Hi,
I've recently had to relocate and need to change my career. I'm
contemplating starting a furniture making business.
I'm curious to know what people's experiences have been. How they started
up? If people went from being hobbyist to professionals? How people went
about building a client base? Etc.
Thanks
Phil
On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 13:09:37 -0400, "philmfx" <[email protected]>
vaguely proposed a theory
......and in reply I say!:
remove ns from my header address to reply via email
>Hi,
>
>I've recently had to relocate and need to change my career. I'm
>contemplating starting a furniture making business.
>
>I'm curious to know what people's experiences have been. How they started
>up? If people went from being hobbyist to professionals? How people went
>about building a client base? Etc.
Better and more diligent communication would help, for a start....
*****************************************************
Marriage. Where two people decide to get together so
that neither of them can do what they want to because
of the other one.
"philmfx" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<pvNSc.3575$%[email protected]>...
> Hi,
>
> I've recently had to relocate and need to change my career. I'm
> contemplating starting a furniture making business.
>
> I'm curious to know what people's experiences have been. How they started
> up? If people went from being hobbyist to professionals? How people went
> about building a client base? Etc.
>
> Thanks
>
> Phil
Hi Phil, One of the easiest ways to determine price is to ask the
customer what his/her budget is. From this you can tell them what they
can get built for that price. Treat people how you would like to be
treated. Word of mouth will make or break your business. Good luck,
Jana
<[email protected]> wrote:
> >I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to Ikea/Pier 1
> >if they want a better price.
> I go one further and point out that it's usually not worth their time
> to have something custom made that can be bought off of the shelf.
> once they have gone shopping and not found what they are after we can
> talk. I do not dicker on price, and I have no shortage of work....
Are you a furniture maker? Any place your work can be looked at?
Thu, Aug 12, 2004, 1:09pm [email protected] (philmfx) wants to know:
Hi,
I've recently had to relocate and need to change my career. I'm
contemplating starting a furniture making business.
I'm curious to know what people's experiences have been. How they
started up? If people went from being hobbyist to professionals? How
people went about building a client base? Etc.
No problem, starting a furniture making business. Or all the rest.
The only part you've got to worry about is making enought money off of
it to exist.
In other words, don't quit your day job. Sideline it, until you
can live off it.
JOAT
Jesus was a Ford man, that's why he walked everywhere.
FRAGGLE ROCK THEME http://www.muppetsonline.com/midi/fraggle.mid
Aww, c'mon, don't be bashing the lawyers, we ain't all that bad.
Everybody hates lawyers until they get indicted, then they're your
best friend.
That said, here's a lawyer joke:
What's the difference between a Lawyer and a Rooster?
A Rooster clucks defiance.
Mutt.
"Mike Hide" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<897Uc.324451$XM6.39009@attbi_s53>...
> The last thing I would want my business practices compared to is a lawyer's.
> Most are percieved by the public as shysters. mjh
>
>
The last thing I would want my business practices compared to is a lawyer's.
Most are percieved by the public as shysters. mjh
--
http://members.tripod.com/mikehide2
"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike Hide wrote:
>
> > My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing
you
> > have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do that
> > then there is no basis for trust .
> >
> > Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget
it
> > and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when
> > all the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
> > immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an
immediate
> > response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
> >
> > Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any
other
> > customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
> > end....mjh
>
> Still, there seem to be "magic prices" for some things. Lawyers and
> consultants often set their rates based on what gets them the most work,
> and a number of them that I have talked to say that they charge over
> $100/hr because they get more work at that rate than they do at 50/hr.
Has
> to do with "perception of value" I suppose.
>
Believe it or not there are people out there that will pay an arm and a leg
to get exactly what they want. Finding then, now thats another matter...mjh
--
http://members.tripod.com/mikehide2
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Rumpty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >
> > Several suggestions:
> >
> > 1. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 3. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 5. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 7. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 9. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 11. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> Important stuff above left in place.
>
> The difference between making a mediocre piece of work and a super piece
of
> work is maybe 10% for effort and time. You can often charge from 50% to
> 100% more for it to people that appreciate the craftsmanship. If a
> potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and say no
> thanks",
> Ed
>
>
On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 13:33:57 -0400, J. Clarke <[email protected]>
wrote:
>>
>> My wife has an interesting saying , that being " you sleep with dogs and
>> you are bound to get fleas"
>
> I have a saying--if the customer won't buy at 50 bucks but will buy at 100
> bucks then that's his problem.
>
> mjh
>
I wouldn't buy a $50 Record plane. I would buy a $99 Lie Nielsen plane.
