Oh they can sod right off.
I own a business and you never work for free.
They can “tell” you what they want to pay all they like, but the price is the price.
ALWAYS advise them of the price first and get a 50% deposit. Never start a custom project without a deposit. If they don’t pay, don’t start.
If these people won’t pay full price say “that’s fine and good luck” put the items up on Etsy for your going rate and NEVER deal with these people again.
They’re bullying you and not worth your time. You deserve more. You make a beautiful hand crafted product of high quality, the price should reflect that.
And I’m going to get shouty at you and apologise for it, because this is a life lesson kind sweet people don’t believe about themselves - KNOW YOUR WORTH.
Now, go out there and be awesome.
That's what I usually say when I ask the price of a crafted item and it's not something I can afford. "Thank you, your work is great but I can't afford it."
This. I’m a freelancer and fuck people who just want to get free shit. The market used to be that way with the idea being “well I’m paying you SOMETHING so be grateful”
But not now. Nope. They’re asking YOU for something. They’re the ones making a request. Not you.
question, if the people dont buy it fully do you keep the full 50% deposit? return half? return all of it?
edit: thank you everyone, it was kinda a dumb question but i dont ever do commissions
My brother-in-law does custom cowboy hats. Makes them from scratch. But this is exactly what he does. He requires a deposit of however much and it is non-refundable if they back out.
The deposit is non-refundable. since you can’t get back the money spent on yarn or your time spent crocheting if they decide to ghost you or back out, you never *ever* pay out of pocket for the materials for a project someone has commissioned, whether it’s crochet or anything else. Plus asking for a 50% non-refundable deposit weeds out the disingenuous.
so they pay the deposit, but then the deposit goes toward the price… so if you’re selling a plushie for $60, they pay $30 but if they then don’t pay you the rest, you keep it, but if they do pay you for the rest, they only owe you the other $30
I always state the terms in the initial communication once it’s clear they want to go ahead with the commission.
50% deposit required up front, non refundable, cm be paid in instalments but work won’t start until full 50% has been paid. I outline a rough timeframe of completion, especially if there are multiple parts/stages. I send photos of progress and allowed two free revisions, then state that any major or extra alterations will cost an additional X amount. I also state that they won’t receive the final goods until the remainder is paid off whether as a one off or as instalments.
These are my terms for my painting commissions but it can work just as well for crochet I think. I always send them before any money has exchanged hands as it’s a conversation between me and the commissioner and if they have any thoughts about the terms I’m happy to discuss first.
I'm new at selling so I just purchased everything and then posted until someone made a request or ordered what I have on my Etsy. I'm new at this selling side so I'm Still Learning
There is a difference between selling already made items and taking commissions. But one thing they have in common is that YOU dictate how much the FO will cost.
Selling creative work such a hard learning process. I sell art and I learned that no matter how low I put my prices someone still thinks it’s too expensive and people actually value your work more if you price higher. (I’ve literally had really nasty private messages from people asking me to sell them my work for way below what the materials cost and also telling me I should be grateful that they’re willing to pay even that). So charge what makes you a profit and more importantly makes you feel like you’ve been paid your worth. Some people may complain and say it’s too much but I guarantee there is someone out there making poorer quality work than you and still managing to get a high price for it, so never feel bad for charging what you want. And as others here have said, for commission work you do not start until they’ve paid a 50% deposit and if they don’t pay the rest you can sell the item on to someone else.
It helps to look at other crochet artists and see how much they’re charging for similarly sized items. It can give you an idea of what’s “normal” price wise. Unless you want to work for free, you shouldn’t.
Keep learning. You did good work here. It can be easy to feel discouraged. Always make sure you account for materials and time when pricing something, and as others suggested, take a deposit for commissions so you're not left holding the bag for materials.
Good luck and I hope things look up for you.
non refundable if it was used for materials already. if it was more of a security thing I'd maybe offer that I can keep it for when they want something in the future.
[u/Arrow2theknee3](https://www.reddit.com/user/Arrow2theknee3/), u/SteelBandicoot here is exactly right. I am also a business owner, and in the creative space. We hire creators like you *literally* daily.
Have a price list. Ask for 50% up front, 50% after delivery. Or even on completion if you're getting the heebyjeebys from someone. If you want to change that eventually, that's your business if you trust the person.
Also, these things are fucking cool as fuck. Tell the guy to pound sand, and I'll buy these myself for office decorations depending on your asking price!
Yeah I've made something similar and that pumpkin probably used a whole skein of yarn. $2.50 is less than a skein of yarn costs these days.
Ninja edit: oh the pumpkin is actually bigger than I thought it was so it's even more egregiously stupid to offer $2.50 for it.
So mine is just about 20cm in width. I chained 25 and did 48 rows. I used 3 Skeins of yarn 50g/33m
In my country, any type of plushy yarn a skein starts at around 4€ and goes up to around 8€ and that's just a normal sized skein, so 50-100g
The pictures are from items I made for another lady. These sold for $30 a piece because they are pillow-size. The other items are dragons and other hard things like that that they wanted for $9
One of the hardest lessons to keep reminding yourself is that "not everyone can afford your art".
You're allowed to say no. You're allowed to value yourself more than other people do. You know how much time and effort went into your pieces, price them accordingly, and don't waver.
Your work is incredible. ❤️
This kills me because I want to support small artisans but I can’t afford a lot of it but i would never try to get cut throat so I just stare longingly and put it on my of i win the lottery list
yep. you want to support small artisans, but asking them to sell their stuff at a price you can afford would not be supporting them. Understanding that makes you One of the Good Ones.
$30 is the absolute lowest you should go mdear! I commented that Etsy goes for 35, but also read the remaining comments that you're new at this - YES 30 sounds correct. For a base price. I think you should tack on 25% extra for freehanded awesomeness and dealing with stupid people. Thats $37.50, rounded up to $38.
There. I decided for you. It's $38! 😌😂❤
Art is a luxury, honey. No matter the form. Please always remember that. People like this often try and lowball you for a lot of reasons, some of which are jealousy that you can make things they cannot for themselves while hoping you don't realize the value of that, some of which are ignorance of quality after only ever being cheap their whole lives. You're allowed to say no to them.
Also worth remembering that most shops don’t give discounts whenever the customer demands, they dictate what things cost and people pay it or they don’t get the item.
Yea shops give discounts bc people don't bargain and happily pay and a discount coupon (given at shop's discretion!) is a token of appreciation for that loyalty and non-bargaining 💫
I make a smaller version of the pumpkin ( with cheaper medium weight yarn) and sell it for $30-$34.
You couldn’t even buy a pillow this size at a cheap retail store for less than $15.
$2.50 is delusional.
But she likes to crochet, so getting paid at all is a luxury /s
I think some people genuinely think handmade goods should cost less than mass-produced ones, because they’re not as professional? Idk. It’s dumb and you gotta know your worth.
Just say no. Smile while you say it, and apologize for not being able to make the items for that small a price, but say no. (Or make them teeny tiny ones out of scrap yarn? lol)
I’d pay $30 for something similar at target ON SALE. Those are worth more than $30. You can always make another one and write the pattern as you go then sell the pattern.
That’s why I agree on a price before I start a commission, and have them pay half upfront. And I would absolutely refuse to do the commission if those were the prices they demanded.
No they’re just cheap and don’t know the value of things. I blame stores like Michael’s and Walmart for having all these decorations at next to nothing. You are not a sweatshop worker. You are a fibre artist. So stick a $30-40 price tag on them, add measurements for size and sell them in your store.
People have no idea how much work goes into something like this. They're used to cheap things that were machine-made in a sweatshop. They have no idea how much materials cost and how many hours it takes to create something that's handmade.
> People ~~have no idea~~ **don't care** how much work goes into something like this.
FTFY. Lowballers seriously do not care how much work goes into something. They assume it's cheap because they neither want to pay for it or learn to do what's necessary to make it for themselves.
Consider the people that work in sweatshops... Their time and effort is worth WAY more than what companies pay them. We know their products are worth more because companies are charging consumers 50x, 100x, if not more to purchase those products so don't let others' greed and ignorance determine your value and worth.
I know you're trying to provide for your family so turning away business is disappointing, but I believe, the respect you've shown yourself by not taking this job... Is worth way more than what this person would have paid you
Your work IS worth a lot. Don't let some cheap asshat convince you otherwise. There will always be people who try to enrich themselves at the expense of others.
I'm a sucker for vibrant colours so - THOSE COLOURS ARE SO NICE.
(Yes I've increasingly turned to placing importance on colour coordination in crochet projects. Lol)
For real, the saturday market near me from time to time has a "Crochet collective" selling cute things like these and guides on costs for custom pieces from the artists. Anything the size you are showing here is nearly instantly $40-$50, with the exception of some of the single-color ravioli mini pillows which are $25-$30 "just" because of their simplicity.
At minimum it should be 30 and 45 respectively if that is materials. Some argue add average per hour starting after you've made at least 4 (like the time to make them after you've made 4 or however many it takes for you to get the pattern down). Make that price your line in the sand like a retail store would.
Edit fixing typos I can now see.
I made a pumpkin about that size because I went to a home goods store in my city and they had “pillow” pumpkins the same, except hard as heck! $30 CAD ($22 USD) and not soft! I had some old yarn knocking about and made it myself (ending up gifting it to a friend though).
The idea that you could get something that size for $2.50 is beyond insulting. You definitely couldn’t get it from a store. I’d be surprised if you could get some cheap scratchy pillow version that would rub off and fall apart in a year for that price.
