'm the Motorsports Marketing Manager at SPY. I came across this thread and wanted to address some of your concerns and questions...
This is Vicki and I'm the Motorsports Marketing Manager at SPY. I came across this thread and wanted to address some of your concerns and questions.

- SPY’s got a lot of good things happening. Check it out http://www.grindtv.com/transworld-business/spy-makes-a-solid-comeback/#…

- There’s a better version of the Ace MX coming

- We’re still committed to MX. Did you see the Moto Bros video at www.brosyouknow.com ? Or the Jersey Series launch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp5ektTWF04

- Any snow brand has limited inventory at the end of the season. It means people bought it! Wait until October for the new goods from us…

- We pulled out of cycling because it’s a non-profitable line of business and that ultimately led to us pulling funding from the BWR

- @RCMX Racing – thanks for the support!
That one site "Bros you know" tells me everything I need to know.Tongue It tells me that the folks marketing the product don't use the product on a weekly basis and haven't been around the sport very long.

Have you considered marketing your product to the other 49.5 states that aren't SoCal? Not all of us aspire to be Millennial douchbags wearing beards, tats and flat bills. And, uh, rompers.Blink

Here's a thought. Tell me why, in an ad campaign, your product is BETTER than someone elses. Sell me on why I should let your product protect the only 2 eyes I have. After all, a pair of goggles is for protection, not a lifestyle choice.

Marketing quality, what a novel concept.
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