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General Category => The Coffee Shop => Topic started by: Charlie Dearing on June 08, 2010, 03:13:28 pm
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I don't have anymore left in me. I am spending more to make patterns (carbon paper, paper, printer ink) than I am making in pattern sales. I am not writing this to whine, just to explain my actions.
As far as finished work, had a customer want one of my cuttings. Asked if I could lower the price. I lowered the price. He said he'd be by today to buy it. Called and said he's changed his mind. Something always gets in the way of me getting a sale of finished pieces....and those are rare as well.
Call me whiner, call me a quitter...I'm done. It's not fun anymore.
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The announced raffle winner will still get to choose his 30 patterns.
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Don't give up Charlie, you are to talented, I have never sold patterns so I do not know how to help, but maybe there is another avenue or route you can take to sell your patterns, I am sure someone in here has some ideas. Also look ahead on the calendar and see what is coming up, Fathers day, Fourth of July, and design a pattern for that calendar event. As far as selling items I do go to craft shows and I can relate to people wanting to talk you down in price. Have you tried selling your pieces at work places, if you know someone who works in an office see if they might be willing to take some pictures of your items in and try to sell them. To reduce your cost of wood, I sometimes will ask for old pallets that have wide boards on them, sand them and you have free wood. I really hate to see you give up, besides we are looking forward to seeing the last supper cutting.
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You aren't done yet, Cowboy!
You are just staring to see life as it can be and it ain't fair but by God it is livable!
You roll with the punches and they don't hurt so much!
Neither I nor most folks who have attained a few more years than you will try to tell you what to do. For that you have to REALLY look inside yourself.
We may not be 'close' but we are your family and no kid of mine is gonna quit.
I have one who tried and until he hit the very bottom of the bottle he was useless to himself and everyone else. Now he has turned his life around and re-connected with everything he 'thought' he threw away forever and he sure feels great about it.
Not preaching, but take yourself out in the woods and just sit and talk to whoever will listen. Trust me....IT WORKS!
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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Charlie,
I used to sell the second most expensive tools in the world. (Mac tools, Snap-on are the most expensive) When people would try to get me to lower the price, I would just say "NO"! Explaning that I was in business to make a living, not friends.
If you lower the price, people think that your product must not be worth what you are asking and deside that they can get the same thing cheaper elswhere. They need to see the value in a good wrench (or hand made item) and that in the long run it is worth spending the extra money for what you are selling.
If they press you on price a bit, just say "Money talks and BS walks, lets see what color your money is." If they don't buy the item right there and then forget about it. They won't be back, they just want to see how far they can push you.
I'm sorry to hear about your fustration but, I understand the problem and you must just keep knocking on doors and trying to get the sale.
Lets face it, if it was easy everyone would be doing it. It takes a special person to sell special items and you have the tallent to make the special items you just need to work on the sales end a little harder. It is there in you, you just havent found it yet. Keep trying, you can make it work.
Rog
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Hi Charlie, I went through a bad selling spell so I went to the local Vets and asked if I could put up a dog cutting to drum up some customers worked great still get the orders now, also did the same with local stables and the pet cemetary infact I even put the prices up a bit. Its like any other business you will get good and bad times, things will pick up and tomorrow is another day..........Paul ;D
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Dead right Rog, I have been in sales for most of my life and even now I am selling my wood craft I will not reduce my price, I have many ask at craft fairs the answer is aways NO my prices are wholesale, not retail, I did a job for a costomer they supplied the wood 10 salad bowls, that was over 12 months ago I have kept 4 and will sell the rest to cover costs, the rest I cut up and gave away as fire wood, no deposit no work, and that is my motto from now on, I do give stuff away to family and good freinds
Jimbo
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Charlie--I wish I could afford to buy all of your pattern books--They are great and have fantastic patterns--Uncle Sam did a number on me this year (IRS). Things are a little tight right now but hang in there, they can't get much worse for you. As Greybeard said--Take a long walk and just talk to yourself because the big guy is listening and when you least expect it an answer will come to you. Just take it easy buddy and lean on all of us here--We can handle it--Richard aka thumbs
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Charlie. Don't know if you travel much. But up here in Indiana, every October. We have a Covered Bridge Festible. People from all over the world come to this. Its in the county just north of us. But were so close I think it starts in this county, and travels north. Its so big it last 2 full weeks. In the little town of Bridgeton, thats all you find. People making & selling thier crafts. Might be worth looking into. P.S. I think FDR said this. "If your at the end of your rope, Tie a knot and hang on". Hang on Charlie. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Dave
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Charlie... if you had guitar patterns, I'd buy em.