Guess that's my problem.
"Mike Hide" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:QFXTc.132698$8_6.58848@attbi_s04...
> Rumpty the dewlt saw salesman.....:) mjh
Um Mike I don't sell them... ;-)
--
Rumpty
Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Rumpty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Several suggestions:
>
> 1. Go for the high end of the market!
> 3. Go for the high end of the market!
> 5. Go for the high end of the market!
> 7. Go for the high end of the market!
> 9. Go for the high end of the market!
> 11. Go for the high end of the market!
Important stuff above left in place.
The difference between making a mediocre piece of work and a super piece of
work is maybe 10% for effort and time. You can often charge from 50% to
100% more for it to people that appreciate the craftsmanship. If a
potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and say no
thanks",
Ed
Sat, Aug 14, 2004, 3:16am (EDT+4) [email protected] (Edwin=A0Pawlowski) says:
<snip>=A0If a potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile
and say no thanks",
Quibble, haggle, negotiate, all the same.
In some cultures, it's the norm to haggle over prices. When I was
in Turkey, I don't know that I found ANY price that was fixed. In
Thailand there were a few fixed price stores, but not many. Even taxis
in both places, no fixed price. Singapore, Viet Nam, Taiwan, etc.,
similar. Could even negotiate taxi fare in Germany. That was many,
many, moons ago, and probably a lot of changes.
Personally, if it comes down to selling something at my price, or
not, I'd probably be open to some negotiation. Especially if there's
no other buyer in sight.
However, there's price limits I won't go below - continued urging
to do so tends to irk me, so I start raising the price back up - that's
usually when they start grabbing for their wallet, if they're really
interested in buying. Hehehe
Have gotten so irked a time or two, I've said it's not for sale to
them. period. Believe in at least one case, they sent someone else to
buy for them - at the original price.
I don't do this for a living, so I've got leeway like that.
JOAT
You have to kill pessimists, but optimists do it themselves.
MUPPET SHOW THEME http://www.muppetsonline.com/midi/muppets.mid
Rumpty the dewlt saw salesman.....:) mjh
--
http://members.tripod.com/mikehide2
"Rumpty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Phil,
>
> I was in your position 23 years ago and I took the opportunity to go for
it
> an I have never regretted it!
>
> Several suggestions:
>
> 1. Go for the high end of the market!
> 2. Do NOT live off of your credit card!
> 3. Go for the high end of the market!
> 4. Start off by quoting high for your work and then work down until you
get
> the business load you are happy with.
> 5. Go for the high end of the market!
> 6. Read/Watch the following show on PBS: http://smallbusinessschool.com/
> 7. Go for the high end of the market!
> 8. Read the "Mark Rasche - Building A Successful Woodworking business"
> article in the August Issue No. 88 of "Woodwork" Magazine
> 9. Go for the high end of the market!
> 10. You need a business card the size of a post card 4X6" with a photo of
> your work on one side and a web page with a few gallery shots to start.
> 11. Go for the high end of the market!
> 12. Buy yourself a good old DeWalt RAS! ;-)
>
> --
>
> Rumpty
>
> Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> >
> >
>
>
[email protected] wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 09:01:21 -0400, "Rumpty" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>>If a potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and
>>>say no
>>thanks",
>>
>>Gee Ed I forget the most important suggestion! ;-)
>>
>>I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to
>>Ikea/Pier 1 if they want a better price.
>
>
>
> I go one further and point out that it's usually not worth their time
> to have something custom made that can be bought off of the shelf.
> once they have gone shopping and not found what they are after we can
> talk. I do not dicker on price, and I have no shortage of work....
>
I've been thinking about this thread today....
Much of my career has been in the 'semi-custom' end of another industry.
One lesson I learned, sometimes painfully, is to be very honest with
yourself about what you can do, what you can't do, and what would be a
stretch for your skills.
Stretching your skills, and learning new ones, are an essential portion of
business, and a career. It is, however, not without some cost, and more
risk than something you have successfully accomplished before. Accept
those assignments with your eyes open, and after careful consideration, and
some research on your part.
And know that some of the most satisfying projects are ones you walked away
from. Learn to listen to the little voice in your head. He's there for a
reason.
Not all scar tissue shows.
Patriarch
"U-CDK_CHARLES\\Charles" <"Charles Krug"@cdksystems.com> wrote in
news:APtUc.3841$_w.2261@trndny04:
> On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 13:33:57 -0400, J. Clarke <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>>
>>> My wife has an interesting saying , that being " you sleep with
>>> dogs and you are bound to get fleas"
>>
>> I have a saying--if the customer won't buy at 50 bucks but will buy
>> at 100 bucks then that's his problem.
