3
View
comments
Rip off: People wanting to emulate stars like Sarah Jessica Parker face paying up to 143 per cent more
Shoppers are being charged a mark-up of up to 143 per cent for designer label clothes on the new UK website of American fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
The prices are so high that it might be cheaper to fly to New York and buy the high-fashion garments, which are popular with celebrities, off the rails there.
The revelations demonstrate that international brands continue to treat Britain like a Treasure Island, despite tough times for consumers.
The Ralph Lauren designs, many with the distinctive polo rider logo, are must-haves in the wardrobes of the rich and famous.
Stars like Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, Sarah Jessica Parker and Blake Lively are regularly seen wearing his classic couture at red carpet events.
Fashion wannabes might expect to pay a high price to emulate these famous names.
However, British consumers can be charged 75 per cent more than those shopping on the firm's US website for the same items.
In some cases the figure is more than double.
A snapshot survey found a price difference on a collection of 15 items, including dresses, shoes, tops and handbags, adding up to £3,719.
The 15 designer luxury items came to £16,295 on the British website versus £12,576 on the firm's US online store.
Three of the items were on sale on the US website. As a result, consumers buying from the British version would be paying more than double the price.
For example, a Kyler Liquid Velvet Dress is £900 in Britain, which is more than double the £412 on the US site. A Ricky Multi-striped shirt is £200 in the UK versus £99 in the US.
The biggest percentage difference was on a Silk Jersey Ruffle Blouse, which came in at £74 in the US versus £180 in this country - a difference of 143 per cent.
Looking at non-sale items, a Cabled Fringe Scarf is 86 per cent more here at £145, while a Handmade Lace Hat is 75 per cent more at £545.
Cheap alternative: Inside a Ralph Lauren store in Chicago, Illinois, where hardcore fashion fans can pick up a bargain
A Lilah Silk Floral Dress is 46 per cent higher at £545, while a Ryland Leather Jacket is 40per cent more at £2,180.
Shopper Catherine Docherty, who discovered the price differences by chance, is 'furious' over the discrimination against consumers here.
She wanted to buy a dress for her two-year-old niece on the UK website which had a price of £89. However, she then discovered the same item was on the US website for $39.99 - (£25.20). The US site refuses to ship to Britain.
On the catwalk: Two models show off clothing for the spring 2011 collection at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York
'When I contacted the UK Ralph Lauren Customer Services to query this price difference, I was firstly told that it was due to the UK site being new,' she said.
'When I asked why that would affect product prices, I was then told that it was due to the British market being different to that of the US.
RELATED ARTICLES
Second Ralph Lauren model in Photoshop row as she's airbrushed to become impossibly skinny 
Technicolour dream coats: From Cameron Diaz to Katie Holmes, there's a celebrity style to suit everyone this...
Take the plunge: How to flaunt your bosom without looking like a glamour model 
MODEL OUTFIT: Our guide to winter warmers
Share this article
Share'When I asked what was different, and suggested that it might just be down to a more gullible consumer, I was politely told that my comment would be passed to their marketing department.'
Mrs Docherty, from Chelmsford, said: 'I think is is an utter disgrace. There can be no good explanation for this, they are just taking advantage of consumers.
'I would like to think the Government could do something about this, but I won't hold my breath.'
Too expensive?: Shoppers looking for a designer bargain may be better off avoiding Ralph Lauren's Mayfair store in favour of a weekend to New York
Ralph Lauren is not the only US fashion giant to believe the pockets of their British customers are lined with gold. In the past, the same policy has been employed by Abercrombie & Fitch and Banana Republic.
Just last week, the US 'fast fashion' phenomenon, Forever 21 - a Stateside rival to Topshop - opened its first British outlet with prices that are typically 25per cent higher.
Typically, US fashion chains claim prices are higher in this country because it is more expensive to do business, in terms of rent, rates, staff costs and taxes. VAT at 17.5 per cent here is also higher than American sales tax.
When in opposition, the Lib-Dem Business Secretary, Vince Cable, lambasted the last government for failing to put an end to rip-off Britain.
Lavish: A Polo Ralph Lauren store entry walkway with a granite marble floor. The store is not the first to be accused of ripping of British shoppers
He pointed out: 'The value of the web is that we can now find out what is going on. It is easier than in the past to know that we are being ripped off.
'The only rational explanation for price differentials is discrimination.'
He said the last government and Office of Fair Trading had not been active enough in protecting consumers. As the Business Secretary, he is now in a position to take action.
The British website was launched last week with a party at Ralph Lauren's London store. The designer's son, David Lauren, told guests: 'We are hoping the website will become our most profitable UK store.'
The company said it hopes the website will help UK sales, currently running at £17.8million a year, grow ten-fold over the next five years. Its UK office failed to respond to a request for a comment.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWJ%2BdH%2BRaW5tZ4KevW6O0aKrmqGeYpa1ecKhnJqolad6p7jYoqWgZX6axG6lzquiZpqlrnqlsdKinqedomKwrbvToaCnn12hvKSty2Z%2Fop%2BYYqC1vsSeq2egpKK5