Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

The merino hat for £20 is a great deal - I've barely taken mine off all winter.

I like the wording of this part of this review:

While my other merino wool hats are far less itchy than standard wool hats, or even alpaca wool hats (I’m serious, I own one), this hat rates about a 10 on the itchy-head scale, 10 being “none-itchy”.

That's so untrue, what they've done is extend some goodwill to a customer who has then posted an account of it on an open forum where anyone with the ability to Google can find it, therefore setting a precedent. You've exploited the Company's good nature. They know full well you could return said items for free, get a refund and then re-buy at the cheaper price so it's less work for them to give you back the difference, it's not because they want to.

Would you have the cheek to walk back in to your LBS a week after purchasing something and say "I bought this last week and am perfectly happy with it but notice this week you're selling it for a bit less, can I have the difference back?" Would you fuck, it'd be far too embarrassing. Rapha is a privately owned business much like your LBS and should be dealt with in the same way.

No I would not. I wouldn't have the gall.

It is all part of the Rapha business plan... and they know it
Heard it from a direct source within Rapha, that post Christmas, once the sales are in full swing, a sizable percentage of items brought at full price come back for refunds and exchanges. These returned items then go into the sample sale a few weeks later, so Rapha end up selling all their stock (new and returned). Notice there are 2 sample sales a year, and they always directly follow the winter and summer sale. Have you seen the amount of stock at a Rapha sample sale? - where do you think it comes from? The fact is, the profit margins are so large in clothing retail (even more when there are no high street overheads or store managers to pay), that Rapha are always quids in and it's all part of their business plan.

I got 50% off my softshell when I complained about the quality - there you go I said it.. is that a precedent?

Damn the etape jersey is sold out :(

Give it time. All the returns may well reappear as a result of people here moaning about a tenner.

It is all part of the Rapha business plan...

Would you like to buy some magic beans?

It is all part of the Rapha business plan... and they know it
Heard it from a direct source within Rapha, that post Christmas, once the sales are in full swing, a sizable percentage of items brought at full price come back for refunds and exchanges. These returned items then go into the sample sale a few weeks later, so Rapha end up selling all their stock (new and returned). Notice there are 2 sample sales a year, and they always directly follow the winter and summer sale. Have you seen the amount of stock at a Rapha sample sale? - where do you think it comes from? The fact is, the profit margins are so large in clothing retail (even more when there are no high street overheads or store managers to pay), that Rapha are always quids in and it's all part of their business plan.

I got 50% off my softshell when I complained about the quality - there you go I said it.. is that a precedent?

Why would they put stock that's in perfect condition in a sample sale? If they do that then their operation will not last. I wonder at what point in their brief history they started to run at a profit?

Why would they put stock that's in perfect condition in a sample sale? If they do that then their operation will not last. I wonder at what point in their brief history they started to run at a profit?

1) not everything that comes back is perfect - the perfect stuff gets restocked
2) jerseys being sold in the sample sale at £40 still still make profit

high street clothing stores are still in cost/sale profit when then sell for 75% off and the bulk of profit for the big name designer brands make their money from so called outlet stores. Rapha operate from a cheap part of London in a warehouse with a handfull of staff. They are one of Uks top 50 fastest growing businesses

Your username is certainly apt.

I wonder at what point in their brief history they started to run at a profit?

It was quite a few years after they started. By 2008 they had yet to make a profit (according to Mr Simon Mottram in an open letter) so it's not that long ago.

this is a public forum, and i am just sharing what I know.. so why would you want to say something like that to me Senor Bear?

1) not everything that comes back is perfect - the perfect stuff gets restocked
2) jerseys being sold in the sample sale at £40 still still make profit

high street clothing stores are still in cost/sale profit when then sell for 75% off and the bulk of profit for the big name designer brands make their money from so called outlet stores. Rapha operate from a cheap part of London in a warehouse with a handfull of staff. They are one of Uks top 50 fastest growing businesses

So why does stuff come back if it's not perfect? If you send a product out that's perfect and someone returns it with a fault then it's either an issue with the quality control (which the company needs to address) or it's not been used for the purpose that it was intended for. If there's a high percentage of quality issues then the actual manufacturer has to cover the cost.

Next - if you're selling more products at discounted prices than you are at full-price then you will fail. Also, selling your product at a discounted price educates your client base to not shop at full-price and to wait for the sample sales and end of season sales.

You dilute your brand and get a reputation for being a bulk discounter.

Not the way to build a strong, healthy business or brand.

^^ You're arguing with someone who works/worked at rapha and someone who I am willing to bet knows the clothing retail business a damn sight better than you.

^This. On both counts.

Nah I may be a child ;) but I'm sensible enough to not pick a fight with you on matters such as this!

Ninja edit agrees...

Last post on the matter.

Both your numbered comments above are wrong.

1. Product that comes back 'not perfect' would not be taken back, if a customer has used something or altered it from it's sale state then a return would not be accepted.
   
2. The cost price of a jersey may not be as low as you believe, and once you factor in the operating costs of the Company and all other associated costs of selling something then £40 may not make them profit. The point of a sample sale is to sell product not fit to be sold through normal channels, ie; sample product, faulty/damaged product. It's not a liquidation.
   
   

There is also nobody at Rapha who would say that their 'business plan' is to accept returns and place that product in the sample sale. It's ridiculous.

Exactly.

Last post on the matter.

Both your numbered comments above are wrong.

1. Product that comes back 'not perfect' would not be taken back, if a customer has used something or altered it from it's sale state then a return would not be accepted.
   
2. The cost price of a jersey may not be as low as you believe, and once you factor in the operating costs of the Company and all other associated costs of selling something then £40 may not make them profit. The point of a sample sale is to sell product not fit to be sold through normal channels, ie; sample product, faulty/damaged product. It's not a liquidation.
   
   

There is also nobody at Rapha who would say that their 'business plan' is to accept returns and place that product in the sample sale. It's ridiculous.

My family's business is part of the supply chain that works with companies supplying wholesale materials to various clothing manufacturers in the world including 'small' companies like Rapha. I am not going to get in an argument with you as you Senor Bear as you obviously know more about the retail clothing industry than me.
However, you would not ask for a galling discount in an LBS in real life, and i'm sure you would not take the piss out of me to my face either. No - you would only do that hiding behind a computer on an internet because you are a coward.

He probably would actually.

Oh no, he would deffo take the piss out of you to your face

Give it time. All the returns may well reappear as a result of people here moaning about a tenner.

I hope so!

Is the Bomber Jkt dark/charcoal grey in real life or more of a mid grey?

Quite like that pink lining...

My family's business is part of the supply chain that works with companies supplying wholesale materials to various clothing manufacturers in the world including 'small' companies like Rapha. I am not going to get in an argument with you as you Senor Bear as you obviously know more about the retail clothing industry than me.
However, you would not ask for a galling discount in an LBS in real life, and i'm sure you would not take the piss out of me to my face either. No - you would only do that hiding behind a computer on an internet because you are a coward.

FYI retail and wholesale are 2 very different beasts. But you probably know that with all your your families experience.

Well, ordered a bomber jacket as well... too tempting at that price!

had to go XL to take into account beer gut... Rapha isn't really sized for pub cyclists ;)