Cards

[ajmw89]

Not sure this is in the right bit, apologies if it isn't.

After a bit of a session over the weekend making a load of pens, it was pointed out to me that I might want to have some sort of card informing whoever I give the pen to what it is made from and what type of refills it takes etc.

Is this something you all do?

also, is there an sort of template, or would a business card type size be big enough?

 

[paulm]

I use Avery labels number L7161 to print the labels and stick on the back of the card. I put a picture of the pen, a description of the wood, what refill and its number. The downloadable (free) from Avery acts as a database for all the pens I've made so that I can always identify a pen if someone contacts me about it. I stick this on the back of a business card and then a price using Avery labels number L4730REV.
I then use a small craft label that I got from Ebay to put on the pen with its number on one side using the L4730REV labels and a price on the other side with the same labels. This might seem a lot of work but its well worth it in my mind and I've got very fast at doing it. I keep a spreadsheet of the prices.

 

[Kardav]

Everything you would want or need in that info Paul, ta very much.

 

[Lons]

Beautifully organised Paul just as you would expect!

 

[Penpal]

I like that very much needed IMHO


Peter.

 

[bluntchisel]

Hi Adam,

I simply attach a small label on each pen clip. One side shows the price, the other details the wood/pen style. However, I do give all purchasers (and to anyone else who wants one) my business card.

Bob.

 

[Woody]

I had a load of business cards printed for free when vista print were giving them away 250 to 500 at a time I got one type for pens with to & from on the back and another type for anything else
Special pens like ones made from HMS Victory wood and whisky barrels I gave special cards and certs its quite easy to print your own

 

[chas_41_uk]

Blimey Paul I bet you have to carry a lot of 1p pieces around if all your pens are £xx.99
I just round mine to the pound or 50p :wink:

I put the type of pen, wood used, plating, how to look after the pen, how to operate the pen and how to replace the refill/cartridge on a 12cm X 9 cm piece of paper, which can be put in the box with the pen

Like Paul I keep all the information on a spreadsheet, including all costs, price, who sold to and when. Duplicate sales receipts and information sheets are also backed

 

[paulm]

Blimey Paul I bet you have to carry a lot of 1p pieces around if all your pens are £xx.99
I just round mine to the pound or 50p :wink:

I have a pot of pennies but like myself most people don't want them. The x.99p is a thing I've done since I once had a shop, its psychologically cheaper

The trouble is where they expect the £1 coins so might have to round everything up to the nearest bank note.

 

[bassethound]

As Paul says, its psychologically cheaper, look in any shops and any merchants or most and it's always £xx.99p! pisses me off entirely

 

[Buckeye]

The petrol companies use a similar pricing scam, they will show the price per litre in bold black numbers for example 120 and then in smaller red numbers the .9 so that at a quick glance you will see it as 120p per litre instead of 120.9p per litre. It isn't illegal but it is sneaky and cheap.

Peter

 

[Treeesa]

Paul was kind enough to show me this recently and I think it is on the money.

I believe the 99p was something introduced by shop owners to ensure the sales assistant used the till to record the sale and therefore had to give a penny change.

 

[Grump]

That don't always work cos us tight arses round up to the nearest quid, £2.75 is £3.00 for what change you get.

 

[paulm]

I never even thought about it until it was mentioned, I just do it but nobody has moaned and now that I've printed off hundreds of price tickets ending in 99p, that remains my pricing strategy

Ending the price in anything other that 00 or 99 wouldn't be good in my book because I would have to start worrying about change other than 1p and £1.

 

[PhillH]

Actually recent retail studies have proven that XX.97 works better in peoples minds nowadays, as most people have become aware of the xx.99 "scam".

Seeing the 97 disrupts some part of the brain apparently.

Guess who works in retail IT solutions

And guess who needs to get out more...........

 

[Woody]

Taking a few coppers of say £9.97 in most buyers minds the price is £9 not £10 all but a few penny's and in most cases it did work but tight ol gits like Brian and myself wont be fooled we have been around to long and pulled to many strokes of our own in our time LOL say no more

 

[Buckeye]

Actually recent retail studies have proven that XX.97 works better in peoples minds nowadays, as most people have become aware of the xx.99 "scam".

Seeing the 97 disrupts some part of the brain apparently.

Guess who works in retail IT solutions


And guess who needs to get out more...........

I went on a marketing seminar and pricing was a subject most delegates wanted more info about. The info was varied for different market areas, but the general rule was that if it was retail then the ??.99 was the norm. We were left in no doubt that if we were selling upmarket products then the .99 would cheapen the product in the eyes of the potential customer.

Peter

 

[paulm]

I don't think I need to got to a seminar to sell a few pens at a few craft fairs and don't think for a single moment that selling them at .99 makes a single bit of detrimental difference to my customers. The only people laughing at these places are the people that sell the courses to the people that pay extortionate amounts of money to learn what common sense would have done.

 

[Buckeye]

You certainly don't need to go to a seminar to sell a few craft fair pens and I am sure your customers have no problem raising £15.99 it's just a few bits of beer money. I would never pay for a marketing seminar let alone an extortionate amount and it's obvious you wouldn't either

Peter

 

[Penpal]

Aldi etc play this game as most businesses over here but with decimal currency changeover in the 60,s there are no pennies rounding is the norm. When I see a price I mentally round up never down works for me. When I met my wife she worked as a Window Dresser Ticket writer as part of a four person team the rule was everyone item in this store had to have a price ticket attached. The business flow satisfied both the customer and management fewer delays at the counter as well. It became second nature for us fewer surprises no time making enquiries from non evident staff these days. When in Edinburgh in the 80,s I was amazed when I bought material in the main street shop the lass computed the cost presented it to her senior who gave a tick of approval I paid she fastened the money and paperwork to a banded device that sent it whizzing up to the above floor to be received then sent back with change.

With Paul having clearly marked the price the potential customer without embarrassment is free to pursue the sale the above discussion has taken place well before this and the exchange is made money for goods. The feeling I have is presentation, friendliness win the day.

Peter.