This is a subject that has been weighing on my mind for a while now.
Don’t be rude to other shop owners by undercharging.
Put it out there, and don’t second guess yourself.
IF A PERSON HAS A PROBLEM WITH THAT, THEY CAN MAKE IT THEMSELVES.
I promise.
If someone is making something, by hand, putting their heart and soul into it and charging a fair price.
and someone else asks them for a better deal-
I don’t know how else to put it, IT IS REALLY RUDE.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the business. I love that what I made is loved.
But at some point don’t you think they are kinda asking me to make something for free?
To me, it’s like saying to them, hey- you have time on your hands right? How about I pay for the detergent and you do all my laundry?
You may already know, but this is how
A LOT of handmade businesses work.
1}they are small. Like about as close to a lemonade stand as you can get.
2} because they are small, they buy supplies at the same rate you do. They do not yet, or may never have the buying power that a big corporation has. So they are paying for those quality supplies they are using.
3} A LOT of them are moms. Moms who are trying to make a little extra so that their kids can take the extras like dance class, or book fairs, or maybe even clothes.
What this means is they are using ANY free time they have to make these handmade items for you.
In my case, this also means I am giving up sleep.
4} by the time you add up the cost of supplies + the time it took to design a product + the time it took to make the actual product, they are really not making that much on this product.
This is because they are usually charging more than a fair price for that product, because they know that in a lot of cases you are in the same boat as they are.
5} if you are paying a LITTLE more than say Target or Walmart, you should.
this is because the product you are getting is like no other.
This is because you are getting something that someone made with care just for you.
This is because you are supporting HANDMADE.
ON DEALS:
yes we all have deals…
SO WHEN & WHY CAN A SHOP DO THEM?
& WHY CAN’T A CUSTOMER ASK FOR A BETTER DEAL
ON SOMETHING ELSE?
But there is usually a method to the madness.
1} because the shop is making items in bulk. This is more productive and because of that a deal can be given.
2} because the shop puts an item or two on sale. In my experience these items are items that are already made and have been sitting on the shelf for too long, or a better version of the item may be coming soon.
3} because the shop is trying to promote one particular item because they got a deal on the supplies for that item.
4} because the shop is working in collaboration with someone and has budgeted this as a advertising expense.
5} because it is RUDE.
So, I just have to say it.
If someone is asking me to make them a custom item and then ask me for a better deal.
It really is insulting.
Maybe it hasn’t even been thought about it really, and they never realized what they were asking for.
Maybe I smiled politely and made it happen because I’d like my shop to have a happy reputation.
I wish I could make it for less.
But If I am, then I am giving up the little time I have for them, just because they asked me to.
And I felt jipped the entire time I made it.
And I bet that’s not what they intended.
(at least I hope not)
If you are starting out you may be tempted to charge a lower price than what is fair to you.
It will be tempting because you want to make sales.
Don’t. Just be fair from the beginning.
BE FAIR TO YOURSELF.
VALUE YOUR PRODUCT RIGHT FROM THE START.
If you are not, you are just going to resent the time spent and money lost later.
You might even loose momentum all together in those moments when you wonder if it’s all worth it. If you are not putting a fair price out there, it just adds to the confusion of the customers wondering why some other shop can so it for so much less.
You aren’t being rude for charging a fair price.
They are being rude for acting like you are not.
{Piggy bank image via realsimple.com}
Agreed! Fair is fair. This has been on my mind recently as I set my sponsor rates and as I think about how people act. With my rates – I set them high. It's my blog, my personal space and there's a values to me putting my name to your company. I'm picky and exclusive, and I'm not going to change. I'm a public figure (actor and tv host) and I'm not going to undervalue myself or my space just because I haven't won an oscar. So yes, I agree! It's rude to expect things for free, it's rude to undervalue. And if you don't think it's worth it – DON'T BUY IT! I'm sure someone else will.
gosh and now with this comment I think I need an ad on your exclusive blog!!! ;)
Ugh, yes! Why is it that people think that "handmade" = opportunity to haggle? I set my prices at what I need to sell things at–I'm not going to take $7 when I'm trying to sell something for $10. It's really annoying! I had a girl email me not that long ago about my illustration shop. She wanted to buy some prints which would have been $15+ shipping and only pay $7 for them (including shipping) because she was getting 3. Like she was doing me a favor by getting 3 of them and paying me less than 1/2 of what I sell them for. No thanks!
exactly. If you do it for them you are just going to burn yourself out. It's not worth undercutting yourself!
