Laura,

Congratulations on your decision to value your time & talent. Especially, so early in your business career.

It goes over better with customers to lower a price, citing volume discounts etc., than to raise a price for any reason.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Here's a copy and paste from my pricelist that I _had_ on a website.

3" x 5" Black Marble - chiseled edge :: $15
5" x 7" Black Marble - plaque style :: $25
8" x 10" Black Marble - plaque style :: $35
12" x 12" Black Marble - flat tile :: $45

Amazing, I had comments about "gouging" and overpricing of my product. Pretty discouraging. I had probably 3 orders in a year from the website (now taken down)

I feel that I turned out fairly decent product too, I have had lots of positive input on the resolution of the photo engraving capabilities of my machine. (LaserPro Mercury)

Here are a few samples:
(And the web pictures don't do the marble justice) :-)
http://www.engravedphotos.com/images/3x5.jpg
http://www.engravedphotos.com/images/12x12.jpg
http://www.engravedphotos.com/images/brochurepic3a.jpg

They talks about "what the market will bear" but seems I have targeted the wrong market.

I will eventually "re-tool" my engravedphotos.com website but other projects are keeping me and the laser busy (and paying the bills) !

Laura, FWIW - I can't see that your pricing would be out of line at all. I sold a handful of 12" x 12" photo-marble tiles to some Harley riders in a club, and they didn't bat an eye at $125 each. (Now THERE'S my target market!)

-Mike

Mike:

VERY nice pieces! I know what you mean about pictures not doing the marble justice...I tell everyone that who asks for photos!

You mentioned doing a lot of tiles for Harley Clubs, what did you do about copyright issues, or did they have their own logo, etc.? I've had a few people ask me to do things with either the Harley logo or even the Harley name and I've turned it down. I know HD is VERY particular about the use of their likeness and even have shut down fan websites for using their name and/or logo.

Although I've just started I won't risk my business over a couple hundred bucks. I went to a craft show this weekend and saw so many people using copyrighted logos and such and it really drives me nuts. Guess it's none of my business, but I don't feel right about it, even for those just doing it for a hobby; they're still selling it.

On a good note, I got an appointment with our local minor league hockey team next month to inquire about how to become licensed to use their logo and likeness. Can't wait to see how that goes!

Mike,

Just me, being nosey. Are you the Michael in the "Cynthia & Michael" photo?

On topic:

Your prices didn't seem out of line to me. As you say, it depends on the eye of the beholder.

Not necessarily their wallet.

If it's something they want, and feel they need, there's no price too high. If they don't want, or need it, there's no price too low.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Mike,

Your photos on marble llok great! I am still trying to perfect the marble photo thing. I have only done a few but, still think I need improving.

I am with you, 12 x12 for 45 and still get some thinking it is too high. Not sure how this works, I think it is mostly my area and what the market can bear in THIS area. Maybe more internet sells would be better, but again, then you have shipping to deal with.

Good luck figuring out your "niche in the market". Keep up the good work. I am still figuring out mine too :)

Hi Laura,

As for the copyright issue, yes that scares me too. -BUT- these were "self portraits" per say, where a friend takes a picture of the rider (or rider and s.o.) on his/her bike. No logo added.

I do however do year end chapter awards for a couple of local chapters where I have (written) permission from a particular corp. office in Wisconsin. And if I were ever to use the logos for anything other than the permissable use, I would be shot.... After a juicy lawsuit of course;-)

-Mike

Altatech Laserworks

Hi David,

uhhh, yeah that's me and the better half. I was hoping no one would notice;-)

As for pricing. It's a funny game. I should focus on the target market that shells out $3.75 or more for a cup of coffee. I think I am getting somewhere with the Harley Davidson crowd :-)

-Mike

Altatech Laserworks

Mike,

Thanks for entertaining my nosiness. Looks like a handsome couple to me :-)

Oddly enough, being seen on a Harley, at least in So Cal, is a trendy thing. The $3.75 per cup of coffee crowd and Harley riders are becoming one and the same.

Not sure how that's going over with the hard-core bikers :-)

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA

Laura, Mark, Mike,

Thanks everyone who gave their pricing info. Its amazing how peoples experience with the same thing can vary so much. It'll be interesting to see if anyone else adds their experience come Monday.

Since I'm "home" based, I'll be dealing with the web and shipping.

Initially I'll be offering text and non-photo. Plan on offering photos at an additional cost as soon as I'm happy with my results.

Laura, my ideas for non-photo are consistent with your -$35. It'll be interesting to see if with photo I also come up with the same differential. Only testing and number crunching will tell.