MAC and Gareth Pugh Discussion

[Edelmc]

I hear you, but you need to take into account that in your case it is an imported product, thus it will always be more expensive.
 
The same goes for me with most of the products that I get from Europe. My favorite chocolate, a brand that sells at most counters in Europe for 99 Euro cents costs here on the East Coast almost 4 Dollars + tax on top of it.
 
In regard to MAC, I don't think that cheaper prices would entice people to spend more. If you budget is, let's say $200/month, you won't spend more than 200 even if the product is cheaper. The disposable income is what determines how much you spend, not the price of the merchandise.
 
I hope this explanation - from a business and economics perspective, makes sense.
 
I certainly can relate to not being happy about paying more for a merchandise, but you always need to see the bigger picture.
 
 
PS: There will certainly people who envy that you don't need to stress too much over LE products selling out within minutes. So enjoy this privilege. I bet a lot of people would be prepared to pay (marginally) more if they had a few days to decide what products they want from an LE instead of being glued to the chair in front of the computer so one doesn't miss out when a collection goes live.

I am very happy that I don't get into too much of a panic tracking down items although I love to go on launch day to get the pick of veining etc! I also get what you mean about budget and disposable income.... However what frustrates me is that I understand and take into account exchange rates, tax and import duties but macs rates still don't make sense. Mac would be considered a relatively high end brand here because of the prices.... There are alot of American brands here that have a fair exchange rate and those who don't, like mac, tend to blame exchange rates and import duties which is just irritating. For example- kiehls launched in Dublin for the first time last year. Their exchange rate was spot on and they quickly became one of the most popular beauty/skincare store around. The ques in mac however seem to be getting shorter and shorter. With the slow down in the economy people are voting with their feet and looking to brands who aren't taking the pee with their rates.......

 

[Mac-Guy]

For example- kiehls launched in Dublin for the first time last year. Their exchange rate was spot on and they quickly became one of the most popular beauty/skincare store around. The ques in mac however seem to be getting shorter and shorter. With the slow down in the economy people are voting with their feet and looking to brands who aren't taking the pee with their rates.......

I agree. MAC is certainly pushing the envelope with their pricing policy.

Considering that one of the first couture collections, I "only" paid $45 (if I remember correctly) for the compact, I am glad that it is "only" $60 this year. I was anxious to see the price for the compact climb up the the 70s - and shoot me, but I would have still bought it.

One good thing about higher prices is that I do carefully evaluate what I buy. I rarely make any mistakes or regret buying a product as I try to make an informed decision rather than buying into the hype.

 

[Edelmc]

I agree. MAC is certainly pushing the envelope with their pricing policy.
 
Considering that one of the first couture collections, I "only" paid $45 (if I remember correctly) for the compact, I am glad that it is "only" $60 this year. I was anxious to see the price for the compact climb up the the 70s - and shoot me, but I would have still bought it.
 
One good thing about higher prices is that I do carefully evaluate what I buy. I rarely make any mistakes or regret buying a product as I try to make an informed decision rather than buying into the hype.
 

I am the exact same! Careful evaluation all the way!

 

[shontay07108]

I'm only interested in the pale lavender gloss (Vacant) and the two pigments. I need swatches first, though. I don't like the idea of paying Nars prices for Mac products, so it'll have to be pretty outstanding for me. Everything else either doesn't excite me or the price is ridiculous. There isn't enough love in the world for me to give up $60 for a BP. An actual blush? I'd think about it, but a BP? You can keep that. Oh and $23 for a Mac nail lacquer?

 

[EmbalmerBabe]

It certainly sucks to pay higher prices, but as long as people are prepared to pay for it and go crazy over LE items, there is no need for MAC to change their pricing policy. Especially their strategy of taking well-received items out of their perm lines, but then repromote it in limited quantities in LE's is the best way to make people forget about higher prices, especially as people will then start to hoard. Strada or Blush Ombres are a good example of this strategy and it will sell no matter what. Even if Strada would cost $40 (US), it would still sell out fast.
I'm not justifying MAC's pricing, but just want to give a simple explanation of why prices are climbing up - and will continue to do so. The next increase (for Spring) is just around the corner...

Very well stated. The prices are going up for all MAC products again in Spring? I'm really out of the loop, but wow just another reason to become increasingly disenchanted with MAC.

