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nottypical · September 2nd, 2009

Ok, so I'm always second guessing my pricing. I hate turning people away, but I don't want to be known as the shop you can bargain with either.

A lady came in today and wanted 1 black pull over hoodie. I use the gildan 9.something oz. She wanted her name and racing number on the front and her 4 team mates racing numbers and names on the back in bright vinyl. She was looking at the thermoflex neons. She also wanted some kind of a checkered flag on the back.

I quoted her $30 for it. She proceeded to say that if the rest of the crew liked them they would probably order more. I've been down that road...giving price breaks before the orders are placed and it gets me no where.

I know each area is different, but is $30 really asking too much for what she wants done??

I'd really appreciate some feedback on this issue!

gerry · September 2nd, 2009

umm, if your supplying the hoodie..thats cheap i think. Ive fallen for that tune myself, now ill tell them this one is full price and am willing to make a deal when they are ready to order quantity.
good luck w/ that. when you give them abreak for one w/ promises of more to come, ive noticed i never see them again.

shizzy · September 2nd, 2009

I think a few things decide on if the pricing is fair but that doesnt sound high for a custom shirt. & if u aren't making a profit it isn't worth it in the 1st place.

frankiko · September 2nd, 2009

if you don't make DOUBLE, DON'T do it.

MotoskinGraphix · September 2nd, 2009

I think a bit cheap if you are actually going to do the checker flag.

sunnydayz · September 2nd, 2009

I too also think this is a cheap price for a hoody. She is wanting four different names and a graphic, that is way cheap for one item. I would also agree with the above poster that said to tell her if she comes back and orders more quantity then you would be willing then to give a small discount, if you even want to

I still think for that job and one item $30 is cheap

nottypical · September 2nd, 2009

Glad so far you seem to agree that it was a fair price. I have friends that sell their own designs on hoodies on their own website for $43.99.

I like your idea of charging full price for the first and then later giving the discount if more were ordered.

My husband always tells me I'm on the low side for pricing, but I don't want to be greedy either. I agree with him we could make more if I charged more, but I like to go to bed at night feeling like I've been fair to myself and the customer.

We are blessed with super low overhead so I try to pass that savings on to the customer as much as possible.

TWTshirts · September 2nd, 2009

For $30.00 she should have been saying, 'wow is that all?'

I let my wife price 1 of's and low qty orders. She charges prices that make my jaw drop but all the customers seem thrilled, so who am I to complain.

isded12floz · September 2nd, 2009

One hoodie with custom prints on the front and back for thirty bucks? I would have walked in there expecting to spend no less than fifty... and that's hoping you were in a good mood.

We have a similar problem with a salesmen at my current job. If you say anything close to "I'll have to find it somewhere else" he folds like a deck of cards in a tornado. It doesn't matter if it's too expensive or we can't do it fast enough; once the customer utters the magic words he does whatever it takes to get the order.

Naturally people realize that this tactic works and suddenly every time they call they start the conversation saying they'll get it somewhere else knowing he'll go cheaper or quicker or whatever.

The moral is: Sometime's they have to go somewhere else. You can't take every order... you should only take the orders that make money. I'm not saying you shouldn't cut breaks to your friendlies or someone you know is going to come back...

You need to go to bed at night knowing you took care of yourself first and helped someone out second.

Hope I don't come off as a jerk.

Girlzndollz · September 2nd, 2009

Pricing sometimes is dependant on your location (what you can get in one town may not be what you can get in another) -- but all the other printers here seem to think you are on the low side. Have you ever thought to call a competitor and get a price on this same order? Then you'd know if the customer *is* going to go somewhere else and get it cheaper, or if you are undervaluing your services... for your location. Best wishes.

nottypical · September 3rd, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girlzndollz


	Pricing sometimes is dependant on your location (what you can get in one town may not be what you can get in another) -- but all the other printers here seem to think you are on the low side. Have you ever thought to call a competitor and get a price on this same order? Then you'd know if the customer is going to go somewhere else and get it cheaper, or if you are undervaluing your services... for your location. Best wishes.

I've thought of that, but the only other shop that I know of that does vinyl shirts within a 30 mile radius of me is a sports store and he's so bogged down with jersey orders he prices 1 up jobs specifically so they will try somewhere else. He really just doen't like to be bothered with them. So whatever price he quotes I don't think would be a "fair" price. We're surrounded by screenprinters though!!

I'll try him after he opens today just out of curiosity.

Girlzndollz · September 3rd, 2009

Give it a shot... just to see. Supply and demand can play a role in pricing. Screen printers wouldn't want this job for a one off. They'd need to charge too much to cover the set up. You're in a good spot, not to take advantage, that's not what I mean, but to be properly priced to provide a needed service in your area, and to make enough money to "grow" your business. Many times, people don't factor "growth" into their pricing. There's no where else to get money to roll into your business without going into debt. Charge what you need to cover your costs, pay yourself, and pay your business. Best wishes.

theprintshop · September 3rd, 2009

sounds ok to me

ino · September 3rd, 2009

Just because your overheads are low it dosn,t mean to have to give it for free to your customers,

kjembroidery · September 3rd, 2009

I agree with the previous poster-I am home-based and have little overhead, but, with all that you're doing and the fact that it's a hoodie, it would seem that you definitely shouldn't sell if for any less. The $30 hoodie should be the "discounted" volume price!

Good luck with that!

Karen
K & J's Embroidery

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