How can you assign a price and a value to things?

Imagine the following scenario: Two people, Pam and Ben, want to buy a new watch. Pam decides on a simple, beautifully designed but mass-produced digital watch, while Ben opts for a handmade, Swiss-made mechanical timepiece that is exclusively available only through a direct sales company.

Both watches have essentially the same function: they show the time. However, Ben’s wristwatch costs more, of course.

Does “more” therefore necessarily mean “expensive”? Because manufacturers and, of course, Direct Selling companies all over the world have to ask themselves this question every day: are the products too expensive?

The answer to this question is often: No – and for good reason. Especially when the “benefit” and thus the “actual value” are taken into consideration, the term “expensive” becomes relative. In the example of watches, a handmade, exclusively available mechanical timepiece certainly has the same function for its owner as a “cheap” watch, but it undoubtedly offers a higher benefit and value. For example, it can represent the fulfilment of a dream, when looking at the watch the wearer feels much more joy and pride, and it is also the expression of a way of life. In addition, of course, there is also the quality, reliability and prestige that a fine watch brings with it. Incidentally, it is also interesting to note that this simple example does not necessarily only apply to watches!

Many factors play a role in the pricing of consumer goods and products: these include, for example, the cost of research and development, the materials used, manufacturing processes and thus the cost of production. In addition, there are other costs such as marketing expenses, associated services such as service or warranties, and also the margins of wholesalers and retailers that arise in the distribution of products.

Of course, these factors also apply to products marketed by Direct Sales companies. However, there is a difference: Direct Selling is also about offering customers premium products that are usually not available through normal retail outlets – which increases the value of the products again.

Quality has its price – not always!

Make no mistake. A higher price does not automatically mean a better quality product. In fact, quite a few brands are known to artificially inflate prices to give the appearance of quality or to represent their status. Just think of the well-known example of a simple T-shirt of a haute couture brand, which has a production value of a few euros, but is sold for several hundred euros.

QN Europe’s business principles are, of course, completely diametrically opposed to this example. Generally, at QN Europe all products and services are subjected to strict quality control protocols before they are distributed. This includes, in particular, checking the added value or benefit of the product for the consumer. QN Europe also inspects manufacturers’ production facilities, manufacturing processes, certificates and awards, as well as management practices and compliance with internationally applicable standards. This process ensures that QN Europe products meet the highest quality standards and offer a high level of benefit or value, so that the relationship between price and quality is not only comprehensible but also balanced.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, there is another characteristic of QN Europe products: innovation. This product feature is a fundamental element of the QN Europe product portfolio, which further improves the price-performance ratio of the products.

What interests us in this article, however, is a closer look at the brands and products distributed by QN Europe. That’s why we’re going into a little more detail here, and taking a closer look at the individual brands.

LIFEQODE

LifeQode supplements are manufactured in Germany by a certified laboratory according to the highest quality standards. They contain only natural colourings and flavourings, are gluten-free, and suitable for vegetarians. All ingredients used meet the highest quality and industry standards.

LifeQode supplements are more than just supplements for daily use, because they have been developed on the basis of a special system that takes into account our body’s ability to absorb active ingredients. Since our body has different nutritional needs in the morning and in the evening, the active ingredients in LifeQode are divided into Sun and Moon. The ingredients in Sun provide an optimal start in the morning due to their unique combination, while Moon is designed to regenerate the body after the efforts of the day.

In addition, the LifeQode researchers take into account the so-called active ingredient absorption competition when developing the products. Active ingredient absorption competition occurs when active ingredients are taken at the same time that are absorbed by the body through the same absorption processes (active ingredient processing). In this case, the active substances interfere with each other when being absorbed by the body, which can often greatly reduce or even cancel out the benefits. This is another reason why the active ingredients are divided into LifeQode Sun and Moon.

This makes it clear that the development and production of LifeQode supplements requires much more effort. If you add the fact that only high-quality active substances and ingredients are used, you will notice that the prices of LifeQode supplements are relative compared to more generic supplements.

HOMEPURE

When it comes to value, quality and innovation, QN Europe invests heavily in science and technology. This fact is particularly evident in the HomePure products.

The HomePure Nova water filter, for example, is the result of over ten years of research by scientists and experts in the field of water treatment. This 9-stage water filtration system filters 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, chemicals and toxins from tap water. A coating with positive charges attracts the negatively charged DNA of microorganisms in the water, reducing 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, which is the highest filtration rate for a water filter. In addition, the Nova water filter mechanically removes microorganisms with a pore size of 0.2 micrometres and more. This is up to 300 % smaller than the width of a human hair. Investment in quality and performance pays off: the HomePure Nova has been certified by the Water Quality Association to NSF / ANSI standard P231 & P244, and by the National Sanitation Foundation to NSF / ANSI standard 42, 53 & 401.

