Thread: How much for a pen?

Todd

Have a look at the websites under the member's signatures in posts on pen turning and you will get a good overview of prices being charges at the moment.

Greg

Originally Posted by plantagenon

Todd

Have a look at the websites under the member's signatures in posts on pen turning and you will get a good overview of prices being charges at the moment.

Greg

That is also good advice from Greg, also things for consideration, is type of finish, how well the finish is applied, eg no scratches. How well the fit is of components to the barrels and how the pen is going to be presented. Either in a velvet sleeve, plastic box or a timber case.

Darren

A pen like that is the cheapest pen in most peoples range ,they are mostly a starter pen , value for money is somewhere between 20-30 dollars for a basic pen ,most will make one of these from start to finish in about half an hour ,to get more you need a special blank of some kind and a perfect finish to add more value ,even then its a personal judgement ,pricing is relative to your market in general so good luck with your sales and have fun with the addiction , cheers ~ John

Hi Todd,

From Timberbits.com you can buy Streamline centre bands different ones at that ie Gold , Black, Gun Metal, Chrome indeed I often mix and match different centre bands with other kits.

Reason it will allow you to redesign your pens (If you want to) or indeed flesh out your inventory when and if I sell my Slimlines I insist and start at 30.00 Dollars and I never denigrate or underestimate Slimlines of any kind they continue over 15 to 20 yrs to me to have been totally acceptable in any form to hosts of people over this time.

Personally I like centre bands, two section pens in fact try my test open most any two piece pen look at the pointy end from the tip up to me not a pretty sight better looking closed, beware most people open pens before they buy and scribble a lttle.

What I am saying there are many reasons people like me out there buy pens, there is a buyer for most colours, shapes, sizes, reasons, for example my carry pen for years recently mislayed was a layered coloured pen made from a commercially made block of wood, most colourful could have sold it umpteen times simply because I carried and use it everywhere.

Wish you success in what you choose to do and have fun I do.

Nice to see you out and about Darren in fact please go into the site and have a look at Darrens pens over time in old posts examine his style, fit and finish a lot to like in there and lots of great turners on our forum with distinctive styles measure your turned ends in relation to the fittings they join to etc as has been said, be selective in your blanks.

Kind regards Peter..

I have always used the rule of three as a minimum price for any pen, plus labor in most instances

I sell my slimline pens for $15 and pacers for $20 but if you live in the city you could probably get more.

Ben

Originally Posted by Woodkid

I sell my slimline pens for $15 and pacers for $20 but if you live in the city you could probably get more.

Ben

i start mine at $20 doesnt matter if timber or acrylic ( althought i wont put some timbers on cheap kits eg HRB or BOW )
and ben WAY TO CHEAP

$20 is difficult though becuase in my town people dont really wanna pay that becuase they dont believe its worth it or something, i've got about 20 odd pens in a shop in town and no local has purchased a pen though ive had orders from the owners parents to make pens they will take back to switzerland as gifts though there is an event coming up in town so i will trial $20 and see how i go.

Ben

Toddbron:
The problem is to not sell too cheap, once you set a price and orders come in people will be expecting that price or cheaper if they get more then one. Leave your self some room to move in terms of price and material.


Woodkid:
If you had something that is unique to the area your target will be the tourist.

Originally Posted by Woodkid

$20 is difficult though becuase in my town people dont really wanna pay that becuase they dont believe its worth it or something, i've got about 20 odd pens in a shop in town and no local has purchased a pen though ive had orders from the owners parents to make pens they will take back to switzerland as gifts though there is an event coming up in town so i will trial $20 and see how i go.

Ben

im hearing you ben
i do a huge range pen pens from the slimline up to a emperor

try putting a few sierras and a jr gent or 2 in there for $35 - $ 60 as a top end range then selling a slim for $ 20 bucks is easier

well that how i work , last time i had a club sale weekend i had 120 plus pens made
( maybe a few more )

this is a macassor ebony dressed on a cigar kit $ im asking $45
( prob still to cheap )

I sell my slims for $20

I sell my slimlines for $20, doesn't matter the timber (although the special blanks I save for more exotic kits) and they are all finished with Glow.

Originally Posted by mkypenturner

this is a macassor ebony dressed on a cigar kit $ im asking $45
( prob still to cheap )

Like most in my neck of the woods, I sell my slim lines at $20. I guess I could move the price to $30 but then that would not leave room for my price point of stream lines. A cigar like yours Troy I am able to get $60 for it. As others have said rule of thumb is the 3 times rule works out well for most.