Brian B Atlanta
TVWBB Gold Member
Just to stir up more conversation, I took a look at the linked ad for BBQGuys.com for a black "Special Edition" Genesis II with 9mm stainless rod grates, 4th sear burner, a handle light and closed in cart. $999 with free shipping.
https://www.bbqguys.com/weber-grill...MIr-j4y8Dh4AIVFwuGCh1sfQglEAEYASADEgKJq_D_BwE
I will always prefer the classic Genesis grills, but I honestly don't feel that this price is outrageous (regardless of their profit margin). It is very sharp grill, although I would rather it had the open cart which I think you can get as an alternative. If you compare the $999 in real terms to early 90's pricing I think this grill is priced comparably. And back then you couldn't get a Genesis with grates that nice.
Again, for that money you could have a spectacularly restored classic Genesis with rcplanebuyer grates and flavorizers, add on handle-light, rotisserie and a whole bunch more, plus still have money leftover for lots of steaks and BBQ. But, for someone smitten with this grill's modern looks, I can understand why they would buy it for $999.
Stirring it up myself, so you need to factor in the grates, sear burner and whatever. In 1999 assuming you paid this and of course the world changed those grills did not have stainless grates until you went to the later gold or platinum's I guess and they were not 500 bucks.
In other words, $500 in 1999 is equivalent in purchasing power to $753.62 in 2018, a difference of $253.62 over 19 years. The 1999 inflation rate was 2.21%. The inflation rate in 2018 was 2.44%. The 2018 inflation rate is higher compared to the average inflation rate of 0.24% per year between 2018 and 2019.