Why did the OneBlade increase 33% in price?

Serious answers only please. Company bashing does not answer the question.

I have several theories given they have now migrated to Amazon Marketplaces, Shipped Prime and from Amazon (i.e., not from OneBlade)

A. The $2500 blackblade is sold out. The $1000 Collectors editions are sold out. They've sold over 4 or 5K units. The move to Amazon broadens the market to masses rather than a niche product in the much smaller wet shaving hobby world. So they figure they can make more profit?

B. Obviously there was some kind of contracting work problem that made the blades smile. It cost too much to get the returns and now they are making back up the losses?

C. They get what the market will bear. Analysis has been done and they think, as with other luxury products, the market will bear the price. In the end, the market always figures out the price.

???

We're not able to know their thinking, but I believe we can make a few guesses.

They broaden the market and find new ways to offer their product. Let's not forget the reputation they gained lately... Many shavers received razors with flaws.

I really don't think that someone would just give 399$ without reading a few things first or knowing what this razor is about.

I don't believe that the wet shaving hobby world is that small, some of the biggest artisan soap makers or dealers can confirm that. I even read an article on Forbes site a few months ago. Forums are public discussion boards accessible to anyone. The fact that we participate here, it doesn't mean that someone else who is not a member can't read them and have an opinion on something. Some people don't like participating. And I know many of them.

D. Make more money

I work in the same industry as the company founder did. This is not company bashing. Porter Stansberry is a pariah and outcast on Wall Street. He was convicted of defrauding public investors which was held up by a federal court on appeal.

He claimed to make the greatest made razor on earth. Apparently not. The guy's in business to make money. Who isn't? Nothing wrong with that but no one I work with would have anything to do with him.

The 33% increase is just an effort to gauge as much as the company can for the razors. Total waste of money what they are asking for the razor now.

I work in the same industry as the company founder did. This is not company bashing. Porter Stansberry is a pariah and outcast on Wall Street. He was convicted of defrauding public investors which was held up by a federal court on appeal.

He claimed to make the greatest made razor on earth. Apparently not. The guy's in business to make money. Who isn't?  Nothing wrong with that but no one I work with would have anything to do with him.

The 33% increase is just an effort to gauge as much as the company can for the razors. Total waste of money what they are asking for the razor now.

Yes, yes, we all know the history. We all know the civil fines. And as I've said before, find a single major company ranging from an auto maker to P&G to Intel that has NOT paid civil fines. You might not find a single one.

You might not know about the civil fines but they happen all the time. The VW Diesel scandal is just the latest were close to $20B is being paid out. It happens all the time, mostly quietly unless you look into it.


Now to price. It could be value pricing. Luxury goods are value based priced - what the market will bear. You don't really think it cost $380,000 to build a Ferrari do you? Or $12,000 to build a Rolex Daytona? This could be part of it. And I have no doubt that trying to find the right market price point is part of it. If he didn't try to make every penny, then he would be a lousy businessman.

What are the profit margins on say a Edwin Jagger Razor or a Gillette Cartridge? I don't know.

He claimed to make the greatest made razor on earth. Apparently not. The guy's in business to make money. Who isn't?

The 33% increase is just an effort to gauge as much as the company can for the razors. Total waste of money what they are asking for the razor now.

I have to agree, I also think it's a great way for them to now discount the razor to 25% when they have sales and still make a huge profit.

As will all products within an economy, it is always Option C. Laws of Price and Demand.

I figure its C - whatever the market will bear.

I don't disagree that civil penalties are commonplace but fraud is another thing altogether.

I'd go with C as well.

I'll also comment by saying that I don't think I'd spend $400 for a shaving razor...at least not one that's still being produced today. on top of that, their QC & customer service has taken a serious dive over the past few months, and that's not just with my issues I've had. after getting 2 razors from them - both defective - I was having a tough time trying to justify their $300 price tag, to be honest.

Another vote for C.