[TheForge] pricing

[Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu]

I try to bill $50 an hour.  I don't have overhead or a shop to pay for.
If I included vacation, sick time, insurance, I would be starving.

There is a problem in that people ask me how long it takes to make
something.  It takes about 20 minutes to make a $80 tripod.  Then I have
to take it to 3 shows on average before it sells.  Set up, tear down,
man the booth, drive there, get a hotel.  People aren't interested in
why it's high, they want a bargain.  I say that if they want a bargain
(in very polite terms because it is never good to offend a customer or
potential customer) go to wallyworld.  If they want something hand
forged by an artist (caugh gag, looking for lighting to strike at any
moment, but luckily I work beneath 11 inches of concrete), then this is
it.

I have heard Dan say many times (seeing if I quote him right), either
charge enough for it or give it as a gift.

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of john ortery
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:12 AM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] pricing

I still have problems knowing what to charge for what I make.  I want
to be fair to myself and to the person buying it. Also in my case I
feel like I have some responsibility to other blacksmiths. If they are
selling it for $30 and I am selling for $10 then that is not fair to
the rest of you.   So I am still trying to learn what is the right
price.  Get really bad at it if it is art work.
  I have no problem doing traid and being happy is the main thing, but
I would also like to pay the bills. so I feel like I have much to
learn with blacksmithing and what to charge.
 Just trying to learn in Illinois, Allen Ortery
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