Originally Posted by
maxheadroom
Mr. Nice:
MARP, is that some miney sota kinda thing? Most At Risk Populations, Mennonite Assoc of Retired Persons, Maximum Allowable Rate of Production?
A few points:
1. Buying power: Who's the best to buy from, an established, proven record company, or a start up that has to drive 1k miles for supplies? What stock do you have on hand, and more importantly how much on hand consistently, $ 1000, 5000?? Either one, IMHO, is not enough, nor would be the wait time for you to drive down and back from Texas to resupply every, what, every month, 2 months?
You want to charge more than anyone else, because no one in the area carries it, that's competition, and you're ok with it? Well, at least you're up front about it, but there are better alternatives than someone that want's their cake, and eat it to; especially to those he may consider friends. Then tell the world about it. It's be interesting to see how far you go with that tude.
2. Access to supplier / have to drive 200 miles to purchase. Bull puckey. Maybe if you were in the middle of Saskatchewan , maybe. Look up common carrier, delivery nation wide, have everything from local independents, to national corps. That doesn't even take into account UPS, FedEx Freight, DHL, etc. If you're afraid of paying a reasonable cost for shipping, and passing the cost on to the customer, you're in the wrong business. Or not charging enough. Or both. How in the world do you think the town supplies come in, on snowmobile??
And in this 'elusive' market, you shop around and get the best rates. Many truckers go one way with a full load and return empty. Those carriers jump at the chance coming back with anything in the trailer, and the rates are the best you can get. BTW, shipping, either from a supplier, or to a customer is a part of doing business and the customer pays for it. Common Carrier, look it up. What's your crating charge, or is that no one else is doing is so... yea, got it.
Variables in pricing in an elusive market: More bull puckey - It's is not an art, it's not science, it's common sense. Some have it, most don't. It's a matter of producing a product, or suppling a product at a reasonable cost with the expectation people will believe a supplier to be fair, consistent with their prices, maintain adequate supplies and deliver within a reasonable time. And these are your friends you want to sell to?
Lastly,can one assume 'It's buy and sell at your own risk and pricing' apply to Nice too? Not reassuring.
There are a lot of talented craftsmen/women out there doing over the top work, some near big cities, some out in the sticks. You don't see them whining....
Joe, thanks for the comparison, those prices reflect those of my supplier.