The most common question we are asked is, “what is the price of a gaming stool?” The typical response to this query often begins with ‘well, it depends.’
Unfortunately, this vague response falls short of providing the concrete information you’re looking for, namely a specific dollar amount! To offer you a more informative perspective on the factors behind the ‘it depends’ scenario, here are the 8 elements that impact the price of a gaming stool in Australia:
- 1. The style of casino chair
- 2. The order quantity
- 3. The upholstery material
- 4. The base of the stool
- 5. The swivel mechanism
- 6. Sea freight, customs clearance and import duties
- 7. Foreign exchange rates
- 8. Road freight to your venue.
Let’s have a look at each of these elements in greater detail.
1. Chair Type: Entry-Level, Mid-Range, or VIP
Like most products, gaming stools come in various categories, each designed to cater to different needs and preferences. Broadly speaking, we categorise casino chairs as entry-level, mid-range and VIP.
a. VIP or Premium Casino Chairs
At the top end of the spectrum, VIP or premium casino chairs like the Monte Carlo, Gemini and Orion, are the epitome of luxury and sophistication.
In addition to Quick-Release Seats, these casino chairs have an advanced ergonomic design and use high-quality materials. For example, the seats on our VIP ranges are upholstered in genuine leather. As you would expect, the VIP experience comes at a price.
b. Mid-Range Casino Chairs
Stepping down the ladder, popular mid-range chairs include the Platinum and Jupiter.
These chairs also have Quick-Release Seats and are typically upholstered in vinyl and not genuine leather. As a result, they sit in the middle of the pricing spectrum.
c. Entry-Level Casino Chairs
The workhorses of the gaming world, entry-level chairs like the Galaxy and Saturn are the straightforward, no-frills option.
These casino chairs are designed for functionality and utility, often with a minimalist approach. Consequently, they come with a more affordable price tag.
2. Quantity
The age-old principle of economies of scale applies to casino chairs just as it does to most other products. Gaming venues that are able to buy chairs in larger quantities, will benefit with a lower unit cost. In addition, bulk orders may result in lower road freight costs. Essentially, the more chairs you acquire, the better the deal you can secure.
3. The Upholstery
There are 3 general types of upholstery and they have the biggest impact on the overall price of any gaming stool, viz. fabric, vinyl and leather. Upholstery options for casino chairs.
a. Fabric and Vinyl Upholstery
Fabric and vinyl range in price from roughly $20 to well over $150 per linear meter, while leather typically costs over $240 per square meter. The quantity of plain fabric or vinyl we require to upholster our casino chairs depends upon the chair type and can vary from 0.8 to 2.0 linear meters. If you are using a patterned fabric with a repeat pattern that must be matched on each stool, the required quantity can increase dramatically. For example, a chair that requires 1.2m of plain coloured fabric, could require 1.8 or 2 meters of fabric with a repeat pattern. If the price of the patterned fabric is say $130 per meter, the additional material cost per stool can easily be $100!
b. Leather Upholstery
A gaming stool that has been upholstered with real leather is both luxurious and extremely durable, but it comes at a price.
The cost of leather upholstery is determined by the following:
To improve the comfort, strength and durability of our casino chairs, we have upgraded the seat upholstery on our VIP ranges, namely Monte Carlo, Gemini, Orion, Neptune and Lunar. As opposed to vinyl, the seats on our VIP ranges are upholstered in genuine Italian leather. Although vinyl is still available, we highly recommend the genuine leather seat option. Because we purchase the black leather in bulk, the price of a gaming stool with a seat upholstered in real leather is only marginally more than one upholstered in a high-grade vinyl.
4. How the Gaming Stool Base impacts it’s price
There are 3 standard base options available for gaming stools and they have a profound impact on the overall price of the chair, viz. Disc Base, 4-Legged and 5-Star.
Disc bases are generally the most expensive and our Ezi-Glide base is our premium offering. The 5-star bases are less expensive with the 5-star black nylon base being the least expensive option.
Bases for Casino Chairs – what types are available, and which is best?
5. The Swivel Mechanism
Gaming stool swivel mechanisms are available in two basic formats, viz. fixed-height or gas height-adjustable swivels. The fixed height swivel with a full 360 degree rotation is the most common option in Australia. Swivels with an auto-return function or gas height adjustment are slightly more expensive, typically adding between $10 and $40 to the price of a gaming stool.
The 5 important benefits of gas height adjustment for casino chairs.
6. Sea Freight, Customs Clearance and Import Duties
Most casino chairs available in Australia are manufactured overseas. Import duties and freight costs from the offshore factory to Australia can add a significant amount to the overall price of each gaming stool. All Karo casino chairs are designed and manufactured in our South African factory and are then shipped to Sydney. For more information, see our article on the cost of freight for gaming stools.
When we provide quotes for our gaming stools, they are all-inclusive. This means that the quoted price covers every aspect, including sea freight, customs clearance, import duties, and road freight to deliver the chairs to your venue. There are no hidden or variable costs. This creates budget certainty and allows you to plan your cash flow.
7. Foreign Exchange Rates
The majority of gaming stools available in the Australian market originate from China and the USA, with Australian importers making payments to their suppliers in US$. Consequently, fluctuations in the AU$ vs US$ exchange rate can significantly affect the pricing of these chairs. In contrast, Karo gaming stools are uniquely designed and produced in South Africa, making them less susceptible to variations in the AU$ vs US$ exchange rate.
Note: We DO NOT quote prices that are subject to variations in sea freight costs and foreign exchange rates.
8. Road Freight to Your Gaming Venue
Australia’s vast expanse and regional distribution mean that after casino chairs make their oceanic journey and clear local customs, there’s still the logistical challenge of transporting them to their final destination. The distance to your gaming venue’s location may add a significant additional cost.
Conclusion
The economics of casino chairs in Australia are a fascinating blend of design, material choices, ergonomic considerations, exchange rates, and logistics. Next time you sink into one of these comfortable gaming seats, you can appreciate the intricate factors that work together to make them both stylish and economically viable. Casino chairs may seem simple at first glance, but in reality, they are a testament to the art of balancing comfort, style, and practicality in a market where every detail matters.