Thread: Sierra Trio - first sale

$35 is pretty cheap. Your friend is getting a good deal.

Don't let the cat out of the bag, otherwise we all have to charge that less.

Originally Posted by timberbits

$35 is pretty cheap. Your friend is getting a good deal.

Don't let the cat out of the bag, otherwise we all have to charge that less.

Ah well, it's a "beginners" rate, as I'm sure my finish quality will improve over time, and consequently prices as well. Plus I feel funny asking for money from friends, but I'm certainly not going to give it away.

Actually considering the extra time it takes to get the burl cleaned up, it should probably be $20 more than the standard finish, but I'm not sure casual buyers would understand that.

Russell.

Ok prices.

For example I am selling some platinum/black titanium sierra's with acrylic blanks for $65.How I roughly came up with this price. Including postage a kit is around $20 (bit less if you buy a few). I had to buy the blank for the pen $4-5. Fuel to get the blanks $10. I get picky about the blanks, a stunning one costs the same as on that should really go in the bin, guess who gets all the average to crap ones, people who mail order. Some places are very good like carrolls, addictive, GPW but if you want a real eye catcher go and pick it yourself. Sandpaper, polish, electricity, tools, gloves, CA, any other little thing that you use, it all amounts up $5-20. Not quite happy with the finish, turn it back, redo it, couple of more dollars. On top of a generous estimate of the costs I like to add about $20 to buy one or two more kits as the profit.

Then you have the extras, cases, quality refills, sleeves, etc.

If the pen is absolutly stunning add a little bit more for picking a good blank. This also helps to sell the ones that aren't quite as flash. Also do up some 7mm slimlines and get rid of them for $20-30 so people that cant spend that much can also get one of your masterpieces.

Reason why I am charging that price. I have probably spent about $3-4k on wood turning stuff this year and have never asked for anything back. I have given so much stuff away and quite a few didn't even say thank you . Only one of my good mates really appreciated it, he ran down to his car and started throwing a tonne of promo stuff at me. Others who aren't even friends think they deserve stuff . ummm no.

I love this hobby but it can send you broke. It would be nice to cover just some of the costs. If they don't sell suddenly you have a lot of christmas presents for your loved ones.

BJ

Nice looking pens, you're getting better a heck of alot faster than I did

As for pricing at the moment I do:
3 x materials
+ Time @ $10 an hour (I'll be charging more in future, as I get better)

So for a Black Ti / Ti Gold Sierra:
3 x $18
+ $20
------
$75 (rounded)

....I just realized something...I've only been charging $70 using the same formula
For some reason I charge the same amount (time wise) for Single tube pens as I do for double tube pens (barons etc.)

With the Sierra, I charge $50 for chrome/black powder coating and $60 for those such as Black Ti/Platinum. The Black Ti/Ti Gold goes for $65.

I do buy kits in quantities that ensure a good discount.

Given that these pens are easier and quicker to make than a Slimline, these prices provide a good return.

"Bugger" does this mean I can only charge $30 for an acrylic sierra less than an hour to cut drill glue turn and polish ,cheap kits $6 delivered, and 2 pens per acrylic blank at $1.50 per pen. hehe never was much good with formulas . In fairness if you run a business to make a profit then you count everything down to the waste sawdust hehe, but a hobby for enjoyment is my first priority ,and after that comes sharing with others whether by sale or gifts ,so far I am well ahead

Woohoo! She took two of them, left the Myrtle. My wife made the sale at friends place while I was at home, and then promptly spent $37 of my money buying Tupperware from the same friend!!!

That'll teach me for not doing business myself.

Russell.

I hope the tupperware expenditure was out of household funds - pen returns are turning funds and never to be confused as anything else