littysmom Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I just started making candles. I use the mason jelly jars half pint. I made labels for them and they look pretty neat. I took pics, now I need to figure out how to send them. Question is....... what I a good price to charge for them?? Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyinME Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 You need to figure out what it cost you to make them, then multiply that by either 2 or 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlecrazyinwv Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Heres my prices maybe that can help you...9oz Hex jars $510 oz clear or frosted bulb jars $718 oz Victorian keepsake jars $10Sound ok ladies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladysj Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 That sounds way under priced to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxGirl Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Here are what my prices are going to be when I start selling.4 oz Quilted Jelly Jar - $3.008 oz Quilted Jelly Jar - $6.008 oz Ball Elite Platinum Jar (Wickless for candle warmers) - $7.0016 oz Golden Harvest Canning Jar - $9.00That's all I make so far. Haven't tried other jars or other types of candles or tarts yet.Where I live my prices will have to be reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlecrazyinwv Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 That sounds way under priced to me.My husband takes care of the pricing and hes so scared that if we are high that we wont sell...so many people are buying cause they say its so low! I cannot raise it now...Im getting ready to do fund rasiers and Im scared I wont make what I should. Guess I should have done more research LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michi Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I think both of you (candlecrazyinwv & TxGirl) are both selling yourselves short. If you're using quality oils, waxes, etc. and have done your testing on all your sizes and fragrances then you should demand higher prices. After all, these are HAND MADE candles, not mass produced, throw some scent in some wax and slap a wick in it jars right??Right now, my rule of thumb is basically, all of my sizes sell for a $1 more than the ounces they hold. So my 6oz tins (which really hold 5oz. wax) sell for $6 or 3 for $15, etc.It's up to you and obviously your area, but if you add up how much it costs to make one candle of any given size, you should at LEAST be selling it for double that, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debscent Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 The hardest part about pricing is figuring out how to be competitive, but you also need to make money on this. When I first started I underpriced myself big time. It is always easier to lower prices. Before I sold my first candle, I went to area craft shows and small family owned stores and looked at the prices and quality of what other people were selling. I perfected my product to stand out above the others. At craft shows I do tend to offer deals. If you are stuck selling your candles now at a lower than desired price, let your customer know that you are selling it to them now at wholesale as an "introductory price." This way it leaves room for you to raise prices without raising eyebrows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristinesShower Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 How many can you make in an hour? How much power, gas, water, etc do you use in an hour? How much is your insurance per year?Those also need to be put in your costs - it is called overhead and most forget about that part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlecrazyinwv Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 The hardest part about pricing is figuring out how to be competitive, but you also need to make money on this. When I first started I underpriced myself big time. It is always easier to lower prices. Before I sold my first candle, I went to area craft shows and small family owned stores and looked at the prices and quality of what other people were selling. I perfected my product to stand out above the others. At craft shows I do tend to offer deals. If you are stuck selling your candles now at a lower than desired price, let your customer know that you are selling it to them now at wholesale as an "introductory price." This way it leaves room for you to raise prices without raising eyebrows.That is really good advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoopie Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I agree with underpricing......I took everything into respect when I priced mine and then forgot labor.....lol!! Never sell yourself short, or sell yourself so short that the rest of us look like yankme....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxGirl Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I worry that no one will buy them if I put much more price on them. I haven't started selling yet. I do hate the idea of selling them cheap, but honestly they are probably worth way more to me than they would be to anyone else because I know how much work and effort I've put into them. Which almost makes me want to just make them for me only. LOL I have a lot of thought to put into it before I do sell any. I just think that being that they are worth more to me than anyone else, that people will think, "Oh I can buy 3 for that price at Walmart" simply because they have no idea the work and quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debscent Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 TXGirl, hon, we've all had those fears and when you have mass producers like Walmart, Target, etc., they are a level of competition for us but just because it is handcrafted does not mean it is cheaply made. A candle lover is a candle lover and when you find a scent you like in a package you like, you will pay whatever the price is on it. If a potential customer says they can get a better deal at Walmart, let them. You will get your own loyal cutomers who will see that mass produced candles aren't nearly as nice as what you are making with your heart & soul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 TxGirl, I understand your concern about nobody wanting to buy if the price is too high. But Debscent is right in that a diehard candle fan will pay whatever you ask. If you're not sure what your market will bear, you could start off with an introductory offer price which is slightly lower than what you will eventually be charging. The advantage of pricing a little higher is so that you can have a sale every now and then. If you price them exactly at what you need to break even, you won't be able to afford putting them on sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerinarkansas Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Walmart candles suck...don't try to put yours on the same level with theirs. You get what you pay for (cheap wax at walmart) so just have faith in your product and go for it. Would you pay the higher price for your candle if you were buying? :undecided Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxGirl Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 You guys are right. Thank you for the very valuable advice. I appreciate it very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristinesShower Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 If someone came up to my candle display and said I could buy 3 of these from Walmart for that price - I would give them directions to the nearest Walmart store without even thinking twice about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlesprite7 Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 If someone came up to my candle display and said I could buy 3 of these from Walmart for that price - I would give them directions to the nearest Walmart store without even thinking twice about it.One lady complained about my prices, then bought a candle at a Dollar Tree, took it home and burned it, She hasnt complained since.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxGirl Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Well, honestly once someone tries a homemade quality candle they will surely never go back to store bought. That was my experience. I had a neighbor that had just started making them before I moved and even her being a newbie, they were awesome. She had given me 2 to try. They burned too hot and sooted like crazy, but they smelled awesome! I'm sure she has gotten much better by now. The most expensive candle I have is a hurricane that came from Bath and Body Works ($20.00) and I can honestly say that mine smell even better. But the point I'm making, I do have one (LOL) is that I had no idea how much better homemade candles are until I had tried one. I figure a lot of people just don't know and so they might say that about the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aswan01 Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Have you taken a whiff of the cheapo Walmart candles? PHEWWWW! I don't know how they burn, but hopefully they don't have a strong hot throw because who would want their homes to smell like those stinky things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxGirl Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Oh yeah! GAG! They are horrible! You can smell the chemicals in them. Not a nice smell at all. Very bad scent representations. Yuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverOrchid Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Yep, wal-mart candles make me cringe lol but alas I get them EVERY damn year from my mother inlaw..Im thinking she does it as revenge? Im hopeing this year because Im making them that she wont give me any..they smell soooooooooo bad I couldnt even give them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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