Solid Perfume › Forums › General Lauder Solids Talk › Have The Warehouse Sales Stopped?
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I totally agree with all of you. This is not right. The only solid I bought this year was one Strongwater and 2 from Harrods. At least Harrods are “limited” to either 150 or 300 if the card in the box is correct. I will wait for the rest on ebay or buy thru the CC stores. <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ />
EL brings out Jay Strongwater solids in the middle of JULY <img src='style_emoticons//ohmy.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ohmy.gif’ /> and wonders why they aren't flying off the shelves? Who besides collectors are going to run out and buy these in July? Expensive items like these, IMHO, move at Christmas. The first solid I ever bought was at Christmastime and it was a GIFT for my Mother. How many people (and I'm not talking about collectors) go out and buy expensive items like this just for themselves? I think EL's timing may be a little off.
As for the general distribution solids, I went to two stores this weekend (Belk and Dillards) and had to ask if their solids were in because they were not displayed. At Belk, only the Four Leaf Clover was in and the SA had to retrieve it from a drawer. At Dillards, the solids were still in the shipping box. I asked the SA why they were not displayed, and her reply was, “They haven't told us yet how they want them displayed.” <img src='style_emoticons//sad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’sad.gif’ />
All this said, I have set my own standards for collecting solids. I'm not going to allow some SA, who is trying to make an extra buck, or some Ebayer selling empty solids to spoil the joy I receive in collecting EL solids.
I have heard from two people (one in Canada and one in the US) that the solid and perfume compacts are no longer being sold at the warehouse sales.
On the other hand someone else told me they can still get the solids to sell.
I don't know what to believe because ebay is still flooded with empty solids and solids with perfume but no box.
All we want is our collections to go up in value and not down. Maybe the only answer is to truely limit all the production runs like Harrods.
Hi Lisa,
Maybe we are getting our chain yanked by the “dealers” wanting us to stay on their “buyers” list , so they don't want to admit they can't get them anymore. Just a thought. I am also getting mixed signals as to what they can buy at the sales.
I don't know who you talk to and you don't know who I talk to and wouldn't it be funny if we were talking to the same “dealer” and getting bad imfo X2. <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />It is also possible that the “dealers” have a great backlog of solids that they got before the ban on selling them.
The REALLY true test will be when we see empty 2004 solids on ebay.
We are kinda back in the land of no one knows for sure anything.
I have suggested( for what it is worth) that EL take a look at how the Harrods solids are doing because they are limited and are nice and not over expensive. All they have to do is compare sales figures of Harrods to sales of the JL solids and it is clear everything we have been telling them.
Ann
I agree with Ann – the real test is to see whether the 2004 solids show up . . . .
However, I still believe that many are still available cheaply from the warehouses because of the sheer volume that are coming up on Ebay. It's hard to believe that the sellers would hold them all until now and then release them all around the same time. They would be looking for a quick buck, wouldn't they? And they are all similar ones too.
I wouldn't believe what people tell you – just look at the facts as testimony! Sales people say what they think you want to hear just to keep you on side.
I agree with you both Sandra and Ann-
What's is up with all the shining stars? That had to be the special solid for the month or something! <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ /> I counted 4 stars up for auction now and something like 47 that just recently sold. This retailed for $38.50 and now it is worth BIN $14.99 or crap. This is also mostly from the same seller, this seller already sold a total of 34 stars, currently this seller now has auctions for Clinique lots, 40 pieces at a time. And I can't forget to add the 5 pieces of ice skates this seller sold also, but EL must have stopped selling solids. R-I-G-H-T
This can all be found under the completed auctions, look and you will see, proof is in the pudding as they say.
So all these items from this seller are from where????? Must be that dang estate sale again.
ebay auctionsWell mine just came Lisa in the navy bag with perfect perfume, no stones missing, not leaning or out of shape and the Strongwater card tucked inside the bag. These aren't normal warehouse solids – if I didn't know better I would say these are from a Sales Rep
I agree with you Lori, mine was perfect too. OK, guess I'll have to hold on to this one and perhaps do a trade with someone later on. <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ />
Either people have been holding on to these for “christmas sales” on there has been another 'release' on solids at some warehouse somewhere – there are SO MANY solids for sale on Ebay (mostly empty!) right now! <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ />
What's the story? Am kicking myself again and again for paying TOO MUCH!! (ie RETAIL) <!–emo&<_<img src='style_emoticons//dry.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’dry.gif’ />
OK I just have to add my 2 bobs worth to this discussion. Where on earth are these warehouse sales taking place Lisa? Is it in NY or in Canada where we are told they are made? And who gets admittance? Is there a secret password or something? <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ /> There must be a large number of buyers to support at a once fortnightly sale. <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//mad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’mad.gif’ />
I suspect the reason for mixed messages is that those in the know don't want others to know too much or their supply might be cut off. Better to make $5 than none. Of course as Ann and Sandra have already suggested just how often do we hear different stories as it suits SAs etc to tell us. The marketing people just don't have their act together. I have frequently been told something is the last one in the country (Australia) only to see it turn up in larger numbers on the counters after the initial VIP launch.
