topic Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE? in Community Chat

LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

catlover — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:49:04 GMT

Le Creuset Signature Series 13.25-Qt Round Fre

QVC Price:

$470.00

Shipping & Handling: $16.72

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

lolakimono — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:50:56 GMT

If you take care of it, it will last several lifetimes.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

terrier3 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:51:05 GMT

I believe that every piece is hand made. They literally break the mold with each one.

They are hand made in FRANCE, vs. machine made in CHINA.

I have a red casserole that is 35 years old, cooks like a dream and looks brand new.

It's used at least once a week every fall and winter.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

stilltamn8r — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:59:45 GMT

It is hand cast from individual molds that must be destroyed after each use not stamped out in some chinese sweat shop- It uses quality techniques and material and I have peiees that my Mom had and her mom before her...

So in a word, quality- the same reason a Rolex is priced above a Timex....

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

brii — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:03:07 GMT

If you take care of it, it will last a lifetime. You can put it on the stove or in the oven. There are two coats of porcelain that are applied by hand.

There are cheaper alternatives...

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

Cakers1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:22:29 GMT

Chef's Catalogue has LeCreuset at reasonable prices. I have several pieces and it's true - take care of them and they will last forever. I gave one of my larger ones to my DIL and she uses it all the time.

Although I wouldn't go so high as the one in the pic, they are worth every penny.

Also there are outlets with good prices if you are lucky enough to have one near you.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

------ — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:26:41 GMT

On 7/30/2014 brii said:
If you take care of it, it will last a lifetime. You can put it on the stove or in the oven. There are two coats of porcelain that are applied by hand.

There are cheaper alternatives...

ITA.

I have a few Le Creuset pieces. I love the brand and I never paid full price. If you look around you will find them on sale somewhere.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

faeriemoon — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:42:28 GMT

Williams Sonoma discounts them too.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

Cakers1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:59:40 GMT

On 7/30/2014 faeriemoon said:
Williams Sonoma discounts them too.

True - WS has some colors that can only be found there as exclusives.

Also I mentioned Chef's Catalogue and often they have a freebie LeCreuset piece if you buy certain LeCreuset items.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

jackthebear — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:11:06 GMT

You can find discounts on this brand if you shop around, I got my pieces on sale at Bloomingdales.

worth every penny, they have outlet stores too.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

CardinalGirl — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 15:23:02 GMT

I've gotten most of my Le Creuset from Ebay, with no problem. I also have bought from Williams-Sonoma....even found some great pieces on their clearance table. If I made a list of the best things I ever purchased, they would be near the top.

These pats and pans will last my lifetime, and probably be used by my daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters. They are also beautiful, displayed on an iron pot stand next to my kitchen fireplace.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

RainyDayGal — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:21:00 GMT

OK, I'm all for good quality, hand made, not in China, etc. But seriously, I wonder what it costs to actually make the item. I can't imagine all that much, and it seems the price has got to be super inflated. It's cast iron with enamel. I wouldn't think those two items are all THAT expensive. And any cast iron is going to last a lifetime. You are paying a lot of money for the name.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

CardinalGirl — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:36:13 GMT

On 7/30/2014 RedConvertibleGirl said:
OK, I'm all for good quality, hand made, not in China, etc. But seriously, I wonder what it costs to actually make the item. I can't imagine all that much, and it seems the price has got to be super inflated. It's cast iron with enamel. I wouldn't think those two items are all THAT expensive. And any cast iron is going to last a lifetime. You are paying a lot of money for the name.

Not really true, I don't think. I was in Macy's one day and looked at their enameled cast iron. There were numerous chips in the enamel on every single display piece. Every one. And that's just from people looking at them. Can you imagine how they would look after being used in a kitchen?

I don't baby my Le Creuset--I use it. I cook, bake, scrub it....and it gets banged around. Yet, it looks brand new after several years.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

hennypenny — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:02:53 GMT

love le Creuset!

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

qvcaddition — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:09:42 GMT

About twenty years ago, I brought a set, I have this big pot, but didn,t pay that much, I know, because I wouldn't. I have a few pieces left. I gave some away to my son. Still have four pieces, but do not like it. Hard to clean. I also have three Guardian Service pots with heavy glass dome tops, from my Grandmother, who brought them in the 40,s when I was 8 years old. The door to door salesman cooked the whole dinner at her flat and she invited a few neighbors. This is how they sold pots then. I wish those times were back, life between people so much nicer, more respect and compassion among neighbors. The neighborhood had no drive by,s, or kidnapping like today. We were so very poor then, but everyone shared and cared.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

RedHeadedWench — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:26:57 GMT

On 7/30/2014 catlover said:
Le Creuset Signature Series 13.25-Qt Round Fre

QVC Price:

$470.00

Shipping & Handling: $16.72

Because it's worth it.

I have two pieces that were my mom's...they are like brand new.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

scotttie — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:32:39 GMT

Very interesting thread.

I just can't see paying that much but I will keep an eye out for it on sale sometime somewhere.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

CardinalGirl — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:34:01 GMT

On 7/30/2014 qvcaddition said:
About twenty years ago, I brought a set, I have this big pot, but didn,t pay that much, I know, because I wouldn't. I have a few pieces left. I gave some away to my son. Still have four pieces, but do not like it. Hard to clean. I also have three Guardian Service pots with heavy glass dome tops, from my Grandmother, who brought them in the 40,s when I was 8 years old. The door to door salesman cooked the whole dinner at her flat and she invited a few neighbors. This is how they sold pots then. I wish those times were back, life between people so much nicer, more respect and compassion among neighbors. The neighborhood had no drive by,s, or kidnapping like today. We were so very poor then, but everyone shared and cared.

Want to sell the pieces you still have but don't like? I might be interested. Wish they had a private message feature on this forum.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

CardinalGirl — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:37:29 GMT

The piece pictured in the OP is selling on Ebay for $435.00 and free shipping, if anyone is interested.

Re: LE CREUSET-WHY SO EXPENSIVE?

Free2be — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:51:10 GMT

I have a second rate brand that works just fine. If it never makes it to my gggdaughter's kitchen, no harm, no foul, even though it will outlast me by many years.