I've recently had to rethink how much I sell my puppet eyes for. They are way too time-consuming to make for less than $5 (for 3 pairs of handpainted eyes). I've recalculated my costs, but it comes to about $30 AUD. Would people really buy the eyes for that much? They're extremely popular, so I want to keep the price as affordable as possible without losing money on them. Other people who sell eyes tend to sell 'parts' (ie. factory manufactured items that are quite cheap), but these are custom items.

What do people think? Would they pay $30 for three pairs of these:

http://www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/productshowcase/#Furry_Puppet_Eyes:furry.png

Maybe you could try selling 1 pair for $10.00

That way if someone is making up a puppet they could get 1 pair for the specific project.

PS: Your web site looks unreal now, very nice. It has changed heaps since the last time I saw it. 

Maybe you could try selling 1 pair for $10.00

That way if someone is making up a puppet they could get 1 pair for the specific project.

I have been thinking about it, but aren't sure. Most of my orders for eyes are for multiple packs - six or ten packs of eyes, which is why I had to rethink the price. I'd like to keep offering them in packs if possible; but as a last resort I may offer them as a single pair.

PS: Your web site looks unreal now, very nice. It has changed heaps since the last time I saw it. 

Thanks - although the comments should be sent to Andrew from PuppetVision. He's the one who suggested all of the changes. I have to agree, it's a nicer and easier layout, and at some point I'll implement the changes on the other parts of my site too.

I'm not sure what your cost is................... I primarily charge more for just one pair of eyes. If someone orders a substantial amount of eyes then I try and give a price break. You have to set up the same supplies to produce one pair as to produce twenty ( give or take ) below is just a example of more than one choice.

Example:
1-5 pairs........... $12.50 each

6-11 pairs................ $12.00 each

12-16 pairs......... $11.50 each

17 pair or more......... $10.00 each

Just a idea !

Billy D.

$10.00 AUD for a pair of eyes not to much.    In fact I just did the conversion to US dollars and that comes out to just $7.94 a pair. Reference Site  You could pay that for just the supplies to make them yourself in the US.

Thanks guys

@Billy, the materials costs are quite low, but to make them is time and labour intensive. There are about 10 different drying stages per eye. I do make a whole bunch at once (that is, as one is drying I move on to the next step of another one), and it takes me about 5 days to make about 6 packs. I do like the idea of charging different amounts based on the number bought, but I'm not sure how to calculate labour costs or if lower prices for higher numbers will cover the costs.

@Shawn. Yes, it always sounds so much cheaper in USD   It really helps to have other perspectives, as most people don't sell eyes handmade, so I can't do price comparisons easily. I'm also concerned that Aussies won't pay as much, even if they are well made. They tend to run away as soon as you mention prices that actually cover costs (stupid Aussies   )

I'll think it over a bit more and play with my pricing calculator.

What glues/ paints are you using? 5 days to make 6 packs seems a long time to me.
I can create a set of eyes in less than 15 minutes. Arcrylic paint dries very quickly, and particulary quick if left out in the sun.
Mabey you could look at your methods to try to fit in with your prices.

Cheers,
Dan

I'm using acrylic paints, foam glue and a tiny bit of PVA - the foam glue usually takes an hour or so to dry, the PVA takes maybe about three. Mainly as I said there are ten steps to get them to dry, and each step requires it to be fully dry before moving on to the next bit. It's mainly drying time that takes so long, not the actual building processes.

I've mainstreamed the building as much as possible, and work back and forth between the eyes to make it faster. (Ie. I'll paint several at once, leave them to dry and whilst they're drying, paint more. Same with adding the eyelids, I'll be gluing several at once)

EDIT: Ah crap, I forgot - last time I was building I took notes of how much time it was taking. But then I figured out a way to speed up the process. So it probably doesn't take me 5 days, more like 2 or 3 now.

Na-you need to charge what your product is worth. If the consumer is too cheep that's their loss. Offer a cheaper product to reach a cheaper market and offer a better product for those willing to pay for it.

I know

It's just I'm not very good at judging the fine line between covering my costs and asking a competitive price. As a matter of fact, the very reason I am re-pricing these is because I've NOT been covering my costs at the previous price. (That and I'm getting larger and larger orders and need to charge more for the labour)

I think that once people realise that the eyes are handmade and customised, they'll be happy to pay for a higher price, seeing as you can't buy them in shops (especially in Oz where puppet eyes simply aren't sold anywhere anyway)