Bathroom Accessories - Why so Expensive?

[Ref]

Recently stopped into Lowes to price some bathroom accessories, such as a toothbrush holder, soap dish, etc. and I could not believe how expensive these items are. Even towel bars are super expensive!

These items must have to have a huge mark-up. I cannot see a simple stainless steel and glass cup toothbrush holder retailing for $270. This is nuts!

I ended up purchasing some towel bars in the reduced section (from $100 to $25).

These things are almost if not more expensive than a complete faucet unit.

Is there a reason they are priced so high?

 

[OnTheWayOut]

Shit happens, especially in the crapper.

 

[Sophia Sinclair]

Try HomeSense.

 

[TeeJay]

Head over to Chinatown

 

[Butler1000]

Because its the female of the species making the choices so they mark it up.

I would suggest you look up wholesale outlets and contractor outlets.

 

[explorerzip]

Depends on brand, design and materials. The retro or ultra modern types can command bigger bucks.

For cheap stuff, go to Ikea.

 

[Jasmine Raine]

I spent a bit extra on bathroom fixtures. They are important in functionality and you want something that will last the life of your bathroom/kitchen. However, they do have a decorative component that is important.

I have so many clients compliment my bathroom sink taps. Lol. People think that no one notices but in actuality we all do. We just don't realize it.

Prices are crazy. I remember that. Hundreds can easily be spent.

 

[james t kirk]

Because there is work in there, plus material and copper is now at a 3 year high and copper is one of the main ingredients in brass.

For all your bathroom needs, I recommend 2 places.

1. All things Kohler available at Penmar Plumbing. In my extensive pricing searches, Penmar is the best in the GTA by far. They have an old school plumbing supply store on Dundas and Runnymede, but fixtures and such all come out of their Vaughan store.

2. For bathroom accessories and hardware and lighting I often go to Rejuvenation. Wait for their 20 to 25 percent off sales by signing up for their email list. They have really good quality and very unique designs.

www.rejuvenation.com

 

[Ceiling Cat]

If you compare Canadian and American Home Depots you will find a bathroom wall cup holder that sell for $270 here in Canada can be had for $50 in the US. There is not always a 5 times + discrepancy in price, but there are few things that sell in the US for more than in Canada. Even with the exchange. I sometimes slip over the border on a 48 hour shopping junket using the company sprinter van that I can camp in in warmer weather, in colder weather we have accommodations at the biz across the border. Accommodations can eat up all your savings. Two people can have border exemptions of $800 each. When buying in the states the value is doubled. It is best to shop leisurely and plan the shopping trip. Know the stores you will hit and check their flyers before you go. Some good places to go in the US are, Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, Lowes, Home Depot and Harbor Freight Tools. Even Sears has some good deals south of the border.

 

[thumper18474]

when I did my reno we decided to buy 1 brand and 1 style throughout the bathroom so that it had a flow to it
TP holder
towel rack
hand towel holder
taps for sink and shower
shower head
eve the towel hook for shower
and hand soap dispenser(its electric pass hand under it dispenses)
all moen all a certain style
paid thru the nose for it all but we love it
and get lots of compliments

 

[Keebler Elf]

I actually found some good deals on innovative products from IKEA. People like to say it's cheap quality but compared with super inflated prices at "quality" stores, IKEA is pretty good.

While doing Xmas shopping this year I saw the exact same product at The Bay and Bed Bath and Beyond which were double the price of the exact same product at Kitchen Stuff Plus (not on sale). I've even found comparable items at Dollarama that was 10x the price at one of those other stores (how much "quality" do you really need for a soap dispenser or a scrub brush?).

There's a time and a place for high end stores but if you're shopping at BB&B for a scrub brush then I guarantee you are getting ripped off.

 

[james t kirk]

I actually found some good deals on innovative products from IKEA. People like to say it's cheap quality but compared with super inflated prices at "quality" stores, IKEA is pretty good.

While doing Xmas shopping this year I saw the exact same product at The Bay and Bed Bath and Beyond which were double the price of the exact same product at Kitchen Stuff Plus (not on sale). I've even found comparable items at Dollarama that was 10x the price at one of those other stores (how much "quality" do you really need for a soap dispenser or a scrub brush?).

There's a time and a place for high end stores but if you're shopping at BB&B for a scrub brush then I guarantee you are getting ripped off.

It depends.

If it's the exact same model and manufacturer, and the price is far better at the dollar store, then yeah, buy it at the dollar store.

But after that, you need a discerning eye. Some might argue that a soap dish is a soap dish. It's like saying a Kia Rio is so much cheaper than an Audi S6 and only a fool would buy an S6 when clearly both cars do the same thing (get you from A to B).

Unfortunately for my bank account, I was born with the ability to recognize style and quality in the design of many things and I can spot cheap shit when it comes to architecture, engineering and design in residential construction a mile away. I've been in homes that have been featured in House and Home magazine and I can see right through the crap and I can see when something is really well done and there is attention to detail.

And God is in the details as they say.

 

[kkelso]

Awwww, please don't smack me for this. Please.

As a marketer I can tell you that items which are marketed to women as the primary decision makers are often ticketed at a higher retail. This is because women respond more strongly to "High-Low Pricing" than men. Mark something at $200 and sell it for 50% off. As a market demographic women love "the art of the deal" more than guys.

This applies to clothing, home furnishings, decor, appliances, jewelry, etc.

The point above on Canadian retail pricing is also valid. It is much more expensive to run a retail business in Canada, and there is less competition.

KK

 

[spraggamuffin]

Really depends on where you shop.
Hardware for hardware and renovation items.
On accessories they will definitely have convenience store prices as it really is just an aside for them.
For good quality reasonably priced accessories some of the places already mentioned here like Homesense, Winners,Home Outfitters, Linens and Things and Bed Bath and Beyond are good options.
For lower end stuff Walmart, Jysk,Ikea.
For lowest end Dollarama and Chinatown.

 

[Smash]

Winners