Earl Brunner on wed 20 aug 03
I wouldn't put a lot of time into it until you know her "budget in
mind". It is probably unlikely that her budget in mind is anywhere
close to what you are going to establish as a needed price.
I had a student in one of my city classes who decided to make spoon
rests for the guests at her daughters wedding. She needed 60, I told
her to make 80 and she has already had more breakage then the 20 extra
she made. You will have to make more than the agreed amount, figure
maybe 10% for starters. And you should factor that into your cost, also
all of your research and development.
The chances are good that neither you or she will end up satisfied over
this. My advice: don't do it.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of claystuff
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 2:41 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Custom orders andpricing
I am having a difficult time pricing a custom order. A customer has
requested a special order of handbuilt ornaments for her daughter's
wedding-80 in total. I usually throw functional pieces so this is
totally
different for me. They will be glazed with a simple glaze. Should I
charge
by the piece or by the entire order? Each piece has to be totally
formed by
hand- can't use a mold. The item is easy but time consuming. I'll
probably have to make more than 80 to account for some breakage. I am
making several up to see about size, drying rate and to test how they
take
the glaze. Then I am to call her and give my asking price. She said
she
has a budget in mind. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Debby
claystuff on wed 20 aug 03
I am having a difficult time pricing a custom order. A customer has
requested a special order of handbuilt ornaments for her daughter's
wedding-80 in total. I usually throw functional pieces so this is totally
different for me. They will be glazed with a simple glaze. Should I charge
by the piece or by the entire order? Each piece has to be totally formed by
hand- can't use a mold. The item is easy but time consuming. I'll
probably have to make more than 80 to account for some breakage. I am
making several up to see about size, drying rate and to test how they take
the glaze. Then I am to call her and give my asking price. She said she
has a budget in mind. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Debby
claystuff on thu 21 aug 03
Dear Lisa, Laura, Earl and Dave and whoever else responds...
Wow! You guys have given me a lot to think about! Although I hear Earl's
advice loud and clear, I am still leaning towards doing this order. I now
have a better idea on how to factor in the costs and will come up with a
price per order. Thanks so much for your input!!
Debby
Laura Berkowitz on thu 21 aug 03
Hi Debbie,
I'll share some tips I learned about making custom orders consisting of many
pieces for ***highly emotional events***--weddings or show prizes fall in
this category. (BTW, my first post here. Been on the list a few weeks;
learned lots. What a great group!)
1) I agree with Earl--you should get the customer's budget in the initial
conversation and certainly before you do trial pieces. For a wedding, if
the customer can't afford the 80 pieces, perhaps she will decide to purchase
enough for the wedding party or other subgroup.
2) Provide a flat price for the group, not a per piece price. As Earl
mentioned, price your safety net extra pieces into that flat price. If you
must personalize the pieces (names of guests) you will have to make more
extra blank pieces than otherwise, and here you will have to allow more lead
time since if you have to redo a personalized piece, you'll need to refire.
If you need to match the wedding color scheme, this might mean extra cost
of materials on top of your time.
One reason you give a flat price is that for you, your set up time, number
of firings and firing time, and some creative processes are likely the same
whether you do 40 pieces or 80 pieces. Those are fixed costs in the
project. You should have a price scale handy if the order cut. "Base cost
is $X for 40 pieces (can't go lower than that) and each additional piece is
$X.
3) Decide how you will sign your pieces and make sure the sample you provide
the customer is signed accordingly. If you are looking for this type of
business in the future, you'll want your name clearly on the piece, or a
small tag attached. Also, those that present artist-made gifts to their
guests want their guests to know this. Make sure you present the sample
exactly as you intend the finished product to look. If gift boxes or
cellophane bags are required, determine who will provide and assemble these
and price accordingly.
4) Give the customer a cut-off date after which she can not add or subtract
the amount of pieces she wants or change any personalization.
5) Make specific arrangements for delivery of your work. Weddings are
hectic times for both family and those involved in setting up. I suggest
you deliver the pieces directly to the customer; she will give them to the
parties setting up the weddding facility. That way, once the pieces are
delivered to the customer, you are not responsible for any breakage or theft.
6) Type up an agreement and make sure the customer gets a copy before you
begin production; if you do not know the customer personally, you should
consider asking for half payment up front. These are custom pieces and you
likely can't sell them elsewhere if she doesn't take them. Make sure you
have "payment due on delivery" specified.
7) If all goes well, you will have extras left over. Give a few of these
to the customer "free" at delivery. That way if there is breakage a
replacement is available. As a goodwill gesture and to promote
word-of-mouth business, keep one of the extras, and on the first year
anniversary of the couple's wedding, give them that piece with "happy first
anniversary" written (glazed) on it.
Hope this helps.
Laura Berkowitz
Original Designs
Fairbanks, Alaska
Land of the Midnight Sun
| |
|
