Topic: Boutique Brands (Read 5950 times)

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.

Vulcan Cricket · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2013, 06:03:49 PM »

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

fasteddie · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2013, 06:30:33 PM »

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.

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2013, 08:50:21 PM »

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.

ammo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:45:51 AM »

great service and more freedom for the customr- (customisation)

Dan W · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2013, 10:14:53 AM »

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).

tim2000s · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2013, 10:58:07 AM »

Quote from: Dan W on January 09, 2013, 10:14:53 AM

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.

procricket · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2013, 11:11:32 AM »

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

tushar sehgal · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:32:30 PM »

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!!!

procricket · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:34:14 PM »

Funny How some boutique brands don't even make there own bloody bats

M77 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:40:41 PM »

Quote from: procricket on January 09, 2013, 11:11:32 AM

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!

dmacwana · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:49:30 PM »

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.

procricket · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:53:30 PM »

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

Chad · « **Reply #13 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:53:51 PM »

Quote from: tusharsehgal on January 09, 2013, 08:32:30 PM

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.

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!

M77 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:55:14 PM »

Quote from: dmacwana on January 09, 2013, 08:49:30 PM

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.

Author Topic: Boutique Brands (Read 5950 times)

Cover_Drive

Boutique Brands

Vulcan Cricket

Re: Boutique Brands

fasteddie

Re: Boutique Brands

SOULMAN1012

Re: Boutique Brands

ammo

Re: Boutique Brands

Dan W

Re: Boutique Brands

tim2000s

Re: Boutique Brands

procricket

Re: Boutique Brands

tushar sehgal

Re: Boutique Brands

procricket

Re: Boutique Brands

M77

Re: Boutique Brands

dmacwana

Re: Boutique Brands

procricket

Re: Boutique Brands

Chad

Re: Boutique Brands

M77

Re: Boutique Brands