heather s
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2014
- Messages
- 86
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Hi everyone. I am going to be selling at our local market starting today. There is another soaper there that is huge. They are a million plus dollar handmade soap company. They sell internationally and have been in the business for 30 + years. They continue to sell at market to show hometown pride but certainly don't need to for the $$.
My problem is that they make their soap out of an olive oil and soy base. They don't list their ingredients so it took a lot of research for me to figure that out. They are very secretive about their ingredients - which is fine and it works for them. If I said who they were a lot of you have probably heard of or used their products. It is very good soap but simple and inexpensive to make.
My soap is a recipe I worked very hard on. Every bar has double butter in it and is more expensive. We both claim all natural with color and scent.
I have avoided this market for this reason but I since I use local products in my soaps I feel my presence is important for branding.
How do I justify my higher prices against somebody who has been there for 30 years and has a great reputation. I want to be positive and also respect their wishes to keep their "soaponified oils" secret as I do not want to make enemies.
I have no problem at other shows doing this. This is a million dollar handmade soap company and I am intimidated! Our booths are very close as it is a small but busy market.
One more peeve is with the secret ingredients - they advertise no artificial scents or colors ever but they have an apple soap that smells like apple pie and sandalwood listed in most essential oil blends and there is no way...but only a soaper would know this, the consumers have no idea. I am sure that besides the simple oils that fragrance oils are also used to keep prices down. I have no problem with that other than the dishonesty. This is easier to point out to customers - not as inferior just as different - when the soaper is 1. Doesn't have a 30 year excellent reputation despite the dishonesty and 2. the ingredients are listed.
Any advice would be appreciated but above all I want to be positive and not negative when I respectfully explain why my soap costs $1.50 more despite me being new (to that market). I don't need to make enemies with "the big guys".
Also it is usually the owner of the company and not their employees at the market if that makes a difference. Thanks!
My problem is that they make their soap out of an olive oil and soy base. They don't list their ingredients so it took a lot of research for me to figure that out. They are very secretive about their ingredients - which is fine and it works for them. If I said who they were a lot of you have probably heard of or used their products. It is very good soap but simple and inexpensive to make.
My soap is a recipe I worked very hard on. Every bar has double butter in it and is more expensive. We both claim all natural with color and scent.
I have avoided this market for this reason but I since I use local products in my soaps I feel my presence is important for branding.
How do I justify my higher prices against somebody who has been there for 30 years and has a great reputation. I want to be positive and also respect their wishes to keep their "soaponified oils" secret as I do not want to make enemies.
I have no problem at other shows doing this. This is a million dollar handmade soap company and I am intimidated! Our booths are very close as it is a small but busy market.
One more peeve is with the secret ingredients - they advertise no artificial scents or colors ever but they have an apple soap that smells like apple pie and sandalwood listed in most essential oil blends and there is no way...but only a soaper would know this, the consumers have no idea. I am sure that besides the simple oils that fragrance oils are also used to keep prices down. I have no problem with that other than the dishonesty. This is easier to point out to customers - not as inferior just as different - when the soaper is 1. Doesn't have a 30 year excellent reputation despite the dishonesty and 2. the ingredients are listed.
Any advice would be appreciated but above all I want to be positive and not negative when I respectfully explain why my soap costs $1.50 more despite me being new (to that market). I don't need to make enemies with "the big guys".
Also it is usually the owner of the company and not their employees at the market if that makes a difference. Thanks!