>>
>> mjh
>>
>
> I wouldn't buy a $50 Record plane. I would buy a $99 Lie Nielsen
> plane.
>
> Guess that's my problem.
>
>
My problem is that every once in a while, I forget, and waste $50 on a
Record plane. And every time I pick up a quality tool, I think that it was
a good investment.
Certain things are expenses. Certain things are investments. Not all
returns on investments are measured in dollars.
A successful furniture maker will understand what his potential customer is
seeking, and decide if he or she can deliver on that expectation.
I came to a realization in the data networking business about ten years
ago. At least two thirds of the problems to be solved were, at their core,
not technical problems. Many were problems of understanding what people
needed, and could not clearly communicate.
A successful business person, in any endeavor, must be able to listen, and
understand.
Patriarch
ask yourself what percentage of jobs that you do you get. if it is high then
you are underpricing your product.....mjh
--
"patriarch [email protected]>" <<patriarch> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> > On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 09:01:21 -0400, "Rumpty" <[email protected]>
> > wrote:
> >
> >>>If a potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and
> >>>say no
> >>thanks",
> >>
> >>Gee Ed I forget the most important suggestion! ;-)
> >>
> >>I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to
> >>Ikea/Pier 1 if they want a better price.
> >
> >
> >
> > I go one further and point out that it's usually not worth their time
> > to have something custom made that can be bought off of the shelf.
> > once they have gone shopping and not found what they are after we can
> > talk. I do not dicker on price, and I have no shortage of work....
> >
>
> I've been thinking about this thread today....
>
> Much of my career has been in the 'semi-custom' end of another industry.
> One lesson I learned, sometimes painfully, is to be very honest with
> yourself about what you can do, what you can't do, and what would be a
> stretch for your skills.
>
> Stretching your skills, and learning new ones, are an essential portion of
> business, and a career. It is, however, not without some cost, and more
> risk than something you have successfully accomplished before. Accept
> those assignments with your eyes open, and after careful consideration,
and
> some research on your part.
>
> And know that some of the most satisfying projects are ones you walked
away
> from. Learn to listen to the little voice in your head. He's there for a
> reason.
>
> Not all scar tissue shows.
>
> Patriarch
[email protected] wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 09:01:21 -0400, "Rumpty" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>>If a potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and say no
>>thanks",
>>
>>Gee Ed I forget the most important suggestion! ;-)
>>
>>I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to Ikea/Pier 1
>>if they want a better price.
>
>
>
> I go one further and point out that it's usually not worth their time
> to have something custom made that can be bought off of the shelf.
> once they have gone shopping and not found what they are after we can
> talk. I do not dicker on price, and I have no shortage of work....
I think this is either a cultural or a lifestyle issue--some people just
_love_ to haggle and feel like they've been cheated if they haven't had a
good one. Others hate to haggle. A perfect judge of character would be
able to identify which came in the door and either quote the sell price up
front or quote a higher price that he intends to have haggled down to the
sell price depending on which type he perceives the customer to be.
Unfortunately few of us are sufficiently skilled judges of character to be
able to pull off that trick, so we either function in haggle mode or in
one-price mode all the time depending on our nature.
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Mike Hide wrote:
> My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing you
> have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do that
> then there is no basis for trust .
>
> Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget it
> and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when
> all the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
> immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an immediate
> response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
>
> Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any other
> customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
> end....mjh
Still, there seem to be "magic prices" for some things. Lawyers and
consultants often set their rates based on what gets them the most work,
and a number of them that I have talked to say that they charge over
$100/hr because they get more work at that rate than they do at 50/hr. Has
to do with "perception of value" I suppose.
> --
> http://members.tripod.com/mikehide2
> "Jana" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "philmfx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<pvNSc.3575$%[email protected]>...
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I've recently had to relocate and need to change my career. I'm
>> > contemplating starting a furniture making business.
>> >
>> > I'm curious to know what people's experiences have been. How they
> started
>> > up? If people went from being hobbyist to professionals? How people
>> > went about building a client base? Etc.
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > Phil
>>
>> Hi Phil, One of the easiest ways to determine price is to ask the
>> customer what his/her budget is. From this you can tell them what they
>> can get built for that price. Treat people how you would like to be
>> treated. Word of mouth will make or break your business. Good luck,
>> Jana
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Mike Hide wrote:
> The last thing I would want my business practices compared to is a
> lawyer's.
> Most are percieved by the public as shysters. mjh
Doesn't mean that the practice is not valid.
