I am always going to be confused on this forum because I have no real conception of house prices,rent,groceries or indeed timber and consumables however the prices you guys quote seem extraordinary to me either low or high depending so whenever you get into a hearty discussion involving money I sit back and think what the market will stand. Therefore when I see the down prices here in Australia its no wonder you rush the free freight low prices from Timberbits.
So it appears some of you are sellers who move about a lot you are the ones to take notice of.
Last night on our Aussie Forum a guy advertised a few items one a book 425 pages on blacksmithing quite old another bloke said new price was much less at another site locally. The original guy said thanks for bombing my ad and cant wait to bomb any of the blokes ads and ya de ya just sold the book for 10 dollars more.
Perhaps on a cheerful note very few or any prospective buyers of your pens read this forum or are expert in penmaking. Just as well because there is so often indecent IMHO haste to save a cent and make a big profit. I do buy more pen blanks I think than anyone on the forum and I pay the market price with some discount for quantity in the firm belief that we all deserve to make a living and any good deal is balanced between the buyer and seller.
Over here I ask and expect 30.00 dollars for a Slimline no discussion up or down. I agree money changing hands in family picture me SWMBO and 63 others having a robust discussion on pen sales or anything at all with money. For example on the front of our will there is an addendum a Monument of minimum 80.000 dollars for each of us to come from the estate and inserted in page 3 a short reference to this just kidding.
Fair pricing is good pricing once you try to justify it to another at selling time this cost that cost, materials, time etc arguments follow. I noticed recently when I bought my Mercedes SUV made in the USA in 1999 the original cost was 86.000 new here. The then owner and I quickly arrived at a figure I then paid him and took delivery, we are both very happy, then I found things I had missed scrubbed front inside tyre two new tyres needed etc so what you win some you lose some.
Neil I am very impressed by your considered answers and agree particularly with that list and discount for sales to family, indeed you are involved in sales I would be guided by your local England experience.
Enjoy your pen making respect buyers draw a line in the sand and have success is my best wish to everyone on this my 79th anniversary.
Kind regards Peter.