As for why the boxes are missing it may be the same reason as the boxes for Swarovski jewellery go missing when it is on sale. That is, the consultants do not concern themselves too much with the box and put it in just any. Then it gets to the sale outlet and is not the right box, is dirty or its too big for them to be bothered storing so they discard it. Many SAs really do not know the product they are selling or the market to whom they are selling. Otherwise they would not tell us so many different stories since the solid collectors market, as most of us know, is a small world where people do chat and pass on what information they have. The reliability of that information, of course, is only as good as our source……
That said, I am sticking with my 2 United States SAs. Both are delightful, honest people and I feel for them dreadfully since they are suffering the returns that the warehouse sales have resulted in and that surely impacts on their commissions. I implore people to think carefully before they buy rather than sending them back afterwards as this makes for so much work and disappointment for the good sincere SAs with whom we deal. This can only impact negatively on us who have to buy over the phone and freight them since in the long term those same SAs may choose only to deal with selected clients who they trust or (horror!!) not to freight at all. <img src='style_emoticons//sad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’sad.gif’ />
Lyndell,
From what I have been told is the warehouse sales happen every other weekend and the locations are in NY, Australia, Canada and Japan (maybe more but these places I know of) the sales are for “friends and family” and a pass is needed to get in. On the web I found an article of a college in NY advertising these warehouse sales, it is dated 11/2000 and here is what it said:
ESTEE LAUDER WAREHOUSE PASSES
The FA has passes for the Estee Lauder Warehouse sale on November 25th. Passes are available for either the 8-12 or 12-3:30 sessions. For passes please call Marion at x4151.
The solids sold at these sales sometime come without perfume or box and sometimes come MIB, I have even heard of buy one get one free. One thing I do know is the soilds in the stores stay in the boxes like all the EL merchandise because if out of the box the solid can't be rung up without the UPC code.
I don't want to “return” solids but I really don't know of any other way at drive the point home as we have already explained our feelings on the conferece call and perhaps the sales have slowed down but they are still happening. It is not enough for the collectors to complain- now the SA's and actual stores need to get involved, perhaps then we will see change.
EL may choose to not sell to me as we all know this has happened before but what's to stop anyone else for buying for me or just saving $$ and getting them on ebay.
As I have pointed out before: Why are EL selling out solids and compacts at discount stores and warehouse sales instead of shipping them abroad and sell them for US prices?!?!? I simply cannot comprehend the business idea of distributing near to none and triple the prices with the excuse that the market is so small. You bet the market is small!!
Don't you want to make a profit on your products?!? <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ />
Karin
Totally agree with you Lisa – more of a push needs to come from within if they want to continue selling from their retail stores and put a stop to all the surplus stock.
Otherwise – I have an idea – why don't they just sell them wholesale to us???? That's better than what they're going to make anyway, it seems!!
Maybe we should try to get a pass, then send someone in to buy for all of us!
ArLisa,
I think I can say with some degree of certainty (you know that source thing again…) that we do not have these fortnightly sales in Australia. It has been around 3 years since a sale was held here and the queues stretched for kilometres. There were such arguments that none have been held since. (People arrived at closing time and refused to allow the sale to close). Prior to that it was over 8 years since another such sale. At the one 3 years ago there was a limit of 2 “compacts” per customer and people had to have an invitation to attend and hand it in to get in the door. Invitations were given to staff who had the option of inviting a selected number of family and friends. (I was a lucky friend). The sale was for EL merchandise generally (old and discontinued) and not just solids. It was very professionally run. Unfortunately I do not foresee another given the bad behaviour by customers and the stock that got damaged by people who just had to “open and test”.
Otherwise we have limited staff stores here and again a pass is necessary to get in. You have to agree to terms and conditions to be allowed to purchase and that includes no resale of items or return. We do not have anything like your CCC stores for the general public. EL monitors their profile carefully here and misuse of the privilege means you never get admittance again.
It is sad that noone seems to have taken notice of your conference call. Don't they realise that your thoughts are likely to echo those of many collectors????
I have decided to proceed carefully and only buy those I really like. I used to buy every one each year at full retail price but I can't afford to do that when they are not even retaining their value and resale (and I always hope it will never be necessary) is getting so much harder. We are unlikely to recoup our costs!!!!
If the others later come on sale then I may buy some more. In short, I am self treating my “addiction”. The reason is the same as for you, I am annoyed at the treatment of customers and I do not appreciate being told “untruths”.
I am not sure how we resolve the issue. I doubt that SAs will be listened to anymore than us collectors. Maybe we need the ear of store buyers. They, of course, only take notice of sales numbers.
As for buying on e-bay, that may be an option. My question is: Whatever happened to the consumer being “sovereign”?
Karin, the idea of keeping the prices high is to maintain the “prestige” market. Some products actually lose sales if the price is lower (eg wine). At least that's what they taught me at Business School…….
But that doesn't stop us collectors wishing they would lower the prices…..a lot! <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />
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