> --
> http://members.tripod.com/mikehide2
> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Mike Hide wrote:
>>
>> > My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing
> you
>> > have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do
>> > that then there is no basis for trust .
>> >
>> > Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget
> it
>> > and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when
>> > all the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
>> > immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an
> immediate
>> > response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
>> >
>> > Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any
> other
>> > customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
>> > end....mjh
>>
>> Still, there seem to be "magic prices" for some things. Lawyers and
>> consultants often set their rates based on what gets them the most work,
>> and a number of them that I have talked to say that they charge over
>> $100/hr because they get more work at that rate than they do at 50/hr.
> Has
>> to do with "perception of value" I suppose.
>>
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Mike Hide wrote:
>
>
>
> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Mike Hide wrote:
>>
>> > My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing
> you
>> > have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do
>> > that then there is no basis for trust .
>> >
>> > Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget
> it
>> > and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when
>> > all the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
>> > immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an
> immediate
>> > response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
>> >
>> > Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any
> other
>> > customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
>> > end....mjh
>>
>> Still, there seem to be "magic prices" for some things. Lawyers and
>> consultants often set their rates based on what gets them the most work,
>> and a number of them that I have talked to say that they charge over
>> $100/hr because they get more work at that rate than they do at 50/hr.
> Has
>> to do with "perception of value" I suppose.
>
>
> My wife has an interesting saying , that being " you sleep with dogs and
> you are bound to get fleas"
I have a saying--if the customer won't buy at 50 bucks but will buy at 100
bucks then that's his problem.
mjh
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 06:02:00 GMT, "Mike Hide" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing you
>have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do that
>then there is no basis for trust .
>
>Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget it
>and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when all
>the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
>immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an immediate
>response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
absolutely.
>
>Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any other
>customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
>end....mjh
no harm in offering extra features to a wealthy customer though.....
at the appropriate price, of course.
"U-CDK_CHARLES\Charles" <"Charles Krug"@cdksystems.com> wrote in message
news:APtUc.3841$_w.2261@trndny04...
> On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 13:33:57 -0400, J. Clarke <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> My wife has an interesting saying , that being " you sleep with dogs
and
> >> you are bound to get fleas"
> >
> > I have a saying--if the customer won't buy at 50 bucks but will buy at
100
> > bucks then that's his problem.
You don't need stupid customers
> >
>
> I wouldn't buy a $50 Record plane. I would buy a $99 Lie Nielsen plane.
>
> Guess that's my problem.
Could be, I have 5 Record planes and they seem to work for me .....mjh
snip
>
> And know that some of the most satisfying projects are ones you walked away
> from. Learn to listen to the little voice in your head. He's there for a
> reason.
>
> Not all scar tissue shows.
>
> Patriarch
Amen, brother! I walked away from a "little" side job last week. Guy
told me he needed a piece of wood replaced on the outside of his
house. Went to look at it, and there was a little rot on the return
on the rake next to the addition. Pulled off 3' of the rake board and
found rotten framing, squirrel nests and all the rest. I told him it
was beyond my skill level. I probably could have figured it out, but
it would have been an everyday after work and all weekend for about a
week project, rather than the hour that he thought in the beginning.
I gave him the name of a guy I know (an excellent tradesman, BTW) and
haven't looked back.
-Phil Crow
>If a potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and say no
thanks",
Gee Ed I forget the most important suggestion! ;-)
I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to Ikea/Pier 1
if they want a better price.
--
Rumpty
Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Rumpty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >
> > Several suggestions:
> >
> > 1. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 3. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 5. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 7. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 9. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> > 11. Go for the high end of the market!
>
> Important stuff above left in place.
>
> The difference between making a mediocre piece of work and a super piece
of
> work is maybe 10% for effort and time. You can often charge from 50% to
> 100% more for it to people that appreciate the craftsmanship. If a
> potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and say no
> thanks",
> Ed
>
>
Brings to mind the BC three frame strip of several years ago two stick
figure one lying down with head on large rock with other standing
behind him, both facing right. A, the standing one, askes "Can you
repair a frayed knot?" and B answers "Afraid not" to which A says
"Yes". Wife and I use this frequently.
On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 21:24:47 GMT, patriarch
<<patriarch>[email protected]> wrote:
>I came to a realization in the data networking business about ten years
>ago. At least two thirds of the problems to be solved were, at their core,
>not technical problems. Many were problems of understanding what people
>needed, and could not clearly communicate.
On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 16:14:15 -0500, [email protected] (p_j) wrote:
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> >I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to Ikea/Pier 1
>> >if they want a better price.