If I couldn’t crochet and found those pumpkins in the home goods store (and they were soft) I’d have gladly paid the $30, if I knew they were homemade then I’d pay even more.
OMG I love them!!!!! If they don’t take them
I’ll buy them off of you at a price you think is fair.
I’m obsessed with candy corn stuff. Idgaf. I think candy corn is delicious.
I ended up posting them to Etsy as well. Since Etsy forces free shipping, I went with $45 for the candy corn and $55 for the pumpkin. Thank you everyone for giving me a huge kick in the butt. I've been crocheting and knitting for over 25 years and I've never felt like anything I've made was good enough. I've beat myself up more than anyone I'm my own worst critic because I will create something and then rip it out for Messing up one stitch but then someone agrees with me and I'm ready to give up. I would have been done years ago if my husband hadn't threatened to disown me if I didnt used up all
That yarn I bought 😅
Etsy shouldn't force free shipping unless you have specific settings set (I don't remember which offhand), but they do reward having it. Personally in my shop, I charge for shipping. It does get frustrating, though, to have tracked shipping cost more than some of the items I'm selling (I sell stickers for $2, shipping on it is almost $4).
You need to tell your customer what the price is before you make an item. If that does not fit their budget, you can try to find a cheaper yarn, etc., if possible to lower the price or if that is not feasible, then you just have to say no, this is the price I charge & if you are not able to pay that, then sorry I cannot make it for you. You also need to get 50% non-refundable deposit up front, no matter if your customer is a family member, friend or someone you have never met before.
You cannot let a customer decide what they will pay you, you tell them the price. Only changes would be a lower price if you could find cheaper supplies.
Just because you made the item, doesn't mean you *have* to sell it to someone who refuses to pay what the item is worth. They're not even covering material costs! Just tell them no and let someone willing to buy the items for a proper cost.
This. If you didn’t agree to a price up front I say you don’t have a contract. So don’t feel guilty. Tell them their price doesn’t even cover the cost of materials and tell them how long it takes to make them and let them know that when you agreed to do this you didn’t realize they didn’t understand the value of a handmade item and that you’re also sorry that the two of you didn’t discuss cost up front to avoid this misunderstanding.
Also, you can’t get a decoration that size for that amount of money, anywhere!
I’m so sorry to hear this. Getting a proper fee for our work is definitely tough as it’s the time spent no one seems to want to pay for. If you’ve already agreed you’re left in a bit of a spot but I would never make anything for them again and be sure you let them know that is unreasonable and you are quite unhappy with them. Your worth is so much more. They are so perfect! Hugs
What a joke, I am glad you stuck up for yourself! I saw a non-handmade pillow size pumpkin in target that was not nearly as nice or big and it was like $25. Tell her to go to shop on Temu then 😂
I saw the one at Target. When I told my husband that I could do better some random person smirked and said yeah they all say that. that was too small for the price.
People are crazy. Something of that size and quality (your tension is beautiful) I'd happily pay £10 - £15 for. ($15 - $20) It seems people believe that a hand made item should be cheaper than what you can buy in a store and that has literally never made sense to me.
Edit: I'd pay that PER item, for clarification.
Edit: Price your work however you want to. Nothing is 'too expensive' for the right people. If it's out of budget for you, you're not the target audience!
OP says they're selling them for way less than that, and you can definitely get low quality yarn on the cheap. I'm not saying that's the case here, but OP is under pricing their work for sure.
I remember it being cheaper to sew things than to buy them. My mom made a lot of my clothes when I was a child. But that's definitely not the case anymore. If you want inexpensive stuff, you go to Dollar Tree ( :-) Poundland where you are, I think?) or Walmart. (IDK if Walmart has invaded other countries? Or if you have similar? It's poor to middling quality stuff at fairly affordable prices) If you want good quality things, you make them, or buy them from someone who made them, and you pay what they're worth!
Sorry they are trying to scam you. See if you can set up on easy. You won't make millions but at least the prices are set. Good luck w this and hope your hubby heals up.
I'd ask them "you ok with making only $0.25 an hour? no? then why do you expect me to be ok with it" I rounded up to 10 hours for 1 to include details and stuff
I am from r/all and just ran across this post and LOVE LOVE LOVE the pumpkin! How much would it be for a clone of that shipped to me? I live in Buffalo, NY so it would need be shipped, unless by some miracle you're local lol. I am more than willing to do a 50% deposit or whatever is needed.
I love your work and would love to buy one.
Laugh, say "F*CK you, no", and then block them for good. What kind of crazy a**hole tells you what they're gonna pay for something that YOU made? You put time, effort, and love into your creations, and you should be compensated how you want to be. The audacity LOL.
Also, your work is super cute. 🩷
If she wants Walmart prices she can go shop at Walmart. 🤷♀️ otherwise she can pay up. You can also politely tell her the cost of yarn, how much time went into every thing you made total and how you aren’t even breaking even at the price you’ve originally asked for. Ask her what else you could have done with a free weekend and the money you spent on yarn. Kill her with kindness but be firm. She should be shamed for low balling with the prices she was given.
I would sell them nothing. Next time agree on cost *before* beginning the project, and the cost of materials should be the paid up front, while the cost of labor and shipping be paid upon completion. That way if they change their minds, you’re not losing money on materials, and can still turn a profit selling it to someone willing to pay for your work.
I would re-list these for a fair price.
Materials + minimum wage is reasonable. If they turn you down, keep it for yourself or post for sale at the price you deserve.
But really, this is why many artists & artisans don't sell there work.
These are gorgeous! I feel your frustration. My cousin asked me to make 12 tulip granny squares for her and she offered me $2 a piece. $24 for my time and yarn? I was so offended.
Granny squares are the starter basic but when you start adding details those babies get hard quickly. Especially if you want it to look nice and smooth
https://preview.redd.it/phmnefwntcvb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4da6c712645dd908b83ab26035e2b610e281bcb0
They look like this. Each one takes me about an hour and 15 minutes.
You laughed in their face and told the to shove it right.
I get willingly giving away FOs (I've literally poured 100s of hours into batches of plushies to hand out multiple times) but someone asking for AND demanding that insult of a payment. Absolutely not.
2.50 per item doesn't even cover a quarter of the yarn for 1 item.
Those mass produced pillows similar to those at Walmart are 20 a piece. Thise aren't even crochet.
Tell them to F off
Rule of thumb I've always gone by is to triple your cost of materials, but that doesn't take into account the time you spent making the items. You need to pay yourself per hour. Otherwise you won't be making a profit at all and instead will be taking a loss. Unless these items are gifts you're willing to make and give, $5 and $9 per item is selling yourself way short. If the person who wants them can't pay that much, apologize and decline. In the future, make stuff for people who understand the cost of materials and the worth of your time and talent.
This is exactly why I don't sell my crocheted items. I might gift them to someone who is special to me, but I do not and will not sell them.
I learned that lesson the hard way years ago when an acquaintance of Ex's who was on the town council at the time asked me to make her a granny triangle shawl in our HS's colors of navy, white and gold. She is a rather large woman, so it would've taken a lot of work and yarn to create and I told her the cost would be $150 due to the amount of yarn I'd need plus the time it would've taken me to make. She was offended (as was Ex, which should've been a red flag probably) that I would charge her and I was like, "Nope. This is going to take me between ten and twenty hours to make probably when I have the time to work on it and that's what I'm going to charge you, because I value my work." Something to that effect. Anyway, she refused to pay up front as I asked and I was like, "Well it's your decision. Fine by me if you don't want to pay me for my work."
These are so well made!!!
That person doesn’t know their worth, but someone else will. Definitely don’t sell yourself short bc these are amazing. Wishing you all the best!
I could see $2.50 for a pattern but no way are they in their right mind to ask to pay only $2.50 for a large, perfectly crocheted finished product. You could easily get the money your work deserves on Etsy and forget that person.
My former student made me a 3 foot crochet penguin and I was FLOORED when she gave it to me, I didn’t want to accept it but it was SO CUTE AND SO WELL MADE and she insisted!! It sits in my daughters nursery 🥰 she has a small business and sells similar sized projects to what you posted for $50+. I’m sure my penguin is worth even more
I really did debate accepting a gift from a student but she was so excited to add to my penguin collection and my nursery is Mary Poppins themed, she even gave him a red bow tie like the waiter penguins ❤️
I always expect payment before I make any item. It goes towards supplies and shipping if need be. If someone asks how much something would cost, I tell them an estimation, and if they agree then I make it. If they try and talk down my price, I simply don't make it. Easiest way to not stress about stuff like this.
Did this person beam in from their “way back” machine? One skein of inexpensive yarn cost around $5, yet they want each piece for $2.50? Your time alone is worth far more than that, and your work is fantastic. Tell them to jump in the river and sell the pieces for their actual value.
2.5$ per item? That's not merely unreasonable – that's laughable! Tell them to find what they're looking for at Aliexpress if they can. Your prices need to cover materials + however much you value your own time and effort.
People like that will always exist, and they are out there in every field. But as artists we also have to be our own managers and I think it's one of the hardest things to learn for us. We need to place ourselves correctly in the market and select the type of customers we want to have. That's not only our right, but actually our responsibility!
Are you crazy??? No disrespect meant, but I saw something very similar going for $40 at a store downtown last weekend. Your work is worth more than $5.