The HomePure Zayn Air Filter is a 5-stage purification system that harnesses the power of ultra-plasma ions, HPP⁺ Electrostatic Filters and UV light. This technology can filter up to 99.8% of airborne particles, allergens, viruses, bacteria, moulds, fungi, bad odours and volatile organic compounds. The result is clean and safe indoor air. The HomePure Zayn was developed in Switzerland and is manufactured in South Korea. The quality and performance of the HomePure Zayn have also been certified: HomePure Zayn is certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF).

The newest member of the HomePure family, the Viva water ioniser, combines years of experience gained with the HomePure Nova and combines it with another innovative feature: ionisation of the water. HomePure Viva goes far beyond ultrafiltration methods by incorporating hydrogen-generating technology and ionising electrolysis to control pH, resulting in fully customisable water. For example, the HomePure Viva can generate a total of 11 different types of water at the touch of a button by manipulating the pH level. Like the HomePure Nova, the HomePure Viva filters drinking water to the highest level: 99.9999 % of bacteria and viruses, as well as microorganisms 600 % smaller than a hair, are removed from the drinking water.

If you compare the prices of HomePure products with common products, which are also often less efficient and possibly of lower quality in terms of the technologies, materials and manufacturing processes used, you will see that the prices do not differ much, but with HomePure you get a product of the highest quality and performance level.

PHYSIO RADIANCE

The exclusive Physio Radiance skincare range was developed in Switzerland and is manufactured in Italy. Physio Radiance uses an innovative formula with a powerful blend of pre- and probiotics needed to restore and maintain the natural balance of the skin microbiome.

Our beauty range is complemented by the Visage+, a device based on professional beauty and anti-ageing treatment technologies and manufactured by specialists in South Korea.

By combining this professional skin care technology with our beauty series, we have created the Physio Radiance+ skin care system: professional anti-aging treatment at home. The highest quality is at the forefront of this series. This applies from the active ingredients used to the design and appearance of the flacons and jars. Physio Radiance embodies professional cosmetics and innovative technology in a unique system that offers a new kind of care experience.

The Physio Radiance series is an “All in One” system in which all components are carefully coordinated with each other, thus avoiding, for example, interactions or irritations that can arise from the interaction of different ingredients. The combination with the revolutionary Visage+ technology, which enables an individual treatment adapted to the skin type, positions this series at the top of the professional application systems for the home and puts the price into perspective in a simple way: if one were to buy all components separately, the price would be higher. Moreover, one would not have the certainty that all components harmonise with each other, apart from the effort and time one would have to invest in researching all active ingredients, products and procedures first. Consequently, as with all products, the same applies to Physio Radiance: the more you know about the product, the more the price becomes relative!

BERNHARD H. MAYER

The Bernhard H. Mayer brand looks back on a heritage rooted in the meticulous processing of precious metals since the end of the 19th century. Today’s timepieces bearing the Bernhard H. Mayer name continue to honour the timeless tradition of excellence that once fascinated European nobility and kings.

Over the years, the Bernhard H. Mayer brand has evolved significantly from its origins in numismatics in Pforzheim, a place known for its jewellery and watchmaking art for over two centuries. Today, the brand’s high-quality Swiss watches are in the same tradition that has been cultivated by skilled artisans since 1871.

The Bernhard H. Mayer® jewellery collection transforms precious objects into timeless symbols of wearable luxury. In collaboration with the best craftsmen and designers of their guild, enchanting pieces of jewellery are created, each of which has a distinctive style and individuality that suits your personal taste.

In terms of price-performance ratio, the Bernhard H. Mayer collections do not require much explanation, because simply looking at and feeling these noble pieces allows the viewer to experience the value with the senses.

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE TRUE VALUE?

In summary, it can be seen that evaluating or comparing products by price alone is a one-sided view. This way of evaluating products actually has a cause that not everyone is aware of. When in the course of the 70-80ies our lifestyle demanded more and more consumer goods and as a result more and more manufacturers positioned themselves on the market, the competitive pressure increased. At first, the competition was still fought through marketing and innovation. Soon, however, a fierce price war began. This led to a downright decline in product quality and functionality. However, this also led to consumers evaluating products solely on the basis of price: it has to be cheap. The fact that quality, value and benefit suffered as a result was often pushed into the background.

Quality has always always comes at a price, since the beginning of trade and this will not change. A popularly known German proverb says: “If you buy cheap, you buy twice.” As consumers, we should always be aware of this fact. Just consider the global supply of „cheap” food: such food often has nothing in common with original, nutritious and healthy food. Taste is generated by harmful additives and shelf life is artificially extended by more, equally harmful substances for the purpose of maximising profits.

On the one hand, as consumers, we should reward the effort, craftsmanship, research and expense of producers – they do this to provide us with high quality products. On the other hand, we as consumers should ensure that we only use high-quality products. Our health will thank us. Apart from that, long-lasting pleasure as well as a recurring product benefit also indirectly promote our quality of life and health. This is a fact that does not bear a price tag!