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  #1   Report Post  
 
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Default Shipping and Handling Charges?

I'm having a real hard time trying to figure fair shipping costs for my
items. As many of you know I sell CLTL (Carpe Lignum, Torne Lignum)
items and now have a stainless steel bottle stopper. This is not an
ad for those items, my problem is how to charge for shipping and should
I add a handling fee? I hate handling fees, however, I'm learning
there is a cost to handling. I've been quoting exact shipping to zip
codes. After buying tissue paper, bubble wrap and tape, then there's
the PayPal fees, ..... well, you get the picture.

Am I making this a bigger deal than it really is? Could I add $1 or
more to cover these expenses? I'm driving myself crazy trying to be
fair but not lose money. Guess that comes from raising 4 kids alone
and struggling forever, sort of like people I know who lived through
the Depression and are still afraid of losing their money. My, I
hadn't expected to go off like this, I was just going to ask a simple
little question. Sorry.

Any opinions? advice? suggestions?

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com

  #3   Report Post  
 
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I as a consumer of items would rather have you build the extra expense
of packing material into your price as part of your overhead. Some one
with a storefront certainly wishes that there cost of business was as
low as the internet people. Building the cost into your price allows
you to say shipping at actual cost no handling fee and makes the buyer
feel that they are buying at the best possible price.

  #4   Report Post  
 
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I as a consumer of items would rather have you build the extra expense
of packing material into your price as part of your overhead. Some one
with a storefront certainly wishes that there cost of business was as
low as the internet people. Building the cost into your price allows
you to say shipping at actual cost no handling fee and makes the buyer
feel that they are buying at the best possible price.

  #5   Report Post  
Leo Van Der Loo
 
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Hi Ruth

I would suggest that you include the handling cost into the price of
your product, and you could give better prices for larger orders of the
same products, it will encourage people ordering larger orders rather
than more small or single orders.

and of course placing 20 doehickies in one box is a lot less work than
filling 20 single orders.

Ruth I hope you will let all of us know when you will be able to start
shipping those bottle stoppers and the pricing etc.

I have never made any bottle stoppers but I'm sure I would be able to
make some people happy with them.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo


wrote:
I'm having a real hard time trying to figure fair shipping costs for my
items.
Any opinions? advice? suggestions?

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com




  #6   Report Post  
Earl
 
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I used to own a small business and did a lot of shipping. I, also,
found it best to just build the handling cost and shipping materials
into the item. But don't worry yourself sick about exact costs for each
item. Take an honest look at your overall materials costs and time and
then divide it by the number of items you can usually ship with that
amount of materials and time. My off hand guess would be that $2-$3 is
going to cover most small items and most people will not even notice
that small of a price increase.

Check your box and supply source, too. We found we could order things
like peanuts, bubble wrap and boxes from a wholesale paper distributor
far cheaper than you can get them from stores.

Earl

  #8   Report Post  
George
 
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wrote in message
ups.com...

Am I making this a bigger deal than it really is? Could I add $1 or
more to cover these expenses? I'm driving myself crazy trying to be
fair but not lose money.

Any opinions? advice? suggestions?


Mostly a me too. Add the buck to the item, quote actual shipping, then
discount on five or more to compensate for the lower handling. I don't know
as if I would go to advertising with misleading statements. You're not
going to be selling a lot to people who believe in a free lunch.


  #9   Report Post  
Leif Thorvaldson
 
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"Owen Lowe" wrote in message
news
In article . com,
wrote:

my problem is how to charge for shipping and should
I add a handling fee? I hate handling fees, however, I'm learning
there is a cost to handling. I've been quoting exact shipping to zip
codes. After buying tissue paper, bubble wrap and tape, then there's
the PayPal fees, ...


Hi Ruth. Seems like all the responses so far are advising to just build
it into the item cost and leave shipping as an exact line item. Well,
I'm no different with the exception of putting some sort of blurb into
your descriptions that there are no extra packaging or handling fees -
something on the order of: "All items are carefully wrapped and
cushioned against damage for the journey from my door to yours with no
additional packaging or handling fees."

Well, you get the picture - let them know that a valuable service and
expense is put into every order with no extra costs. Whenever you are
going through additional steps beyond what is expected or customary let
your customers know. Jeez, even when it is customary, let them know -
the guys who don't promote these services are then perceived as more
costly since it's implied they'll be charging - whether they do or not.