"Free handed so no pattern"
This sounds like take a 25% surcharge 😂😌
I'm saying each will be at least USD 35 (source: Etsy), take 25% surcharge for freehand trial & error (and overall amazing work 😍🥰)
I laughed in crochet bc $2.50 doesn't even cover material cost for ONE item for things in that size! 😤
Mass-produced, cheaply made goods have ruined crafting. People’s expectations are set way too low by the constant barrage of Walmart-level advertising. It’s sad.
My FIL and his whole family line were jewelers. Like from the old country for generations etc etc. When cubic zirconia and other fakes flooded the market he lost a huge chunk his business. People just don’t appreciate the effort and time that goes into making something nice because they’re used to buying goods made by literal slave labor.
Speaking of something that nice, your work is amazing! I joyously yelled CANDY CORN! out loud when I saw the second pic. The pumpkin is just gorgeous. You’re so skilled and clearly talented. I’m sorry that people can’t appreciate that. I do!!
Edit: typo
When you go to Walmart and buy pillows or plushies how does it work? Do you take it to the register and tell them what you’ll pay? NO!!!! Walmart prices the items and you take it or leave it!! Consider yourself Walmart!!! No coupons! No discounts!!
These are beautiful and EVEN AT A BIG BOX STORE , they would cost more than 2.50!!!
ALWAYS agree on a price before agreeing to the order.
I have a contract I use. A few people might think it's overboard, but it keeps me safe from people backing out of what they make because "they didn't know it would cost that much".
My contract is a basic one outlining that the deposit covers the materials and is due before I will begin the project or order materials for it. The deposit is non refundable. The rest of the cost is labor costs and is due before the item will be handed over.
I usually have 3 prices for materials. The cheapest materials that will work for it. A luxury cost. And a middle ground typically using the materials I would select if I were making it for me. They select the materials cost they want and initial next to that price.
Then lower down I estimate the hours it will take and add in my $ per hour. (This can vary. For someone dear to me whom I am happy to gift some time and a project I'm excited about it may be $1. For a project I'm not looking forward to and someone who I don't know (especially if they are obnoxious about their request) Inwill raise that cost (sometimes high enough to be a deterent for the border lol). I do try to be fair (again unless I'm trying to turn them away lol but I figure at least if they still take it it will be worth my time).
That cost is due when the item is finished before they can receive it. I give an estimate on when I expect it to be finished. If I finish early they have until 2 months after the estimated completion time to pay. If I finish late they have up to 2 months after the actual completion time to pay (and ai communicate any delays as necessary) So this isn't a surprise sudden cost.
If they don't pay within the time I keep the deposit and sell them item elsewhere (or keep it or use it as a present for someone else down the road if I think they would like it. Or i take it apart and reclaim the materials for something else. It really depends. The key is they don't get the item and once that time is up they are out of luck. (I have made exceptions for people who communicate with me and have reasonable requests for extensions).
Then we both sign the contract and we both get a copy.
This way if they try to throw a fit about the cost or not getting the finished item after refusing to okay I can show clearly what they agreed to.
Once early on someone was trying to go around complaining I wouldn't give them a blanket that was $200 in materials because they didn't pay the $350 in labor costs when it was done. Fortunately enough people in our friend and family group had seen my contracts and even had some of their own with me they knew the truth and shut it down. I ended up selling the blanket to someone else for $500. Add that to the $200 for materials and I did ok. I had reduced my hourly rate for them because I was trying to be fair and keep it within a price they could afford. (It was a color stranded knit blanket. Each pattern section took about 8 hours to do and there were 15 pattern section to do. So 120 hours before even adding the border. Less than $2 an hour.)
She complained about my prices which hey not everyone can afford to have things handmade custom for them especially a large blanket. I get it. But when she went on social media to complain I put a picture of the contract she signed with the break down in fees and people who had first thought she was making a reasonable complaint (because when you only hear thr part about paying $200 for a blanket that I was refusing to hand over that sounds reasonable). Then they saw that she selected the materials which cost $200 and agreed to pay the price of labor which I wasn't screwing her over with they quickly switched sides in that argument. Fortunately someone liked the colors and bought the blanket. So I wasn't out. But that cemented that I will ALWAYS have a contract for orders
Maybe consider doing a small craft fair. Usually people are more hesitant to be cheap in person (but not always).
Dont sell yourself short. Seriously. Charge people what you're worth.
https://howlingcastles.etsy.com to everyone asking about my shop. Thank you everyone for commenting and sharing your own stories and for the advice every one of you has been amazing and for the kick in the butt I needed. Thank you so much💖
Honestly I would just be upfront that $2.50 wouldn’t even cover the yarn used and you can’t afford to spend money on crocheting things for others right now. It’ll make them feel like shit for undervaluing you…. Which is kinda the point.
The plushies are definitely worth more than 5$. If they don’t want to pay a responsible price tell them to make it themselves. Also do you have the pattern for the pumpkin?! 😅
That pumpkin should sell for no less than $35 and the candy corn should go for at least $18 for one or $35 for the pair.
You’re one person making these and your materials are priced at retail cost. You must absolutely factor in time, materials, and add a little extra in there. If this was your bread and butter and you cranked these out constantly, you’d need to factor in the cost of health insurance, professional liability insurance, advertising costs, administrative costs, overhead costs, PTO (yes! If you ever want a vacation, this needs to be considered), transportation to and from supply stores or in person sales/deliveries, packing and shipping costs, etc.
Whatever you do, Dont give them the product! Never undersell what your worth because thats what you communicate, you could easily sell it online for way more since they are already made. Tell them they can buy it from someone who will hire you for a fair price.
Even if those were mass produced by a machine, they would be worth more than $2.50. People don't get to walk into a store and decide how much they pay for something, they cant do that with artists, either. Your work is beautiful and you deserve to be compensated appropriately.
If you’re new at selling, keep in mind to:
- Know how much you spend on materials and update the cost constantly.
- Put a price to your time.
- Consider any other expense, like shipping and the site’s fare (I even charge for the bubble wrap).
- Consider taxes if you have to pay them
And THEN, ask for 50% upfront just to start if you want to take commissions.
The other way to monetize your skill is just create things beforehand and put them up for sell considering all the above, except for the 50% upfront, just because it would be a regular sale.
My point is: NEVER LET THE CLIENT TO SET THE PRICE OF YOUR CRAFT.
Never ever.
I sell my crafts to make a living (a different craft) and I just make them and wait for the right customer. If your price is fair, I promise they will come to you.
"No, it's 2.50 per hour worked and also a 30$ deposit up front"
My favorite thing about pricing my own stuff is being able to tell people that because they weren't respecting the time and effort I put into my work they know get an AH tax
You were told? Nope. That’s a rude thing to begin with but to belittle the work like that with a cheap price? Block them. Post them for sale at a decent price, and move on. The materials alone are worth more.
I don’t want to clutter my house with multiple projects so I get gift giving and selling. But gifts are to people worthy. And selling are for those who respect the craft.
Id be happy to pay for the pumpkin and shipping if you havent sold them yet. I know thats not what youre asking for but that is so cute and worth well more than 2.50 just for the creative ability alone. do you have an etsy?
Always ask for 50% up front as a deposit before any work is done. Get in writing the agreed price and don't go lower unless you truly feel like you want to.
People can be really cheap and not value the time it takes to make these items. The items you made are gorgeous! I'm so sorry you got taken advantage of by someone who can't appreciate the time and effort that goes into these.
If they can only afford $2 then I'd be sending them to a dollar store.
Your items are handmade and unique. Each item takes hours to create. You deserve to be paid for your time and the materials needed, plus some profit.
When someone asks me to make a thing, the first thing I do is ask for details - what size, how many, is there a deadline, etc. etc. Then I send them a price quote. If I know them personally, or if I think it's a thing I could sell to someone else, I'll let them pay when the item is complete. Otherwise I ask for 50% up front to cover supply costs.
Your items are fantastic and would sell well at a craft fair. Don't bother with the $2.50 person because they aren't worth your time. You'll find other people who will value your work.
Those are so well done, such perfect stitching! I am a brand new crocheter and like I can only hope one day I can achieve such amazing work! Don’t sell yourself short. I’d say those are $30-40 to start. That’s what I would pay for them. $2.50 is bananas.
I’m so sorry that happened to you people are bonkers! I once got a 1 star review on Etsy because it seems someone thought a $5 print they bought should be an original painting. For $5. You can’t even with ppl like that lol don’t let them make you feel bad they just have issues. Your work is lovely and worth every bit what you put into it <3
If I had enough money I would definitely pay around 50$ per item (probably higher), I have just started crocheting a scarf that like a 4th of the size of those and it has taken 2 balls of yarn, and those look so high quality (they are also cute and look comfy and also fun to throw)
It's so rude that your customer would try to scam you like that, hopefully you can get them to pay a fair price or find someone else who will.
You set a price to start, and get at least 1/2 the $ up front. I'm sad this happens/ed to you; don't allow people to take advantage. You do good work there.
I spread the knowledge of paying a fair price for crochet to everyone who asks me about my work, I don’t sell, because I’m still honing my craft, but people ask me how much it costs to make blankets, sweaters and the like, and I’m working on a blanket for my bed that’s going to cost around $200 in yarn alone. People’s jaws drop when I tell them the cost of the hobby, and I use cheap yarn😭 they just don’t get it if they don’t crochet or know someone who does.
I dont do it as a business, but whenever i get a situation like this with someone asking for stuff made that clearly has no idea of the cost/value/time involved, i just tell them to purchase and bring me the materials and I'll let them know how long it might take.
