My first pen for sale
- Thread starter Pinochi73
- Start date
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alphageek
Former Moderator
That's a very loaded question. Before I give any direct reply about price, I have some questions for you:
- what finish is on it?
- what do you want to be known as in selling? ( what's your nitch?)
- are you sure your ready to sell? (understanding taxes, etc)
- do you want this sold as a nice pen, or one that will last a long time? (suggest researching the platings)
I ask these thing not as a deterrent, but as thoughtfully questions. I know my first "ready to sell pen" was nowhere as good as ones a year later!
- what finish is on it?
- what do you want to be known as in selling? ( what's your nitch?)
- are you sure your ready to sell? (understanding taxes, etc)
- do you want this sold as a nice pen, or one that will last a long time? (suggest researching the platings)
I ask these thing not as a deterrent, but as thoughtfully questions. I know my first "ready to sell pen" was nowhere as good as ones a year later!
plantman
Member
I would add to this the fact that you used the Caduceus clip on your pen. This narrows down your buyers to medical people. If I were selling it, I would market it at $15-$20. You can't have to much in material costs in it, it's not a rare wood or unusual cast, and it's not a hard turn. It has more value to you because you know the wood and it's history. People always like to hear the history of a piece. Nothing wrong with the pen or turning!! You asked for an opinion on what one of us would sell it for, this is mine. Price would also vary on where you sell it, and it what type of market your selling it in. Keep up the good work. Jim S
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Do I hear 25?
GaryMGg
Member
Hi, welcome to the IAP.
You've posted some difficult questions.
In order to answer them, one has to ask probing questions which might appear harsh or caustic. They're not meant to be.
Perhaps the pictures don't clearly show the details. I can't see any curl.
Sometimes, a curly wood when turned into something as small as a pen, loses the features which made it so attractive.
What's the pen finished with?
Are there visible tooling marks near the nib or is this a photo anomaly?
These are a few of the attributes which affect value.
You've posted some difficult questions.
In order to answer them, one has to ask probing questions which might appear harsh or caustic. They're not meant to be.
Perhaps the pictures don't clearly show the details. I can't see any curl.
Sometimes, a curly wood when turned into something as small as a pen, loses the features which made it so attractive.
What's the pen finished with?
Are there visible tooling marks near the nib or is this a photo anomaly?
These are a few of the attributes which affect value.
BangleGuy
Member
I have only made a few pens, but I am appreciating the answers from all of you. I hope to here your individual valuations when Pinochi provides more details.
I sort of skipped past pens and went to bangles right off, now I hope to backtrack and work on my penturning skills. I think pens would compliment my bangles sales nicely, so hearing what pens sell for is a key piece of the puzzle.
Thanks for a good thread!
Eric
I sort of skipped past pens and went to bangles right off, now I hope to backtrack and work on my penturning skills. I think pens would compliment my bangles sales nicely, so hearing what pens sell for is a key piece of the puzzle.
Thanks for a good thread!
Eric
Drstrangefart
Member
If the finish is durable enough to hold up to long-term use, I'd price it at $25 if I were selling it. If it's just an oil finish or just one or two coats of thin CA, it would definitely show in my pricing, because it won't take too long for wear and tear to show up on each of the high points of the pen body. Once it does show, there's a good chance you'll end up re-finishing it or replacing it for anyone who bought it unless the potential for those issues is made completely clear up front. It'as great looking piece, and I love the workmanship. I don't say any of this to be negative, it's the same stuff I look for in my own work before I put it up for sale.
Steve Busey
Member
The more direct question is: how much is someone willing to pay you for it?
There's also the question of where you are - you might have a better chance of selling this if you work at the Mayo Clinic, than if you work at Widgets, Inc. If you want to do a sale (like a craft show art show, etc), you'll need a lot more inventory, so start turning! I've been spending all spring/summer building up inventory for the upcoming fall craft shows.
Good luck!
PS - find yourself an area turning group to seek out advice - look for a nearby IAP chapter for the best help!
There's also the question of where you are - you might have a better chance of selling this if you work at the Mayo Clinic, than if you work at Widgets, Inc. If you want to do a sale (like a craft show art show, etc), you'll need a lot more inventory, so start turning! I've been spending all spring/summer building up inventory for the upcoming fall craft shows.