======Owen! For shame! Ruth's not that kind of gal*G* You're suggesting
she stoop to false advertising?? Rather let the customer assume the cost of
the packaging and handling is incorporated into the price and have her
establish appropriate postage from the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, etc. If one
must have a statement then let it be something to the effect that all
shipments are carefully prepared and wrapped and leave it at that. Boy! I
am going to have to really examine claims made by Oregon companies that ship
their merchandise before ordering from them!!! 8^)

Leif


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Leo,

Bottle stoppers are one of the easiest and fastest turnings that really
impresses people. It took me years before I turned one only because
I'd think "there isn't enough work in them to justify calling it
woodturning"! Boy, was I wrong (again).

My new stainless steel bottle stoppers are available right now. I've
been selling them for a few weeks and getting a lot of positive
feedback from the turners. Go to my website ( www.torne-lignum.com )
for the details, I'm a little hesitant to post them here without
permission to do an "AD".

Thanks,
Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com



  #11   Report Post  
 
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Well, it looks like everyone agrees. My thinking was going along this
same track, just needed reassurance.

I have 2 very big pet peeves:

1. Why can't the USPS, who is so automated, have postage per ounce
like the GOV'T requires of grocery stores? If you ship 1 lb. 1 oz.,
you pay for 2 lb.; that's 15 oz. you're paying for that you are NOT
shipping. See how fast a grocery store would be shut down if they
tried this with chicken!

2. An eBay seller who puts shipping and handling at, say $6.95, for
an item you KNOW will be $2.75 (or something close) to ship and starts
the bidding at $1.00. Even if I want this item, I refuse to bid or
buy anything from that seller. (of course, it wouldn't be anything for
turning anyway; all those sellers are sensible, right?!?)

Stepping down off my soap box and feeling a lot better for the little
rant.

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com

  #16   Report Post  
Chuck
 
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On 20 Jul 2005 03:24:22 -0700, wrote:


feedback from the turners. Go to my website (
www.torne-lignum.com )
for the details, I'm a little hesitant to post them here without
permission to do an "AD".


Hi Ruth,

FWIW, The long-standing concensus here has been that one blatant ad,
every 2 weeks is an acceptable use of the newsgroup. It certainly
couldn't be called "spamming."

And I agree, build it into the price.




--
Chuck *#:^)
chaz3913(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Anti-spam sig: please remove "NO SPAM" from e-mail address to reply.


September 11, 2001 - Never Forget

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  #17   Report Post  
mac davis
 
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On 19 Jul 2005 19:48:54 -0700, wrote:

I'm having a real hard time trying to figure fair shipping costs for my
items. As many of you know I sell CLTL (Carpe Lignum, Torne Lignum)
items and now have a stainless steel bottle stopper. This is not an
ad for those items, my problem is how to charge for shipping and should
I add a handling fee? I hate handling fees, however, I'm learning
there is a cost to handling. I've been quoting exact shipping to zip
codes. After buying tissue paper, bubble wrap and tape, then there's
the PayPal fees, ..... well, you get the picture.

Am I making this a bigger deal than it really is? Could I add $1 or
more to cover these expenses? I'm driving myself crazy trying to be
fair but not lose money. Guess that comes from raising 4 kids alone
and struggling forever, sort of like people I know who lived through
the Depression and are still afraid of losing their money. My, I
hadn't expected to go off like this, I was just going to ask a simple
little question. Sorry.

Any opinions? advice? suggestions?

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com

I don't think there is a really GOOD way to handle (no pun intended) those
expenses...
The best that I've come up with, from being on the buying and selling end
several times, is that Paypal is a way to get more sales, and I eat the cost of
that...
I try to figure out how much it costs to pack something, and take it to the post
office if UPS isn't picking it up, because if I don't, I burn up profit unless I
raise the item price or charge handling...

I hate the term "shipping and handling" and think most folks do... it doesn't
say how much is handling and is usually a way to make a profit on handling, like
a lot of the stuff on ebay..

I think for example, that on a small item, you state that the shipping will be
whatever the actual charge to you is, add a $2 (or whatever it costs you)
handling charge, state that it IS a handling charge, and mention that you care
enough to make sure that your items are well wrapped, folks will go along with
the charge... YMMV
Mac
03 Tahoe Widelite 26GT Travel Trailer
replaced 1958 Hilite tent trailer
99 Dodge Ram QQ 2wd - 5.9L, auto, 3:55 gears
  #18   Report Post  
Chuck
 
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On 20 Jul 2005 03:38:48 -0700, wrote:

I have 2 very big pet peeves:

1. Why can't the USPS, who is so automated, have postage per ounce
like the GOV'T requires of grocery stores?


Ah, that's an easy one. You answered your own question. "Why can't
the USps...GOV'T..." I'll bet you can't name a single thing, under
government auspices, that is done efficiently.

