Bloxx knocks rivals' price hikes

Web filtering vendor questions motives of competitors who have increased their prices in recent weeks

Pat Dunne: How anyone could consider putting up their prices is beyond me

Web filtering vendor Bloxx has hit out at its rivals for ignoring customers’ economic concerns by announcing product price hikes.

Pat Dunne, vice president of sales at Bloxx, said that with many customers living in fear of a double-dip recession, product price increases could not come at a worse time.

“How anyone could consider putting up their prices at the moment is completely beyond me,” he said.

“The price increases are not being undertaken because the products have suddenly got better. In most cases, it is because the vendor is trying to make profits in the face of poor exchange rates.”

Dunne’s outburst comes hot on the heels of rival vendors SonicWall and Web­sense announcing product price hikes of five and 15 per cent, respectively.

Phil Dick, director of Bloxx partner NTS, said: “It is going to affect resellers because customers may not be willing to pay the prices they need to charge. The choice will be: lose customers or lose margin.”