Southwood Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 I bought the plans for a small coffee table from Fine Woodworking. My daughter has since built it for her 4-H project. When I first seen the project I figured it would probably be sold for 1100 or 1200 by Mr Rodel. I have since found his website and the price is there. http://www.kevinrodel.com/Limbert-furniture-custom-handmade-coffee-table-fine-furniture-makers He charges 3100 for the table. I understand his cost, self employed, taxes, and the rest. So I guess my question is what would you charge? I was thinking between 800 and 900 for my price Should also ask it is unethical to undercut his price 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wtnhighlander Posted June 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 The first thing I would ask is if Mr. Rodel includes permission to use the plan for a resale item as part of the purchase price. If he does not expressly forbid selling the item made from his plans, then you are probably ok to do so. "Undercutting" his price is kind irrelevant, unless you are selling to the same market and region. Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, nor am I an ethics expert. Nor do I play either on TV. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 I bought the plans for a small coffee table from Fine Woodworking. My daughter has since built it for her 4-H project. When I first seen the project I figured it would probably be sold for 1100 or 1200 by Mr Rodel. I have since found his website and the price is there. http://www.kevinrodel.com/Limbert-furniture-custom-handmade-coffee-table-fine-furniture-makers He charges 3100 for the table. I understand his cost, self employed, taxes, and the rest. So I guess my question is what would you charge? I was thinking between 800 and 900 for my price Should also ask it is unethical to undercut his price Personally I think the 3k price tag is incredibly steep for a QSWO piece that isn't that large or overly complicated from what I see. But I could be way off base here. Please someone tell me I'm wrong because that means I haven't been charging enough. As far as what I would charge for the piece, I think 800 to 900 would be rather light but that is based on what I can get QSWO or cherry for per bf. Your cost for your time is relative to you, so you have to find what your time is worth. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gee-dub Posted June 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Kevin's table is not a replica or a copy of something. It is his own design admittedly influenced by certain Charles Limbert pieces. Having been making furniture for a living for nearly 40 years he probably has a good feel for his market. His market may not be your market or mu market. I know a stone mason who gets very lucrative pricing for his work in the Bel Air and Beverly Hills, CA neighborhoods. He got his foot in the door back in the late 70's and oddly enough, has focused his work there ever since. I have sold the same basic piece for a price difference of 35% based on the client, the intended use and time frame. Only you can decide what your work is worth in the market you are selling to. An easy way to get centered is if you are lucky enough to live where similar items are sold at galleries or custom outlets. It makes no sense to price yourself out of the market but, it is just as wrong to bury yourself in commissions that earn you the reputation of the 'discount custom shop'. You never 'make it up in volume' when working for half of minimum wage ;-) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 I was thinking $1400 if you use qtr sawn white oak and are very selective for ray fleck. As to selling it you might want to check the fine print on those plans. To sell one for charity or to a friend is one thing, to start batching them out is another thing...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG-Canada Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 As far as I'm concerned he can charge whatever he wants and if someone buys at that price then good for him! If the table is based on plans you bought (and you have the right to use them for commercial purposes) then go ahead and make and sell tables for whatever price you can get for them. As far as undercutting is concerned, that's the nature of competitive business. Just remember that part of the 'value' that people pay for items/services includes reputation. However to be fair, unless you can create a product equivalent in skill, wood selection, finish quality, etc. then it may not be a fair comparison anyway. I don't know Mr. Rodel but do you think you provide the same level of craftsmanship as his appears to have (based on his website photos)? If you can and at a lower price then I say go for it - just my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gixxerjoe04 Posted June 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Location, location, location...... oh and if you have the name/branding behind your price, that helps a lot too. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Since this is based upon a Charles Limbert piece wouldn't it be a rather easier route to avoid the headache of dealing with Kevin's plans and instead make your own Limbert style piece? Avoid the possible legal ramifications, ethical dilemma, and cost issues. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 13 minutes ago, OldSouthWoodCraft said: Since this is based upon a Charles Limbert piece wouldn't it be a rather easier route to avoid the headache of dealing with Kevin's plans and instead make your own Limbert style piece? Avoid the possible legal ramifications, ethical dilemma, and cost issues. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk Great resolve! Just change it a tad and it's your design, Limbert inspired. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 If I could sell five a month, I'd sell them for what he's selling them for. I doubt he sells that many, but can easily be wrong. If it was sold for 8 or 900 dollars, the maker would have to have some other source of income, unless it was done on a production scale. There is no shame in getting paid well for your work. The trick is to have the market. I have no idea what he has to do to sell his stuff, and may well just sell a piece now and then, so his price would need to be what the market can bear to keep his business going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 I'd charge as much as I could. Nothing unethical about taking care of ol #1. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 I did the math and if I just built them one at a time and my normal shop rates it would be around $3600 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 1 hour ago, wdwerker said: I did the math and if I just built them one at a time and my normal shop rates it would be around $3600 each. And as you, the average Joe, would you pay that much for it, much less with the markup. You've gotta have the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 You should have no problem selling it for around 2K. You don't have the overhead or personal slave like Steve does 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 So many times I can't afford my own best work and keep the business running. However every so often a stack of leftover materials inspire me to create a piece for my house. I've got some white oak that's just begging to be an end table..... yea I must admit it's nice to rarely have to sweep or take out the trash . And passing off the volume of sanding is glorious ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisc Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 When I was a 12ish, my dad used to take me to a rock polishing club. I made a necklace at one point and I asked one of the guys there how much it could sell for. He told me as much as anyone is willing to pay. I have a hard time putting a price on a chopping board let alone a piece of furniture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwood Posted June 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Just for the record, I wasn't knocking Rodels price. I really do understand the self employed pricing and life. As for batching them out, thinking more like 3 total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 A good guide for proper pricing is that you want the customer to complain about the price being too high, but still wanting to make the purchase. If they think they are getting a good deal, they probably are, and that means the seller is the one who gets the cut. I judge how much time I will spend considering a potential client by the amount of complaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheperd80 Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 It looks like a somewhat involved build with the lower shelf construction, corbels and legs. At a glance i could see easily charging 1500 or more. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 IP law is tricky. Building that table from the published plans and selling for $800 (or whatever) is probably ok. If you market it as a "Kevin Rodel" table, or even mention that it is built from his plans, then you might have problems. Kevin can not protect a relatively generic design, but he can protect his name. His IP is likely limited to 1) his name and 2) the printed plan. In my market, $3100 doesn't seem crazy for a custom made table. But, even amongst relatively high income people, furniture just is not a high priority spend and the classic A&C look is not trendy enough right now to fetch top dollar. Its all industrial, fake Nakashima hipster beard juice stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown craftsman Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 I think it's weird to snag up someone's design and try to make a buck from it. If someone brings the design to you and asks to make it that's different.Then the piece should be made as close to the original designer to show some respect.When I looked at the table I like it and thought 1600 to 1800.Add the masters signature and 3600 is about right. Aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B Anderson Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Forget making tables and start making jewelry boxes. https://www.ahalife.com/product/149000011314/luxury-jewelry-box There are a lot of wealthy people out there that are falling over each other to buy over priced items just for the status symbol. Just look at the big name brand women purses. Really! $2000.00 for some leather sewn together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 big name brand Key words. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 31 minutes ago, Steve B Anderson said: Just look at the big name brand women purses. Really! $2000.00 for some leather sewn together. That is the same bad argument against Festool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B Anderson Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 9 minutes ago, Llama said: That is the same bad argument against Festool. So you would say the jewelry box is worth $4000.00 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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