It will definitely be "Exclusive" if no one buys anything . . . Though if they had the "World Status" T-Shirt in stock, I would have already ordered it . . .

 

Typical Lotus pricing, I was sorta excited but not any more.

 

Did you see how much the keychain is?

 

$141 for a key chain?
:crazyeyes:crazyeyes:crazyeyes:crazyeyes:crazyeyes:crazyeyes:crazyeyes:crazyeyes

 

Is that a question or a statement? lol, incase you were actually wondering it was $150 . . .

 

It makes your car go faster by adding lightness to your wallet.

 

I kinda knew they would play it like this. I'm still disappointed they did. But the market will punish those who do poor market research, so I'm at peace.

 

LOL $200 for jeans? Bahahaha


Here's a good one.. $40 for a MUG.


The only thing that looks reasonable is $42 for a model Elise. Looks nice. Probably made in China

 

If Colin had worn these very clothes himself I'd gladly pay twice this much.

 

I really like their merchandise but those prices :huh:

 

Sorry to make another post about it, but I think they need to distinguish between the luxury items and the non-luxury items.

Something like a MUG or a KEYCHAIN is not a luxury item and they ought to price those lower so they are accessible to non-Lotus buyers. This spreads the brand around and invites everyone to "walk in and take a look around." That doesn't mean they should sell them for Chinatown prices, but more accessible prices.

For luxury items such as fine clothing and leather goods, the prices should remain high as they are exclusives for Lotus-buyers and enthusiasts who will actually be representing the brand. I agree with that.

That's what I'd do But then again I actually studied marketing unlike anyone who works at Lotus

 

Agreed.
There are many high dollar jackets and jeans and shirts and such that people buy and wear. And you don't really "wear" these clothes, one "sports" them.
We don't want to see people who will never own a Lotus sporting that stylish jacket. Elitist? Probably. Sometimes that is appropriate.

 

I would love it if people who don't own a Lotus would wear the logo as a status symbol. It works for Ferrari & Porsche.

On the more extreme side,I never saw anyone wear Nautica gear at the yacht club. Wearing Nautica was a good indication that you didn't own a boat that couldn't be rowed.

 

I think the difference is in the products that the brands are representing. Yachts and Ferraris are VERY exclusive items. Even if one can buy a $300 Ferrari shirt/belt/thong/pencil sharpener, he is still likely outside of the demographic who buys the vehicle, just by statistical probability alone.

But Lotus is selling comparatively cheap cars (yeah, I know...the Esprit is resurrecting itself from the dead and opening the gates of Lotus heaven for us). I'd expect there to be a higher percentage of Lotus Originals customers who are able to afford the cars and are "ideal prospects" for Lotus cars, so by keeping the prices high, they are effectively excluding those who aren't Lotus owners or could-be Lotus owners because the cars are more easily attainable.

I would love if non-Lotus owners wore the stuff too. I just don't see why they would. You have to earn the right to sell $78 t-shirts. It's not a given just because your name is Lotus. Ferrari and Lamborghini have earned that right.

 

I agree to an extent but you can't start selling shirts for $20 if you are trying to create a brand of prestige or "exclusivity" . . . Self-Fulfilling Prophecies are usually that, self-fulfilling. You have to create the aura that you are exclusive in your attempt to get others to buy into it. You don't become exclusive by starting out in a non-prestigous light and there is no such thing as earning exclusivity because if you aren't, it makes it even more difficult to become. Your best play is to be exclusive/prestigious from the get go and hope others buy into it . . .

 

Absolutely correct. But what substance have they added to the brand to justify? This is just a piece of the puzzle. They haven't developed the brand and desire among consumers enough to fully warrant these prices. I think they can go upscale but come down to earth a little more. Or even just the stratosphere.

Fine leather goods are one thing because they are inherently valuable, but there is no inherent value in a t-shirt unless the brand it is promoting is valuable, and AT THE MOMENT, it is not, so at the moment, Lotus looks a bit ridiculous. Either make it out of super duper awesome material with a super duper awesome symbol/logo/signage on it or drop the price by $30.

 

VAT

So here is my big question. The price for items says it includes a 20% VAT. Do those of us in the US have to pay this? If so it sounds like we are funding the British government. Didn't we have a Revolution for a similar reason?

 

I like some of the understated sweatshirt and t-shirt but a lot of this stuff and especially the pricing is just ridiculous. This is very telling about what is underway and it is disturbing. I am afraid Lotus is going the wrong direction.

 

Exactly. I'm pretty confused here.

 

The real kicker is a Lotus keyfob for US$141+shipping !! That cannot be right. If so, the new Esprit will be priced in $500k range (not the $175k, that was promised).

http://www.lotusoriginals.com/en/product/show/lotus-leather-key-ring

 

I think Lotus has heard enough from the uninformed who says, "who makes Lotus"? or those who believe the Elise/Exige is a $100K+ car so might as well jack up the price to give off that impression

 

Obviously not the same quality, but...

Lotus Leather Keyfob

Really? Is this the new "Lotus Tax" like the Apple Tax? I mean, the market will bear what it can, but if this is the new customer that Lotus is trying to attract, geez... I guess that means my affordable 05 will be going up in value soon to meet the market

 

Obviously not the same quality, but...

Is the lotus badge a registered trademark?

 

it's clear not everyone on here is getting it. figuratively and literally rotfl

 

You can bet most of this junk is being churned out of China, so I'd expect to see this stuff heavily discounted on eBay soon.

 

Funny thing is I wouldnt buy those t shirts for $30 much less $78.

 

Say, isn't that the keychain they6 gave us at the last LOG?

They really spent a lot of money on us! ;-)

The Ferrari leather jacket is only $938... 30% less than the Lotus jacket!

Now that I know how cheap Ferrari's are relative to Lotus, I may just switch brands...

 

No Leather Jacket for Us Ladies?

Not saying I would pay the price....but I am kinda upset...I didn't see the leather jacket as an option for us girls

 

I just want to know the quality of the stuff. I'm dying for the Leather Jacket

 

It's the exchange rate making these expensive!

Click on the currency icons and you'll see the price in pounds. Besides some of this stuff (fabric, etc) is really nice, so the pricing would be comparable to high end designers.

 

I noticed the same thing, BUT I'd expect an international company to adjust pricing based on local currency used. Example: The Ferrari t-shirt is 34.00 euros just as it is 34 US dollars.

But even 90 pounds for a key chain is insane!

 

I'd have to see the quality too. $78 for what appears to be a basic T shirt is in the Hugo Boss/Armani range.