Thanks for writing this, I'm in the middle of preparing a very long marketing assignment on communication and distribution channels and I decided to do it on Estee Lauder and the brands under its wings. We like to think that brands like Estee Lauder are strict with who they distribute to but that's not necessarily the case and that's where grey market comes into play.
Interesting and thought provoking post. What I have a problem with is where the profits of the Grey Market go. Who is manufacturing and distributing these products, are they using cheap labour, underage workers ? I am sure that the big brands also break health and safety rules, but at least they are more in the glare of the media spotlight - eg the Apple Factories in China. If it is grey and murky is it legal ? Are we subsiding a criminal underworld by buying these products I dont agree that that consumers deserve the best Value for money. Consumers deserve to be able to buy a quality product manufactured and distributed by proper companies who provide a safe environment and well paid emploment for their employees and that the price should be a fair price. Just my opinion Susann
Susannah.. good points made but I think that manufacturing issues are more prevelant in 'fakes' rather than grey market although I might do a feature on factories etc just to see. You have no idea how difficult it is though to get any info. You might like to source a book called Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre which does go ito more detail about the points raised. And also see my post on Fakes.
interesting - just bought a sisley blush for about half the usual cost on ebay. i am often tempted to ask sellers about the origins of the products they can sell at these prices. and i do always wonder about the authenticity / age too. amina x
Very interesting read, I did always wonder how nail varnish sites sold OPI for so much less, I admit to buying from them and I would buy whole collections, something I simply couldn't justify doing from a department store. OPI have taken these sites to court and they have removed them from sale.
Really interesting, eye-opening post! I am actually reading deluxe at the moment and it has certainly made me feel differently about luxury brands and how they operate.
16 comments:
Very interesting- I often wondered how it works! Thanks for this! xx
What a brilliant post about a very grey area, I found it fascinating (knew half but not the whole story!)
A great read.
Thanks for writing this, I'm in the middle of preparing a very long marketing assignment on communication and distribution channels and I decided to do it on Estee Lauder and the brands under its wings. We like to think that brands like Estee Lauder are strict with who they distribute to but that's not necessarily the case and that's where grey market comes into play.
A really insightful piece of writing well done :)
So I take it this is how buyapowa operates is it?
Rebecca xx
bebeautifulblog.co.uk
Thanks giving some insight into this! Very interesting read.
Interesting and thought provoking post. What I have a problem with is where the profits of the Grey Market go. Who is manufacturing and distributing these products, are they using cheap labour, underage workers ? I am sure that the big brands also break health and safety rules, but at least they are more in the glare of the media spotlight - eg the Apple Factories in China. If it is grey and murky is it legal ? Are we subsiding a criminal underworld by buying these products
I dont agree that that consumers deserve the best Value for money. Consumers deserve to be able to buy a quality product manufactured and distributed by proper companies who provide a safe environment and well paid emploment for their employees and that the price should be a fair price.
Just my opinion Susann
Susannah.. good points made but I think that manufacturing issues are more prevelant in 'fakes' rather than grey market although I might do a feature on factories etc just to see. You have no idea how difficult it is though to get any info. You might like to source a book called Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Lustre which does go ito more detail about the points raised. And also see my post on Fakes.
Very interesting! I'd always wondered how those websites worked!
interesting - just bought a sisley blush for about half the usual cost on ebay. i am often tempted to ask sellers about the origins of the products they can sell at these prices. and i do always wonder about the authenticity / age too.
amina x
This also happens with Pharmaceuticals, which is a bit more disturbing - but the same principle applies!
Thanks for such an interesting post, I've wondered about this but didn't have any idea how it works. I really enjoy your blog :)
Lizzie
This was a very interesting post! I always wondered about those cut-price cosmetics websites.. Certainly provided some food for thought! x
Hmm this is actually really thought provoking - agree that if the price of certain products wasn't so high, people wouldn't go for it.
Very interesting read, I did always wonder how nail varnish sites sold OPI for so much less, I admit to buying from them and I would buy whole collections, something I simply couldn't justify doing from a department store. OPI have taken these sites to court and they have removed them from sale.
This is one of the most interesting articles I've read in a long time!
I was well aware, of course, of the existence of the gray market, but I didn't know how exactly it worked.
Love this.
Really interesting, eye-opening post! I am actually reading deluxe at the moment and it has certainly made me feel differently about luxury brands and how they operate.
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