is there a really an interest?

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:20 pm

I just got finished making a period bed for myself and my wife. A few friends and the Wife think I should make it available for purchase. I thought of bouncing it here and see what type of feed-back I get, hopefully without stepping on anyone's toes... I built a copy of the "Gokstad bed". What would be a fair price to ask? It's all mortise and tenon like the original. I built mine using red oak for the frame and poplar for the slats, but I went high end for my personal taste.

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:23 pm

one more view...

talaananthes · Post by **talaananthes** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:31 pm

How much would you be charging?

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:45 pm

talaananthes wrote:How much would you be charging?

I'm having trouble trying to determine the worth... I don't see much in the sale of period furniture... So I can't really compare what would be a not obscene, but fair price...

ladyilsebet · Post by **ladyilsebet** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:17 pm

Best starting point for a price is cost of materials, plus a set rate for your time...

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:24 pm

I found this post in the "unclassifieds" in the "Pennsic Independent" scroll down until you see "SCAtoday.net" on the left. next to that is a listing for a slat bed for sale. Based on the Gokstad bed and they were asking $400OBO. More likely a used bed. After doing some math, I think $500.00 is a fair price for a bed like this in pine, sanded, but unfinished. Shipping is to be determined...

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:04 am

I'm asking for some type of feed back... Is $500 outrageous for a bed like this? What would be a suitable price? Is there an interest for period furniture? Would like to hear about this...

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:11 am

Simple rule of thumb to start with a price on manufacturing is 3 times materials cost...

ie; if materials cost 200 then 600 would be a good starting point then adjust from there...

InsaneIrish · Post by **InsaneIrish** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 11:24 am

aidanhroarsson wrote:I'm asking for some type of feed back... Is $500 outrageous for a bed like this? What would be a suitable price? Is there an interest for period furniture? Would like to hear about this...

That bed in oak for $500 is not bad. In pine I think it is a bit high.

There is a market for furniture, but just like armour, it really depends on price.

Like stonekeep said, figure out a formula for products that you can live with.

When I am making stuff difficulty plays a role. If it is something like a box, which is pretty simple to make, my "profit" is significantly lower than a pair of colapsable chairs that I have to cut out completely with a jig saw.

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 12:52 pm

InsaneIrish wrote:
aidanhroarsson wrote:I'm asking for some type of feed back... Is $500 outrageous for a bed like this? What would be a suitable price? Is there an interest for period furniture? Would like to hear about this...

That bed in oak for $500 is not bad. In pine I think it is a bit high.

There is a market for furniture, but just like armour, it really depends on price.

Like stonekeep said, figure out a formula for products that you can live with.

When I am making stuff difficulty plays a role. If it is something like a box, which is pretty simple to make, my "profit" is significantly lower than a pair of colapsable chairs that I have to cut out completely with a jig saw.

After thinking over your post, I think I could do $550 for Oak. That would cover material and my time for a sanded and unfinished bed. Shipping to be determined.

Albrechtthesilent · Post by **Albrechtthesilent** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 2:17 pm

In my opinion, you keep saying the one thing that is the most cumbersome factor of purchasing period furniture...shipping.

I'm not "talented" with wood working. I "could" make a bed, but it wouldn't look near as nice. AND, it'd take me months to do stuff that might take you a week. As such I'd rather buy a bed, but shipping can add significantly to the bottom line. That can affect some of your market.

You may have a niche locally that can sustain you as folks may be more willing to pick up your product at an event (pre-scheduled, not talking about carting stuff you may not sell). But personally, I don't think I'd buy from you and pay shipping from Florida. There are two people making furniture in or near Ohio that I know of, who I could make local pick ups from instead.

Smaller items might do better farther afield. They're also portable enough to not be as much trouble if you were to vend at an event. BUT, display a portfolio of your other works if you do this. The few people I've seen vending furniture at events, don't have a display of their other capabilities. Maybe they want to avoid that segment of the market, I don't know... I make armour on a hobby level. One thing I don't do (and have little desire to do) is helms. If I were to ever make armour for profit, I don't think I'd change that. Maybe this is a similar situation...

So, my response is the price seems good; or in the realm of good. The shipping would likely take me out of your market pool though. Maybe not so with smaller items, if you were to offer them.

I'm surprised nobody has pointed you toward the "Running an Armoury" essay yet. So, I'll do so... http://www.armourarchive.org/essays/essay__von_teufel_running_an_armoury.shtml The same principles apply to any production based business. There are some good principles listed in that essay which need to be considered when deciding how to price your sales. That may be the best guidance you can receive.

Hope that helps,
Albrecht

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:08 pm

I agree, taking these to large events, and posting it in advance where people could buy and pick up, plus take a few extra to sell. I did the merchanting thing for a while and altho it sure didnt get me rich it did pay for my events.

Bjorn the Hunter · Post by **Bjorn the Hunter** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:08 am

I made one identical to this, and with the time and materials I used, I wouldn't think twice about asking $500. The one I made was cedar with spruce slats and was raffled off as a kingdom fund raiser. I will not make another until I buy a mortising machine. Doing it all by hand chisel was just too much! lol

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:13 am

Bjorn the Hunter wrote:I made one identical to this, and with the time and materials I used, I wouldn't think twice about asking $500. The one I made was cedar with spruce slats and was raffled off as a kingdom fund raiser. I will not make another until I buy a mortising machine. Doing it all by hand chisel was just too much! lol

I feel the same. I won't make another until... 1. an interest arises and 2. a mortising machine is in my future.

Valerian · Post by **Valerian** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:25 am

I made something similar for myself for Pennsic this year, and got a couple of folks in the local area who wanted me to make them one too. Never really thought about selling them outside the area because of shipping.

One thing that might be useful might be putting together detailed plans and instructions for how someone could build their own out of dimensional lumber or hardwood, using 'normal' tools. That might be something you could more easily sell without worrying about shipping (though it doesn't help the people who don't want or don't have the time to build their own).

-Valerian