how much would you pay

[Becoming Wild]

hi all, I've been asked to make some card holders for a local fair in a few weeks (pictures attached) but I don't really know what price I should ask for..I've looked online and some people sell similar ones for around 20 quid but I'm Defford not selling that high. if you could comment with what you would be happy to pay for them it would really help me out
cheers all

 

[Archie Playdon]

Hi,

How much does the leather cost per one? and, how long does it take you to make one. That should give you a good ball park guideline. Maybe £12.50?

 

[DaveBromley]

About £10-£15 depending on the leather quality and the workmanship put into each one.

Its more about your investment, in time and money and what return you expect on that investment.

Dave

 

[SGL70]

Whats the aim? Market penetration?
Those are handmade, so why not £20? (aim high, as it drives you to improve)

Greger

 

[milius2]

If you want any profit on them, you should do the math of what they cost to you to make and hourly rate you aim for. Surely if you make ANY profit it's great but your first sales should be about looking into market and how people respond. I'd say start with 12,50 and if they all go next time raise the price. It's better to earn some cash than go back home with all of those items still in your shoe box. Happy trails!

 

[BigMonster]

£10 for simple one in the picture, £15-£17 for a multilayered one (fe 4 cards).

 

[Robson Valley]

If you go like hell, how long to make each of a dozen, materials and all? Pay yourself, first. Above all.

Nice stitching, maybe 4 compartments, I'd be happy to pay 20BPS for something that I know for absolute certain
is not just some slice of Pacific Rim crap. We are choking on that rubbish over here.

 

[DaveBromley]

you need to be realistic with pricing, for example there are good quality wallets from people like Secrid, that are going for £20-£30. I understand that they aren't hand made and that some folk are willing to pay a premium for that, BUT if you are looking at making it a business you need to make sure there is enough demand, to that end it might be worth offering a couple of different options. So a budget model (basic pouch capable of holding 2-4 cards etc. and then an elite model that will involve a little more material but not much more time and charge more for that one. That way there will be multiple priced entry points for the different levels of consumer.

This should allow good cashflow/turnover (bread and butter jobs) whilst allowing you to make a bit more on the more specialised pieces.

Just my opinion though lol.

Dave

 

[wonkothesane]

Worth a read...
http://www.robin-wood.co.uk/wood-cr...-craft-work-business-advice-for-craftspeople/


Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Harlequin1974]

My 2p, for what its worth (please don't be offended by anything I say - its not intended as criticism). Having been in the retail trade - attending many shows and fairs etc. of various ilks- I'd say it depends as much on the venue as on anything else. Robin Wood (cf the article above) is a highly prized artisan of many years standing who will exhibit for sale at top craft fairs (or be paid to show turning skills as an attraction): there is no realistic comparison to be made with him. Similarly I think you need to put all idea of pricing your work "by the hour + materials" out of mind: if craftspeople did that then 85% would never make any money at all. Your work is good - even very good in some ways (neat stitching) but the finish is quite rough to my eyes (the edges are quite raw, no beeswax run over the stitching etc.) : this is their appeal to me but it means that they won't appeal to the "Luxury" market (who may or may not be present at the fair any way). Final key question is are you selling them yourself or will someone else be selling them and expecting a mark up? If its the latter then they will probably want at least a 50% mark-up, even if they are just looking to use them as fillers to expand their range (fees at fairs can be higher than you'd think - making the margins terrible). If it was me selling them, as a product alone (without any of the "buy in" that can help sell such items - meeting the maker, hearing about/ seeing the making process/ personalisation services etc.) then I'd look to retail the simple ones at around £7 and the ones with a couple of internal divisions for £12 or so. And I'd still be expecting to take some home for the next fair at those prices.....