Ever Get An Order Like This?

[gregintenn]

I'm not complaining, but this sure seems odd to me. I have a few holsters displayed in a local gun store. A week or so ago, a guy bought one, and asked to have two more made. Same style, same color; everything. Just for different guns. I made them, and he came in today to pick them up, and ordered four more; just like the others, except for different model guns. Some of these would interchange. He also stated that he'd have about 8 more after this. His money's good, and he seems very happy with my work, but this just smells weird to me. What say you?

[Aggiebraider]

Maybe he likes to have a holster for every gun. If he is willing to keep spending his money, I would keep taking it lol

[katsass]

I'm not complaining, but this sure seems odd to me. I have a few holsters displayed in a local gun store. A week or so ago, a guy bought one, and asked to have two more made. Same style, same color; everything. Just for different guns. I made them, and he came in today to pick them up, and ordered four more; just like the others, except for different model guns. Some of these would interchange. He also stated that he'd have about 8 more after this. His money's good, and he seems very happy with my work, but this just smells weird to me. What say you?

My guess is that he has some kind of outlet for them and is making some money off of your product. Of course I'm a rather cynical old guy........(some may use another term). JMHO Mike

Edited November 12, 2010 by katsass

[Shorts]

My guess is that he has some kind of outlet for them and is making some money off of your product. Of course I'm a rather cynical old guy........(some may use another term). JMHO Mike

This was my thought as well. I've received a few emails for orders that gave me these gut feelings. I respectfully decline orders that don't smell right to me (no need to burn a bridge). They may be perfectly legit and if that's the case, well, I guess I lost out. But I look at it this way, if I'm always booked with orders anyway, did I really need that person's order?

I won't have someone artificially driving up my price. If its worth that much then I'll move my price accordingly. My customers who come directly to me should get the benefit of order position and price over a retailer. If a retailer wants to stock my stuff, then he should come to me and we can come to a more formal contract.

Might be interesting to find out if he's selling these as his own. It isn't unheard of for that to happen.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Shorts

[Spinner]

This was my thought as well. I've received a few emails for orders that gave me these gut feelings. I respectfully decline orders that don't smell right to me (no need to burn a bridge). They may be perfectly legit and if that's the case, well, I guess I lost out. But I look at it this way, if I'm always booked with orders anyway, did I really need that person's order?

I won't have someone artificially driving up my price. If its worth that much then I'll move my price accordingly. My customers who come directly to me should get the benefit of order position and price over a retailer. If a retailer wants to stock my stuff, then he should come to me and we can come to a more formal contract.

Might be interesting to find out if he's selling these as his own. It isn't unheard of for that to happen.

It's worth it to ask, even if it's just to know. My mom just recently received an order for a sewing item that she sells (wholesale items she sells retail and has a contract to do so) for 100 pieces. The price is very low so it wasn't a big deal, figured it was for a club.

So two weeks later (yesterday) she gets an order from the same person for 300. My mom asked and the lady was upfront and said she's reselling them at a small mark-up in her little brick & mortar store. After thinking about it, my mom is comfortable with it because she set a fair price and the lady is in a different country so local sales won't be affected.

It's not quite the same as a handmade item but the idea is. Ask him straight out and see what the deal is. If he's reselling them then it could be an issue.

On the other hand, are they orders you would have gotten otherwise and are you happy with the price received? Lots of things to consider...good luck with it!

[gregintenn]

Thanks for the answers. I'm pleased with the price I'm getting. I'm also happy if he's making money on them. I don't really believe that is the case, but I suppose it could be. It just hit me as odd, and I was afraid I was missing something obvious that could potentially be a problem. I understand that the guy works for someone kind of well known, and they like to have a holster for each gun. Perhaps they were afraid I'd inflate the price for someone wealthy? I dunno. Frankly, I just am not good enough to command a lot of interest.

[Rayban]

You make him holster(s), he pays you for it....whats so odd about that?

[Shorts]

You make him holster(s), he pays you for it....whats so odd about that?

Fair question.

I think for myself, I don't want my product looking like a retail product. I want my product a specific, personal item. It is how I want my name displayed. Taking a lesson from Gene Simmons, it's a brand. Control your item so you can control the image it projects.

"You will only get this item first hand from me".

Or second hand from a customer who let it go with the gun he sold. The great part is the original customer comes back to get leather for the new gun he just bought.

Maybe the above sounds a bit snobbish. Act like you want to be treated. Set up the environment to foster the result you want. I want my stuff to command a price that I choose when I choose it (of course taking into account the market forces). A price that reflects the quality, and reflects my time and skill that is in it. That just doesn't happen overnight. It takes cultivating to continue to keep moving items up.

Anyway, I think it's just about the way you would like to conduct your business and how you prefer your items to be seen. Nothing wrong with how a person chooses, just know what you want to do, why you want to do it and go for it.

[Ferg]

Fair question.

I think for myself, I don't want my product looking like a retail product. I want my product a specific, personal item. It is how I want my name displayed. Taking a lesson from Gene Simmons, it's a brand. Control your item so you can control the image it projects.

"You will only get this item first hand from me".

Or second hand from a customer who let it go with the gun he sold. The great part is the original customer comes back to get leather for the new gun he just bought.

Maybe the above sounds a bit snobbish. Act like you want to be treated. Set up the environment to foster the result you want. I want my stuff to command a price that I choose when I choose it (of course taking into account the market forces). A price that reflects the quality, and reflects my time and skill that is in it. That just doesn't happen overnight. It takes cultivating to continue to keep moving items up.

Anyway, I think it's just about the way you would like to conduct your business and how you prefer your items to be seen. Nothing wrong with how a person chooses, just know what you want to do, why you want to do it and go for it.

I fully agree with your thoughts on this topic. Do not portray "SNOB" to your customers. Portray yourself as someone who gives exactly what people want only better than they expected. Your monetary profits will soar as well as your self esteem. Be happy, love your family and life and enjoy yourself.

ferg

[Reaper]

Second hand new holster with ? for a warranty.