NaturallyTru Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 I sell my candles on consignment in shops for $8.99. I normally sell them for $8.00 at the couple craft shows I do each year. I will be at a 2 day large festival in August in my home town. I know there will be 1 or 2 other soy candle people there as there always is. My candle is the 9oz Fillmore straight sided jar and I do not color them. The phrase "dye free" is what customers I the shops are asking for. The festival is a totally different group of buyers. The other candle people will have jelly jars and price at $5.00 or $6.00 with a possible discount on quantity. What should I price my candles at to compete? Should I still ask my normal price of $8 or should I lower the price? Currently my cost per candle is $3.25. :undecided Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 I don't generally change my per unit price at any given fair or festival. I will often offer show specials or a particular scent or multi purchase offers, gifts with purchase, etc. instead depending on the crowd. It costs me less to give a small free gift than to reduce actual $ from a price point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debscent Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 Why sell yourself short? You have no idea what their quality is. I wouldn't lower my price to match theirs. If you feel that you need to reduce your candles, do $2 for $16 or 4 for $30. Or...put together a gift basket of products and offer a ticket for each purchase of $15 or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SliverOfWax Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I wouldn't charge different prices for different venues because repeat customers will follow you around and look you up. They'll expect the price to be consistent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I use the same jars and charge $8 per candle too. I also do a 2 for or 3 for special to encourage bigger sales. I don't worry about the cheap jelly jars the other candle makers sell at the same craft shows. I know the value of my candles and price accordingly. My customers don't fuss over the price and many go for the 2 for or 3 for specials to save. That way they can buy more scents and get the discount.BTW-- my 9oz salsa jars retail for $10-$11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaturallyTru Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Thank you everyone. I know the quality of the jelly jars is not up to my standards. Drives me nuts every year walking by them at the festival. I am always getting compliments on how strong my scents are and how I have unique choices over other candles. I am just a little nervous because when I did a few markets in June I only sold $40-45 each time and that has never happened. There was one jelly jar person at the other end of the market who sold cheaper. I do not know how much she sells; but I know she is there every week for the past few years, so I am assuming she sells more than $40. Plus I just spent $500 replenishing stock for this 2 day festival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Thank you everyone. I know the quality of the jelly jars is not up to my standards. Drives me nuts every year walking by them at the festival. I am always getting compliments on how strong my scents are and how I have unique choices over other candles. I am just a little nervous because when I did a few markets in June I only sold $40-45 each time and that has never happened. There was one jelly jar person at the other end of the market who sold cheaper. I do not know how much she sells; but I know she is there every week for the past few years, so I am assuming she sells more than $40. Plus I just spent $500 replenishing stock for this 2 day festival. I wouldn't assume anything. Price and market your wares appropriately and don't even worry about the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshine Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I don't understand how these people can sell for 5 or 6 dollars- regardless of the fact they use jelly jars- I see them everywhere at craft shows toI use the square mason and 415 with various quality oils and the rustic lid with Kraft round labels on top and cannot sell any cheaper than 8 wholesale- 10 at least for retailWe have a company every year at our festival that uses the same jar but crap looking labels and they sell those for 8 or 2 for 15 and I would go in the hole doing that- they must be using a super cheap soy wax and oils- and when I burn theirs they are horrible- mushrooms- soot and weak throwMy first show is coming up and I am sticking to the price I have to get to profit- and I will explain to people if they ask the difference in quality ingredients and if all they want is cheap then go to the cheap booth- you get what you pay for! And if selling is a flop for me....I will have many candles to myself! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonShadow Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I don't discount for festivals either. But I have some small freebies with my web addy on them that I give to to browsers so they engage in a conversation with me. Then I sell the quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 @moonshadow - it's mind boggling to see how many people have no clue what their real costs are so they can accurately price a product. I have a sneaking suspicion that those who severely under price have a secondary source of income to off-set the true losses. Basically hobbyists out to recoup a little $ to buy more materials occasionally rather than trying to build a self-supporting business. Very few have the volume of turnover to make the low per unit profits to remain sustainable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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