kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
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Post by kjohn0102 on Jan 19, 2008 10:32:33 GMT -5
Hello all! Help Gus price his Fantasy Cabs-I want to buy some from him, and we're both trying to come up with a fair price. Rule of thumb is cost of materials + hourly rate to pay yourself for fabrication. My off the cuff guess was minimum of $25.00. Anyone else?
Thanks!
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Jan 19, 2008 11:21:16 GMT -5
I would agree $25 sounds fair for the low end. I would range them between $25 and $40 depending on material and time.
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on Jan 19, 2008 11:35:38 GMT -5
Hmmm.. Well maybe you should put one on ebay see what people would bid for one.. might give you a general idea... Or.. sounds like it's time for a Poll .... well that's if they got the thing fixed..But, some of those cabs He made look pretty pricey ...
*smiles*
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 19, 2008 21:01:02 GMT -5
$25-40 is probably a good price for the cab (without a setting), I'm sure that he put alot of time into them and they sure do look cool!
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Post by Michael John on Jan 20, 2008 18:17:56 GMT -5
Honestly, pricing is what I saw as a potential problem when he first started making cabs with this technique, and I had posted about it. Regardless of the time involved, I think that most people just aren't going to want to pay $25-40 for a cab made from inexpensive stones. As Roxy suggested, put some on eBay to see what the market will bear. Set a minimum starting price and see where the bidding goes. Selling five or ten will give you a pretty good idea of what people are willing to pay.
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58vette
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 125
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Post by 58vette on Jan 20, 2008 19:51:35 GMT -5
I just do not understand the statement made about a potential problem with pricing the cabs. I did not start this thread on pricing them. I am on a fixed income due to a auto accident and cannot afford the pricey material that was also suggested. I do with what I have and what was donated to me. I just enjoy working with rocks, trying new things and it keeps me busy. At one time I thought about trying to sell them on ebay, but decided against it due to listing fees and paypal fees. If I should be asked it I want to sell any then this can be discussed.
Sorry for all the rambling.
gary
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Jan 20, 2008 20:16:21 GMT -5
Gary sorry if this thread bothered you. Just remember that in the end it is your decision. Charge what you feel is a fair price.
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Post by akansan on Jan 20, 2008 20:32:40 GMT -5
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Post by Michael John on Jan 20, 2008 21:15:48 GMT -5
Gary, my post was simply in response to kjohn0102's question. His post gave the impression that he wants to buy, but you didn't know what to charge. What you want to charge is entirely your decision.
I've got a lot of good material here going to waste. If you PM me your address, I'd be glad to send you some. It's just going to waste here, and you'd put it to very good use.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Jan 20, 2008 22:28:36 GMT -5
There's a LOT of work in those cabs, so I'd stick with what Akansan said.
Adrian
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Post by Michael John on Jan 21, 2008 3:41:36 GMT -5
A Google search of "intarsia cab" was very interesting. Here are a few things I found... $125:  $300:  $79.99:  Not priced, but very beautiful:  I'm not just being partial when I say that I like Gary's pieces more. Gary, I've already sorted through my stuff and put some cool things aside for you. All I need is an address to send it to!  |
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Post by Michael John on Jan 21, 2008 4:07:29 GMT -5
I should have checked my inbox first ... got the address!  |
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Post by Tonyterner on Jan 21, 2008 15:59:06 GMT -5
Who is Gus and what do his fantasy cabs look like. I've seen Gary's and really like them but you are apparently talking about someone else since he has not talked to you about selling.
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58vette
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 125
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Post by 58vette on Jan 21, 2008 16:06:26 GMT -5
Hi, I believe karen means gary and not gus as we have talked about her puchasing a couple cabs.
gary
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kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
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Post by kjohn0102 on Jan 28, 2008 7:50:50 GMT -5
Hey Gary-I'M sorry if this thread bothered you-I certainly did not mean to cause irritation! I feel that I got a GREAT deal with the price that we decided on. Regardless of the type of stones used, if they are put together as well as you are putting your cabs together, I don't think you will have any problems getting higher prices for them. Tony, I think GUS lives in my imagination somewhere!
Karen
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58vette
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 125
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Post by 58vette on Jan 28, 2008 9:50:09 GMT -5
Karen,
No it doe not bother me. I also did not know what the cabs were worth. I sent you a PM...please read when you have time.
gary
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Post by stoner on Jan 28, 2008 12:42:05 GMT -5
As to the link that Ronda posted, I went to their ebay store and their intarsia cabs sell for around $12 to $25 in their buy it now section, with one selling for $45 that they say is "museum quality". I have one of Gary's cabs and personally I think his cabs are a lot nicer and a lot more work than what those people are selling. Here are a few things I've discovered about selling cabs to jewelry makers. I went into the market pricing my cabs way too high for most of these artists. Although they loved my cabs, they could buy 5 mass produced cabs for the price of one of mine. So I lowered my prices to get my foot in the door and found people were willing to work with quality cabs as long as they could still turn a decent profit on their finished pieces. After being in the market for 7 months now, I've slowly been raising my prices, but keeping them reasonable, and my sales are still going strong. The second thing is that there are high end jewelers out there too, so I try to keep some more expensive cabs in my store as well. And I've found that they will sell too, but again, I price them lower than they should be priced just to get my work into the hands of these jewelers and hopefully they will return for more. So far, this strategy, has worked well for me on etsy. In the next few months I plan on expanding my scope of sales to other online venues as well as pounding the pavement locally, and hopefully I'll work my way into these markets as well. Third thing is, don't quit your day job just yet(3 days a week is ok!  ). I don't plan on getting rich selling cabs, but it's nice to finally be making back some of the money I've spent over the last 4 years on rocks and equipment. I figure another 10 years of selling cabs and I'll break even!!! ;D(if I can stop buying more rocks  ) And, if you're planning on selling your cabs, be prepared to treat it like a job, it takes a lot of work to promote yourself and keep sales up. I enjoy cutting cabs so I don't think it will ever begin to feel like the workday grind for me. Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I thought it might be helpful for those people who want to get into selling their cabs. It has worked for me so far, but just like tumbling rocks, what works for one may not work for another, but at least it's some kind of guideline. One more thing, if it wasn't for the support and encouragement I got from everyone here, I don't think I would have had the courage to venture into selling my work, and I thank you all very much. So go for the gusto Gary, your work is top notch and I think you'll do well selling your fantasy cabs. |
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). I don't plan on getting rich selling cabs, but it's nice to finally be making back some of the money I've spent over the last 4 years on rocks and equipment. I figure another 10 years of selling cabs and I'll break even!!! ;D(if I can stop buying more rocks 
) And, if you're planning on selling your cabs, be prepared to treat it like a job, it takes a lot of work to promote yourself and keep sales up. I enjoy cutting cabs so I don't think it will ever begin to feel like the workday grind for me.