>
>> I go one further and point out that it's usually not worth their time
>> to have something custom made that can be bought off of the shelf.
>> once they have gone shopping and not found what they are after we can
>> talk. I do not dicker on price, and I have no shortage of work....
>
>Are you a furniture maker? Any place your work can be looked at?
I had a website up, but the last ISP change hosed it. It needed
updating anyway, and I haven't gotten around to it.
I mostly make cabinets, but I do get in the occasional furniture
piece.
Phil,
I was in your position 23 years ago and I took the opportunity to go for it
an I have never regretted it!
Several suggestions:
1. Go for the high end of the market!
2. Do NOT live off of your credit card!
3. Go for the high end of the market!
4. Start off by quoting high for your work and then work down until you get
the business load you are happy with.
5. Go for the high end of the market!
6. Read/Watch the following show on PBS: http://smallbusinessschool.com/
7. Go for the high end of the market!
8. Read the "Mark Rasche - Building A Successful Woodworking business"
article in the August Issue No. 88 of "Woodwork" Magazine
9. Go for the high end of the market!
10. You need a business card the size of a post card 4X6" with a photo of
your work on one side and a web page with a few gallery shots to start.
11. Go for the high end of the market!
12. Buy yourself a good old DeWalt RAS! ;-)
--
Rumpty
Radial Arm Saw Forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/woodbutcher/start
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>
--<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 06:02:00 GMT, "Mike Hide" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing
you
> >have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do that
> >then there is no basis for trust .
> >
> >Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget it
> >and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when
all
> >the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
> >immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an immediate
> >response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
>
> absolutely.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >
> >Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any
other
> >customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
> >end....mjh
>
>
> no harm in offering extra features to a wealthy customer though.....
> at the appropriate price, of course.
To coin a phrase, absolutely. I have one well off local lady who I always
offer a plain vanilla and a "gussied " up version of each design . She has
yet to pick the vanilla version ...........mjh
My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing you
have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do that
then there is no basis for trust .
Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget it
and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when all
the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an immediate
response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any other
customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
end....mjh
--
http://members.tripod.com/mikehide2
"Jana" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "philmfx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<pvNSc.3575$%[email protected]>...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've recently had to relocate and need to change my career. I'm
> > contemplating starting a furniture making business.
> >
> > I'm curious to know what people's experiences have been. How they
started
> > up? If people went from being hobbyist to professionals? How people went
> > about building a client base? Etc.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Phil
>
> Hi Phil, One of the easiest ways to determine price is to ask the
> customer what his/her budget is. From this you can tell them what they
> can get built for that price. Treat people how you would like to be
> treated. Word of mouth will make or break your business. Good luck,
> Jana
On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 09:01:21 -0400, "Rumpty" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>>If a potential client starts to quibble over price, just smile and say no
>thanks",
>
>Gee Ed I forget the most important suggestion! ;-)
>
>I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to Ikea/Pier 1
>if they want a better price.
I go one further and point out that it's usually not worth their time
to have something custom made that can be bought off of the shelf.
once they have gone shopping and not found what they are after we can
talk. I do not dicker on price, and I have no shortage of work....
"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike Hide wrote:
>
> > My experience seems different to most on this thread . the first thing
you
> > have to do with a new customer is to sell yourself .If you don't do that
> > then there is no basis for trust .
> >
> > Next never give a price off the top of your head, he will never forget
it
> > and you will never hear the last of it . Go home and think it over when
> > all the angles are considered tghen call him back . If he wants a price
> > immediately explain that would not be fair to him or you, if an
immediate
> > response is still required ...respectfully pass it up .......
> >
> > Regardles how affluent your customer price jobs fairly just like any
other
> > customer, resist the urge to gouge you will end up with more workin the
> > end....mjh
>
> Still, there seem to be "magic prices" for some things. Lawyers and
> consultants often set their rates based on what gets them the most work,
> and a number of them that I have talked to say that they charge over
> $100/hr because they get more work at that rate than they do at 50/hr.
Has
> to do with "perception of value" I suppose.
My wife has an interesting saying , that being " you sleep with dogs and
you are bound to get fleas" mjh
"Rumpty" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> I have been known to suggest to tire kickers they should go to Ikea/Pier 1
> if they want a better price.
>
>
> --
>
> Rumpty
I've never been in the furniture business, but I've been in others. When
you quibble over price, the buyer feels cheated, the seller feels cheated,
and you don't have the incentive to do a first class job. If you don't, the
seller will bad mouth you for your poor quality. Unless you are on the brink
of starvation, don't lower your principles. Even then, better to make a few
bucks mowing lawn that to lower your business standards.
Ed