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I appreciate all the pep talk and encouragement. I truly do. I'd like to make it clear, though, that I am not saying all of this as a childish scheme to get sales and not pouting, whining or throwing a tantrum. Some people just have it in them lol...not sure I do. Even my wildlife book has only yielded 155 in a year. I started patterns and cutting for fun, then sadly did it for money and it turned to work. Work is fine, but....well.... I don't even know how to finish my sentence. I guess in some ways i think to myself, why make more if the ones ya have aren't selling? I know it sounds like pouting but I'm really not. I am calm, cool and collected.
As far as travel..well, without trying to sound like a pity party, I can't afford to travel.
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I also want to make it very clear that many people have done way more than they had to..to help me. I will never forget that.
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Keep the site going Charlie...I was introduced to your site through this community. I just bought my first pattern, the big rig semi, from your site and it is AMAZING!! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has just recently found your site because of this forum.
Keep it going...keep cutting...you have a lot of people behind you.
And to the guy who wanted you to lower your price...then didn't buy....screw him!! He has know idea what he just missed...
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I know at least sort of what you're going through, Charlie. I worked for myself for a period and it was the worst job I ever had - at least in terms of income.
Your work is gorgeous. The only reason I haven't bought any of your patterns is because I know I am not skilled enough to cut them. But like others here, I didn't even know about you until that first recent chat night Steve had. I wonder if exposure is the key. Have you looked into what an ad costs in one of the magazines? Maybe some videos on youtube? Both of those would require an up-front investment though. I don't know if there is anything like this out there (I don't recall ever seeing one), but what about writing a book on how to make patterns? You've written a tutorial. You could build out from that. Or could you write an article for one of the magazines? Maybe you could trade the article for some ads even. If the article was successful, you might be able to expand on it to make the book.
I'm just kind of brainstorming here but your ability to make pattens like you do is a real gift. It seems like there must be some way to capitalize on it.
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Becky, don't sell yourself short either. If you can somewhat follow a line...that's all it is. The rest is ONLY patience.
Yes I have looked into ads for the magazines. Way too pricey... definitely would increase exposure though.
I have considered youtube videos....working on it.
I dont have articles in mags but swwc (Scrollsaw Woodworks and Crafts) has material from me, but don't plan to print it until next year...
I have patterns in the "Scroller ltd" catalog but they said Jeff Zaffino is their primary portrait pattern guy. They have over 100 of my patterns waiting to be put in their catalog. I'm trying to get up the courage to go to other catalogs too. A little shy about pushing myself on others so I have procrastinated.
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I am with everyone here when we say "Don't give up Cowboy." I wish I could turn my hobby into a job. I am trying, but I just have so much stuff on my plate that I cannot get it done. As for your patterns...the Wildlife book I will be buying within the next few months (I hope if everything works out). I may not get anything cut because school will be back up and going, but at least I can put together in my mind what I want to cut. (Wolves) LOL. :-*
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I urge you and everyone NOT to feel obligated to buy my patterns. Please. I appreciate the kind words and compliments, but this isn't a mission to make anyone feel guilty or pushed. Just a hard decision I had to make for myself.
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I have every intention of helping others, answering questions and being my old goofy self. I'm not running away.
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I didn't think you were whining or trying to drum up sales... I just took it as venting. But seriously, do you have any guitar patterns already made up?
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No i am afraid I don't.
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When you're on the ground and getting kicked in the ribs, thats when you hit them with a hard nut shot. Don't ever give up and never ever quit. If everyone quit when things got tough or weren't going their way they would never get anywhere.
Sorry I can't put things a little more gentle. I just call it as I see it and state the hard facts.
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we gotta change ur nic name if ya back out now iv never met a fellow cowbow that gave up he allways gets up dusts himself off and jumps back on. "PICK UR SELF UP" also iv done some market research in tx yes i know dallas and houston is quite the drive but that is what you gotta do to sell your work. and you will also have some healthy compition out there mainly grumpy old men maken extra income. someone said that you should hit up some vet offices to sell your work i agree with this it is a great way to get you noticed and out there. riden stables, dr offices, ect. there all good places to hit just call make an appointment to see them and take some work with you. be forwarned with todays econemy your prices will hinder some sales but people love there pets and shell out big $$ for them. heck i just spent $280 for a little cheap box that contains my best freind. and im a tight wad. the point is you gotta make some noise to be heard and if that means packen up some patterns and finished work and hitchen a ride to dallas and spending the weekend there knocken on doors thats what you gotta do. we all can sell your work for you but not for the price you want only you can sell it for what you want noone can sell a product like the creator. sorry i did not sugar coat anything but i did refrain on some comments.
