Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Custom companies => Topic started by: Cover_Drive on January 08, 2013, 01:46:34 PM
-
Many 'smaller' brands term themselves as a "boutique brand,'' so my question to you is that, what makes you guys a boutique brand compared to mainstream ones? Whats the primary force of distinction? Superior quality?...
Discuss.
-
All I will say that myself I like to treat people how would like to and when buying a bat or pads etc I try to give a good service and make the buyer feel not just a number. Dean
-
I think the term 'boutique' spans across sectors.
A couple of years back, I ran an executive search agency and we classified ourselves as 'boutique' to tell our clients and candidates we offer very high levels of service and a (supposedly) superior product.
How you price your product or service is down to many other variables.
In short, if I see the term 'boutique' used to describe a company I expect the highest levels of service and a superior experience/product.
-
I see the term boutique as something original and 1 off. Like others I would expect a Taylor made product with the highest level of service and also knowledge in there field. I also expect to pay a little more for a boutique service as well.
-
great service and more freedom for the customr- (customisation)
-
Boutique to me doesn't mean hi-tech (quite the opposite usually) - just a nice word for 'small' that positively highlights that a smaller operation is more likely to generally be more attentive to your needs/requirements (and appreciate your business as it's more important to them proportionally than a company with a huge turnover).
-
Boutique to me doesn't mean hi-tech (quite the opposite usually) - just a nice word for 'small' that positively highlights that a smaller operation is more likely to generally be more attentive to your needs/requirements (and appreciate your business as it's more important to them proportionally than a company with a huge turnover).
Agree with this, and usually also has a specialisation which is where their business is focussed in the consulting and M&A circles I have seen it.
"Boutique" batmaker is really just a "small" batmaker as you know what they specialise on.
-
I think it is a crap term to bump up he brand nothing more nothing less
It's a imply to there special and different and we will give you what you want along with the words small means because there smaller you get extra attention detail
Term means nothing to me
-
It is amazing how only a few of the "boutique" brands actually offer good service I have had some who were good, others who were good till the money was sent and some who made me feel like they didn't care to even accept my money!!!
-
Funny How some boutique brands don't even make there own bloody bats
-
I think it is a crap term to bump up he brand nothing more nothing less
It's a imply to there special and different and we will give you what you want along with the words small means because there smaller you get extra attention detail
Term means nothing to me
Agree entirely, in this realm it often means "lack of imagination of describing small" rather than the actual definition... it would be good if the people at the end of the blower were at least personable! Conversation is key!
-
I wouldn't say its a crap term ! Its just a means of brand differentiation which suggests something local, small scale, better customer service focusing on tailor made stuff. It helps them compete against big names with substantial amount to spend on marketing.
-
Well if that's the case then the forum we know not the general couldn't care less punter it must be 80 per cent boutique crap
Forum like this and others have created a different beast if a customer one who knows a little bit more
But we are still a minority
Good look to all full time makers and people who put time effort and more importantly heart into trying to break the industry fair play to you
-
It is amazing how only a few of the "boutique" brands actually offer good service I have had some who were good, others who were good till the money was sent and some who made me feel like they didn't care to even accept my money!!!
I think I'm lucky in that I have received pretty good service from these 'boutique' brands! One even offered me a £50 refund because my bat got damaged with a big dent on the toe during delivery, or asked if I would like to wait a little while for a replacement, as the bat was something really special, and it was pretty tough to get timber as good as that. In the end, I told him to keep the £50, kept the bat and just said that he had to get me a bat just as good or better next time for a good price. 8)
I think that for a brand to be described as boutique, they need to offer the best of whatever they are selling and have customer service second to none. Price wise, they can charge whatever they want, as if it is the best and I know I'm getting treated properly, what is the point in saying 'Oh, but so and so sells it for less, so I'll go for them'. If a 'boutique' brand doesn't offer these, then they aren't a boutique brand in my eyes!
