NVLeatherWorx Posted January 23, 2015 Report Posted January 23, 2015 Sorry to hear that she balked at it but that is something that many of us face more often than you would think. Unfortunately, there is a huge number of consumers who think that everything should be priced the same as the "mega-mart" stores and they have no clue what really goes into making the items that we do. If you make one for sale on Etsy then list it at the price that it should be, you deserve to get paid for your work. Good luck. Quote Richard Hardie R. P. Hardie Leather Co. R. P. Hardie Leather Co. - OnlineR. P. Hardie Leather Co on Facebook
Members Calvus Posted January 23, 2015 Author Members Report Posted January 23, 2015 I'll definitely charge more, probably around the $200 mark. Quote
Members Tramps Leatherworking Posted January 23, 2015 Members Report Posted January 23, 2015 Friends and family always think they get a huge discount, you either have to accept that, or gracefully decline... When a friend/relative asks how much I will charge them for one of my items I always tell them "More than you are willing to pay." They usually agree... Quote ~Tramp~ Experientia magistra stultorum --- (Experience is the teacher of fools)
Members leatherwytch Posted January 23, 2015 Members Report Posted January 23, 2015 Should ask her if she would pay that for a Versace, Gucci, or Louis Vutton. Then say, this is ten times better because it is handmade. Not in a factory with children getting paid 5 cents a day. Quote Creative people need maids. Http://www.LeatherWytch.com
NVLeatherWorx Posted January 23, 2015 Report Posted January 23, 2015 Tramp: You hit it dead on. Unless I am making something as a gift for a family member, there are no discounts or "freebies". Leatherwytch: Don't forget to mention that the Versace, Gucci, or Louis Vutton version would also have a price tag of no less than $450 to $500 on it. I do this all of the time when I get an inquiry into making a project that has been "inspired" by one of those big designer names. Once the price is quoted (and it can sometimes be higher than the designer name) I get that deer in the headlights look followed by a comment, "I can get it made cheaper than that by someone else". So, I politely invite them to do so because I am not in the habit of making things that are intended to copy any of those. I also make it very clear that the reason for the price is based on the fact that I know my materials are superior to what they are using and I know what my level of craftsmanship is versus that 5 cents a day kid working in a sweatshop in India or some other country where this is the mass production practice, and that it all comes together to be a much better product. And then I start to work on something else as they pick themselves up off the floor and silently walk away. Quote Richard Hardie R. P. Hardie Leather Co. R. P. Hardie Leather Co. - OnlineR. P. Hardie Leather Co on Facebook
Members leatherwytch Posted January 23, 2015 Members Report Posted January 23, 2015 This is correct. I had a customer want a very fetish style harness that stars were donning. The set sold designer wise for $3800.00 They wanted me to make the buckles look old. I told them I would not do it identical to that but better. Well my price was $1k. She practically died. I said to her that was inexpensive considering none of the original harness was lined. If she was wearing it over bare flesh at least it wouldn't chafe. She decided she didn't want it and then two years latter wanted it done. I told her the price was now $3k as the price of leather had gone up and it had. No, she didn't get it. Quote Creative people need maids. Http://www.LeatherWytch.com
Members Calvus Posted January 23, 2015 Author Members Report Posted January 23, 2015 I do this all of the time when I get an inquiry into making a project that has been "inspired" by one of those big designer names. It's funny that you mention that. My belt was "inspired" by this belt. My wife wanted it, but didn't want to pay for it. In terms of material, I did. I don't remember what the retail price was, but it was far more than my asking price, so honestly my wife's friend was getting a pretty good deal. A big thanks to everyone for your input in this. I've learned a lot from what y'all have said here. Quote
rawcustom Posted January 23, 2015 Report Posted January 23, 2015 Love the last few comments. NVleather, Leatherwytch and Tramp excellent advice, and so true. I think any of us craftsman get to deal with what I label Kmart syndrome. So many people focus entirely on price and quantity they don't even consider quality. They have in their mind that if a wallet at Kmart or Walmart costs $25 than that is the set price for any wallet. What's even more hilarious is those who spend more for the name brand product who is having their item made in the sweatshop next to the one producing the generic brand item. Do you honestly think Nike apparel is superior when their investment is 1/10 of 1% in their clothing line? I'm willing to wager that the pay and skill at the Nike sweatshop is not anything improved over the knockoff brand. The "more than you can afford line" is perfect and will cut out a lot of nonsense. The most common I hear in regard to my knives is "I can buy a knife for $50 in the store" I usually reply something along the lines of "Great, go buy one then, because I don't make $50 knives". It's also a daunting task to educate a consumer, but I've had a few converts. The best customers are self educated and they are the ones who begin to understand quality, labor, and investment. The more they understand, the more reasonable your price becomes. Sorry you lost your potential sale, but you really didn't lose anything. People who don't understand and can't appreciate your work choose their fate of Kmart living. Not the worst thing, and many people live that way, but they will never be the clientele for your custom made goods. Quote
Members MonicaJacobson Posted January 23, 2015 Members Report Posted January 23, 2015 I give things to friends and family, sometimes, but I've never sold anything to friends and family. I know they can't afford it, and I know they shouldn't afford it; sometimes people shouldn't pay for luxuries. If a friend or family member wants a deal, I say, "okay, come make it with me." I'll make them do all the work, and they learn the true value of the product. It's always hard to turn down a friend, but it's important. Word of mouth gets around, and eventually you're working a lot of hours a week, and usually are out of pocket. And they genuinely think they're doing you a favor. The fact is, if it's handmade, the average American is not your client base. So don't feel bad for losing their custom, because you were never trying to court that customer base anyway. Quote http://monicajacobson.com/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/TrimGoTrix?ref=si_shop
Members BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 23, 2015 Members Report Posted January 23, 2015 Calvus, you should charge for design time. When I had my machine shop if we had to design, or engineer a part we definitely charged for that time spent. Look at it this way, they are paying for your knowledge -- that cost you how much to obtain? People are coming to you to design, and make items that they cannot do themselves. Quote You laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at you because you are all the same.
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