Good luck!
PS - find yourself an area turning group to seek out advice - look for a nearby IAP chapter for the best help!
SDB777
Member
Welcome aboard!!
I take it, your going to go to the hospital and show this one off?!?!?
Pricing depends on your local market...if everyone is on food stamps, good luck. If everyone is paying the bills for those on food stamps...you should be able to get a nice paycheck.
Scott (it's a local thing) B
I take it, your going to go to the hospital and show this one off?!?!?
Pricing depends on your local market...if everyone is on food stamps, good luck. If everyone is paying the bills for those on food stamps...you should be able to get a nice paycheck.
Scott (it's a local thing) B
Thank you everyone for the input, it's all extremely helpful. I certainly didn't take offense to anything, it was all constructive input.
I need to put more coats of finish on for better protection and fine tune the sanding/finishing process. I didn't expect to get more than 15-20 dollars, just wanted to see if i was on the right track.
I work in a hospital and just keep all my pens on me and try to use them in front of everyone, mostly nurses, and try to let the pens sell themselves. I did that in a kitchen type store with my bullet casing/deer antler pen and the manager wants to sell them there now, including buy some for gifts for her hunter family. (pics attached) Big hunting area around here, and I use real casings from my rifle. and going to change the clips to rifles and deer or whatever, golf thing was for my pops.
Side tracked, Thanks again. I'll have better pens later, especially when I get ahold of Redwood Burl, supposed to have a lot coming my way soon. Take care everyone and thanks again.
I need to put more coats of finish on for better protection and fine tune the sanding/finishing process. I didn't expect to get more than 15-20 dollars, just wanted to see if i was on the right track.
I work in a hospital and just keep all my pens on me and try to use them in front of everyone, mostly nurses, and try to let the pens sell themselves. I did that in a kitchen type store with my bullet casing/deer antler pen and the manager wants to sell them there now, including buy some for gifts for her hunter family. (pics attached) Big hunting area around here, and I use real casings from my rifle. and going to change the clips to rifles and deer or whatever, golf thing was for my pops.
Side tracked, Thanks again. I'll have better pens later, especially when I get ahold of Redwood Burl, supposed to have a lot coming my way soon. Take care everyone and thanks again.
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gbpens
Member
Try to remember that every pen we sell is our reputation. That "first" pen is only the beginning. While we improve over time and experience try to emphasize qualtiy of plating, wood and finish from the start. When we ask someone to pay for these pieces ask yourself would you buy it and how much would you pay for it?
I sell similar pens for $35 in my area. My dad would have been interested in that one because of the caduceus, he was medical service corps in the US Navy.
Use a very critical eye when getting ready to sell a pen. My wife is my QA department. She was the one who noticed my old lathe's headstock & tailstock were out of alignment by wondering why the wood was eccentric on the pens and didn't line up properly. I hadn't even noticed. When I bought my new lathe, I was very cautious to make sure that the headstock & tailstock were well aligned. She also checks the fit & finish of each pen before we sell them. She rarely finds anything these days, but is in tune with my habits enough to be able to detect pens I've turned when I'm tired.
The comments about plating are well founded. I sold some fountain pens a while back that had bad plating that wore off. Fortunately it was only a few pens, and I no longer use those kits. One of them belongs to a friend of mine, and even though I've offered to either replace or repair the kit, he won't let me, he likes the wear. Go figure.
Use a very critical eye when getting ready to sell a pen. My wife is my QA department. She was the one who noticed my old lathe's headstock & tailstock were out of alignment by wondering why the wood was eccentric on the pens and didn't line up properly. I hadn't even noticed. When I bought my new lathe, I was very cautious to make sure that the headstock & tailstock were well aligned. She also checks the fit & finish of each pen before we sell them. She rarely finds anything these days, but is in tune with my habits enough to be able to detect pens I've turned when I'm tired.
The comments about plating are well founded. I sold some fountain pens a while back that had bad plating that wore off. Fortunately it was only a few pens, and I no longer use those kits. One of them belongs to a friend of mine, and even though I've offered to either replace or repair the kit, he won't let me, he likes the wear. Go figure.
Ligget
Member
Welcome aboard!
johncrane
Member
Welcome to IAP :biggrin: