Last night, I had a long conversation with a fellow moxibustion tool manufacturer. I initially wanted to suggest design improvements—like adding heat insulation layers or optimizing the moxa stick slots—even if it raised prices, because quality-conscious customers would appreciate it. But our discussion veered into the industry’s “dark secrets,” leaving me wide awake before 6 AM. I must expose these truths.
I’ve always believed good products deserve fair pricing if they’re durable, effective, and safe. Yet my competitor argued, “Low price is the only rule that matters.” What shocked me most? His moxa sticks (herbal rolls for burning) are stuffed with coarse stems (stalks from the mugwort plant)—materials even he’s ashamed to sell—yet wholesalers can’t get enough of them! In an industry barely six years old, sellers treat customers like fools: “They don’t care about moxa fluff (processed mugwort leaf fibers) purity—just maximize profits!”
Here’s the harsh reality: Labor, logistics, and raw material costs are skyrocketing. Yet both physical stores and e-commerce platforms overflow with “unchanged-for-a-decade” moxa sticks in increasingly lavish packaging labeled “Premium” or “Golden Fluff”—while quietly swapping materials for cheaper substitutes. It’s like buying a gorgeous chocolate box, only to find the filling replaced with cheap cocoa butter substitutes.
But a December 2023 customer interaction changed everything:
Customer A: “Thank you! Your moxa sticks work amazingly!”
Me: “Glad to hear! Though our prices are higher than others’…”
Customer immediately replied: “Not expensive at all! Wholesale market sticks at your price point are FAR worse!”
That’s when I realized: Wholesalers buy ultra-cheap goods but only slightly undercut honest sellers. Imagine:
- Dishonest seller: 10 yuan cost → Sells at 15 yuan (5 yuan profit)
- Honest seller: 20 yuan cost → Sells at 25 yuan (5 yuan profit)
Same “profit,” completely different products.
As a business owner, I understand profit motives. But as a consumer (I’m my own biggest client!), I trust companies that “eat their own cooking.” When customers gain experience—like getting burned by low-quality sticks or comparing burn times—they become wise “gods” of the market.
The turning point is here: The market is maturing. As consumers see past “luxury packaging” and start demanding:
- Moxa fluff content (like down jacket fill ratios)
- Consistent burning
- No chemical odors
…the era of quality products will dawn. This isn’t magic—it’s market evolution driven by collective experience.
Key Terms Explained for Global Readers:
- Moxibustion: Traditional Chinese heat therapy using burning mugwort.
- Moxa fluff: Processed mugwort leaf fibers; higher purity = better efficacy.
- Hard stems: Non-medicinal plant stalks that reduce product quality.
Let’s champion transparency—because every industry thrives when customers vote with their wallets for integrity.