 

[katred]

It certainly sucks to pay higher prices, but as long as people are prepared to pay for it and go crazy over LE items, there is no need for MAC to change their pricing policy. Especially their strategy of taking well-received items out of their perm lines, but then repromote it in limited quantities in LE's is the best way to make people forget about higher prices, especially as people will then start to hoard. Strada or Blush Ombres are a good example of this strategy and it will sell no matter what. Even if Strada would cost $40 (US), it would still sell out fast.
I'm not justifying MAC's pricing, but just want to give a simple explanation of why prices are climbing up - and will continue to do so. The next increase (for Spring) is just around the corner...

It wasn't actually the rising prices that annoyed me- I'm not thrilled about that, but it's a fact of life with pretty much everything. What I do object to, as a Canadian consumer, is being forced to pay 30% more than an American customer, despite the fact that our currencies are of equal value. . There are higher business taxes in Canada, but the differences aren't actually that great. Other companies like Guerlain, where the prices vary by less than 10% and Lush, where the prices for Canada and the US are exactly the same, make a good profit too. Mac established their pricing differentials at a time when the Canadian dollar was worth about $0.70 (going on ten years ago) and has never revisited them. Like I said, I won't boycott them, but I think it's totally fair to call B.S.

 

[EmbalmerBabe]

Yes I agree with you and If I lived in Canada I would myself boycott MAC. It's just the sheer fact of how annoying and unfair that is to gouge consumers. I would be forced to find other brands that
don't gouge like that.

 

[martiangurll]

Just saw the packaging and promo pix...

 

[EngineerBarbie]

I'm only interested in the pale lavender gloss (Vacant) and the two pigments. I need swatches first, though. I don't like the idea of paying Nars prices for Mac products, so it'll have to be pretty outstanding for me. Everything else either doesn't excite me or the price is ridiculous. There isn't enough love in the world for me to give up $60 for a BP. An actual blush? I'd think about it, but a BP? You can keep that. Oh and $23 for a Mac nail lacquer?

No way in hell I'd pay that.

No way, no how. I barely let Chanel off the hook for charging $25 but that's a luxury brand and totally understandable.

The price increases MAC is kicking in make sense from a stockholder point of view. If I'm not mistaken, MAC is owned by Estee Lauder which in turn is publicly traded. They're answering to stockholders, not consumers. They're making money for their stockholders, not actively trying to provide serious value to their customers. I've said it before and I'll say it again--I liked MAC better when they were an indie company and not owned by Lauder.

 

[Alisha1]

http://www.vampyvarnish.com/2011/10/gareth-pugh-mac-collection-official-information-product-photos/

 

[MACcrazy]

call me crazy but i have a sudden urge to rock those false lashes

 

[Mac-Guy]

call me crazy but i have a sudden urge to rock those false lashes

Hehe, me too. Don't they look fabulous?!

 

[MACcrazy]

Hehe, me too. Don't they look fabulous?!

I LOVE THEM!!!! and (at least for this collection) it's going on the cheaper side

 

[sss215]

extra high prices for some special packaging... hell no.
if there was some special formulation like pigments with built in smudgeproof primer, then we could talk!
but regular stuff. nope. i will catch it at the CCO if any of it lands there, with the 40%-50% markup, the collection will never be regular price but at least it will be more in tune with regular MAC prices.

 

[Mac-Guy]

I LOVE THEM!!!! and (at least for this collection) it's going on the cheaper side

Yes, the lashes are on the cheaper side. LOL.

 

[RayannaBanana]

Does anyone know how Taupe blush compares to Strada?

 

[princess sarah]

I know!! Australia is extremely high pricing compared to USA and still Canada!! i only buy MAC from here if (and only if) i have a voucher for Myer or DJs. We dont have a Mac Pro store over here so thats only way we can get it.

I have a store in Canada that i order from now each month, and my friends are now starting to order from her too because we all end up with savings and the new collections before they hit Australia

call me crazy but i have a sudden urge to rock those false lashes

 

[katred]

Does anyone know how Taupe blush compares to Strada?

Strada is lighter and a touch pinker.

 

[Mac-Guy]

Taupe blush was used for Ian from MMO.

 

[shadowaddict]

extra high prices for some special packaging... hell no.
if there was some special formulation like pigments with built in smudgeproof primer, then we could talk!
but regular stuff. nope. i will catch it at the CCO if any of it lands there, with the 40%-50% markup, the collection will never be regular price but at least it will be more in tune with regular MAC prices.

It will. Pieces from the couture collections always do.


A bit of a mark up is one thing for these collections but I still can't get over a MAC n/p for $23. They look and sound pretty but an easy skip at that price. And MAC n/p is so iffy on formula. Some have been good but others such as Malibu Peach was horrible, so steaky. I hated they screwed up such a pretty color.


Kate--you should totally take that promo pic in and ask for those lips.