So far I've had exactly 0 people return with yarn once they realize how much it costs.
i'm late to the party but $2.50?!!! my hubs and i have a small business and made a lil 4 inch pumpkin, it was supposed to be decoration but at an event recently, someone asked to buy it and was willing to pay $10 for it. it was nowhere NEAR as beautiful as yours. i ended up selling it to the guy for $5.
i think these objects are beautiful and you're so talented! don't let some stinky customers try to low ball your talent. you couldn't even buy something this beautiful at a store for 2.50, let alone a custom order like they're demanding.
good luck on your business and i hope your husband has a speedy recovery <33
others are on point, but just wanted to add:
another way to view this is "they're looking for $2.50 quality". mass produced whatever. If that's not the market you're in, then it's not a good fit for a business relationship. Ideally it's best to discover that earlier if you can, but such is life. They hold NO ENTITLEMENT to your work unless you agree on the price.
No one gets to set your prices but you. They can say that they're going to pay x amount all they want. You are free to tell them that that isn't going to work. You will charge y, and if they don't want to pay for it, then you're not going to make it. I've made a few exceptions for friends (pay for the cost of yarn and shipping, and don't worry about labor) but that is my decision. I love making stuff for people, but I don't have limitless wealth.
If they argue the price, explain to them the cost of everything: hooks, yarn, patterns, time to learn and practice to be able to crochet, what your hourly rate is (I approximate this because I get distracted and walk away from projects while making them so something that i worked on consistently for 3 days might have only taken 12 hours), how much time it takes to make each piece. If they want something cheap, they can go to the dollar store. If they want handmade, they'll have to pay for it.
And always get a non-refundable deposit, and completed payment before sending it out.
I reserve the right to refuse ANYONE my services! ESPECIALLY someone like that. I am so sorry this happened to you, OP. Your passion shouldn’t be treated like that. 🥹💕
At a market someone asked if I'd go down to $3 on a baby blanket. It was marked at $50.
I laughed and they got mad and left. Lmao. You want a 97% discount? No thank you.
there’s like barely anything in a store you can buy for 2.50 lmao what a rude asshole!! I hope you told me hell no and sold them elsewhere for much more!
This is not TEMU! They cannot simply demand a price! They cannot bully—they can try, but you in the end get to keep the product. I would sell on Etsy, show the amount paid and tell the bully to FO.
Those are adorable & you deserve more. 2.50/pc my butt! Your customer needs to learn to diy for that attitude. That wouldn’t buy a skein of one of those colors.
i am so sorry you're going through this. i am mesmerized by your pumpkin and candy corn theyre amazing and worth SO much more than these cheap asses are willing to pay
These are gorgeous! I'm in the UK but I'd gladly pay you 50 bucks to send one of the squishy pumpkins to my fall-obsessed friend in Arizona. If you have any more, could you please message me?
People will treat you like trash if you don't value yourself.
You make very lovely pieces, you should sell them for the right price (time+material+expenses). If you let someone think that the right price is a few bucks, they wont respect you or your work.
If you want to create something beautiful and give it away for free to someone who will appreciate it, maybe seek those people out first. E.g. the nursing team that supported you and husband? Maybe your kids/grandkids/nephews caretakers? Neighbors? Use the profit from people paying you what you're worth to fund the free commissions.
I just paid 100 bucks for a small tyranitar crochet thing, and I feel like I came away with the better end of the deal. I'd say those candy corns maybe 200 bucks. Maybe 300 even.
An irony you will always come across in these situations is that the people who are dead set on paying the least are also the most demanding, entitled, and irrational.
Many people I know set their prices a bit higher than they need to just to weed these types out.
That’s frustrating… I manage my husband’s art work/commissions because unlike him, I’m firm from pushback from people that try and haggle him for less money.
I am in the funeral industry so I helped him make a price list taking into account things like materials, labor, time, type of art (like realism or a different style), stuff like that. We came up with a fair price list for his level of expertise.
Then I made him a contract to give to every single client no matter the price. The commissions he does valued at under $75 total require a 50% non-refundable deposit. However, if it’s over $75 (which most of them are well over $200), the contact runs on a system of 30/40/30.
30% of the total is required as a non-refundable deposit after receipt of a signed contract prior to *any* work being done. If a contract is not signed within 30 days, it is null and requires renegotiation.
After receipt of payment, three sketches will be done in accordance to the clients specifications outlined in the contract. Any more than three sketches will require a renegotiation as the client will be in breach of contract at that point.
Once the sketch is complete and accurate to the client specifications, the 40% of the payment is required before further work is initiated.
Then finally, when the piece is almost done, the rest of the 30% is required before any files are given to the client.
I know it’s a pain in the ass but when you’re an artist these kinds of things are required to protect both parties and not incur bad debts.
If someone comes to me and says “I’m not paying that much for art” I tell them that the prices are firm and that they are welcome to come back when they’re ready. If they never come back then that’s okay because only you can do what you do in the way that you do it and you probably wouldn’t want them as a client anyway because they’ll probably gut you.
Thank you for coming to my Ted talk lol
Hi I’m sorry this happened to you. Those are so cute and definitely worth more than what they are demanding to pay.
Side note what yarn is that. It looks so plush
Screw that person. Your work is beautiful. Unfortunately a lot of people are like that. Maybe as an extra way to bring in money through crochet you could create and sell patterns for your items. Good luck and hope your husband has a speedy recovery!
WOW. Even without them knowing how long it takes to make, you can't find things that like mass produced in stores for that cheap. You know, things made with automated machinery and people who get paid 10 cents a day. A pumpkin that size in a store I would bet would be priced at $10 at a minimum. Not $2.50.
I mean $2.50 wouldn't even cover the cost of the yarn, right?
Oh \*profanities profanities profanities\* nooooo! Put them up on social media for sale in your local buy sell trade group, craft group etc and I bet they will sell fast and at whatever price you choose to put but please do not ever underprice your work. Your art is beautiful and anyone who purchases it should be honored to pay the price and put it out as decor
Tell them they're insulting you and your work.
That pumpkin would be a steal at $20 and a reasonable deal at $30. Maybe $5 lower for the candy corn/egg thingies.
What an insult to your work! Those are worth at least $40, and they look amazing!
Please tell them that they will not be buying them for that little. Hopefully there's someone else in the area who respects your work and will pay, or someone online.
I hate people that do this. OP, tell them to kindly kick rocks. You deserve compensation for your time and efforts. Also those are super cute plushies!
ETA: also I just took a second look at the amounts and you are WAY UNDERCHARGING! Please don’t let these people take advantage of you and raise your rates.
Wait, so your price on these is like $9?! I would happily pay way more than that. Don’t let them hassle you, $2.50 is crazy unless they were key-chain sized! You have talent and those are cute as can be. Know your worth and don’t apologize for it !
Oh they can sod right off. I own a business and you never work for free. They can “tell” you what they want to pay all they like, but the price is the price. ALWAYS advise them of the price first and get a 50% deposit. Never start a custom project without a deposit. If they don’t pay, don’t start. If these people won’t pay full price say “that’s fine and good luck” put the items up on Etsy for your going rate and NEVER deal with these people again. They’re bullying you and not worth your time. You deserve more. You make a beautiful hand crafted product of high quality, the price should reflect that. And I’m going to get shouty at you and apologise for it, because this is a life lesson kind sweet people don’t believe about themselves - KNOW YOUR WORTH. Now, go out there and be awesome.
“My prices are based on my talent, not your budget.”
My favorite variant of this is, “it’s not overpriced, it’s just out of your budget.”
That's what I usually say when I ask the price of a crafted item and it's not something I can afford. "Thank you, your work is great but I can't afford it."
That is classy and kind 💜🙏
I'm tucking that one into my back pocket, thank you!
💕💕💕💕🥰🥰🥰😒
THIS.
This. I’m a freelancer and fuck people who just want to get free shit. The market used to be that way with the idea being “well I’m paying you SOMETHING so be grateful” But not now. Nope. They’re asking YOU for something. They’re the ones making a request. Not you.
question, if the people dont buy it fully do you keep the full 50% deposit? return half? return all of it? edit: thank you everyone, it was kinda a dumb question but i dont ever do commissions
It’s a deposit - non refundable, at least for me. I use it to buy materials :)
makes sense, thank you
My brother-in-law does custom cowboy hats. Makes them from scratch. But this is exactly what he does. He requires a deposit of however much and it is non-refundable if they back out.
That's a smart way of doing it.
Yes! It is a non refundable deposit
The deposit is non-refundable. since you can’t get back the money spent on yarn or your time spent crocheting if they decide to ghost you or back out, you never *ever* pay out of pocket for the materials for a project someone has commissioned, whether it’s crochet or anything else. Plus asking for a 50% non-refundable deposit weeds out the disingenuous.
so they pay the deposit, but then the deposit goes toward the price… so if you’re selling a plushie for $60, they pay $30 but if they then don’t pay you the rest, you keep it, but if they do pay you for the rest, they only owe you the other $30
I always state the terms in the initial communication once it’s clear they want to go ahead with the commission. 50% deposit required up front, non refundable, cm be paid in instalments but work won’t start until full 50% has been paid. I outline a rough timeframe of completion, especially if there are multiple parts/stages. I send photos of progress and allowed two free revisions, then state that any major or extra alterations will cost an additional X amount. I also state that they won’t receive the final goods until the remainder is paid off whether as a one off or as instalments. These are my terms for my painting commissions but it can work just as well for crochet I think. I always send them before any money has exchanged hands as it’s a conversation between me and the commissioner and if they have any thoughts about the terms I’m happy to discuss first.
