I am looking at offering my customers some of the marble pieces available from Lasersketch. I am in the process of determining what price I'd need to sell them at. (Flat price item w/engraving.)

What I don't know is how this compares to market value. On one hand, I don't mind getting more then I need. On the other hand, don't want to put too much into it if I'll be priced way too high.

I'm currently eyeing the: 5" heart, 6" round, 6" square, and 5x7 oval. What do you charge, or consider a fair price?

How would you compare the perceived value of glass vs. marble?

I'm hoping to get more then one or two responses even if its to acknowledge agreement.

Ken,

I don't have any pricing information for you at this point, but I do want to share with you that these are some very popular items right now. The popularity could be because of the holidays and/or because there is a limited distribution channel at this time.

You will find many of the shapes and sizes you have listed to be out of stock. I just tried to place an order last week with Laser Sketch and TPI. Both inventories were pretty sparse.

I know that Laser Sketch just got a container from China about a week ago. They are already out of many shapes and sizes because of backorders.

Are you aware of any other suppliers?

David,

No, I don't know of another supplier. I knew Lasersketch just got a shipment, didn't know things are back-ordered already. I was trying to determine the economics before placing an order. Do you know if TPI also gets their rock from China?

Ken,

I am not sure who TPI's source is, bit I have seen a few of their pieces and they looked good. As a whole, I hope all of their inventory is of the same quality.

As far as Laser Sketch goes, I think the container that came in had much of its contents spoken for. They have a great product, I hope they can get their inventory in balance with the demand. Of course, that is easier said than done.

David,

What is TPI's web address?
Wasn't it you who mentioned another company a while back, Lui Art? I think the thread said they were going to enter the market with good product, but gave no time frame.

Ken,

The web address is www.tpi2000.com. I don't believe they have their marble on the site yet. They just started marketing it in the past month.

Lui Art is still in the process of establishing a loction in the US. I have been working with them on some ornaments, but I think this will end up being a product for next year's holiday season.

I will submit a few larger easal-held designs to see if they have an interest in providing black marble for that market .

The black marble awards I have ordered from them have been a very solid black, with no veining. That could be a good sign.

Ken,

We offer LaserSketch's marble in the 3.8x3.8 tile for $19.95, the 5x7 rectangle for $39.95, the 5x7 oval for $41.95, the 8.5x11 rectangle for $79.95 and the 8.5x11 oval for $81.95. Demand is moderate and I anticipate good sales of these for the holiday season.

Mark

HI Mark

Are these case prices? I might need to purchase some.

Gary

Gary,

You are going to be thrilled. I believe those are Mark's retail prices with the engraving. Mark, correct me if that is an incorrect assumption.

Yes, these are retail prices. Keep in mind that we look at the marble product as an "add on" to our primary product of engraved optic crystal, so we aren't asking an arm and leg (at least I don't think we are) for the product. I've seen it for more and I've seen it for less. There are usually a couple of sellers on ebay offering this product too.

Mark

Ken:

I started offering my marble with photos close to Ken's prices but I had several people tell me that was way too low. Since I am a new business and marble is one of my main products I took a lot into consideration and bumped up my prices. I do have people who don't want to pay that price but I figure my time is very valuable (especially being a one person shop with a million things to do daily) so it's wise to weed out less profitable jobs.

These are my prices which include one photo. I was going to charge extra for color fill, per line of text or other graphic etc., but for the most part if the customer selects from an existing design I think the one price should be fair. I haven't done a lot without photos yet, but I would probably figure $35 or so off the following if it didn't include a photo:

3.8 - $50
5x7 - $70
6x6 - $75
8.5x11 - $95
12x12 - $130

I haven't had a lot of takers yet, but again I'm still establishing my business and getting my products in with local businesses. And then I have one customer considering doing 12 3.8" plaques! I did give a discount on the duplicates though.

Memorials and wedding plaques seem to be the hot items with the marble.

I did find that a local mall has a kisok with a laser onsite and is charging significantly less than me, but I think they are using countertop type granite and doing some floor tile work. I'm not sure how they can afford to charge so little though...they're paying $9,000 in just rent for Nov/Dec months at this particular mall!

Good luck and please keep us posted. I'm very interested to hear others' thoughts.

You never know of the dreams that newbie mall kiosk and cart owners have. I have met people who thought they would make a killing, but never figured out how much they *could* make per hour. They just have a rosy image of how many customers they can have and if the machine was engraving full time, if they even figure engraving time.

Shipping product does not work well in a mall atmosphere, especially near Christmas.

You may be able to pick up a laser cheap in January.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Sub Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

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