There's no such thing as a free watch (2017)

> "25. Maybe this explains what’s so galling to people about the Folsom & Co. not-really-scam: It simply lays bare the categorical deception at the heart of all branding and retail. The different watch values are, in the strictest sense, speech acts: the watch is $29.99 because someone said it’s $29.99. It’s $29.99 because a certain person is wearing it on Instagram; it’s $29.99 because it’s photographed next to flannel and a Chemex. While “Bradley” of “Bradley’s men’s shop” may not be the most fleshed-out character, he – and the entire existence of Folsom & Co., Soficoastal, etc. – are examples of the now-household term, “brand storytelling.” And the internet makes it possible for anyone to tell any story, about anything, from anywhere."

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> " thateffingasian: Capitalism is making your own product and selling it. Capitalism isn't buying a piece of shit and telling people they're worth 25x the price, and lying to them about the actual value of the product. Your idea of capitalism is fucked up @soficoastal. Then the idiots blocked me, LOL. "

If Capitalism isn't buying shit and lying about it to sell it for higher, I don't know what Capitalism is. This is only a difference in degree, not kind.

Re: There's no such thing as a free watch (2017)

#7

Post by 1zee » Mon, Dec 17, 2018, 6:43 PM UTC

a relevant aside, the Reply All podcast episode on drop-shipping is a great listen

Re: There's no such thing as a free watch (2017)

#8

Post by teachrdan » Mon, Dec 17, 2018, 7:00 PM UTC

I chatted briefly with the author of this piece, who said that apparently the only people making money on these watches are online "marketing gurus" who will teach you how to get rich selling free watches.

Re: There's no such thing as a free watch (2017)

#9

Post by timr » Mon, Dec 17, 2018, 7:16 PM UTC

csours wrote: post #6

TANSTAAFL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_ain%27t_no_such_thing_as... Also, people will pay more for a good story. --- > "25. Maybe this explains what’s so galling to people about the Folsom & Co. not-really-scam: It simply lays bare the categorical deception at the heart of all branding and retail. The different watch values are, in the strictest sense, speech acts: the watch is $29.99 because someone said it’s…

"If Capitalism isn't buying shit and lying about it to sell it for higher, I don't know what Capitalism is. This is only a difference in degree, not kind."

I'm neutral on the question in this case, but really, any discussion of "capitalism" that goes beyond chapter one, page one of an undegrad economics textbook covers the point that efficient markets are not deceptive markets. Participants are assumed to share equal information. HN's understanding of capitalist theory seems to begin and end at the phrase, "supply and demand", and everything that has a two-sided market is otherwise A-OK.

In this particular case, consumers are sort-of informed, but it's also a lot harder to be informed than it used to be. I'm someone who tries to find high-quality items, and even I screw up on a regular basis. I wouldn't fall for this one, though.

Re: There's no such thing as a free watch (2017)

#10

Post by pvarangot » Mon, Dec 17, 2018, 7:17 PM UTC

Dropshipping from China has a bad reputation but it can be done correctly and ethically. You can say you manufacture and ship from your partners in China, and you can pay for modifications, better QA like with stickers and number engraving and traceability, tracking in the shipment... even for some certified ISO processes.

Not defending what this fake stuff brands are doing, and they not only exist for watches but also for jewelry, leather bracelets, etc, etc... but just saying it's also comparable to what cheap shopping mall brands sometimes do with accessories and watches but adding renting and expensive place in the middle and marking up everything way more.