I remember, just 2-3 yrs ago, the majority of niche and indie houses pricing their stuff around 80/$150 for 50ml, and $130-200 for 100ml bottles. Then there were the Malles and Creeds who sometimes made good stuff, but many agree that they are overpriced.
Now, more and more, I get to see the '50ml'pricing for just 30ml bottles (often indie), while 50ml bottles go often for $110-200, and it's now hard to find any great 100ml bottle of indie or niche that goes for under $200.... am I dreaming it, or they are milking the cash cow?
I'm keeping L'Oudh by Tauer - a stunnign fragrance imo - ($250 for 50ml) on my wishlist since two years, because I feel bad spending so much... but now, each and every house seem to go in that direction, even for basic stuff, with the excuse that it's exclusive or indie (the 'artistry' - aka experiments that include a lot of failures - and 'small batches' are 'easy-to-milk' marketing points to whom frag enthusiasts are often receptive...).
At some point, as a real enthusiast, but also someone who (try, at least) to keep his feet on the ground, I start to say no. That doesn't mean that there will never be any exceptions, but as much as I think that SL Chergui is a great fragrance when I bought a 100ml tester for $80 at a sicounter, but never would I spend retail price for that (even more with the new pricing, at $230 for 100ml.... not to talk about Serge Noire, for which I paid $40 for my bottle on ebay, when it now costs.... $375 a pop!!! Ok, it's a 100ml vs my 50ml, but still.... a joke)
But this is valid for every brand, including indie... Lutens increased by 25-30% (or even 100%+ for fragrances which have been moved to higher end collections), Rogue increased by 15%, La Curie 25% (even 40% on new releases and bestseller...)... did the raw material increase in such huge proportions, or are they just milking? There's no doubts for companies like Sisheido, but I strongly question the integrity and goodwill of indie houses also, at this point....
And at this point, I am even regretting having discussed online some of those indie houses, as I feel that I contributed to the hype... the main driver of price hike.
Thoughts?
Now, more and more, I get to see the '50ml'pricing for just 30ml bottles (often indie), while 50ml bottles go often for $110-200, and it's now hard to find any great 100ml bottle of indie or niche that goes for under $200.... am I dreaming it, or they are milking the cash cow?
I'm keeping L'Oudh by Tauer - a stunnign fragrance imo - ($250 for 50ml) on my wishlist since two years, because I feel bad spending so much... but now, each and every house seem to go in that direction, even for basic stuff, with the excuse that it's exclusive or indie (the 'artistry' - aka experiments that include a lot of failures - and 'small batches' are 'easy-to-milk' marketing points to whom frag enthusiasts are often receptive...).
At some point, as a real enthusiast, but also someone who (try, at least) to keep his feet on the ground, I start to say no. That doesn't mean that there will never be any exceptions, but as much as I think that SL Chergui is a great fragrance when I bought a 100ml tester for $80 at a sicounter, but never would I spend retail price for that (even more with the new pricing, at $230 for 100ml.... not to talk about Serge Noire, for which I paid $40 for my bottle on ebay, when it now costs.... $375 a pop!!! Ok, it's a 100ml vs my 50ml, but still.... a joke)
But this is valid for every brand, including indie... Lutens increased by 25-30% (or even 100%+ for fragrances which have been moved to higher end collections), Rogue increased by 15%, La Curie 25% (even 40% on new releases and bestseller...)... did the raw material increase in such huge proportions, or are they just milking? There's no doubts for companies like Sisheido, but I strongly question the integrity and goodwill of indie houses also, at this point....
And at this point, I am even regretting having discussed online some of those indie houses, as I feel that I contributed to the hype... the main driver of price hike.
Thoughts?
