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Bowl pricing (Read 621 times)
 
Ed Weber
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Bowl pricing
Mar 6th, 2018 at 10:37am
 
Just a "general" question
Is the rule of thumb of $10 an inch still applicable these days.
I have been searching around and seeing prices for turned bowls ( on average) higher than they used to be. I also know that the price of wood has been increasing quite a bit over the last couple of years.
Thanks in advance
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Ralph Fahringer
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Re: Bowl pricing
Reply #1 - Mar 6th, 2018 at 11:40am
 
Personally, I think it is way too low.

Maybe if you are doing an assembly type of turning, but a one of a kind...

I sold a 5" wide x 7" tall spalted maple  vase for around $135.  Would that $10 rule apply in that case?

If so, then it would only have gone for $50.

Also agree that the cost of the wood has gone up as well. Not everything is free wood.

Possible that even at twice the cost of $20 per inch, it  is too low.

I have to keep consciously reminding myself that my prices in  my framing store have to keep going up to keep up with the times. 

Everyone needs to remember how many hours they put into a piece on top of the cost of the wood and the idea of covering the cost of the tools and heating, lighting, etc.
Don't forget how much it costs for the finishes we have to buy and the sand paper...

At that amount, one ends up turning for about $2 or $3/ hour.

I would like to think I can recoup about $15/hour for my time to make anything in my shop.

Even if one is very good and can make a bowl in 3 hours with found wood, why should it be sold so cheaply? 
Don't forget  that the same bowl would sell for different amounts depending on where in the US.
A $50 bowl in Arkansas would be $150 in coastal, touristy, New England.

On a different subject, yet somewhat related.. I'm attempting to rent an apartment next to my house and the last time I personally  rented, the cost was about $600/month. Now, mine is about to be rented for $950 and that is very close to the average in my area.

Costs go up over time and we need to keep up with them or get left behind.

Ok... I'm done rambling. Smiley
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Ed Weber
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Re: Bowl pricing
Reply #2 - Mar 6th, 2018 at 12:11pm
 
Ralph Fahringer wrote on Mar 6th, 2018 at 11:40am:
ot everything is free wood.

"Free wood" isn't usually free, but that's another topic.

Ralph Fahringer wrote on Mar 6th, 2018 at 11:40am:
Everyone needs to remember how many hours they put into a piece on top of the cost of the wood and the idea of covering the cost of the tools and heating, lighting, etc.
Don't forget how much it costs for the finishes we have to buy and the sand paper...

At that amount, one ends up turning for about $2 or $3/ hour.

People also need to determine what their hourly rate is, not may do.

The "rule-of-thumb" of $10 per inch is just a starting point for the price of a very basic single curve bowl, made from unremarkable wood with no embellishments or additions.
I know this not set in stone and that there too many variables to calculate, this is why I used the term "In general".
I have seen prices that range from virtually $0 - $20 per inch on very basic bowls, this is what started me wondering if the same "average" starting price still applied.
When I say $0, I mean I could barely purchase the wood that that price.

We've been over this time and again, professional vs. hobbyist and why prices are what they are. I thought with the spring craft shows starting up people would have an idea of what items would be selling for this year or at least a starting price.
It seems to me that based on rising wood prices alone, $12-$14 per inch might be more realistic.
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Don Stephan
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Re: Bowl pricing
Reply #3 - Mar 6th, 2018 at 8:01pm
 
Years ago I decided that the work involved in a bowl is better reflected by the sum of the diameter and the height, rather than just the diameter.
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Ed Weber
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Re: Bowl pricing
Reply #4 - Mar 6th, 2018 at 8:26pm
 
Thanks Don
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