2. An eBay seller who puts shipping and handling at, say $6.95, for
an item you KNOW will be $2.75 (or something close) to ship and starts
the bidding at $1.00. Even if I want this item, I refuse to bid or
buy anything from that seller. (of course, it wouldn't be anything for
turning anyway; all those sellers are sensible, right?!?)


I hear you on this one. That irks me, too, and my response is the
same as yours. I also make a point of stating on my own auctions that
I don't have fake "handling" charges to jack up the price, and buyers
pay only actual shipping costs. Sometimes I'll even go to the trouble
of writing to the auctioner and asking them why it costs $12 to ship a
baseball card or something like that, or why I can't pick my own
shipping rate. Why on earth should I have to pay for Express Mail if
I want a book shipped media rate or parcel post?

I guess that's why they call it "shopping!"



--
Chuck *#:^)
chaz3913(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Anti-spam sig: please remove "NO SPAM" from e-mail address to reply.


September 11, 2001 - Never Forget

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
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  #19   Report Post  
George
 
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"Ecnerwal" wrote in message
...
...so how does Chuck's "it's the government's fault" theory explain UPS
and FedEx? It doesn't? Hmm. Could be a flaw in Chuck's theory...BTW
Medicare has lower operating expenses than any other insurance company,
last I recall things being pulled out for examination. But this is OT.


Probably because they contract their billing to civilian contractors. It
would be outrageous if they had government workers (oxymoron) doing it....


  #20   Report Post  
John DeBoo
 
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Drop PayPal like a hot potatoe, figure your actual out of pocket
expenses for however many items you expect to ship and divide by that
number. Handling fee's suck and on a smalltime basis are a rip off to
the purchaser. I can't count the number of items on fleaBay that have
S&H charges exceeding the items bid price. Yes, it's an expense but one
that I absorb or figure into the item cost initially, just like the
labor to make an item. I hate handling charges and consider them a rip
off. Let your conscience be your guide.
John

wrote:

I'm having a real hard time trying to figure fair shipping costs for my
items. As many of you know I sell CLTL (Carpe Lignum, Torne Lignum)
items and now have a stainless steel bottle stopper. This is not an
ad for those items, my problem is how to charge for shipping and should
I add a handling fee? I hate handling fees, however, I'm learning
there is a cost to handling. I've been quoting exact shipping to zip
codes. After buying tissue paper, bubble wrap and tape, then there's
the PayPal fees, ..... well, you get the picture.

Am I making this a bigger deal than it really is? Could I add $1 or
more to cover these expenses? I'm driving myself crazy trying to be
fair but not lose money. Guess that comes from raising 4 kids alone
and struggling forever, sort of like people I know who lived through
the Depression and are still afraid of losing their money. My, I
hadn't expected to go off like this, I was just going to ask a simple
little question. Sorry.

Any opinions? advice? suggestions?

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com



  #21   Report Post  
Owen Lowe
 
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In article , "George" George@least
wrote:

I don't know
as if I would go to advertising with misleading statements. You're not
going to be selling a lot to people who believe in a free lunch.


I'm at a loss as to what I said that would be misleading... George and
Leif, is it because I used the word "extra" instead of "additional"?
Reread my post with the word "additional" in place of "extra" - at least
I think that should clear up the misunderstanding.

I merely said to describe what Ruth is including in the price so people
are aware there are no extra/additional fees. By stating it, people may
gain confidence and attain a higher comfort level with ordering.

When they compare Ruth to other merchants who don't state similar
details it may sway them toward Ruth. Consider a competitor, Minerva,
selling a similar item for $25 - Ruth's costs $25 as well. Ruth has made
a point of saying she takes extra care with the customer's selection
through packing a certain way with no additional fees tacked on - other
than actual postage. Minerva doesn't say anything about this aspect of
delivering the item to the customer even though she does the same thing.
I'd say it puts Ruth in a more positive, customer oriented light and
raises questions about where the ultimate costs may end up if ordered
through Minerva.

