MikeyTn
Member
I recently started turning again after being away from my shop for about two years. I normally made my pens as gifts before but now I need to supplement my income if possible. What pens I did sell from my shirt pocket I would ask $10. Most were slim line twist pens that I had been carrying. I searched on Ebay and saw a wide range of prices for pens similar to what I make.
My question is why some craftsmen seem to be happy selling pens for $10 and others feel comfortable asking $50 for similar pen kits and blanks? Is the difference the finish or does the higher priced pen just come in a snazzy box that costs more than the kit + blank?
Like I said I need to supplement my income if possible so I would like to sell my work for more but at the same time I want to supply honest value and not make fancy marketing the difference.
I did browse Cross and Polaris pens at an office supply store. The least expensive was $50 for a plain jane aluminum pen. Judging from that handmade pens should command atleast $50 IMHO.
My question is why some craftsmen seem to be happy selling pens for $10 and others feel comfortable asking $50 for similar pen kits and blanks? Is the difference the finish or does the higher priced pen just come in a snazzy box that costs more than the kit + blank?
Like I said I need to supplement my income if possible so I would like to sell my work for more but at the same time I want to supply honest value and not make fancy marketing the difference.
I did browse Cross and Polaris pens at an office supply store. The least expensive was $50 for a plain jane aluminum pen. Judging from that handmade pens should command atleast $50 IMHO.