Randy_
Member
Dario: I just checked the classified rate for the Dallas newspaper.
3 lines for 10 days = $52 + $15 for each additional line
Not quite an apples to apples comparison; but it does give some idea of what another venue might cost.
Ebay sellers
- Thread starter babyblues
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Dario: I just checked the classified rate for the Dallas newspaper.
3 lines for 10 days = $52 + $15 for each additional line
Not quite an apples to apples comparison; but it does give some idea of what another venue might cost.
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Dario
Member
Randy,
I also checked Craigslist and it is free.
I also checked Craigslist and it is free.
jeffj13
Member
True enough. It was directed at everyone. The question still remains.
jeff
babyblues
Member
OK, what gives me the right. Do I need a reason? I'm not telling anyone what to do, but if I were, why should I justify it to you, lol? I'm not going to apologize for thinking I actually know what I'm talking about. My opinion isn't gospel, but I wouldn't say anything if I didn't think it was correct. Doesn't everyone think that what they have to say is correct? Don't you think that what you say is correct? I'm no different in that regard. In the spirit of working together, yes, people "should" price their product accordingly. That obviously doesn't mean that everyone is going to do that. I guess I made the mistake of assuming that didn't need to be spelled out. If working together isn't important to someone than they're probably just going to do what they want, because they're the only one that matters, right? Is it really so offensive to say that I would hope someone could think outside themselves? I mean, it doesn't matter which side of the profit fence I stand on, someone is going to think I'm telling them what to do. Yes, people literally "can" do whatever they want. That said, I'm still disappointed that some choose to disregard the value of our product. That rarely promotes cooperation and goodwill, especially when there is no regard for the effect one's actions have on the group as a whole. Anyway....I'm getting too wrapped up in this. I need to get "lathed".
CrazyBear
Member
The problem with trying to influence what others charge for ANY ITEM is that you have the danger of cartels and price fixing. If you think that this is a good idea then take that thought with you when you decide to fill your tank with gas or buy a diamond ring. These prices are not fixed by supply and demand but by people sitting round a table and setting the price for their product. If opec wasnt in charge of oil production then the cost of your fuel would fall. If De bears didnt hoard as much of the worlds diamond production as it does then the cost of the diamond ring would fall through the floor.
Yes those who sell pens want as much profit for their work as they can manage, but they cannot complain if someone else is prepared to sell their pens for less.
Pens are a form of art. There are masters ( The leonardo's and the van goghs of this world) and there are the simple artisans who can make a decent pen. Are you arguing that if each made a slimline out of the same materials then they should both charge the same price for what would be a vastly differing product.
Yes those who sell pens want as much profit for their work as they can manage, but they cannot complain if someone else is prepared to sell their pens for less.
Pens are a form of art. There are masters ( The leonardo's and the van goghs of this world) and there are the simple artisans who can make a decent pen. Are you arguing that if each made a slimline out of the same materials then they should both charge the same price for what would be a vastly differing product.
babyblues
Member
I see what you're saying, but selling commodities like oil is different than selling a value added product like pens. My argument is that if two artists of equal talent made the same pen out of the same material, than it would be beneficial for them both to charge similar prices, instead of one selling at half the price of the other. By Value Added, I mean that our process adds value to the end product that is recognized when it is sold.
A large part of the problem with the price of gasoline is the cost of distribution. How do you get crude oil to the refineries and then to the consumer as fast as the consumer needs it when the consumer needs it? OPEC can't just double their output of crude oil. Even if they could, how would you refine it fast enough? Our refineries are opperating at near capacity as it is. Oil futures are a huge part of it. With the economy the way it is, you have all these funds looking for somewhere to invest their hundreds of millions of dollars and oil futures are where it's at right now. It's hard to explain in laymens terms, but all the buying and selling of oil futures is driving the price of oil through the roof. Here's a website that gives a pretty good explanation of it. http://www.env-econ.net/2005/08/from_the_answer.html
Texatdurango
Member
I don't think this is realistic thinking at all!
Let's say that in your perfect world, you and several fellow pen makers of equal talent decides that a fair price for a particular pen is $50. Then one day an equally talented pen maker from China or anywhere actually, comes along selling that same pen for $20 thinking his price is fair.
Who is to be the judge that determines what the real fair price should be?
Personally, I think there are way too many folks assembling pens around here that over value their skills! And as long as there are those folks around, pen prices will fluctuate widely.
I do totally agree with this comment however.... Relax and go turn a blank!
M
Mudder
Guest
Excellent point!
However I agree and also disagree.
I've seen some pens that I wouldn't have paid ten bucks for sell for what I would consider to be highway robbery. I think one needs to find a proper "price point". I went to one show selling cigar pens at $25-$35 and people didn't buy them because the got the perception that they were "cheap pens". Raised the price at the next show to $35-$45 and they started to sell. Don't ask me why, they just did.
I have come to determine that the "value" of anything is EXACTLY what you can get someone to pay for it.
babyblues
Member
My example was not meant to be taken literally. It was overly perfect and simplistic to illustrate the point. All things being equal, the price should be the same. Obviously all things will never be equal. Even if the craftsmanship of two different pens is equal, their appeal to the customer will determine who will buy which pen for how much. Location is another big factor too. Eventually, the fair price thing will work itself out. No one is the judge persay. What messes that up is people who don't care about charging a fair price. That includes both people who charge far more than their skills warrant and those who charge far less than their skills warrant. It's hard to determine a fair price when your customers can go buy from someone who doesn't care about a fair price.
Russianwolf
Member
Jason,
I've read your last post about 6 times. I think you are contradicting yourself. You say no one is the judge of fair price parsay, but then go on to say that some charge more or less than fair price for their skills. So obviously you are judging them based on your perception of their skills.
So, let's put it this way. Two vendors are set up side by side in the middle of a show. Both artists are equally skilled and turn their pens exactly the same way. They are both selling the same model pens made from the same solid colored acrylic blanks from the same manufacturers. So everything is identical. Booth set up and all.
One vendor sells his pens at cost + 100%. The other sells his for cost +1%. Who has the fair price? Who is the judge?
Correct Answer, the vendor and his customers. The vendor set's what he feels is a fair price and the customer will pay what they feel is a fair price. If he undervalues his wares then that's his problem, if he overvalues then he will likely not sell much.
Wrong answer, the vendor in the next booth. While he may disagre with the pricing, he can't place a proper value on what the other vendor is trying to accomplish.
I've read your last post about 6 times. I think you are contradicting yourself. You say no one is the judge of fair price parsay, but then go on to say that some charge more or less than fair price for their skills. So obviously you are judging them based on your perception of their skills.
So, let's put it this way. Two vendors are set up side by side in the middle of a show. Both artists are equally skilled and turn their pens exactly the same way. They are both selling the same model pens made from the same solid colored acrylic blanks from the same manufacturers. So everything is identical. Booth set up and all.
One vendor sells his pens at cost + 100%. The other sells his for cost +1%. Who has the fair price? Who is the judge?
Correct Answer, the vendor and his customers. The vendor set's what he feels is a fair price and the customer will pay what they feel is a fair price. If he undervalues his wares then that's his problem, if he overvalues then he will likely not sell much.
Wrong answer, the vendor in the next booth. While he may disagre with the pricing, he can't place a proper value on what the other vendor is trying to accomplish.