Pricing Basic Material

[Cowboymade]

All my work in my shop/store has been making the item either custom or to put on the shelf. So I've been approached with a person looking for a quote on Veg Tan pieces that would cost me precut from one of the leather sources at $200.00. The only thing I have to do is put 6 holes in each (40) and use there stamp one time on each one.

I could just simply double the cost and add $60.00 labor But I want to be inline and fair.

Any thoughts Thanks

I've been doing leather for decades but a brick and mortar store only since Feb this year

[mlapaglia]

Whats your normal markup for stuff you put on the shelf and custom work? Why should this be any different?

[NVLeatherWorx]

I have to go with the questions from mlapaglia on this one. If you are spending $200 for the materials then you still need to get some profit and labor out of the whole thing and that calculation should be in line with what you would normally do. Furthermore, if the person for whom you would be doing this for is any form of a true craftsman then they would be doing everything to keep their costs down and that would mean that they would be cutting their own leather components. And, if the leather parts in question are your own design, you need to keep it at the front of your mind that the end "maker" (most likely not accurate here but nothing better came to mind) may be passing off the overall design as their own which also would go towards my original comment about them being worth their salt. Sorry if that sounds harsh but there are entirely too many people using the originality and creativity of others and calling it their own while all the while selling their wares at cut rate prices that are too high for the shoddy quality of work that comes out in the end.

I have been asked by others to help with their supply chain woes and I kindly decline these requests and suggest that if they wish to work with a pre-cut "kit" style program then they need to go to Tandy or any other source for these items. I also quote them a price that covers my actual cost of materials, a proper profit, and my true labor time to complete the desired tasking. I also make it clear that every piece would have MY Maker's Mark stamped in so that it was very clear WHO did what. I have never had anyone want to follow through because they admitted that their intention was to create a finished product and promote it under their brand. See where this goes?

Good luck and keep us posted as to what decision you go with and the outcome.

[DavidL]

It needs to be more than the one you would sell online. The cost of what it takes to keep the brick and mortar store going needs to be added.

as long as it is not unreasonable it should be ok.

[club49]

I just started doing leather. I have sold a few things to friends and people from my club that I belong to. I mostly make belts. I am surprised as to how cheap some people are. They think nothing of walking around with a $5 plastic belt or should I say a genuine leather belt. I sold most of my belts for $35 to $40 to people that I know. These are not stamped, I use a creaser and I do make them from top of the line material. I haven't made a fraction of the money that I put into it. When I started I thought that I would buy a few tools and make some small cases and belts. I got hooked on buying tools. I was never the kind of guy that liked buying tools, until the leather bug bit. I am at the point where I have to start to make some money back. Can someone tell me how to go about it? I was going to set up a table at a flea market, I am not to crazy about flea markets. I live on the East coast, NJ. We do have a lot of them around, they are tough ones, they will steal your eyes out of your head, you know what I mean. Can some of you folks give me an idea of where to go with this?

Thank you all, Jim

[NVLeatherWorx]

I do most of my sales through online sources but I also do some select Craft Fair events in my area. By select I meant that they are specifically geared to handmade only items and that they are well established within the community and have a huge following of customers. I also do some specialized shows that have huge attraction and get great results. I do not do the flea market thing as, you put it so well, they will steal the eyes out of your head and that type of "customer" is only there looking for the cheapest deal in town. I actually look at flea markets in the same light as I do eBay; it is an outlet for garbage, nothing more, and that is what the patrons are looking for. You would be able to make more on you stuff if you sold it garage sale style, but I don't recommend that either.

Do some research into what events happen in your area and look into how long Craft Fair organizers have been holding their events; look for feedback from former participants and visitors/customers as well. Most of these groups have some form of a Social Media presence so you should be able to find something in your area and also check for any websites that promote such things in your area.

While doing all of this you also need to nail down your product line, options, and pricing so that once you have a direction to go you can get there without too much delay. When doing your pricing you need to make sure that you cover your materials, labor, overhead, and profit in order to truly see any benefit from it. This means that those belts that you have been selling will now most likely be listed for a bit more but if you are going to BE in business, you need to BE a business. The time for "hobby interest" is over if this is the direction that you want to go.

Good luck with your endeavors and make sure that your research includes getting answers to any questions that you may have from the organizers and other organizations. You can also look into the local Churches in your area as they are always holding some sort of Craft Event throughout the year and they are typically open to everyone to be a vendor.

[Jarhead44706]

Good info NV, Thanks for the insight