[TheForge] RE: pricing

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Grover,

This comes up every now and then, and I know that the the prices that work 
in the rest of the country don't apply.  We are in NE Missouri.  3 Hours 
from St.Louis, 4 Hours from KC, and 7 hours from Chicago.  No big money 
here, Bob Patrick used to live about 7 miles from me, but moved to find a 
better customer base.  Now you things are bad when you can get more money in 
Arkansas.

I took early retirement and have everything paid off. I couldn't make a 
living here if I had to make payments.   Right now I'm just trying to make 
enough to supliment my retirement, which we could live on if we had to, but 
it would be tight.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu>
To: <eforge at centurytel.net>; <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:54 AM
Subject: RE: [TheForge] RE: pricing


Yes, you got me right in the middle of the mathematics.  Arg.  Yes, you
are right.

But when I add in the other time/material costs, then the cost per hour
goes down dramatically.

Primarily I use the 50/hour for guessing at new work.

Ok, I make them in 3 sizes
3/8 thick 4' stock start size, $38
1/2 thick 5' stock start size, #60
1/2" thick 6' 8" start stock size, $80

I understand about "locals" and shop rate.  Unless someone stands in my
face and stares, I pretty much ignore speaking about shop rates and the
time it takes to do something, while in public.  As I said the public
isn't interested in the fact that I have hammered off and on for over 20
years (more off than on), or that I am spending 2 days of my vacation
time to attend an out of state event.

Yes, this is a less than optimum way to make and vend iron.  But for the
time being there is a certain amount of enjoyment in the air, and I'm
paying for my costs and a bit more.  When I get older and less capable
of schlepping heavy iron, then I will change my ways (hopefully before
permanent damage)<G>.

I have my prices of what I think it is worth.  I talk the pieces up.
Either they buy or they don't.  I try not to pressure, but do a good
sell.  At the places that I go, there is no other source of which the
public is aware apparently.  I have had only a few people mention that
from Smoke and Fire they can get a better price.  For them, I ask them
how much shipping would add?  Also, mine have decorative twists.  Also,
they actually shook the hand of the fella that made it.  As well I tell
them about abana and the local chapters, many times of which they
haven't a clue.  I am always amazed by the number of people who profess
an interest but know nothing of the availability of knowledge, if they
were to dig a bit in the right areas<G>.

What part of the world are you in Bob?  Georgia here.

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bob Ehrenberger
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:37 PM
To: theforge
Subject: [TheForge] RE: pricing

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.





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