Pen Price question

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wickford

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
160
Location
Canton, Ohio, USA.
I've never sold any of my pens, but some of the folks that received pens this past Christmas at my wife's work have inquired about how much I would sell them for...

Can anyone give me some insight on good prices? I can figure costs out pretty easily, however, how much is fair for labor etc...? I do all sorts of different pens, some segmented, some knots, some plain with beads and coves etc...

Help!!???

Thanks!!!
 
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Canton, Ohio!!

Welcome. "Hall of Fame" pens would be more expensive.

Slimlines will run from $15 up - some are probably getting over $50
Euro styles will start around $25 and go over $100 for some.

You will not find many who sell anything but Titanium gold, rhodium, chrome.
The "wear away" platings are generally viewed as practice pens - not sale pens.

Post a few pictures of your work and some of the Ohio guys may chime in and tell you more.

My info is good in Wisconsin and Illinois - some areas.
 
Well so far the only pens I've used are the "wear away" variety. Unfortunately the cost of those other platings has kept me from buying them. As I said, I haven't sold anything yet, and I really didn't want to spend a ton of money on the better kits to be used as "give aways".

Which brings me to another question...Any idea how durable the "wear away" platings are? I've only been turning for about a year, and so far, I've not had any problems, but I'd hate to have problems if I'm selling them.?? Turning for me so far has been a hobby, but I've had requests for items for sale so I'm trying to figure out what to do...
 
You might think about getting slimlines in chrome and gunmetal platings from Woodturningz. These two plating wear really, really well. Most metals in silvertone will wear better than a gold overlay. Good luck!
 
I have been using the first slimline pencil I made for over a year now from PSI. It is their standard gold finish but I have not had any problems with it. Looks just as "good" as when I first made it.

Also have a couple of slimline pens from that same batch with no wear dumped in my wifes purse.

I don't know if I got a good batch or what but......
 
Originally posted by jimmyers

I have been using the first slimline pencil I made for over a year now from PSI. It is their standard gold finish but I have not had any problems with it. Looks just as "good" as when I first made it.

Also have a couple of slimline pens from that same batch with no wear dumped in my wifes purse.

I don't know if I got a good batch or what but......
Click to expand...

I am starting to get the feeling the plating wear issue has as much to do with the customer or user than the plating, in some instances. I use two comfort pens (1 24k from PSI and 1 10K from Woodpenpro) and aside from a few nicks on the center band, they still look great. Used they look better than some of the newer pen kits I purchased with "better" platings. This is MHO and I am sure there are others that think I am nuts. [:o)]

On the question of the post, as far as a fair labor cost, it all depends on how much you think your time is worth. I usually get between 22 and 30 for a slim or a comfort, but I don't sell 100's. I am sure the area you live in will also make a difference. If I were skilled enough to make a real nice inlay, I woulld have to think the price would double. I am sure someone with more selling experience will chime in.
God luck
 
Here's a first crack at an eighth inch segmented pen...any idea what I should price something like this at?



2008118162518_segmented1.jpg
 
Jeff,

I hope you really WANT an answer, cause I don't mean to be offensive.

First, your picture is dark - so, if the pen you are holding does not LOOK like the picture - ignore my comments.

What I am seeing shows radial lines in the finish and the centerband is proud of the top material. IF this is incorrect, IGNORE me. That's OK>

The pattern appears to be done beautifully. With a perfect fit and finish, the pen should easily get $75 plus.

I hope this comes close to answering your question.
 
Of course I really want an answer!! I can handle criticism (it will hopefully help me improve)!! I've only been turning for a year now and this was my first crack at this type of pen. The mistakes you point out are there (photography is not my thing, so I'll have to practice at that too to try and have better images), although, I couldn't see the radial lines in the finish. I'll have to get out the magnifying glass...Not sure how to correct that??...As for the wood being proud of the center band...I'm still a beginner so practice will correct that.

Suggestions?

