What should I charge?
10-26-2010, 07:21 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 359
Originally Posted by koko
I'd charge $135 and tell her you are giving her a discount off the $150 - $175 you normally would charge because she is part of the family. Do a wonderful quilting job and you'll have repeat business no matter what the price or who it is for!!
10-26-2010, 07:28 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 986
I would charge $65.00 for the binding hand appliqued on the other side.
give her a break and charge $150.00 for the quilting in the ditch.
Don't let the family thing become a problem for you, business is business, I am sure if you asked her to do something, she would charge you.
She has come to you because of the family thing, and she can trust you with her quilt tops. She would rather pay someone she knows then someone she doesn't.
give her a break and charge $150.00 for the quilting in the ditch.
Don't let the family thing become a problem for you, business is business, I am sure if you asked her to do something, she would charge you.
She has come to you because of the family thing, and she can trust you with her quilt tops. She would rather pay someone she knows then someone she doesn't.
10-26-2010, 08:10 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sullivan, IL
Posts: 361
I have been doing quilting for relatives and I charge them the normal price, but then give them a discount on the quilting (not any supplies I would have to provide). The discount ranges from 15% to 25% depending on how much quilting I've done.
10-26-2010, 08:39 AM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 405
I quilt for others. Usually friends and I know how you feel about asking too much. If you charge a decent amount you won't feel the resentment when you would rather be doing your own things. My sisters are quilters and sometimes we barter for thread,pins,etc. Sisters are different than twice removed inlaws.
10-26-2010, 08:46 AM
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brewerton, NY
Posts: 2,489
Originally Posted by Annaleehunter
Originally Posted by gzbird101
I have been hired to quilt 2 queen tops. Nothing fancy, just basic stitch in the ditch and then bind both. My dilema is that the lady who hired me is the mother in law of my sister in law so there is the family "thing". She doesn't expect me to cut my prices, but I know I will get a lot of repeat business from her and she will refer me to her quilting group so I want to give her a good deal. What would be a good price to charge her? I am thinking around $65 per quilt. Too much or not enough?? What does everyone else think or charge?
10-26-2010, 08:56 AM
#58
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: So. Fla now, Va orig
Posts: 1,565
Originally Posted by kalady
I have altered clothes for years and sold various crafts and am a free lance Home Economist/Consultant- all work where I set my own prices.
This is my best advice- esp since this customer is NOT IMMEDIATE family, really she isn't. Charge more -think of what you would or have paid and charge at least that. I believe when you cheapen yourself and your skills you send a message to others and yourself that you are not worth it. Set a good price, a fair price but do not discount yourself. Tell the customer your price and make no apologies. If you are questioned, the answer is "frankly I am committed to great work and charge a price that makes me be able to devote the time and effort to give you the wonderful results you have a right to expect." IMHO It is better to lose those customers that want too low prices and get paid for the quality work you do.This family discount - and lets face it she is much removed- phooey- creates a bunch of extra layers. Are you going to keep doing more at a discount, even when it eats into your family, personal time?? Would she discount for you? How much are your lives entwined?
I also stress that I do not alter for just anyone- this is true- it weeds out bargain hunters that do not respect your skill and time and also creates a feeling of exclusivity. I only take referrals-keeps the payment problems down. This philosophy has worked for me- I can not handle all the work I am offered.
Do not cheapen or discount your talents! We women tend to do that, I believe because of the fact that so much of our life/family work we are not monetarily compensated or recognized for.
Now I relinquish my soap box to someone else...
This is my best advice- esp since this customer is NOT IMMEDIATE family, really she isn't. Charge more -think of what you would or have paid and charge at least that. I believe when you cheapen yourself and your skills you send a message to others and yourself that you are not worth it. Set a good price, a fair price but do not discount yourself. Tell the customer your price and make no apologies. If you are questioned, the answer is "frankly I am committed to great work and charge a price that makes me be able to devote the time and effort to give you the wonderful results you have a right to expect." IMHO It is better to lose those customers that want too low prices and get paid for the quality work you do.This family discount - and lets face it she is much removed- phooey- creates a bunch of extra layers. Are you going to keep doing more at a discount, even when it eats into your family, personal time?? Would she discount for you? How much are your lives entwined?
I also stress that I do not alter for just anyone- this is true- it weeds out bargain hunters that do not respect your skill and time and also creates a feeling of exclusivity. I only take referrals-keeps the payment problems down. This philosophy has worked for me- I can not handle all the work I am offered.
Do not cheapen or discount your talents! We women tend to do that, I believe because of the fact that so much of our life/family work we are not monetarily compensated or recognized for.
Now I relinquish my soap box to someone else...
10-26-2010, 09:09 AM
#59
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 79
It sounds like you do not already do this as a business. If you are trying to start a business, then you need to price your work so that you can make a profit from it. $65 would barely cover the cost of batting and thread, let alone any of your time.
As for the "family" thing, I would only give discounts to immediate family. The MIL of SIL is not immediate family. If you have never met her, or don't see her at family gatherings, then I wouldn't consider her "family" enough to give a discount.
Plus, she has stated that she doesn't expect you to cut your prices.. SO DON'T. IF in fact she does send some business your way, then perhaps on a quilt in the future, you can give her a "discount" for all the business she has given you, but not because she is family. But just because there is the "possibility" of business, doesn't mean that any of her quilting group would use you. So for her first quilts, I would charge her full price of what ever you would charge normally, then depending on how much business you got from her, give her a discount based on the amount of work she sent your way, for her next quilt.
As for the "family" thing, I would only give discounts to immediate family. The MIL of SIL is not immediate family. If you have never met her, or don't see her at family gatherings, then I wouldn't consider her "family" enough to give a discount.
Plus, she has stated that she doesn't expect you to cut your prices.. SO DON'T. IF in fact she does send some business your way, then perhaps on a quilt in the future, you can give her a "discount" for all the business she has given you, but not because she is family. But just because there is the "possibility" of business, doesn't mean that any of her quilting group would use you. So for her first quilts, I would charge her full price of what ever you would charge normally, then depending on how much business you got from her, give her a discount based on the amount of work she sent your way, for her next quilt.
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