My curiosity has been peaked. I have been looking at vendors' websites recently to find some stuff and I have noticed something: occasionally there are HUGE differences in price. One vendor will sell product X for Y dollars and another will sell it for 2Y (twice as much).
Vendors: Do you check your competitors' prices?
- Thread starter mretzloff
- Start date
mretzloff,
I think we all do check other vendors but often our products are made with different ingredients, using different processes and are often sold in varying sizes so that makes comparison a little bit more difficult. Sometimes it is like comparing apples to oranges and sometimes we can find a product that is quite similar to ones we produce. The other thing that you have to take into consideration is our original location. I'm in the New Jersey, New York metropolitan area and we might be able to command a higher price than perhaps someone in the Midwest might be able to charge. Often I can check another vendor's list of ingredients and tell quite a bit from that as far was the type of product it is and how it is made. Another thing that affects pricing is the cost of shipping for raw materials to a particular vendors area and that will affect the price they charge for their products and goods. HTH!
I think we all do check other vendors but often our products are made with different ingredients, using different processes and are often sold in varying sizes so that makes comparison a little bit more difficult. Sometimes it is like comparing apples to oranges and sometimes we can find a product that is quite similar to ones we produce. The other thing that you have to take into consideration is our original location. I'm in the New Jersey, New York metropolitan area and we might be able to command a higher price than perhaps someone in the Midwest might be able to charge. Often I can check another vendor's list of ingredients and tell quite a bit from that as far was the type of product it is and how it is made. Another thing that affects pricing is the cost of shipping for raw materials to a particular vendors area and that will affect the price they charge for their products and goods. HTH!
R
rainman
I think that the OP is referring to commercially available products. For instance, a quick Google Shopping search will find Tabac refills (no bowl) for anywhere from $6.20 to $12.67 .
It all depends what price the vendor is able to buy the product from the company. They save money by buying more stock but have to pay up front. Smaller vendors don't have this type of capital. Freight costs are also a factor as well as mark-up.
- Thread starter
- #9
Could you help me find the vendor that sells Plissons for Y/2?
I too would like to find that.
Just so you know, we do check our major competitors prices, quite regularly actually. However, someone can always undercut a price....at least for a period of time. If you shop solely for the lowest price, then a business like ours is probably not one that you will visit often. We try to consistently offer competitive prices, a broad range of quality products (including Plisson by the way), world class customer service, and same day shipping. We rarely run sales, we do not discount off our published prices, but we offer a live person to talk to about your needs, and we are here to immediately resolve any issue that may arise after the sale.
I do not deny that price is an important consideration. However, if price is the only consideration, then at some point you will create an environment where service goes out the window. If any of you have ever run a business, you will understand that everything has a cost. If you do this full-time like I do, you soon realize that the margins are such that after all is said and done, you hope you are able to meet expenses. Believe me, what you hear about the margins in this business are not true, at least not on the higher ticket items. You do not pay the bills on blades and soap.
So, (and I know the question was asked in jest) go up to whoever you work for and ask if they are willing to cut the selling price of their "product" by half and still keep you employed. Ok, rant off. Whew. Good thing Erin cut off the caffeine early.
Now the good news. Pictures of Erin in various Halloween costumes coming soon. My requests....school girl and naughty nurse.
I do not deny that price is an important consideration. However, if price is the only consideration, then at some point you will create an environment where service goes out the window. If any of you have ever run a business, you will understand that everything has a cost. If you do this full-time like I do, you soon realize that the margins are such that after all is said and done, you hope you are able to meet expenses. Believe me, what you hear about the margins in this business are not true, at least not on the higher ticket items. You do not pay the bills on blades and soap.
So, (and I know the question was asked in jest) go up to whoever you work for and ask if they are willing to cut the selling price of their "product" by half and still keep you employed. Ok, rant off. Whew. Good thing Erin cut off the caffeine early.
Now the good news. Pictures of Erin in various Halloween costumes coming soon. My requests....school girl and naughty nurse.
I check sites to see what the other fellas are charging sometimes, but when push comes to shove I have to consider what my actual costs were when importing including exchange rates, duties, shipping costs, bank service charges etc.... and my hard costs day to day like shipping and packaging and webhosting & security and phone bills etc.... And some suppliers have rules governing pricing of their products by retailers. There's precious little that I can buy to stock my shelves without importing so I might be facing higher costs than many of my competitors South of The Border.
If I don't charge enough to put any money in the bank, then I'll never be able to broaden my stock and offer better selection.
Bottom line...... I haven't put any money in my pocket since I opened last December 5th.
If I don't charge enough to put any money in the bank, then I'll never be able to broaden my stock and offer better selection.
Bottom line...... I haven't put any money in my pocket since I opened last December 5th.
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