Consider how this would come across even if Ruth charges $26 to
Minerva's $25. I think it still gives Ruth an advantage because she's
clearly putting it all on the table for the customer to see, and
possibly, be made aware of something they might not have thought of.
Nothing is misleading, falsified or impugning.

--
Owen Lowe

Northwest Woodturners,
Cascade Woodturners,
Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild
___
Safety Tip'o'th'week: Never grind aluminum and steel or iron on the same
machine or workstation - Thermite.
http://www.hanford.gov/lessons/sitell/ll01/2001-36.htm
  #22   Report Post  
Derek Andrews
 
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wrote:
...... my problem is how to charge for shipping and should
I add a handling fee? I hate handling fees, however, I'm learning
there is a cost to handling. I've been quoting exact shipping to zip
codes. After buying tissue paper, bubble wrap and tape, then there's
the PayPal fees, ..... well, you get the picture.

Am I making this a bigger deal than it really is? Could I add $1 or
more to cover these expenses?


I think it is reasonable to add a little to cover the material cost of
shipping.

But the labor cost of processing an order is probably even higher. How
many orders can you process and pack in an hour?

How the customer pays for this can be tricky! Do you consider it an
overhead and add it to your item prices? Or do you add it to the
shipping costs? There are pro's and con's of both approaches.

The approach I take is to have a flat fee to cover the basic shipping
cost to anywhere in the USA, plus the cost of a padded envelope. Then I
add a little to the unit price of each for my time, and a little bit
more for heavier items that will push the shipping cost up when someone
buys multiples. Overall I think it works out ok for me, my products and
my shipping destinations. YMMV. I ship from Canada mainly to the USA.
Many small orders are actually cheaper to send to USA than to Canada due
to the vagaries of the postal services available. So there is no easy
answer, but I think overall I have struck a fair balance for both me and
my customers. It is also worth considering the shipping as a service you
provide to your customer, so why shouldn't they pay for it?

On another related note, one thing that comes up a lot amongst online
merchants is insurance and delivery confirmation. Presumably you are
going to be selling to nice woodturning folk who aren't out to rip you
off, but there are people out there who won't pay for insurance on their
shipments, then complain when it arrives damaged, and even more who deny
the parcel arrived and instigate a charge back. So do consider insuring
everything and using a service that includes delivery confirmation or
signature, especially for larger orders that you cannot afford to replace.

--
Derek Andrews, woodturner

http://www.seafoamwoodturning.com
http://chipshop.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toolrest/








  #23   Report Post  
Derek Andrews
 
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mac davis wrote:
I hate the term "shipping and handling" and think most folks do... it doesn't
say how much is handling and is usually a way to make a profit on handling, like
a lot of the stuff on ebay..


In the UK it is called P&P: post and packing. I'm not sure if it is any
less expensive, but it sounds like less of a rip off. I don't think
anyone is going to object to having to pay a little for packing materials.

--
Derek Andrews, woodturner

http://www.seafoamwoodturning.com
http://chipshop.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toolrest/








  #24   Report Post  
Prometheus
 
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On 20 Jul 2005 03:24:22 -0700, wrote:

Leo,

Bottle stoppers are one of the easiest and fastest turnings that really
impresses people. It took me years before I turned one only because
I'd think "there isn't enough work in them to justify calling it
woodturning"! Boy, was I wrong (again).

My new stainless steel bottle stoppers are available right now. I've
been selling them for a few weeks and getting a lot of positive
feedback from the turners. Go to my website (
www.torne-lignum.com )
for the details, I'm a little hesitant to post them here without
permission to do an "AD".


You know, Ruth- I'm of the opinion that you're undercharging as it is.
Look at what you've got there- Stainless steel, with the three O-rings
assembled. I don't know if you're making them yourself or gettting
them from a machine shop, but either way they're a custom(ish) product
made from a high quality metal that is not particularly easy to work
with, and has an additional assembly step involved.

It's really easy to short yourself when you're setting the prices, but
if you're worried about the cost of packing materials, you should be
charging more for the product. I don't need a bottle stopper insert
at the moment, but I would expect to pay at least $10 for one of
those. Compare it to some other products- you're offering a great
deal on a good product, and you shouldn't be afraid to charge what it
is actually worth- there is really no great need to offer wholesale
prices to somone who is only buying one or two! Once you've got the
price where it should be, shipping materials should be far less of a
concern.

Just my $.02, as someone who has undervalued his work in the past...