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Hey Charlie, I understand. I tell myself about once a week that I'm going to quit running my blog. If you are trying to run your pattern web site as a business and you are losing money then by all logic you should change something or shut it down.
Unfortunately you probably can't really quit. Your stuck. You are a right-brained person. Your decisions are formed by creativity, feeling and intuition. That's why they call it being a starving artist. It's not always logical. What is happening to you right now is your left brain is being a pain in the ass and telling you to stop.
Your right brain will eventually win out and force you to do what gives it a high. No one puts as much time into something as you do with your patterns without getting a buzz from it.
If you are losing money that you need to eat then you have to stop. If it is just that you are frustrated because the time and effort are not returning the monies you think are earned then you are forgetting one big important thing. That thing is something we all need. I'm not sure what the one word for that thing is but but its the feeling we get when we do something we are passionate about. It's the feeling you get when you are doing something you love so much that you forget to eat or go to the bathroom. Time stands still and you are in that zone where nothing else matters. It's sad but most people are so busy letting their left brain run their life that they never experience that feeling. I know you know what I'm talking about. How much is that feeling worth?
I'm not telling you to quit or not. I'm just saying to make sure you understand why you started creating art. Was it really about the money or was it something else?
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I agree Steve, I am lucky I suppose I do my turning and sawing for a hobby and time is of no consecquence $$ wise, BUT in the end I make a $ here and there seling my stuff, I have picked the venues where I can sell and that keeps me going cash flow wise, believe me you don't have to be a sales man to sell your stuff just be in the rite place, check venues out sell your sawn stuff Charlie it is brilliant then put your patterns foreward so people can try for them selves, it takes time
best of luck friend
Jimbo
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Well said Steve. It is a hobby for me, selling something I make is a bonus. Just love wood working. Very few can make a living out of it. 8)
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So TRUE, Steve!
I have no vision of 'making money' at this hobby nor do I care. It creates friction with my roommate because she thinks everything I make should be For Sale somewhere.
When I get into the mood and into the shop I lose all track of time, aches, pains, world crises, personal problems, everything. All I want is to make something that I like and if I give it away or sell it, or a squirrel carries it off to his nest makes no difference.
NOTHING replaces that feeling that I have done something that is uniquely MINE and if someone else happens to appreciate it so much the better because I have done something that also pleases someone else.
How many times have I worked on a project, finished it and sat there smiling over it and a friend stops by and says, "Boy that is really nice." and my immediate reply usually is,"You really like it? It's yours, I made it for you!"
AND that feeling, that HIGH doesn't diminish with the giving it only escalates and makes me want to do something else!
Am I a bit quirky? Maybe its my age and the sense that I am returning something for what I was given.
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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Again, thanks for al lthe input but to some I have to say I have NOT fallen from my horse...I just put it in the barn. Some are seeing this as some kind of protest. It is not. Like I said before, it's not fun anymore. If the passion and fire comes back, I will start again.
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You can't keep a good man down. He might not get up as fast as he use to, but he will get up. The sun always shines after the rain.
:D :D :D
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Graybeard, I know exactly what you mean. I pretty much give everything away too. It makes people so happy to get it. Who knew it would be so easy and enjoyable (in the crafting part) to make so many people happy?
I'm working on something now that I fully planned to be something just for me. I'm already thinking about someone else I might give it to instead because it seems appropriate. I can't seem to keep anything!
Charlie (back on topic), I thought it was about money but if it is about not having fun anymore, you should definitely take a break. I am pretty sure at some point your fingers will start itching again and you'll be full of new ideas and have a refreshed point of view. Sometimes you just need to take a break for a while and let your head clear.
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Just a word about product pricing and folks who try to get a "better" deal. I sold a service for 23 years that was far more expensive than any of my competitors. Watched other salespeople come and go complaining they couldn't sell it because it was too expensive. Being a rather optimistic sort, I looked at the high pricde as a benefit. If I already knew I was the most expensive in town there was no point in talking about price. Instead I talked about quality and benefits, which is what every salesperson should talk about. Also, firm, higher prices make a statement of their own about quality.
There was a time when Sears sold fur coats. They were good quality but Sears gave up because no one wanted to buy a fur coat with a Sears label.
I know I'm not right on target with your struggles, Charlie, but hearing about the guy who wanted the better deal made my blood boil a bit. You've got great products and they're worth every penny you ask. You just need to find the right customer base, and word of mouth is a good way to go. Slow, but sure and it snowballs.
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OK Folks: WE know Charlies stuff is first class, it seems others don't !
Should the word get out that "he is about to raise his prices", so you need to order quickly !!!
maybe their would be a turn around.
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http://charlesdearing.com