-
I wouldn't say its a crap term ! Its just a means of brand differentiation which suggests something local, small scale, better customer service focusing on tailor made stuff. It helps them compete against big names with substantial amount to spend on marketing.
It's certainly lazy... i myself have been guilty of it none more so than using the word "bespoke" I hang my head in shame over that one...
The truth is their are a few out there in the mass of fast turnaround, mid volume, buy low, sell high priced tat. And that lack of effort from that side of the market devalues those artisans that trust in the language they use... ie we are a boutique manufacturer of cricket bats. The whole show really needs one of the old heads to reinvigorate the marketplace and bring a little order to the chaos.... the perception thats left is that a tough industry is very easy. Lots come, lost go.
-
Who do you class as boutique chad
And would the words used to describe a brand make you buy them any the more
-
Chez Ping?
-
Who do you class as boutique chad
And would the words used to describe a brand make you buy them any the more
Eh, it's pretty tough, as after reading this thread, I had a think about it and a lot of the brands who call themselves boutique aren't actually. I do agree that boutique brands should make their own bats, but by definition, they don't HAVE to. To some extent, Laver and Wood, as they do offer the very best in terms of quality and customer service, but they are quite a big company in my eyes. Helios is the brand that I was referring to with the bat damaged in transit, but although I would consider them a boutique brand, they don't make their own bats. I would say Screaming Cat are a boutique brand, but not from experience. If you want a list of people, then you would have to give me some time to think about it, as I am still trying to formulate my final opinion! :P I will say that pretty much most of my purchases from the bat makes from here have been smooth and I have been happy with their customer service.
If a brand was described as boutique, it would certainly catch my attention! It wouldn't really make me want to buy from them anymore than a mainstream brand. What does this is the reputation through reading reviews, looking at their selling points and word of mouth! 8)
-
Well its a different matter if a maker portrays itself as 'boutique brand' when they clearly are not. As a customer we need to do our own research (that is where the forum shows its worth) before we choose who to go with.
To me as Chad said boutique brand would mean someone who "offer the best of whatever they are selling and have customer service second to none" along with the end product made locally in their shops/boutique .
-
To me boutique means add x amount to the price
-
To me boutique means add x amount to the price
Looking at the prices of the mainstream brands though, I am not quite sure I agree with that, unless you mean that's what you think some boutique brands do. I think that mainstream brands generally charge more for their gear to be honest. Take the Gray Nicolls Legend for example, I think the RRP of it is something like £500. Then take SAFs absolute top end offering, which is the Performance Light Ultima Custom, which I think is inaugural willow, which has an RRP of £440. With SAF, you get a top quality stick at a top end price, but the GN Legend is still more expensive, and that's from a mainstream brand!
-
If you ask me the legend is boutique though in the idea small quantities are made thus making it exclusive as a price tag would suggest
Exclusive is similar in bat terms to me as boutique
-
If you ask me the legend is boutique though in the idea small quantities are made thus making it exclusive as a price tag would suggest
Exclusive is similar in bat terms to me as boutique
Ah right, so a boutique bat rather than a boutique brand... That's a whole different subject! :P I agree in that case, exclusivity does mean a higher price tag, but I won't complain as it does make sense. However, if you asked me to buy a GN Legend at £500 or a SAF inaugural bat for £440, I would go for the SAF, not because of the lower price tag, but because I know I would get a 'boutique' customer service as opposed to the GN Legend! Not to say the retailers that sold me the GN Legend wouldn't give me a good service, but I would get a 'pampered' service from SAF.
-
Boutique, Bespoke, custom or whatever term you use, it doesn't mean anything if you don't back it all up with quality, passion and service. If you talk the talk, walk the walk or fudge off.
-
Boutique, Bespoke, custom or whatever term you use, it doesn't mean anything if you don't back it all up with quality, passion and service. If you talk the talk, walk the walk or fudge off.
bingo..
it a slaes pitch will it be backed up...