"Is it just more expensive because it looks nicer, or is there a real difference?" I'm regularly asked this in front of our two ranges of oils, and the honest answer is nuanced.
What really justifies a higher price
The first thing that changes the price is the extraction method. Supercritical CO2 extraction, more expensive but cleaner and more precise, generally gives a more stable, better-dosed product than a less controlled extraction. The second is traceability and lab testing: a product tested systematically batch by batch costs more to produce, but guarantees a real concentration that matches the label – which isn't always the case with the cheapest products on the market.
What's more about the packaging
On the other hand, part of the price of some premium products comes purely from the packaging: thick glass bottle, rigid box, glass rather than plastic dropper. It matters for the experience and presentation, but it has no effect on what the product actually does. I say this clearly in the shop when a customer asks, because I'd rather they pay for the right reason.
How I advise customers who hesitate
For a first purchase, I often recommend starting with a mid-range product – neither the cheapest nor the most expensive – to get an idea without investing too much. If the product suits them and they become a regular user, that's when we can talk about moving up a range if they want more comfort or a more refined aroma profile.
"I thought the price difference between the two oils was just marketing. Cyril showed me the certificates of analysis for both batches, and the difference in consistency was clearly visible on paper, not just on the label."
The only truly reliable benchmark: the certificate of analysis
Whatever the price, I always recommend checking that the product has a third-party lab certificate of analysis, available on request or displayed in the shop. It's the only objective way to know what you're really buying, beyond price and packaging.
Our certificates are available for all our products, in the shop in Yverdon-les-Bains or on request. Feel free to ask before you buy. Browse our Swiss CBD oils.