  #25   Report Post  
George
 
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"Owen Lowe" wrote in message
news
In article , "George" George@least
wrote:

I don't know
as if I would go to advertising with misleading statements. You're not
going to be selling a lot to people who believe in a free lunch.


I'm at a loss as to what I said that would be misleading...


I suppose you might be, having suggested it. But good service needs no
hype.

"Extra" valuable services indeed.




  #26   Report Post  
 
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Derek wrote: "How the customer pays for this can be tricky! Do you
consider it an
overhead and add it to your item prices? Or do you add it to the
shipping costs? There are pro's and con's of both approaches."
***********************
Derek,
I've decided to just eat the PayPal service charges. There are too
many customers who want to use it rather than send personal checks. I
prefer checks, I know I'm a bit naive, but I never think a woodturner
will cheat me so I ship the day I get the check rather than wait for it
to clear. Guess most people prefer the speed, ease and security of
using PayPal.
*************************************
Derek also wrote: "..... Presumably you are
going to be selling to nice woodturning folk who aren't out to rip you
off, but there are people out there who won't pay for insurance on
their
shipments, then complain when it arrives damaged, and even more who
deny
the parcel arrived and instigate a charge back. So do consider insuring

everything and using a service that includes delivery confirmation...."
*******************************

Derek, after a few talks with my postmaster and showing him what I'm
shipping, he said, "Unless you have a cash register receipt or official
bill and a tracking #, the USPS will not pay for a lost item. The item
must be shown to the PO and the damage assessed and a cash register
receipt or other formal billing shown before any payment is made."
Now, IF the package is lost, well, it looks like tough luck because the
receipt would be in the package. The damage part is fairly simple and
clear enough.

As to customers ripping me off, I don't think that will happen with
woodturners, but if they feel that's the way to behave, so be it. In
over 16 years I only met one woodturner who was definitely of this
sort, he bought 2 mugs at a Symposium and badgered me so much I just
gave him his money back and let him keep the mugs just to get rid of
him. Thank goodness I have no idea who he is, I don't want to know
his name. AND if it's anyone reading this group, don't tell us.

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com

  #27   Report Post  
 
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Prometheus (nice name!) wrote: "You know, Ruth- I'm of the opinion
that you're undercharging as it is.
Look at what you've got there- Stainless steel, with the three O-rings
assembled. I don't know if you're making them yourself or gettting
them from a machine shop, but either way they're a custom(ish) product
made from a high quality metal that is not particularly easy to work
with, and has an additional assembly step involved."
***********************************
I like you're way of thinking, Prometheus! However, most woodturners
wouldn't pay more than the $4.50 per that I'm charging.
I'm having these done at a machine shop, but I put the rings on myself.
We decided to go with the 300 series stainless and better rubber
rings so both materials are FDA Approved, which the chrome stoppers
definitely are not. The turners who have received these "SS Niles
Bottle Stoppers" (BTW, the official reg. copyright title ahem!) have
all emailed saying how impressed they were with the quality and hefty
feel (each weighs 1.8 oz.). So, Prometheus, you are absolutely right
in what you're saying, I guess a big part of it, for me, is the thrill
knowing I came up with this idea and a lot of woodturners think it's
terrific.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com

  #29   Report Post  
Owen Lowe
 
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In article , "George" George@least
wrote:

I suppose you might be, having suggested it. But good service needs no
hype.


How is a new customer supposed to know that Ruth offers outstanding
service if she doesn't point it out? Repeat customers may not need such
a description but new ones have nothing to go on.

If you were selling a turning would you not talk up the quality, details
or uniqueness of the turning? After all, the customer ought to be able
to recognize all those things without a word, yes? I see nothing wrong
or untoward in letting a customer know the effort and care that goes
into the item they are purchasing whether it's in the making or the
packaging.

Does anyone else see my point or am I hanging off my own cliff on this
one?

--
Owen Lowe

Northwest Woodturners,
Cascade Woodturners,
Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild
___
Safety Tip'o'th'week: Never grind aluminum and steel or iron on the same
machine or workstation - Thermite.
http://www.hanford.gov/lessons/sitell/ll01/2001-36.htm
  #30   Report Post  
Lobby Dosser
 
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Owen Lowe wrote:

In article , "George" George@least
wrote:

I suppose you might be, having suggested it. But good service needs
no hype.


How is a new customer supposed to know that Ruth offers outstanding
service if she doesn't point it out? Repeat customers may not need
such a description but new ones have nothing to go on.

