[TheForge] how to price product

[Chris Worsley]

Bill,

There you go! I have been waiting to hear the answer to Dan's question.
What are you making, and what is the market?
Are you planning on selling to Main St. or Rodeo Dr.?

How I priced things:
After a few years of practice practice practice and learning how to make 
metal do what I wanted it to do, my experience was making nicely 
designed and finished items, mostly one of a kind (Oh, let's say napkin 
rings or decorative fireplace pokers), and charging so much that most of 
the lookers at a show just admired (or not) and kept on walking.
BUT, there were customers out there who were aware of what I had in the 
way of quality in the marketplace and they paid what I was asking. 
Several became repeat customers.
I did not bother to figure in the cost of steel or coal or gas or shop 
time. I just put prices on the items that were what I thought the 
traffic would bear. Keep in mind that I am not making a living on 
blacksmithing alone.
It has only been part of the equation, except for the 3 years I worked 
at it full time for someone else's shop.

I have been a professional artist for 44 years and treated all my art 
sales the same way.  If asked about a commission, whether it is an 
illustration, magazine cover, photography or a piece of copper or 
ironwork, I quote a price. I leave a little wiggle room with some 
people. After a while, you'll be able to tell when to do that.

So, whatcha makin'?

Chris


Dan Tull wrote:

> OK, now tell us what the item is.
>
> Not K-mart , but Neiman-Marcus customers.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "bill" <wfuter102957 at comcast.net>
> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 9:45 PM
> Subject: [TheForge] how to price product
>
>
>> I know this has been thrown around before, but I have a show coming 
>> up and I cant remember all your formulas that was given.
>>
>> my example is  23 items with $22 dollars of metal,  3 hours working 
>> time.
>>
>> any help would be appreciated.
>>
>> bill
>>