I started off with the idea of writing a blog that might give folks a little ‘insight’ into how come everything is costing more these days. I know, ya’ll at some level realize it is costing “us” more and we are just passing it along in order for us to be able to also live and ‘pay the bills’. I thought I’d just put out some actual numbers – to make it all more ‘real’ and ‘in perspective’, so to speak.
So, when I began this business, about 15 years ago, the cost of fabric (wholesale) was around $4.00 per yard. It is now approaching $6.00 and my recent order had a shipping cost of $0.79 PER YARD! I swear, it cost something closer to $0.25 when I started! And I know it was around $0.50 last time I ordered!
My first printer was big and expensive – I needed one that could print 11″ x 17″ – and I think total for the 4 cartridges was in the $75 range. The current printer is $140 for the four cartridges!
I use ‘flat rate priority’ for mailing larger orders, which are ‘free shipping’ to my customers! (over $50 orders). I think when I started it was $3.85? More recently it has been $5.05! And the other day, imagine my surprise when it came up at $6.45!! That’s an increase of $1.40!! In one ‘swell foop’! (hmm, does this program also have spell check/auto correct?? I thought I typed it that way and it showed up the right way – as ‘fell swoop’. ^_^ Just a funny way someone way back in my past used to say it – on purpose.)
The paper I use for all the covers was ‘expensive’ when I started. I needed something that wouldn’t soak up even more ink given those photos on the covers are pretty ‘intense’ – ink-wise! It was around $10, as I recall. It is now $17. As is the 11″ x 17″ paper – on which all the actual patterns are printed.
So, today I found myself wondering if it isn’t time to raise my prices – because ‘the rest of the story’ is, while all of those things have been increasing – total sales per show? not so much!! In fact, my current ‘realistic’ goal each time is definitely less than a few years ago! BUT as I even considered raising my prices, I found myself slammed against that same old stupid wall – the whole ‘self-worth’ thing!! Not going to write a bunch about that here – not now. I just found it surprising how ‘gut-wrenching’ it is to even consider “asking for more”!! Visions of “Oliver” dance before my eyes! ^_^ funny
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