Honestly? I couldn't have said this better. I could not agree more. WELL said, Aubrey!
thanks Ashley!!
Wonderful, wonderful post! Pricing is ALWAYS something I struggle with. People who don't make handmade often don't realize its value. It's up to us to (kindly and creatively) educate them. Thank you so much for sharing! I really needed to hear this today.
I am glad! Yes kindly and creatively. I'll have to remember that!
I agree with Ashley – couldn't have said it better myself! Great post, Aubrey. :)
thank you. It's been a struggle but I am finally OVER IT.
I agree with all of this- I'm a dad (yes, a dad) who used to make baby clothes, and I got out of the biz right after the economy tanked in 2008, because I couldn't compete with Wal-Mart and Target, and I hated that people wanted to pay $5 for a onesie or baby tee that I had originally priced at $15 or $20. But I think that the flip side of this argument must also be understood- that if you charge a fair price (including both supplies and labor), then you can't be upset when people "Just LOVE" your stuff, but then end up not buying anything from you. Because the truth is, unless your customers are all wealthy, or super-dedicated to supporting home businesses, then you ARE in competition with Wal-Mart. And a lot of potential customers are trying to make ends meet, just like you're trying to do with your business. In fact, with unemployment up, more and more people are trying to get into your side of the business, so there are more sellers and fewer buyers. So yes, don't cheat yourself, charge a fair price… but know that the market for handmade is getting more niche all the time, and don't be bitter about that. Your table or booth is going to get a lot of looky-loos, and you can't hate them just because your products are beyond their buying budget.
Great points!
True. I don't buy from all the handmade shops I LOVE just because I can't justify needing it all the time.
thanks for your point of view!
[...] Article from Revolutionizeher [...]
I hate it but it is a fact that half of our job is educating the customer. We don't do handmade stuff, but many other self-employed people, including us, have the same type of issue with clients. People just really have no faint clue how much time/energy/etc goes into the final product.
I think that as self-employment and freelancing continues to become more common perhaps the general public will become more educated in general on how it all works. Until then I guess we just have to accept that some people won't understand or value what we do.
Yes, I think especially people who are not in this world at all have no idea. They are not trying to be rude necessarily, but it ends up feeling that way.
I am constantly amazed by even a neighbor, who asks me for something for less.
I just wish I could say in the nicest way do they know what they are asking me.
So true. When you undervalue your product, you undervalue yourself. And that is something you should never do! Well said indeed!
thank you Ada.
The is such a great post. I agree 100%. I am a new follower of your blog. I saw your ad on The Wiegand's Blog. Look forward to following along more.
Yay! thanks for checking me out and for coming over here to revolutionizeHer ;))
I think this is very well put!! I agree totally with all of this post!
thank you Kristina!
I have been battling within myself what to charge for items and have been told by friends that I'm not valuing my work enough, and by undervaluing the price, I'm not just hurting myself, but other sellers too. Great point that I wasn't fully considering. Was busting up at your bluntness~ Great post!
ps.. i just found you via the Wiegand's blog.
Yay! hi!
I can't help but be blunt sometimes because I just don't know how else to put it!!
I am glad you stopped by!
thank you!!
Running a biz that was just switched from a hobby. I struggle with this, just this morning I was running numbers on a new item and I so badly wanted to give them the deal. But I am repricing my items due to it being a biz and me having a better understanding of pricing them fairly! Buying things at the buck store and from China has really distorted our view on handmade items in the U.S!
Yes! And I have actually read articles recently about mainstream now researching this handmade community to get ideas! But if you price yourself fair from the start you won't be sorry later and you won't burn out as quick! Good luck!!