In more of the can you believe this category, this week we had the two presumptive extremes slam us in the face. At the same time, we're too expensive AND too cheap?
A buyer for one of our multi chain retail customers, having held our product in his hand and listened to a sales presentation covering all the issues surrounding our green product proclaimed at the end of the presentation that he expected the product to have a lower price, even though it's identical to it's virgin sister product we used to make, just now with recycled PET fabrics. After all he said, it is recycled.
And then to add to the fun, during the same week, we have objections from some at the more extreme end of the green retail community who aren't comfortable buying products made in China and that our prices are therefore artificially low because of cheap labor. The best one was a person who did not believe our products provenance because of the low price!
So, there we have it, the expectations are too incredible to even articulate. The history of green products, to some a range of low quality "cheap" goods, to others, a collection of artisan made goods where high prices are the proof. How the consumer becomes informed will be partly based on their contact points and openness to listen. There will always be people who hold to "long standing" beliefs, whether rooted in reality or history. I just never thought we'd see them in our business. I guess I never considered that folks would accept or reject our "commitment" based on price. The education continues.