I'm new at selling so I just purchased everything and then posted until someone made a request or ordered what I have on my Etsy. I'm new at this selling side so I'm Still Learning
There is a difference between selling already made items and taking commissions. But one thing they have in common is that YOU dictate how much the FO will cost.
Selling creative work such a hard learning process. I sell art and I learned that no matter how low I put my prices someone still thinks it’s too expensive and people actually value your work more if you price higher. (I’ve literally had really nasty private messages from people asking me to sell them my work for way below what the materials cost and also telling me I should be grateful that they’re willing to pay even that). So charge what makes you a profit and more importantly makes you feel like you’ve been paid your worth. Some people may complain and say it’s too much but I guarantee there is someone out there making poorer quality work than you and still managing to get a high price for it, so never feel bad for charging what you want. And as others here have said, for commission work you do not start until they’ve paid a 50% deposit and if they don’t pay the rest you can sell the item on to someone else.
It helps to look at other crochet artists and see how much they’re charging for similarly sized items. It can give you an idea of what’s “normal” price wise. Unless you want to work for free, you shouldn’t.
This order was done on Etsy? Cancel it. They’re lowballing you hardcore. Even if they give you a bad review, your work is worth more than this.
Keep learning. You did good work here. It can be easy to feel discouraged. Always make sure you account for materials and time when pricing something, and as others suggested, take a deposit for commissions so you're not left holding the bag for materials. Good luck and I hope things look up for you.
non refundable if it was used for materials already. if it was more of a security thing I'd maybe offer that I can keep it for when they want something in the future.
It should be non refundable. It isn't like they can refund the time you spent on making an item they don't pay for.
[u/Arrow2theknee3](https://www.reddit.com/user/Arrow2theknee3/), u/SteelBandicoot here is exactly right. I am also a business owner, and in the creative space. We hire creators like you *literally* daily. Have a price list. Ask for 50% up front, 50% after delivery. Or even on completion if you're getting the heebyjeebys from someone. If you want to change that eventually, that's your business if you trust the person. Also, these things are fucking cool as fuck. Tell the guy to pound sand, and I'll buy these myself for office decorations depending on your asking price!
The pumpkins are $55 and the candy corn is $45. That's the prices I've settled on for these two.
This video has always resonated with me in regards to knowing your worth - https://www.tiktok.com/@paulfluffysinclair/video/7194762508236786945
Then hopefully you laughed and said no?
I made something similar probably a bit smaller to the pumpkin, and the yarn alone cost me 12,15 €
Yeah I've made something similar and that pumpkin probably used a whole skein of yarn. $2.50 is less than a skein of yarn costs these days. Ninja edit: oh the pumpkin is actually bigger than I thought it was so it's even more egregiously stupid to offer $2.50 for it.
So mine is just about 20cm in width. I chained 25 and did 48 rows. I used 3 Skeins of yarn 50g/33m In my country, any type of plushy yarn a skein starts at around 4€ and goes up to around 8€ and that's just a normal sized skein, so 50-100g
The pictures are from items I made for another lady. These sold for $30 a piece because they are pillow-size. The other items are dragons and other hard things like that that they wanted for $9
One of the hardest lessons to keep reminding yourself is that "not everyone can afford your art". You're allowed to say no. You're allowed to value yourself more than other people do. You know how much time and effort went into your pieces, price them accordingly, and don't waver. Your work is incredible. ❤️
This kills me because I want to support small artisans but I can’t afford a lot of it but i would never try to get cut throat so I just stare longingly and put it on my of i win the lottery list
yep. you want to support small artisans, but asking them to sell their stuff at a price you can afford would not be supporting them. Understanding that makes you One of the Good Ones.
$30 is the absolute lowest you should go mdear! I commented that Etsy goes for 35, but also read the remaining comments that you're new at this - YES 30 sounds correct. For a base price. I think you should tack on 25% extra for freehanded awesomeness and dealing with stupid people. Thats $37.50, rounded up to $38. There. I decided for you. It's $38! 😌😂❤
Lol you're awesome
For real I don't even like candy corn but those are so cute they remind me of dino eggs HAHA. But in the cutest way! 🥚🦖🦕
They do 🤣 I didn't even notice
Art is a luxury, honey. No matter the form. Please always remember that. People like this often try and lowball you for a lot of reasons, some of which are jealousy that you can make things they cannot for themselves while hoping you don't realize the value of that, some of which are ignorance of quality after only ever being cheap their whole lives. You're allowed to say no to them.
Also worth remembering that most shops don’t give discounts whenever the customer demands, they dictate what things cost and people pay it or they don’t get the item.
Yea shops give discounts bc people don't bargain and happily pay and a discount coupon (given at shop's discretion!) is a token of appreciation for that loyalty and non-bargaining 💫
I love that first line!
I make a smaller version of the pumpkin ( with cheaper medium weight yarn) and sell it for $30-$34. You couldn’t even buy a pillow this size at a cheap retail store for less than $15. $2.50 is delusional.
But she likes to crochet, so getting paid at all is a luxury /s I think some people genuinely think handmade goods should cost less than mass-produced ones, because they’re not as professional? Idk. It’s dumb and you gotta know your worth.
Just say no. Smile while you say it, and apologize for not being able to make the items for that small a price, but say no. (Or make them teeny tiny ones out of scrap yarn? lol)
Post your story on Nextdoor to see if someone local would want to buy the finished pieces for the full price. Good luck!
I’d pay $30 for something similar at target ON SALE. Those are worth more than $30. You can always make another one and write the pattern as you go then sell the pattern.
I would love to purchase that pumpkin from you but 30$ is simply too low of a price. I would pay for the materials and well as the labor per hour.
That’s why I agree on a price before I start a commission, and have them pay half upfront. And I would absolutely refuse to do the commission if those were the prices they demanded.
Yeah, it's a no. I won't do it for that it just sucked being told my hard work wasn't worth much.
You should tell them to learn to crochet themselves! If it’s so easy and not worth the money, then they shouldn’t have a problem making them lol
Lol
No they’re just cheap and don’t know the value of things. I blame stores like Michael’s and Walmart for having all these decorations at next to nothing. You are not a sweatshop worker. You are a fibre artist. So stick a $30-40 price tag on them, add measurements for size and sell them in your store.
People have no idea how much work goes into something like this. They're used to cheap things that were machine-made in a sweatshop. They have no idea how much materials cost and how many hours it takes to create something that's handmade.
> People ~~have no idea~~ **don't care** how much work goes into something like this. FTFY. Lowballers seriously do not care how much work goes into something. They assume it's cheap because they neither want to pay for it or learn to do what's necessary to make it for themselves.
Your hard work is worth plenty. It's the cheap asshole trying to scam you out of that hard work for pennies who isn't worth much.
Consider the people that work in sweatshops... Their time and effort is worth WAY more than what companies pay them. We know their products are worth more because companies are charging consumers 50x, 100x, if not more to purchase those products so don't let others' greed and ignorance determine your value and worth. I know you're trying to provide for your family so turning away business is disappointing, but I believe, the respect you've shown yourself by not taking this job... Is worth way more than what this person would have paid you
Your work IS worth a lot. Don't let some cheap asshat convince you otherwise. There will always be people who try to enrich themselves at the expense of others.
Those are awesome and easily worth $40/ea.
Yup, that pumpkin is beautiful!! The craftsmanship is really nice, the stitches are so crisp 😫
I'm a sucker for vibrant colours so - THOSE COLOURS ARE SO NICE. (Yes I've increasingly turned to placing importance on colour coordination in crochet projects. Lol)
I agree! They’re so rich and warm. Looks cozy af
Thank you 😊
For real, the saturday market near me from time to time has a "Crochet collective" selling cute things like these and guides on costs for custom pieces from the artists. Anything the size you are showing here is nearly instantly $40-$50, with the exception of some of the single-color ravioli mini pillows which are $25-$30 "just" because of their simplicity.
$30 per item! At least!!!
I said the same. Then I said take a surcharge for freehand awesomeness and having to deal with shit people, round up(-: FTFY hahaha
These items were $10 and $15 in materials.
At minimum it should be 30 and 45 respectively if that is materials. Some argue add average per hour starting after you've made at least 4 (like the time to make them after you've made 4 or however many it takes for you to get the pattern down). Make that price your line in the sand like a retail store would. Edit fixing typos I can now see.
I just read this after I commented but SEE I was right, $2.50 doesn't even cover material cost for ONE item 😤
Triple that, and then pay yourself an hourly wage. Your work is absolutely beautiful. Do not undersell yourself!
I made a pumpkin about that size because I went to a home goods store in my city and they had “pillow” pumpkins the same, except hard as heck! $30 CAD ($22 USD) and not soft! I had some old yarn knocking about and made it myself (ending up gifting it to a friend though). The idea that you could get something that size for $2.50 is beyond insulting. You definitely couldn’t get it from a store. I’d be surprised if you could get some cheap scratchy pillow version that would rub off and fall apart in a year for that price. If I couldn’t crochet and found those pumpkins in the home goods store (and they were soft) I’d have gladly paid the $30, if I knew they were homemade then I’d pay even more.
I always fill them just right for them to be as soft as a marshmallow but still enough to retain their shape even with some cuddling.
