[TheForge] RE: pricing

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Grover,

$80 for a 20 minute tri-pod sounds more like $240/hr than $50/hr to me.

I charge $40 for a tri-pod and think that is pretty good money $120/hr.
I wish I could make that much on all the things I make.  Around here if you 
had a $50/hr shop rate you would have a lot of time to go fishing because 
the locals wouldn't pay it.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net

Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:33:56 -0400
From: <Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu>
Subject: RE: [TheForge] pricing

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.