Little House Creations Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I've been asked to do some LAing on a few sample quilts for a local quilt shop - what should I charge? My regular rate? or should I reduce the rate for the free advertising? What do others do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I'm curious to read the answers, too. I recently did one for a new shop owner for free, but so far haven't gotten any business from her shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wannabelongarm Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Bev: I think you should charge. It seems everyone wants us to give our work away for free. If you were teaching a class, making the sample and keeping it, I think that's a different story. What would the shop owner say if you came in and asked for free fabric for a quilt you wanted to display in your studio and show your customers to advertise their shop? What kind of relationship do you have with the shop? Have other LA'ers in the area done the same thing? I have also sent you a UTU. Good Luck! Post pics when you are done! Great to see you last week. Joanne Flamand Artistic Quilt Design Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I would talk to the shop owner and try to strike up an agreement with her - maybe a percentage off for both of you (quilting for her in exchange for fabric/notions for you?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I'd give her the same discount that she gives me. If she doesn't discount her wares, why should you. If on the other hand, she gives you 20 or 30% off, it would seem fair to do the same. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltinchicks Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I do all the shop samples at our local shop and yes I give her a small discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 It's a slippery slope!! If you're happy with your customer list and have a back-log, don't quilt for free or for a discount. If you need business and think placing your cards in the shop and having your name displayed on the quilt as the quilter will bring you new customers, work out whatever deal you think will work for both of you. A discount, a barter, or reciprocal discounts like services-for-fabric. No freebie unless you are a complete newbie and trying to break into the local market. Please keep in mind that whatever you decide to do, the owner will expect that same deal again. Make sure if it's a one-time deal that the owner knows how generous you are and not to expect it again. I will add that there are so many new quilters locally, one LQS has taken advantage of the situation and has gotten lots of free work done. I had one acquaintance from guild who called me in tears because this LQS had used her free services and then told her they wouldn't be offering her cards because their "professional quilters" board was full. They would place her cards when there was an open spot. I told her to get a clear vinyl card holder, fill it with cards and have them pin the holder to the quilt. If they didn't like that solution, she should let them know she would bill them for services, explaining nicely that her expectations of some free advertising for free quilting wasn't met. She (very nicely) did just that and amazingly, they found a spot on the "professionals" board for her cards.:P;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpsquilter Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I do shop samples for my favorite local quilt shop and charge her regular price. I keep a running tab there and we never exchange cash. She does the same for several longarmers that are her customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I did one free for my LQS and consequently she sent me 10-12 customers who have become repeat customers. If she asked me to do another I would but not if I weren't getting any business from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathrynA Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I do them at a discount for a local shop and they are displayed. I'm given credit for the quilting. Sends alot of people my way. You can always say you'll do X number for her at a discounted rate and see how it pans out. Price varies based on the quilting that is done so you're not locked into one rate anyway? Up to you in the end - just make sure you are very comfortable with your decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 Hi Bev! Before I had my longarm I quilted most of my shop samples myself with my domestic, but I did send a number out to a variety of longarmers and NEVER asked, expected or received a discount... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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