I have not sold any of my work, but I've had requests from friends for prices so I'm trying to figure out how much to charge them...
 
Jeff,

I'm not the guy to tell ANYONE how to do PHOTOGRAPHY or WOOD FINISHES.

You really wanna know? Either post the pen in Show off your pens and ASK for a critique. Or, e-mail Gerryr and ask HIM how to improve your picture, then post it in SOYP. Believe me, there are LOTS of guys who COULD tell you how to fix. History tells us to be frank only when asked - you sound like you can "take" the answers. Trust me, you WILL learn a lot!!!

IF you do this, think of how you will feel 3 to 6 months from now when you post your pen and everyone just says "WOW".

Good luck, keep turning and remember, we are trying to have FUN!!!
 
I do not want to get into "selling" while in my current occupation. I ENJOY pen making and it is a good form of recreation for me. If someone wants a set of pens that I really don't want to get into, I price them so that they make it worth my time and effort. Since you haven't sold any yet, there is a good chance that producing even a small volume will put time constraints on you. Do you enjoy that? Go for it. Do you hate time constraint pressure? Factor that into the equation.

I personally "fiddle" with the finish and shape and focus on each individual pen, babying it to get as much out of the wood and design that I can. I am not gifted in this and have to work at it. But I enjoy the two actual hours I spend with hands on in "finishing" a pen, where others will spend 20 to 30 minutes and do a similar job.

My point is that If someone does want my pen, I will charge for the two hours of labor. I made $12.00 an hour in '80 doing day labor while finishing graduate work and supporting a young family. I figure I am worth (to me) $20.00 /$25.00 per hour now. An arrogant attitude of sorts, but I am not going to bring pressure on myself without compensation for something that should be fun.

I have the time to make one pen a week but beyond that, It becomes pressure and just recovering costs plus a moderate profit in making a pen is not worth it to me.

What is your time, and time away from your family plus the pressure worth to you?
JMHO
 
Originally posted by wickford

Well so far the only pens I've used are the "wear away" variety. Unfortunately the cost of those other platings has kept me from buying them. As I said, I haven't sold anything yet, and I really didn't want to spend a ton of money on the better kits to be used as "give aways".

Which brings me to another question...Any idea how durable the "wear away" platings are? I've only been turning for about a year, and so far, I've not had any problems, but I'd hate to have problems if I'm selling them.?? Turning for me so far has been a hobby, but I've had requests for items for sale so I'm trying to figure out what to do...
Click to expand...

The 'wear away' platings go fast. I don't make pen with them anymore. As far as selling is concerned, everyone has a different experience. My pens didn't start selling until I focused on quality and upper end kits (Jr. Gents, Gents, etc.). I use only Tn Gold and Rhodium silver color.
 
Originally posted by wickford

Well so far the only pens I've used are the "wear away" variety. Unfortunately the cost of those other platings has kept me from buying them. As I said, I haven't sold anything yet, and I really didn't want to spend a ton of money on the better kits to be used as "give aways".

Which brings me to another question...Any idea how durable the "wear away" platings are? I've only been turning for about a year, and so far, I've not had any problems, but I'd hate to have problems if I'm selling them.?? Turning for me so far has been a hobby, but I've had requests for items for sale so I'm trying to figure out what to do...
Click to expand...

When we first started doing this over a year ago, we practiced by giving pens to my staff for their birthdays. At the time we didn't know anything about the different platings so everyone got the "wear away" variety. My staff are all social work case managers who work with the mentally ill and trust me - with one exception they are hard on their pens. I've seen them tossed in drawers, brief cases, purses -etc. with no protective pouch (all were given these to start) what-so-ever. NONE of these pens has shown any where in the plating.
That doesn't mean these platings are what we are selling today. We do try to deal with the higher end kits as much as possible and have almost entirely eliminated the others from our sales line. However, if someone requests one of the others - we are honest with them about the plating and we do not guarantee that plating the same as we would the others.

Linda & Mike
 
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