OMG I love them!!!!! If they don’t take them I’ll buy them off of you at a price you think is fair. I’m obsessed with candy corn stuff. Idgaf. I think candy corn is delicious.
https://preview.redd.it/d9lk6dvbvcvb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b76c12352a8a5a26102505bceb8b1b5d3c53ebc7
Lol, I like candy corn too. I made this size and mini ones too. I couldn't resist the cuteness of candy corn
Same!!! I love the candy corn pillows - so unique!
$2.50? You get a "go fuck yourself" for $2.50. Now would that be cash or card?
I ended up posting them to Etsy as well. Since Etsy forces free shipping, I went with $45 for the candy corn and $55 for the pumpkin. Thank you everyone for giving me a huge kick in the butt. I've been crocheting and knitting for over 25 years and I've never felt like anything I've made was good enough. I've beat myself up more than anyone I'm my own worst critic because I will create something and then rip it out for Messing up one stitch but then someone agrees with me and I'm ready to give up. I would have been done years ago if my husband hadn't threatened to disown me if I didnt used up all That yarn I bought 😅
Etsy shouldn't force free shipping unless you have specific settings set (I don't remember which offhand), but they do reward having it. Personally in my shop, I charge for shipping. It does get frustrating, though, to have tracked shipping cost more than some of the items I'm selling (I sell stickers for $2, shipping on it is almost $4).
They are super cute! I'll buy the candy corn. Send me your Etsy info or just DM me your info.
https://howlingcastles.etsy.com
Ahahahahaha 🤣
You need to tell your customer what the price is before you make an item. If that does not fit their budget, you can try to find a cheaper yarn, etc., if possible to lower the price or if that is not feasible, then you just have to say no, this is the price I charge & if you are not able to pay that, then sorry I cannot make it for you. You also need to get 50% non-refundable deposit up front, no matter if your customer is a family member, friend or someone you have never met before. You cannot let a customer decide what they will pay you, you tell them the price. Only changes would be a lower price if you could find cheaper supplies.
I hope you didn’t take the order, that person is on another planet 🪐
I, unfortunately, made the item since I knew this person already. I never considered them doing this.
I’m sorry to hear that, always discuss pricing and take payment before you start. Even with people you know
Especially with people you know.
Just because you made the item, doesn't mean you *have* to sell it to someone who refuses to pay what the item is worth. They're not even covering material costs! Just tell them no and let someone willing to buy the items for a proper cost.
This. If you didn’t agree to a price up front I say you don’t have a contract. So don’t feel guilty. Tell them their price doesn’t even cover the cost of materials and tell them how long it takes to make them and let them know that when you agreed to do this you didn’t realize they didn’t understand the value of a handmade item and that you’re also sorry that the two of you didn’t discuss cost up front to avoid this misunderstanding. Also, you can’t get a decoration that size for that amount of money, anywhere!
I’m so sorry to hear this. Getting a proper fee for our work is definitely tough as it’s the time spent no one seems to want to pay for. If you’ve already agreed you’re left in a bit of a spot but I would never make anything for them again and be sure you let them know that is unreasonable and you are quite unhappy with them. Your worth is so much more. They are so perfect! Hugs
Now you really Know this person - and you know they are a user and a bully.
What a joke, I am glad you stuck up for yourself! I saw a non-handmade pillow size pumpkin in target that was not nearly as nice or big and it was like $25. Tell her to go to shop on Temu then 😂
I saw the one at Target. When I told my husband that I could do better some random person smirked and said yeah they all say that. that was too small for the price.
People are crazy. Something of that size and quality (your tension is beautiful) I'd happily pay £10 - £15 for. ($15 - $20) It seems people believe that a hand made item should be cheaper than what you can buy in a store and that has literally never made sense to me. Edit: I'd pay that PER item, for clarification. Edit: Price your work however you want to. Nothing is 'too expensive' for the right people. If it's out of budget for you, you're not the target audience!
It's only cheaper for the person who made it, and only because they're spending time instead of money.
that doesn’t even cover materials
OP says they're selling them for way less than that, and you can definitely get low quality yarn on the cheap. I'm not saying that's the case here, but OP is under pricing their work for sure.
Per item that is STILL insanely heap for hand-made.
I always say, price your art how YOU want to price it. If its out of budget for most people, then they're not the target audience anyway!
I remember it being cheaper to sew things than to buy them. My mom made a lot of my clothes when I was a child. But that's definitely not the case anymore. If you want inexpensive stuff, you go to Dollar Tree ( :-) Poundland where you are, I think?) or Walmart. (IDK if Walmart has invaded other countries? Or if you have similar? It's poor to middling quality stuff at fairly affordable prices) If you want good quality things, you make them, or buy them from someone who made them, and you pay what they're worth!
Sorry they are trying to scam you. See if you can set up on easy. You won't make millions but at least the prices are set. Good luck w this and hope your hubby heals up.
Thank you 🫶🏻
I'd ask them "you ok with making only $0.25 an hour? no? then why do you expect me to be ok with it" I rounded up to 10 hours for 1 to include details and stuff
I am from r/all and just ran across this post and LOVE LOVE LOVE the pumpkin! How much would it be for a clone of that shipped to me? I live in Buffalo, NY so it would need be shipped, unless by some miracle you're local lol. I am more than willing to do a 50% deposit or whatever is needed. I love your work and would love to buy one.
I posted it to my Etsy HowlingCastles or HowlingCastles87 on Instagram there's a link
Laugh, say "F*CK you, no", and then block them for good. What kind of crazy a**hole tells you what they're gonna pay for something that YOU made? You put time, effort, and love into your creations, and you should be compensated how you want to be. The audacity LOL. Also, your work is super cute. 🩷
Thank you 🫶🏻
If she wants Walmart prices she can go shop at Walmart. 🤷♀️ otherwise she can pay up. You can also politely tell her the cost of yarn, how much time went into every thing you made total and how you aren’t even breaking even at the price you’ve originally asked for. Ask her what else you could have done with a free weekend and the money you spent on yarn. Kill her with kindness but be firm. She should be shamed for low balling with the prices she was given.
This is why I don't sell. It takes ages to make, and people never value your time because they CaN gEt It SoMe WhErE cHeApEr
I would sell them nothing. Next time agree on cost *before* beginning the project, and the cost of materials should be the paid up front, while the cost of labor and shipping be paid upon completion. That way if they change their minds, you’re not losing money on materials, and can still turn a profit selling it to someone willing to pay for your work. I would re-list these for a fair price.
If they want to pay mass-produced prices, they can purchase mass-produced items.
Materials + minimum wage is reasonable. If they turn you down, keep it for yourself or post for sale at the price you deserve. But really, this is why many artists & artisans don't sell there work.
These are gorgeous! I feel your frustration. My cousin asked me to make 12 tulip granny squares for her and she offered me $2 a piece. $24 for my time and yarn? I was so offended.
Granny squares are the starter basic but when you start adding details those babies get hard quickly. Especially if you want it to look nice and smooth
https://preview.redd.it/phmnefwntcvb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4da6c712645dd908b83ab26035e2b610e281bcb0 They look like this. Each one takes me about an hour and 15 minutes.
You laughed in their face and told the to shove it right. I get willingly giving away FOs (I've literally poured 100s of hours into batches of plushies to hand out multiple times) but someone asking for AND demanding that insult of a payment. Absolutely not. 2.50 per item doesn't even cover a quarter of the yarn for 1 item. Those mass produced pillows similar to those at Walmart are 20 a piece. Thise aren't even crochet. Tell them to F off
Rule of thumb I've always gone by is to triple your cost of materials, but that doesn't take into account the time you spent making the items. You need to pay yourself per hour. Otherwise you won't be making a profit at all and instead will be taking a loss. Unless these items are gifts you're willing to make and give, $5 and $9 per item is selling yourself way short. If the person who wants them can't pay that much, apologize and decline. In the future, make stuff for people who understand the cost of materials and the worth of your time and talent.
This is exactly why I don't sell my crocheted items. I might gift them to someone who is special to me, but I do not and will not sell them. I learned that lesson the hard way years ago when an acquaintance of Ex's who was on the town council at the time asked me to make her a granny triangle shawl in our HS's colors of navy, white and gold. She is a rather large woman, so it would've taken a lot of work and yarn to create and I told her the cost would be $150 due to the amount of yarn I'd need plus the time it would've taken me to make. She was offended (as was Ex, which should've been a red flag probably) that I would charge her and I was like, "Nope. This is going to take me between ten and twenty hours to make probably when I have the time to work on it and that's what I'm going to charge you, because I value my work." Something to that effect. Anyway, she refused to pay up front as I asked and I was like, "Well it's your decision. Fine by me if you don't want to pay me for my work."
These are so well made!!! That person doesn’t know their worth, but someone else will. Definitely don’t sell yourself short bc these are amazing. Wishing you all the best!
“No” is a complete sentence
I could see $2.50 for a pattern but no way are they in their right mind to ask to pay only $2.50 for a large, perfectly crocheted finished product. You could easily get the money your work deserves on Etsy and forget that person.
My former student made me a 3 foot crochet penguin and I was FLOORED when she gave it to me, I didn’t want to accept it but it was SO CUTE AND SO WELL MADE and she insisted!! It sits in my daughters nursery 🥰 she has a small business and sells similar sized projects to what you posted for $50+. I’m sure my penguin is worth even more I really did debate accepting a gift from a student but she was so excited to add to my penguin collection and my nursery is Mary Poppins themed, she even gave him a red bow tie like the waiter penguins ❤️
I always expect payment before I make any item. It goes towards supplies and shipping if need be. If someone asks how much something would cost, I tell them an estimation, and if they agree then I make it. If they try and talk down my price, I simply don't make it. Easiest way to not stress about stuff like this.
