Help my GF price a product (SF edition)

[Egert]

Howdy, My GF has been into hand-knit (crochet, she says, but who knows these days) ties lately and she is planning on selling them. Even though I would like to keep this manufacturing asset only to myself, I was willing to help her. Below are some pics to illustrate, what I'm talking about. They are hand knit tie and cufflink set, she has done few that include PS as well, but no pics from this.

The left one is woollen:

And me, sporting one:

They look kinda cool end even though I work in i-banking, I wear one at least once a week. Only got me compliments so far.

So, what would the market say? Oh, and no "pics of gf" please

 

[CouttsClient]

Originally Posted by Egert

Howdy,

My GF has been into hand-knit (crochet, she says, but who knows these days) ties lately and she is planning on selling them. Even though I would like to keep this manufacturing asset only to myself, I was willing to help her. Below are some pics to illustrate, what I'm talking about. They are hand knit tie and cufflink set, she has done few that include PS as well, but no pics from this.

The left one is woollen:

And me, sporting one:

They look kinda cool end even though I work in i-banking, I wear one at least once a week. Only got me compliments so far.

So, what would the market say?

Oh, and no "pics of gf" please
Is there some special skill needed for this beyond the ability to knit?
Is she interested in selling them to friends or into retailers?

This person on Etsy seems to think $36 is good for a tie: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62661561...=all&ga_facet=

 

[clee1982]

I prefer something less rough looking (not in a bad way, but just not my taste, i.e. like heavy flannel shirt vs. light cotton shirt). Though if I ever dig into it, sub 50 USD would probably work for me.

 

[yjeezle]

fabric looks a little rough/thick (texture wise not skill-wise)... anywhere below $40 would work for me

 

[Mr. White]

..

 

[HRoi]

The tie does look kind of "rough". Why don't you put a bunch of them on eBay and start the auctions at a buck? The range of where the auctions end would be a good pricing starting point. Oh, and pics of gf

 

[CouttsClient]

Originally Posted by HRoi

The tie does look kind of "rough".

Why don't you put a bunch of them on eBay and start the auctions at a buck? The range of where the auctions end would be a good pricing starting point.

Oh, and pics of gf

Indeed. In fact, if she is attractive that could greatly increase the sales numbers

 

[Gibonius]

Originally Posted by CouttsClient

Indeed. In fact, if she is attractive that could greatly increase the sales numbers

Could make them gimmick auctions, show a "tastefully nude" girlfriend wearing the tie. It works for a couple other people, average sale prices are much higher until they get banned by Ebay.

 

[justsayno]

I won't go into the numbers here.

Who are your customers, and how much are they willing to pay for similar products? pricing is a combo of science and art. You must price at more than or equal to your cost of goods sold. (material cost and opportunity cost (labor)). If you're in the right business, you will want to price at the perceived value of your goods which is hopefully more than the cost of goods sold.

 

[jimmyfingers]

My Mom is big into all of this and has been doing it her whole life. People often ask her why she doesn't sale her stuff. By the time you figure in the labor/time, and materials, you might do better working at The Gap

 

[milosz]

Originally Posted by jimmyfingers

My Mom is big into all of this and has been doing it her whole life. People often ask her why she doesn't sale her stuff. By the time you figure in the labor/time, and materials, you might do better working at The Gap

Browsed through a magazine that had the guy from Etsy on the cover recently, and part of the article made this point - if the market price for something like this is $35-50, once you factor in material and labor you find there's a reason we farm out production to small Asian children working in sweatshops.

You need a market for 'artisanal ties' people will pay $200 for.