[Jewelry making - Article 00616] - Re: [Orchid] Should prices be visible?

[Kimberly Starbard]

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>     If all you people that want tags showing, are trying to sell your
>     jewelry you better look at yourselves and the way you interact with
>     the customers. 

    Perhaps the discussion of pricing can be divided into 2 categories
    (or maybe 4). There are prices above 150 dollars (varies by
    geographic area) and prices below and prices at a home show or art
    fair vs. prices in a gallery or retail jewelry store. 

    The kind of customer I come across is almost always one who is
    making an impulse buy. This is because nearly everything I make is
    priced under 150 dollars. The people I sell to want to see a tag
    because it's very convenient for them. When I do a show, I plan to
    put a small tile with a price in front of a "grouping" of items that
    are all the same price. This has an extra benefit for me because (as
    a new craftsperson) I have a tendency to lower prices out of
    nervousness. If the price is displayed, it's harder for me to want to
    give people a deal. 

    In a fine jewelry store (eliminating from the discussion those who
    turn tags upside down) I can easily see the reasons for not having
    tags. The small tiles are very nice, but it's extremely hard to do
    that when one has hundreds of pieces displayed. Thankfully, (because
    my husband does it) I have not shopped in a fine jewelry store for
    myself yet. This is why what I say about price and display, when
    referring to a fine jewelry store, is not relevant. My opinion is
    only relevant to a craftsperson selling lower priced items at an
    art/craft fair. 

    Now, in a trade show or wholesale showroom situation....The kind of
    product I buy is a wholesale strand of beads. I already pretty much
    know what the price is without having to ask or see it. Therefore, if
    there is no tag, it is a little bothersome because it takes more
    time. I go to a particular showroom in NYC where there are no
    prices....there are price/per carat numbers and that's it. When I
    want to buy something, I have to ask the price. The salesperson gets
    a calculator and punches a bunch of numbers in to calculate it by
    weight. I have wondered a couple of times if his price is possibly
    "adjustable" based on the experience level of the buyer. His
    calculator makes me a little uncomfortable, but I like his beads. 

Kim Starbard
http://www.kimstarbarddesigns.com
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