Thread: Putting prices into perspective

Originally Posted by mainaman

Given the history of dislike for MdC that the OP has shown over the years, it is a troll post until proven otherwise.

Stefan, it may have slipped your attention, but I never mentioned MdC. Somebody else did. But it is nice to know that people with dissenting views are "trolls" to a moderator here. Classy, Stefan.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Show me a store that sells that soap at that price all the time.

Or else what? But just for the record, it's Scottish Fine Soaps's outlet in Falkirk, Scotland.

Originally Posted by RobinK

Stefan, it may have slipped your attention, but I never mentioned MdC. Somebody else did. But it is nice to know that people with dissenting views are "trolls" to a moderator here. Classy, Stefan.

Or else what? But just for the record, it's Scottish Fine Soaps's outlet in Falkirk, Scotland.

I’m not a big fan of MDC myself Robin but then again no one asked me (or you) for an opinion on MDC. So to give an unsolicited opinion on a subjective topic which is known to evoke a strong emotional response IS the very definition of trolling.

To state your opinion in a way that will not offend everyone that disagrees with you is class and takes some time, humility and effort (for me anyways).

.

Originally Posted by Steel

I’m not a big fan of MDC myself Robin but then again no one asked me (or you) for an opinion on MDC..

Oh, really?

Originally Posted by Steel

So to give an unsolicited opinion on a subjective topic which is known to evoke a strong emotional response IS the very definition of trolling.

Actually, it isn't. But, yes, there was an emotional knee jerk reaction from unsuspecting readers.

Originally Posted by Steel

To state your opinion in a way that will not offend everyone that disagrees with you is class and takes some time, humility and effort (for me anyways).

True. I found mainaman's response a bit over the top, too. But as I said, all is forgiven.

Back on topic, though, I find it interesting that no-one seems to be able to focus on the actual issue at hand, ie the difference in price between OEM and "brand" product. And do not get me wrong, these are first in tier products. Just imagine what the markup on made-from-Chinese-import-base-products stuff might be. PAA, anyone?

Originally Posted by RobinK

It is Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood. Hence the topic.

Robin

Originally Posted by RobinK

Or else what? But just for the record, it's Scottish Fine Soaps's outlet in Falkirk, Scotland.

Robin

Just to clarify is it T&H or Scottish Fine soaps?

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Just to clarify is it T&H or Scottish Fine soaps?

What would it matter if it were the latter? [It isn't]

Why is everyone fixated on brands? Even if it were Arko, the markup would be remarkable. And that's really the point here.

Regardless of brand, aren’t those who create something and get paid for it through their mark ups entitle to a profit? Otherwise I see us making our own soaps. I build things for a living and sell my labor, experience, and talent to a consumer. Does that mean I don’t deserve to be paid, because I can essentially produce it for free? I fail to follow your logic or motivation for starting this thread given the direction you’ve taken it. It brings nothing to the table.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Considering a puck of T&H sandalwood is £15 without the bowl, 5 for £1.50 and still be in profit is incredible.

Originally Posted by RobinK

What would it matter if it were the latter? [It isn't]

Why is everyone fixated on brands? Even if it were Arko, the markup would be remarkable. And that's really the point here.

Just wondering, not fixated, though I am a sucker for products with a Royal Warrant. Yes the mark up is remarkable (as I said above)

Originally Posted by RobinK

Now think how much jucier your profit gets if you use God-knows-what as ingredients.

I am always tempted by the easy math problems since the hard ones are out of my league so I'll give it a try
£1.90/5=£0.38~$.50ea

I'm not sure what's the bulk price that this store buys them at, so I'll assume half of it (hopefully I'm in the correct order of magnitude), i.e. both T&H and that shop in Scotland are paying £0.20 a puck. (Well may be due to the presumably larger volume T&H may be paying a bit less but then they have the additional cost of the paper box). So T&H has a 17/.20=8500% markup.
Of course, they have more expenses - their retail stores are in more expensive locations, their corporate overhead presumably larger than the Scottish shop and so on.

Of course, in our modern economy a 'brand' has a value - we as consumers apparently value it i.e. we are willing to pay for it and for what we perceive it brings on top of the actual product. Correspondingly the supply side spends money and effort (sometimes considerable) to develop brands and especially our perception of the high value of those brands.

In any case to me it's an interesting aspect of us humans - what is it we value and how we can sometimes extend it beyond what is justifiable and reasonable.

Originally Posted by gugi

In any case to me it's an interesting aspect of us humans - what is it we value and how we can sometimes extend it beyond what is justifiable and reasonable.

Ain't that the truth.

Bob

Other than RobinK bragging about the fact he can find good soap crazy cheap, allegedly, and by comparison we all over pay for our soap, I do not understand what this thread is about. Are we all suppose to praise him for being such a good shopper while he chastises us for buying over priced soap? This is the most pointless thread I have ever read.