Boycotting Coach
- Thread starter B. Jara
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Ammietwist said:
You're one of the few people who actually noticed. It's called marketing. Unfortunately it happens everywhere.
It's just the way business is done in the global economy.
Next time you go to places like Banana Republic, check your "made-in" labels. Turkey, India, Pakistan... Do the math and try and figure out how much profit is being made on that $125 item you're purchasing that probably cost less than $1 to make.
Thas why I'm really interested to know how much actual 'skilled-craftsman' work goes into handbags... Look at any Kooba, and tell me they're not just jumping on the lucrative "luxury-goods" bandwagon, when they look like they could be made by any kid at summer camp in Arts and Crafts.
Oh yes! Have I got gripes with Cingular! Their customer service is horrible! And if it weren't for the rollover minutes I'm getting, I would be out of there faster than you can say go! But right now it's pretty good for me since I'm in London the entire year and when I get back, I can talk as much as I want! Muahahaha.
My friend who works in retail says that if we know how much mark-up is in these items we would NEVER buy anything. I think we need to be more careful/choosy and look for fair prices/sales/etc. Otherwise we are just putting money into the hands of the businesses and not getting anything much back!
We went way back with Cingular, too. Not only wouldn't they let us upgrade, but when they would allow us to, they'd demand a two-year contract. We got the two free Razrs (after rebates), and the contract is for all of ONE year. It doesn't really matter as we want to keep these phones for years anyway, but it's a great way to lure in customers.
Now back to Coach. LOL
Now back to Coach. LOL
amanda said:
Oh, ITA with you. IMO Kooba is a particularly pathetic case--and I like the Sienna as a casual bag. They started off being manufactured in Italy, and their prices were in the $250 range. As soon as they got the bags into celebrity hands, the demand went up, and they shifted over to China while at least doubling their prices. The profit margin is extreme to say the least.
classwhore said:
That's SO true! It's especially ridiculous when it comes to clothing, skincare, cosmetics, bath/body products and fragrances. For example, shampoos and conditioners literally cost pennies or less per ounce to make, and then they charge you an obscene amount by saying it's a "salon" product or some such rot. In blind studies, the cheap stuff tends to win out, but they can't be cheap and have the marketing machine that says the product is glamorous, chic and luxurious. Phooey.
misslola said:
That's why I've been refusing to buy any bags unless I have a coupon code or they're on sale or in an outlet or Ebay. Even then the markups are ridiculous.
I totally am with you on this. I have spent a ton of money at Coach stores and online over the past few years, but never received an invite. My SA told me to talk to corporate. I emailed corporate and was told though my business was appreciated, the invite was by invitation only and that I was NOT invited. My sister who bought one bag from coach 5 years ago, still receives an invite every year she doesn't even use. I think you HAVE TO STOP SHOPPING AT COACH IN ORDER TO GET THE INVITE. I'm through with Coach. Maybe if enough people stop buying from them they will work at being more fair in their business practices.
pursecrazycasey said:
That won't happen. It's called marketing and psychology. People love to be part of something that they are denied. It's how Studio 54 got popular in the 70's. Hundreds of people waiting outside for hours to get into a nightclub.
Also the more you charge for something, the more it's out of reach, the more people covet it. Some people think if something is inexpensive, it's not really worth anything.
C'mon, Coach merchandise is made in CHINA for godsakes. What makes Coach so desireable?
Regarding clothing mark-ups: My hubby deals with customs brokerage and when he sees the invoices of the cost a shirt per unit, it's literally $4.00 when it's imported. (This example is specifically for items being sent to Saks 5th dept. store). However, once it gets to US, they just stick the labels on, and it becomes over $100 dollars. Without the designer label, some of these same shirts are bought by other buyers that are not 'designer' brand per say, and their retail can be $15 when they sell it at their own shop. And he always says, 'Michael Moore should do a documentary on these designer mark-ups of handbags and clothing lines. Follow the path from the origin of raw materials, how much it costs to process and form the product.' 
Prices are set not by what it costs to make something, but by what the market will bear. If you have 200 people willing to spend $300 on an item, and 1,000 people willing to spend $30 for it, where would you price it at?
Things manufactured overseas are often as well made, if not better, than things manufactured in the US (and when I was in Italy last year, I saw plenty of things "made in Italy" that looked like they were stitched together by someone who was blind and had no fingers). They are cheaper to manufacture, because as we all know, the workers are willing to accept less money. It makes good business sense to do this, as people buy (especially "designer" or "name brand" goods) with their eyes and their hearts, and the Made in China, etc. tags will not affect most of the customer base. Alot of them will never bother looking for it, either.
The last company I worked for had this ridiculous wheel graphic, outlining their goals as a company, with everything leading towards the bullseye, and the bullseye was PROFIT! The goal of almost every company is profit. As much profit as possible. Not too many altruistic companies out there anymore. Publicly held companies are always the worst, as they must answer to their shareholders.
As for Coach, alienating customers by denying them something as simple as an event coupon does not make good business sense. I, too, have not received a coupon for this event, but I still want the new white spring bag with the little bee that is coming out next month. I do buy with my heart....
Things manufactured overseas are often as well made, if not better, than things manufactured in the US (and when I was in Italy last year, I saw plenty of things "made in Italy" that looked like they were stitched together by someone who was blind and had no fingers). They are cheaper to manufacture, because as we all know, the workers are willing to accept less money. It makes good business sense to do this, as people buy (especially "designer" or "name brand" goods) with their eyes and their hearts, and the Made in China, etc. tags will not affect most of the customer base. Alot of them will never bother looking for it, either.
The last company I worked for had this ridiculous wheel graphic, outlining their goals as a company, with everything leading towards the bullseye, and the bullseye was PROFIT! The goal of almost every company is profit. As much profit as possible. Not too many altruistic companies out there anymore. Publicly held companies are always the worst, as they must answer to their shareholders.
As for Coach, alienating customers by denying them something as simple as an event coupon does not make good business sense. I, too, have not received a coupon for this event, but I still want the new white spring bag with the little bee that is coming out next month. I do buy with my heart....
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