After spending a good amount of time the last week looking at shaving goods I am at a loss as to why some items are seemingly reasonable in price while others are way overpriced. Some are obviously above average quality while others appear the same or very similar. So, for you experienced shavers how do you justify the wide range of prices? Thanks
It depends on what your talking about. Some products are cheap and great. Others are expensive and worth it. Some are just over priced. It comes down to the quality and how much you want it.
There is a lot of truth to what you said. For instance I've seen the same grade of badger brush for say $80 and one at the same grade for $350. Crazy stuff it seems to me at least in this case.
I think it has to do with image and psychology. When people don't know what to choose they assume that the product that costs more must be better. If you offer a brush for $350, there will be some people who can afford a $350 brush and will feel good about the fact that they have a $350 brush, which has nothing at all to do with the actual quality.
INdeed. There ARE differences in brushes, but I think (and I am not alone) that once you pass the $100 or so mark, the improvements become almost exclusivly aesthetic...you start paying for pretty and/or name recognition. As for things like creams or soaps...Castle forbes is a FANTASTIC cream...but for $50 a tub? Or Aqua di Parma? I can't figure that out at all...
It is the same for most products really. If you make it they will come. You want a $600 toothbrush? They will make it. Brushes are insanely priced and doesnt guarantee quality. Actually all shave products relate to this. I have a $5 cream that blows away a $50 cream? Just do your research and you can get a very good setup for cheap.
I agree w/ said comments above. With respect to the brushes you described however one possibility is the materials used in making the handle and the intricacies in production; how ornate is it and so on. Most of the less expensive brushes have a molded resin handle. Higher priced ones may be hand turned wood, bone or ivory. Ivory can be very expensive as I believe they are no longer produced or if they are it is very controlled by Ivory export laws. This helps explain why some brushes can reach stratospheric prices. As for $50 creams and $600 toothbrushes...I'll leave those for others to purchase.
For reals? I mean...Castle Forbes is AWESOME. Gorgeous cream...but if you can beat it, I am ALL ears!
Great opinions and they mirror what I have been thinking. It doesn't matter whether it's shaving accessories, guns, cars whatever if you price it high enough some folks will buy it for the price and perceived prestige. A great example was the Barrett/Jackson car auction last week in Arizona. If anybody saw that they know what I mean. Cars for $600,000! I do understand that some products are hand made etc and demand more money because they can only make so many a year that way so if they want to stay in business they have to charge more but that's just not for me
The small tube of KMF is about $5 at Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage, at least in Colorado. However, the $8 for an 11 oz. bottle is a much better deal.
If it costs $5.00 and it is what I want, I'll buy it. If it costs $500, I'll think long and hard to determine do I really need or just really want the item or can I make do with something less expensive that is just as effective. If it is just as effective, I'll go less expensive. If I just really want it, I'll discuss it with SWMBO and that will normally settle whether or not I will get it or not (Usually NOT ). Enjoy your shave...
