chickenscratch Posted December 5, 2005 Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 Hi All, I need some advice. I have finally gotten an "in" with the local sewing store, as the other longarmer they had quit. The lady told me to bring business cards and pamphlets for her customers, which I have no problem doing; but here is the dilemma. The other quilter was charging .018 cents per square inch. I have my prices figured a little differently. I think I am way undercharging, but I don't feel it would be fair to charge a bunch as I've only been doing this for 6 months and only 2 customer quilts so far. Would you all please take a look at my prices on my website and see what you think? Thanks, Teresa www.chickenscratchquilting.com [Quilting Services Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sschmieden Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 Teresa, I have been longarm quilitng for 4 1/2 years now and when I started I was charging $.01 per square inch for a queen size quilt that is 90x108 the price would be $97.20 and that is for pattern quilting. Custom quilting started at $.02 per sq. in which equals $194.00 Since i started I've raised my prices slightly. Pattern quilting starts at $.0125 per sq. in. We also have a minimum charge for small quilts of $50.00 My mom gave me the advice that start your prices at about what you want to earn per hr. and go from there. P.S. your website is really cute!! Hope this helps, Angie (Sue Schmieden's daughter) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted December 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 Thanks for the advice and the compliments. Figuring it your way it does look like I am undercharging. I might need to go back and refigure things before I start getting bunches of customers. Teresa www.chickenscratchquilting.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artinfabric Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 another Idea is to offer a discount at the beginning. say 15-20% off for a new customer, but include the regular price on the invoice. This way they get a discount at the beginning when you are new and starting out. however the next quilts they get at the regular price. Just a thought. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay M. Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 Hi Teresa, Many people seem to agree that it is difficult to raise your prices. So, I would advise setting them at what you want to make. As a beginner, you probably won't be offering as much as you will with more experience. You obviously feel comfortable that your skills are ready to be marketed or you wouldn't be taking customers. Why would you not charge adequately if your quilting is adequate? Undercharging would only make sense if your quilting is inferior in some way, and you wouldn't have many repeat customers if that's the case. Also, if your customer base is accustomed to paying the higher prices, they may question your abilities if you undercharge. Many people believe you get what you pay for and undercharging may tend to make them see your efforts as being inferior, even if they are not. Personally, I think you are fortunate knowing what your market will bear price-wise. Kay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 Hi Teresa- I agree with Lottie and Kay. You definitely should start out listing your prices where you want them to be and offer a discount for the first few months. You could actually incorporate your web site by having a discount coupon WITH a deadline date (never leave it open ended) that the client can print out and bring to you. You should also raise your prices every year to go along with inflation and the added experience you can now offer. Only you can know what your geographic area can bear for pricing, but my all over pricing is .018/sq inch and custom STARTS at 0.022/sq inch. That only puts me in the low-middle bracket for my area-- Suburban DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Hope this helps. Sheri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artinfabric Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Sheri, That was a great idea. I may have to use that one myself. This list has such wonderful information for use just starting out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane Bevans Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 I would like to add before you set your prices, to research how close is the competition, and does your area support what you are charging. Also I have my pricing per inch, but when I redo my flyer, I am going to change to a per square yard, for some reason it is easier for people to understand, and some of the other longarm quilters are going to that pricing around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 I charge more for dense pantos and I charge by the sq. yard for batting. I do give a 20% discount for a 1st time customer. I also charge if I have to iron item(s) and/or do any mending. I charge another price if it is just free hand meandering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artinfabric Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 that sounds like a good idea, charging for the ironing and the meanding. do you charge a flat fee for these services or do you charge by the hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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