Prices for pens

[Ellen Benkin]

Since we have a thread discussing the pricing for wine stoppers, so I thought I'd ask about pricing for pens. I've been making slimlines and I figure the break even point for all the materials -- not accounting for my time -- is about $12. What do you charge for slimlines and other 7mm pens?

Have a good Memorial Day weekend! I hope to spend at least one of the days turning.

[Mike Vickery]

$12 seems high to me for material cost for a slimline. Would you mind giving a price breakdown?

Slimelines I usually sell for $25 to $30

[Nancy Laird]

Ellen, I sell individual slimlines for $25.00, and a set goes for $40.00. I usually try to convince my buyers to get a box for them, but it doesn't always happen.

Nancy

[Bernie Weishapl]

I agree with Mike. What is the breakdown of your supplies? I figure mine are about $3 to $6. Just curious. I sell my slimlines for $20 and sets for $40.

[Dario Octaviano]

I stopped making slimlines (just by preference...nothing against it) but when I was still making/selling them, I charge 25-30 for it. I always include a box. For my more expensive pens, I also include a refill.

[Terry Quiram]

Depends on where you are located. I can't get $10 here. So I quit making them for sale. I send them to Freedom Pens.

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Hi Ellen,

Depends on the kit, but for 7 mm I have focused on the chrome Streamlines...$35- 40 :)

[Ellen Benkin]

Thanks for the responses. I figured costs as the most expensive kit plus the most expensive wood plus misc costs for the drill bit, glue, trimmer, bushings, finish, and clamping mechanism. This does not include wear and tear on the lathe, drill press, turning tools, and my time. I also thought that $25 was a fair price for the slimlines, so thanks for the confirmation.

[Dennis Peacock]

Depends on where you are located. I can't get $10 here. So I quit making them for sale. I send them to Freedom Pens.

Well...I could at least get $15 each for my pens around here. I've had several offers for $5 for a cutom made pen. I just say "sorry, but I can't sell them for that, I've for a lot more than that in them". I have sold some very nice pens for a fair price, just not to folks around here. Many buyers have the Wal-Mart mentality...I want it and I want it for cheap!!! Well, I made it custom and you ain't gettin' it for cheap. ;)

[Ellen Benkin]

I agree. Lots of people would like to have a pen or some other handcrafted item for a couple of bucks, but we all deserve some recompense for the skill that goes into making it.

[Bob Hallowell]

I sell mine for $34 but that includes a nice wood box.

Bob

[Alfred Clem]

My wife runs the gift shop of our local historical society's museum. I make pens of local wood gathered from our forest, orchards, and rangeland. I donate the pens to her gift shop where she sells them for $25, and so all proceeds go to the museum as my donation. I attach a card giving the name of the particular variety of wood from which I make the pens -- mesquite, pine, juniper, and all sorts of fruit woods. Friends and neighbors give me wood they have gathered while pruning apples, peach, pear, and other trees. My garage is a veritable treasurehouse of coffee cans filled with their gift woods.