If you were selling a turning would you not talk up the quality,
details or uniqueness of the turning? After all, the customer ought to
be able to recognize all those things without a word, yes? I see
nothing wrong or untoward in letting a customer know the effort and
care that goes into the item they are purchasing whether it's in the
making or the packaging.

Does anyone else see my point or am I hanging off my own cliff on this
one?


Yes and no, you're not hanging off your own cliff.


  #31   Report Post  
Prometheus
 
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On 21 Jul 2005 07:27:22 -0700, wrote:

Prometheus (nice name!) wrote: "You know, Ruth- I'm of the opinion
that you're undercharging as it is.
Look at what you've got there- Stainless steel, with the three O-rings
assembled. I don't know if you're making them yourself or gettting
them from a machine shop, but either way they're a custom(ish) product
made from a high quality metal that is not particularly easy to work
with, and has an additional assembly step involved."
***********************************
I like you're way of thinking, Prometheus! However, most woodturners
wouldn't pay more than the $4.50 per that I'm charging.
I'm having these done at a machine shop, but I put the rings on myself.
We decided to go with the 300 series stainless and better rubber
rings so both materials are FDA Approved, which the chrome stoppers
definitely are not. The turners who have received these "SS Niles
Bottle Stoppers" (BTW, the official reg. copyright title ahem!) have
all emailed saying how impressed they were with the quality and hefty
feel (each weighs 1.8 oz.). So, Prometheus, you are absolutely right
in what you're saying, I guess a big part of it, for me, is the thrill
knowing I came up with this idea and a lot of woodturners think it's
terrific.

Thanks for the encouragement!


No problem- it sure looks like you have a winner there! I don't drink
much these days, so I haven't got into the bottle stopper thing, but
I've got your page marked just in case.

Also, it occured to me after spotting this thread again that the USPS
was advertsing a service a while back that allowed the sender to weigh
a package at home, and then print a label with exact postage. IIRC,
the benefit of this was that you could send an envelope with a sheet
of paper in it for a little less than the cost of a standard stamp.
Odds are the prices were set in cents per gram, which could be a way
of saving a little money in the process, as well as saving you an
extra trip or two to the post office!


  #32   Report Post  
mac davis
 
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On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 02:19:24 -0700, Owen Lowe wrote:

In article , "George" George@least
wrote:

I suppose you might be, having suggested it. But good service needs no
hype.


How is a new customer supposed to know that Ruth offers outstanding
service if she doesn't point it out? Repeat customers may not need such
a description but new ones have nothing to go on.

If you were selling a turning would you not talk up the quality, details
or uniqueness of the turning? After all, the customer ought to be able
to recognize all those things without a word, yes? I see nothing wrong
or untoward in letting a customer know the effort and care that goes
into the item they are purchasing whether it's in the making or the
packaging.

Does anyone else see my point or am I hanging off my own cliff on this
one?


Yep.. the reason that I brought up mentioning your care in packing to Ruth is
that I buy several things a year from a couple on ebay, (they live in Ohio and
find a lot of used shopsmith stuff), and I was impressed when I saw their
shipping section for the first time..
They said upfront that their handling charges were a bit high, but they wanted
to get the item to you well packed and intact... and guaranteed that it would
be...

This, to me, is an example of WHY you say (and do) something like that... so
that someone is impressed by it, orders from you and then tells others that they
were impressed..

OTOH, if you say it and don't DO it, you get negative referrals, which are about
10 times more effective than positive ones...


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing
  #34   Report Post  
Leo Van Der Loo
 
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Hello Ruth

Thanks for the reply, those stoppers look real sharp, and the cost is a
little better than half of the good quality ones I'm familiar with.

So the check is in the mail.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

wrote:

Leo,

Bottle stoppers are one of the easiest and fastest turnings that really
impresses people. It took me years before I turned one only because
I'd think "there isn't enough work in them to justify calling it
woodturning"! Boy, was I wrong (again).

My new stainless steel bottle stoppers are available right now. I've
been selling them for a few weeks and getting a lot of positive
feedback from the turners. Go to my website (
www.torne-lignum.com )
for the details, I'm a little hesitant to post them here without
permission to do an "AD".

Thanks,
Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com


  #35   Report Post  
 
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Prometheus, I read something about that, too. I think you just have to
get an online account with USPS. I'm going to check it out.

Thanks,
Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com

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