Recently I've been listing my knitted handbags for sale on Etsy. They're ranging in prices from $20-$25, which is low, but since this is really a hobby for me I'm okay with that.
This morning I received an email from someone who wanted to buy the handbags, and commission additional colors, for a DISCOUNTED price.
So now this begs to ask the question: Why should hand-crafters DISCOUNT what they're making?
I know that we live in the day and age of Walmart where you can buy everything under the sun from China for $1, but why do we have to lower our prices, when honestly, they're probably ridicously LOW in the first place.
Going back to a post I wrote in April 2010, I talked about a documentary I watched which talked about production in America, mainly the fashion industry. In 1965, 95% of all clothing bought and sold in America was produced in America. Today that number is down to 5% (or less since the documentary was done in 2009).
So while I can see how someone who owns a business would ASK a crafter for a discount, because obviously they want to make money too, I find it insulting. I feel like my craft has been insulted. I put a lot of thought into designing the stitches involved in my handbags, then add on the TIME it takes to knit it.
I'm knitting because I like to knit, but obviously I can't KEEP all the things I make. Did I just argue against myself for selling cheap? Maybe. But on a larger scale I think America needs to take back the quality it sells to itself.
This morning I received an email from someone who wanted to buy the handbags, and commission additional colors, for a DISCOUNTED price.
So now this begs to ask the question: Why should hand-crafters DISCOUNT what they're making?
I know that we live in the day and age of Walmart where you can buy everything under the sun from China for $1, but why do we have to lower our prices, when honestly, they're probably ridicously LOW in the first place.
Going back to a post I wrote in April 2010, I talked about a documentary I watched which talked about production in America, mainly the fashion industry. In 1965, 95% of all clothing bought and sold in America was produced in America. Today that number is down to 5% (or less since the documentary was done in 2009).
So while I can see how someone who owns a business would ASK a crafter for a discount, because obviously they want to make money too, I find it insulting. I feel like my craft has been insulted. I put a lot of thought into designing the stitches involved in my handbags, then add on the TIME it takes to knit it.
I'm knitting because I like to knit, but obviously I can't KEEP all the things I make. Did I just argue against myself for selling cheap? Maybe. But on a larger scale I think America needs to take back the quality it sells to itself.
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I don't think you should have to discount what you make! Knitting takes time (I knit too, so I know) and I think that should be a factor when you're pricing something.
ReplyDeleteBTW, have you thought about selling patterns for some of the bags you've done? I would totally buy a pattern for your horseshoe cable bag.
I totally hear you! It's one thing that you price your item at a resonably low price its another to be asked to discount your product. Frankly, I would have told the person off. If you don't want to buy it at the already low price don't go insulting the artist by asking for a discount.
ReplyDeleteNissa