How does plal make any money?

[Run4TheCup]

I understand it has to do a little with the exchange rate but can someone enlighten me?

 

[James Bond]

By selling things?

 

[grimslade]

They're in Malaysia and have low overhead, so they can get away with narrower margins. Figure most retailers like Barneys are marking up by at least 100%.

 

[bdeuce22]

they probably do not have to combat import taxes like we do in the US

 

[Spatlese]

Agree with the points above. A previous post and photos by member neyus may also add some more colour on P.Lal's operation: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=57159

They've been in business a long time and are great to deal with, so figure they are doing something reasonably well.

 

[justsayno]

shoes have a high markup, so there's naturally a bit of room for price setting. long time retail customers like plal probably have a good relationship with the shoemakers and probably get more discounts for their inventory.

 

[w.mj]

Also, no duty. The package my shoes were in came marked, from plal, with what one might call a generously low estimate of their value.

 

[gnatty8]

I can tell you one thing, that however they do it, they make a lot of it from me..

 

[Marcus Brody]

Question: What currency are the prices on the website listed in? I imagine Malaysian ringgits as that's where the website is based and the sign is $M, but then the prices just seem too good...

Edit: Nevermind, I found the answer on their forums. Wow. I'll be considering some Loake's or C&J's next time I'm looking for a quality pair of shoes.

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by Marcus Brody

Question: What currency are the prices on the website listed in? I imagine Malaysian ringgits as that's where the website is based and the sign is $M, but then the prices just seem too good...

The prices are indeed, ringgits.

 

[MetroStyles]

So, honest question - why would anyone buy shoes anywhere else?

 

[Concordia]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

So, honest question - why would anyone buy shoes anywhere else?


Can you honestly say that you know your size in every last and style?

 

[bdeuce22]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

So, honest question - why would anyone buy shoes anywhere else?
you could buy from pediwear in the UK that does a price match i believe, but as for buying CJ in the US, i sure as hell wouldn't. with today's exchange rate you could get Handgrades for a shade over $400 USD at Plal as opposed to $725 USD + any sales tax in the US.

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by Concordia

Can you honestly say that you know your size in every last and style?

Great point - I guess I would be okay with using their one-time free exchange policy to learn my exact size. I also assume that their forum and tendency to have long e-mail exchanges before selling would help determine size if there was confusion. It just seems like an excellent seller. I never knew these shoes could be had for these prices.

 

[randallr]

Yeah, I need to buy some stuff from them.