Hey, Chris - a couple of things to consider, don't take anything I post offensively. Just things to think about.
First, realize that while you may be an expert in your field, you just joined this forum in September and these are your first items posted to sell. So, while you may consider yourself a reputable source, most folks on here do not know you or your reputation. Sellers Reputation here seems to be built on the following, in no particular order:
Quality of blanks
Timeliness of communication
Timeliness of shipping
Standard shipping prices
Price of blanks
Ease of payment
Second - for the highest quality blanks, most of us have sources that we would pay top dollar to because the items above have already been established.
Third - $10 is a top price for a high end walnut blank from a reputable source. Though it may not be needed for your walnut, many root burls will have been stabilized to achieve this price point.
Also, many of the most reputable sources that list what we may call exhibition grade blanks on here actually offer better prices that we may be able to get elsewhere. Why? Because they either have a lot of the wood and/or because they know who their buyers are in this community. (Or maybe they just like us)
Just from some quick research, I would guess top price for your blanks to be in the $8-$9 range. Average price for your blanks in the $3-$6 range.
I have a trusted source less than hour from my house that sells walnut burl pen blanks from a large inventory for $5.95 every day. I can go and tell them what I want and they will bring blanks out for me to look at until I like what I see.
Finally, there is a lot of value in roots and burls. Premium walnut lumber can easily run from $10-$30 a board foot retail. Much more than you get as a logger.
Pen blanks can easily bring 3-5x that per board foot, sometimes more. Your price indicates your walnut is worth nearly $300 a board foot. That is quite a premium.
It may well be worth that. But it could take some convincing the buyers on here that the new guy has wood worth that much.
You may consider lowering your price, get some positive feedback, gain a reputation and raise your price as you get more orders and the demand goes up. That tends to be the most common business cycle, though some have achieved great business by other means.
Good luck and great sales.
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