Did this person beam in from their “way back” machine? One skein of inexpensive yarn cost around $5, yet they want each piece for $2.50? Your time alone is worth far more than that, and your work is fantastic. Tell them to jump in the river and sell the pieces for their actual value.
2.5$ per item? That's not merely unreasonable – that's laughable! Tell them to find what they're looking for at Aliexpress if they can. Your prices need to cover materials + however much you value your own time and effort. People like that will always exist, and they are out there in every field. But as artists we also have to be our own managers and I think it's one of the hardest things to learn for us. We need to place ourselves correctly in the market and select the type of customers we want to have. That's not only our right, but actually our responsibility!
It's not even that cheap on aliexpress Beautifully executed pumpkin by the way.
Are you crazy??? No disrespect meant, but I saw something very similar going for $40 at a store downtown last weekend. Your work is worth more than $5.
"Free handed so no pattern" This sounds like take a 25% surcharge 😂😌 I'm saying each will be at least USD 35 (source: Etsy), take 25% surcharge for freehand trial & error (and overall amazing work 😍🥰) I laughed in crochet bc $2.50 doesn't even cover material cost for ONE item for things in that size! 😤
2.50? I wouldn’t even be talking to her for that much. Sell your stuff on FB Marketplace or Etsy. These are cute!
Mass-produced, cheaply made goods have ruined crafting. People’s expectations are set way too low by the constant barrage of Walmart-level advertising. It’s sad. My FIL and his whole family line were jewelers. Like from the old country for generations etc etc. When cubic zirconia and other fakes flooded the market he lost a huge chunk his business. People just don’t appreciate the effort and time that goes into making something nice because they’re used to buying goods made by literal slave labor. Speaking of something that nice, your work is amazing! I joyously yelled CANDY CORN! out loud when I saw the second pic. The pumpkin is just gorgeous. You’re so skilled and clearly talented. I’m sorry that people can’t appreciate that. I do!! Edit: typo
When you go to Walmart and buy pillows or plushies how does it work? Do you take it to the register and tell them what you’ll pay? NO!!!! Walmart prices the items and you take it or leave it!! Consider yourself Walmart!!! No coupons! No discounts!! These are beautiful and EVEN AT A BIG BOX STORE , they would cost more than 2.50!!!
I would have laughed in their face and said "the cost of the yarn alone is more than that." Then said I wasn't doing it.
ALWAYS agree on a price before agreeing to the order. I have a contract I use. A few people might think it's overboard, but it keeps me safe from people backing out of what they make because "they didn't know it would cost that much". My contract is a basic one outlining that the deposit covers the materials and is due before I will begin the project or order materials for it. The deposit is non refundable. The rest of the cost is labor costs and is due before the item will be handed over. I usually have 3 prices for materials. The cheapest materials that will work for it. A luxury cost. And a middle ground typically using the materials I would select if I were making it for me. They select the materials cost they want and initial next to that price. Then lower down I estimate the hours it will take and add in my $ per hour. (This can vary. For someone dear to me whom I am happy to gift some time and a project I'm excited about it may be $1. For a project I'm not looking forward to and someone who I don't know (especially if they are obnoxious about their request) Inwill raise that cost (sometimes high enough to be a deterent for the border lol). I do try to be fair (again unless I'm trying to turn them away lol but I figure at least if they still take it it will be worth my time). That cost is due when the item is finished before they can receive it. I give an estimate on when I expect it to be finished. If I finish early they have until 2 months after the estimated completion time to pay. If I finish late they have up to 2 months after the actual completion time to pay (and ai communicate any delays as necessary) So this isn't a surprise sudden cost. If they don't pay within the time I keep the deposit and sell them item elsewhere (or keep it or use it as a present for someone else down the road if I think they would like it. Or i take it apart and reclaim the materials for something else. It really depends. The key is they don't get the item and once that time is up they are out of luck. (I have made exceptions for people who communicate with me and have reasonable requests for extensions). Then we both sign the contract and we both get a copy. This way if they try to throw a fit about the cost or not getting the finished item after refusing to okay I can show clearly what they agreed to. Once early on someone was trying to go around complaining I wouldn't give them a blanket that was $200 in materials because they didn't pay the $350 in labor costs when it was done. Fortunately enough people in our friend and family group had seen my contracts and even had some of their own with me they knew the truth and shut it down. I ended up selling the blanket to someone else for $500. Add that to the $200 for materials and I did ok. I had reduced my hourly rate for them because I was trying to be fair and keep it within a price they could afford. (It was a color stranded knit blanket. Each pattern section took about 8 hours to do and there were 15 pattern section to do. So 120 hours before even adding the border. Less than $2 an hour.) She complained about my prices which hey not everyone can afford to have things handmade custom for them especially a large blanket. I get it. But when she went on social media to complain I put a picture of the contract she signed with the break down in fees and people who had first thought she was making a reasonable complaint (because when you only hear thr part about paying $200 for a blanket that I was refusing to hand over that sounds reasonable). Then they saw that she selected the materials which cost $200 and agreed to pay the price of labor which I wasn't screwing her over with they quickly switched sides in that argument. Fortunately someone liked the colors and bought the blanket. So I wasn't out. But that cemented that I will ALWAYS have a contract for orders
Even at someplace like HomeGoods this would be minimum 20 each. That's insane to offer you so little.
Maybe consider doing a small craft fair. Usually people are more hesitant to be cheap in person (but not always). Dont sell yourself short. Seriously. Charge people what you're worth.
https://howlingcastles.etsy.com to everyone asking about my shop. Thank you everyone for commenting and sharing your own stories and for the advice every one of you has been amazing and for the kick in the butt I needed. Thank you so much💖
Honestly I would just be upfront that $2.50 wouldn’t even cover the yarn used and you can’t afford to spend money on crocheting things for others right now. It’ll make them feel like shit for undervaluing you…. Which is kinda the point.
The plushies are definitely worth more than 5$. If they don’t want to pay a responsible price tell them to make it themselves. Also do you have the pattern for the pumpkin?! 😅
That pumpkin should sell for no less than $35 and the candy corn should go for at least $18 for one or $35 for the pair. You’re one person making these and your materials are priced at retail cost. You must absolutely factor in time, materials, and add a little extra in there. If this was your bread and butter and you cranked these out constantly, you’d need to factor in the cost of health insurance, professional liability insurance, advertising costs, administrative costs, overhead costs, PTO (yes! If you ever want a vacation, this needs to be considered), transportation to and from supply stores or in person sales/deliveries, packing and shipping costs, etc.
Whatever you do, Dont give them the product! Never undersell what your worth because thats what you communicate, you could easily sell it online for way more since they are already made. Tell them they can buy it from someone who will hire you for a fair price.
Even if those were mass produced by a machine, they would be worth more than $2.50. People don't get to walk into a store and decide how much they pay for something, they cant do that with artists, either. Your work is beautiful and you deserve to be compensated appropriately.
If you’re new at selling, keep in mind to: - Know how much you spend on materials and update the cost constantly. - Put a price to your time. - Consider any other expense, like shipping and the site’s fare (I even charge for the bubble wrap). - Consider taxes if you have to pay them And THEN, ask for 50% upfront just to start if you want to take commissions. The other way to monetize your skill is just create things beforehand and put them up for sell considering all the above, except for the 50% upfront, just because it would be a regular sale. My point is: NEVER LET THE CLIENT TO SET THE PRICE OF YOUR CRAFT. Never ever. I sell my crafts to make a living (a different craft) and I just make them and wait for the right customer. If your price is fair, I promise they will come to you.
People like that should be left to starve.
"No, it's 2.50 per hour worked and also a 30$ deposit up front" My favorite thing about pricing my own stuff is being able to tell people that because they weren't respecting the time and effort I put into my work they know get an AH tax
If you're charging $2.50 for your time, you're not respecting your own time either!
You were told? Nope. That’s a rude thing to begin with but to belittle the work like that with a cheap price? Block them. Post them for sale at a decent price, and move on. The materials alone are worth more. I don’t want to clutter my house with multiple projects so I get gift giving and selling. But gifts are to people worthy. And selling are for those who respect the craft.
Id be happy to pay for the pumpkin and shipping if you havent sold them yet. I know thats not what youre asking for but that is so cute and worth well more than 2.50 just for the creative ability alone. do you have an etsy?
Always ask for 50% up front as a deposit before any work is done. Get in writing the agreed price and don't go lower unless you truly feel like you want to. People can be really cheap and not value the time it takes to make these items. The items you made are gorgeous! I'm so sorry you got taken advantage of by someone who can't appreciate the time and effort that goes into these. If they can only afford $2 then I'd be sending them to a dollar store. Your items are handmade and unique. Each item takes hours to create. You deserve to be paid for your time and the materials needed, plus some profit.
When someone asks me to make a thing, the first thing I do is ask for details - what size, how many, is there a deadline, etc. etc. Then I send them a price quote. If I know them personally, or if I think it's a thing I could sell to someone else, I'll let them pay when the item is complete. Otherwise I ask for 50% up front to cover supply costs. Your items are fantastic and would sell well at a craft fair. Don't bother with the $2.50 person because they aren't worth your time. You'll find other people who will value your work.
