I only buy on sale because of the high designer prices. I got a pair of Manolos at NM last call for 49.00 and a pair of MBMJ wedges for $7.75. They had some Louboutins and Manolos for around $150 - $300 and that is about as much as a shoe should cost unless it has jewels, expensive materials (Python, etc).
The marketing is what puzzles me. After a certain price point its to keep the exclusivity of the brand, which makes perfect sense. BUT - in my opinon having the regular styles, like a black pump at a $300 or so range, and the more exotics priced higher would snag buyers better. Sure you'd get people who would stick to basics, but they could still have the more exclusive styles and probably turn a much higher profit. Its like with Dooney purses where I live. We are near an outlet, so Doodle Bags are around $100 and nobody bats an eye. The nicer materials are still $300 or $400 and those are the 'envy bags' for a lot of middle class people. So someone like myself will go out and buy 9 or 10 $100 - $150 croco/lepoard/pebble leather bags, and then once a year I'll buy one nicer one in the higher price range. I would gladly do this with shoes. Otherwise I either buy gently used or not at all. I'm sure the company doesn't need MY money, but if you do the math and realize that if they tier priced like this not only would middle class, but higher earners would buy more too. We are in a recession, and you know designers can't be doing as well as they have been if stores are cutting down on what they buy, buyers are looking for deals and steals etc. IMO this would be a good way to keep everyone interested and business moving. Shame I don't know how to make shoes.
