Image Skincare all over the internet!

Hello Everybody,

I have my own solo practice and have been using Skin Scripts and a local organic line. I was thinking of adding Image Skincare to my lines, however, I am seeing it sold all over the internet for a lot less than the suggested retail price. So to be competitive with the internet and to cover shipping costs, an esthetician can really only make a few dollars profit on every product.

Here are a few examples of what I found this morning:

Vital C Repair Cream-Our cost $29.00. Amazon-$37.00 and free shipping.

Vital C Serum- Our cost $27.00. Amazon-$31.97 and free shipping.

Keep in mind, we pay for shipping to get it from Image, so your profit is even less than what shows here.

So as much as I would have loved to add Image to my spa, it doesn't make good financial sense to do so. Image is not the only one who has sold out. Every time I look for a new line to add, guess what? They are all over the internet too! Anyone else getting frustrated with the whole "professional" skincare industry?

Tags: Image, internet

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Permalink Reply by Lori Taylor on October 4, 2015 at 8:48am

Yes! I retail JanMarini and it is also on the net for lower then suggested retail. I actually lost a client because she told me she was buying the products online cheaper then what I offer (I offer 10% off this product). When she told me this I politely advised that she should buy with caution because the products could be tampered and or expired. She had been a long time client....she never came back. :(
I mentioned this issue to my rep and they just gave me a sign to post showing all the sites that are illegally selling the products. It's hard for them to police it and it probably very costly to try, but something has to be done. ALL the lines are being sold for cheaper.
It's pretty frustrating.

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Permalink Reply by Bunny Crockett on October 6, 2015 at 1:58pm

You are so right, Lori. I have probably looked up fifty lines and they are all being sold on the Internet. Yes, we can let our clients know that they may be expired or not authentic, but in reality, they are usually just fine. For all anyone knows, estheticians could be buying up major orders and selling on eBay or Amazon. Even though the price is low, they certainly would be making a profit with volume. Probably the only way to go is private label, as the last holdouts in skincare lines will eventually buckle and be on the Internet, as well. It's only a matter of time.

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Permalink Reply by Bunny Crockett on October 6, 2015 at 6:54pm

Cathy, I think that's great! I don't think I have the knowledge base to be confident enough to create a line myself though. How did you get started on yours?

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Permalink Reply by Laura Vincek on October 22, 2015 at 5:29pm

Hi Cathy,

Just happened to read your reply above, and I am quite interested in learning more about your product line! I am very interested in a product that is not being under-sold on the internet.