Photo provided by www.thatblackgirlsite.com
Yes, this is a question many of us wonder I’m sure. In the Canadian beauty scene we tend to receive the more boutique-y high quality beauty brands later than our American neighbours. But in the majority of cases, whether late or early a lot of the products we have access to (that aren’t useless garbage) are OVER PRICED!
Why is it that the cost of Black Hair Care product is so expensive here in comparison to the states? Well we have an answer that kinda-sorta justifies why that is.
Generally, our black hair care beauty suppliers are “Mom ‘N Pop” neighbourhood supported businesses. A huge percentage of black hair care products are produced overseas, their corporate offices managed mainly in the USA and cater to the American market due to the high percentage of their target demographic residing there.
When our local beauty suppliers order products directly through the corporate entities, they receive inflamed costs themselves (based on the difference in currency, our higher taxes and shipping/handling rates). Plus, they are sometimes (in actually most cases) considered “international orders” and their product order minimums are outrageous! Our beauty suppliers in some instances are required to purchase a minimum $3000.00 USD+ of product QUARTERLY to receive a wholesale account with the products corporate office. That’s a huge risk just for ONE product line, so in the majority of cases if the beauty supply isn’t familiar with the product line? They’re not willing to risk having a bunch of dusty beauty ornaments on their shelves waiting to be tossed.
So I guess the next question is …how do they get the product they have currently on their shelves? Well that in itself is a bit more time consuming, but indeed more cost effective in most cases. They set up relationships with fellow retailers who reap the benefits of having a beauty supply in an American market, rather than paying a gazillion dollars in inflated “international” fees to the products corporate sales. Although still inflated, in comparison to dealing with the corporate wholesale account requirements… they save all across the board (by purchasing significantly less product) but inevitably paying additional fees all the same (such as shipping, handling and staffing travel expenses).
So when you visit your local “Mom ‘N Pop” Beauty Supply and get an urge to cuss out the nearest customer service rep in sight, remember ALL of what Blackhairacanada.com mentioned. NOW, we’re not saying this applies to every business but in most cases with the ethical ones it does indeed.
So how do we change this? How do we get these prices to be more reasonable as they are in our neighbouring USA? Well, if you want to support the Canadian Market so that it doesn’t dry up and disappear then stop buying hair online, over the boarder and be a loyal customer. Be brand advocates of your local Beauty Supply! Give them reason to trust us rather than swindle us! This will give you the consumer POWER and SAY over what products they choose to order and in what abundance. Money and numbers talk! So rally all the lovely individuals in your life that are Hair Care/Beauty enthusiasts and head over to your local beauty supply. Start buying, start requesting and start changing our industry! So that we change the interest of these corporate suppliers and so WE Canadians become a market priority!
And be sure not to forget blackhairacanda.com in the movement =).