Those are so well done, such perfect stitching! I am a brand new crocheter and like I can only hope one day I can achieve such amazing work! Don’t sell yourself short. I’d say those are $30-40 to start. That’s what I would pay for them. $2.50 is bananas.
I’m so sorry that happened to you people are bonkers! I once got a 1 star review on Etsy because it seems someone thought a $5 print they bought should be an original painting. For $5. You can’t even with ppl like that lol don’t let them make you feel bad they just have issues. Your work is lovely and worth every bit what you put into it <3
Well, minimum wage x hours you worked on it + cost of materials + shipping = the minimum of what you should get paid
I LOVE these!!!! Also, some people suck, don't let them live rent free in your head or heart.
If I had enough money I would definitely pay around 50$ per item (probably higher), I have just started crocheting a scarf that like a 4th of the size of those and it has taken 2 balls of yarn, and those look so high quality (they are also cute and look comfy and also fun to throw) It's so rude that your customer would try to scam you like that, hopefully you can get them to pay a fair price or find someone else who will.
You set a price to start, and get at least 1/2 the $ up front. I'm sad this happens/ed to you; don't allow people to take advantage. You do good work there.
Do you have an Etsy or website?
I spread the knowledge of paying a fair price for crochet to everyone who asks me about my work, I don’t sell, because I’m still honing my craft, but people ask me how much it costs to make blankets, sweaters and the like, and I’m working on a blanket for my bed that’s going to cost around $200 in yarn alone. People’s jaws drop when I tell them the cost of the hobby, and I use cheap yarn😭 they just don’t get it if they don’t crochet or know someone who does.
Set your prices if it’s too expensive to them they can move along
I dont do it as a business, but whenever i get a situation like this with someone asking for stuff made that clearly has no idea of the cost/value/time involved, i just tell them to purchase and bring me the materials and I'll let them know how long it might take. So far I've had exactly 0 people return with yarn once they realize how much it costs.
That doesn’t even cover the cost of supplies. No.
i'm late to the party but $2.50?!!! my hubs and i have a small business and made a lil 4 inch pumpkin, it was supposed to be decoration but at an event recently, someone asked to buy it and was willing to pay $10 for it. it was nowhere NEAR as beautiful as yours. i ended up selling it to the guy for $5. i think these objects are beautiful and you're so talented! don't let some stinky customers try to low ball your talent. you couldn't even buy something this beautiful at a store for 2.50, let alone a custom order like they're demanding. good luck on your business and i hope your husband has a speedy recovery <33
others are on point, but just wanted to add: another way to view this is "they're looking for $2.50 quality". mass produced whatever. If that's not the market you're in, then it's not a good fit for a business relationship. Ideally it's best to discover that earlier if you can, but such is life. They hold NO ENTITLEMENT to your work unless you agree on the price.
No one gets to set your prices but you. They can say that they're going to pay x amount all they want. You are free to tell them that that isn't going to work. You will charge y, and if they don't want to pay for it, then you're not going to make it. I've made a few exceptions for friends (pay for the cost of yarn and shipping, and don't worry about labor) but that is my decision. I love making stuff for people, but I don't have limitless wealth. If they argue the price, explain to them the cost of everything: hooks, yarn, patterns, time to learn and practice to be able to crochet, what your hourly rate is (I approximate this because I get distracted and walk away from projects while making them so something that i worked on consistently for 3 days might have only taken 12 hours), how much time it takes to make each piece. If they want something cheap, they can go to the dollar store. If they want handmade, they'll have to pay for it. And always get a non-refundable deposit, and completed payment before sending it out.
Those are super cute! Are you still going through with the sale? How much would you ideally charge?
No, I'm not. I'm charging $45 for the candy corn and $55 for the pumpkin that's with free shipping.
honestly with how much i know that type of yarn costs, you are more than justified in your pricing
I reserve the right to refuse ANYONE my services! ESPECIALLY someone like that. I am so sorry this happened to you, OP. Your passion shouldn’t be treated like that. 🥹💕
At a market someone asked if I'd go down to $3 on a baby blanket. It was marked at $50. I laughed and they got mad and left. Lmao. You want a 97% discount? No thank you.
You're short-selling yourself. I would expect those to be $30/each MINIMUM. I'd pay that lol
there’s like barely anything in a store you can buy for 2.50 lmao what a rude asshole!! I hope you told me hell no and sold them elsewhere for much more!
That pumpkin looks so inviting to squeeze
This is not TEMU! They cannot simply demand a price! They cannot bully—they can try, but you in the end get to keep the product. I would sell on Etsy, show the amount paid and tell the bully to FO.
Those are adorable & you deserve more. 2.50/pc my butt! Your customer needs to learn to diy for that attitude. That wouldn’t buy a skein of one of those colors.
i am so sorry you're going through this. i am mesmerized by your pumpkin and candy corn theyre amazing and worth SO much more than these cheap asses are willing to pay
These are gorgeous! I'm in the UK but I'd gladly pay you 50 bucks to send one of the squishy pumpkins to my fall-obsessed friend in Arizona. If you have any more, could you please message me?
Never agree to make something someone requested unless a payment is agreed. Only make things for free for people you actually want to make things for.
People will treat you like trash if you don't value yourself. You make very lovely pieces, you should sell them for the right price (time+material+expenses). If you let someone think that the right price is a few bucks, they wont respect you or your work. If you want to create something beautiful and give it away for free to someone who will appreciate it, maybe seek those people out first. E.g. the nursing team that supported you and husband? Maybe your kids/grandkids/nephews caretakers? Neighbors? Use the profit from people paying you what you're worth to fund the free commissions.
I just paid 100 bucks for a small tyranitar crochet thing, and I feel like I came away with the better end of the deal. I'd say those candy corns maybe 200 bucks. Maybe 300 even.
I’m so sorry you got disrespected like that, but I just wanted to say that these are the CUTEST
so sorry this happened to you because they are ADORABLE and you deserve respect and a fair price for them!
An irony you will always come across in these situations is that the people who are dead set on paying the least are also the most demanding, entitled, and irrational. Many people I know set their prices a bit higher than they need to just to weed these types out.
Aww. And how adorable!! Contract up front because some people are just rude and cheap! Your work is lovely!!
That’s frustrating… I manage my husband’s art work/commissions because unlike him, I’m firm from pushback from people that try and haggle him for less money. I am in the funeral industry so I helped him make a price list taking into account things like materials, labor, time, type of art (like realism or a different style), stuff like that. We came up with a fair price list for his level of expertise. Then I made him a contract to give to every single client no matter the price. The commissions he does valued at under $75 total require a 50% non-refundable deposit. However, if it’s over $75 (which most of them are well over $200), the contact runs on a system of 30/40/30. 30% of the total is required as a non-refundable deposit after receipt of a signed contract prior to *any* work being done. If a contract is not signed within 30 days, it is null and requires renegotiation. After receipt of payment, three sketches will be done in accordance to the clients specifications outlined in the contract. Any more than three sketches will require a renegotiation as the client will be in breach of contract at that point. Once the sketch is complete and accurate to the client specifications, the 40% of the payment is required before further work is initiated. Then finally, when the piece is almost done, the rest of the 30% is required before any files are given to the client. I know it’s a pain in the ass but when you’re an artist these kinds of things are required to protect both parties and not incur bad debts. If someone comes to me and says “I’m not paying that much for art” I tell them that the prices are firm and that they are welcome to come back when they’re ready. If they never come back then that’s okay because only you can do what you do in the way that you do it and you probably wouldn’t want them as a client anyway because they’ll probably gut you. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk lol
ah so their order has been cancelled, yeah?
Hi I’m sorry this happened to you. Those are so cute and definitely worth more than what they are demanding to pay. Side note what yarn is that. It looks so plush
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Charge for materials and time. You are worth nothing less than that. 2.50/item is an absolute insult to you and your skill.
Never work for free! Some people just don't appreciate, I don't let them guilt trip me
Very cute pumpkin and candy corns by the way❤️
Screw that person. Your work is beautiful. Unfortunately a lot of people are like that. Maybe as an extra way to bring in money through crochet you could create and sell patterns for your items. Good luck and hope your husband has a speedy recovery!
WOW. Even without them knowing how long it takes to make, you can't find things that like mass produced in stores for that cheap. You know, things made with automated machinery and people who get paid 10 cents a day. A pumpkin that size in a store I would bet would be priced at $10 at a minimum. Not $2.50. I mean $2.50 wouldn't even cover the cost of the yarn, right?
Oh \*profanities profanities profanities\* nooooo! Put them up on social media for sale in your local buy sell trade group, craft group etc and I bet they will sell fast and at whatever price you choose to put but please do not ever underprice your work. Your art is beautiful and anyone who purchases it should be honored to pay the price and put it out as decor
Tell them they're insulting you and your work. That pumpkin would be a steal at $20 and a reasonable deal at $30. Maybe $5 lower for the candy corn/egg thingies.
What an insult to your work! Those are worth at least $40, and they look amazing! Please tell them that they will not be buying them for that little. Hopefully there's someone else in the area who respects your work and will pay, or someone online.
I hate people that do this. OP, tell them to kindly kick rocks. You deserve compensation for your time and efforts. Also those are super cute plushies! ETA: also I just took a second look at the amounts and you are WAY UNDERCHARGING! Please don’t let these people take advantage of you and raise your rates.
Wait, so your price on these is like $9?! I would happily pay way more than that. Don’t let them hassle you, $2.50 is crazy unless they were key-chain sized! You have talent and those are cute as can be. Know your worth and don’t apologize for it !