My First Haggler...

[Former_Member]

Someone sent me a convo today asking about a custom listing—a non-matted version of a 5x5" print that I currently only offer in a matted version and a matted and framed version in my store. I quoted the person a price of $10, which is what I charge for 5x5" prints both on Etsy and at shows. They replied with, "Would you take $7?"

It seems a little insulting to try and haggle on something that's already only $10. After my time, the cost of materials to both produce and package the item, and the Paypal and Etsy fees, it almost makes anything less than $10 not worth the effort unless you are doing huge volumes sales. I'm not sure what to do...should I take the $7 just to make a sale, or stand my ground at $10?

[Former_Member]

I'd stand my ground and tell that person what you said here.

[Phoebedreams]

So would I :)

[threestonebirds]

Your reasons make perfect sense. Keep your price firm.

[JudyStalus]

I think it is offensive and would just say no.

[CharmingPrintables]

First of all, I love your work! I will definitely be looking around your shop after I respond. :)

I agree that it's pretty insulting, especially for something that's so cheap already! If you really feel that strongly about it, I would politely explain that you have lots of fees you have to pay, and that it's very difficult to do at that price. I also sell really inexpensive stuff, so I agree that sometimes it's not worth your while.

On the other hand, I don't think the percentage of fees will make a huge difference on something so inexpensive, even though you will still have to pay the listing fee. Just as long as you make sure you're getting enough to at least pay yourself some for your hard work!

I'm not very good with customer service though, I've lost a few sales standing my ground... But in the end, I knew it wasn't something I wanted to do, so I was okay with it. Wish I could help more!

[Untwistedsister]

That's the nice part of being in business for ourselves, we get to make those decisions. Usually when someone makes me an offer it's more about what they can afford on their budget than what they think my work is worth. so, try not to take it personally. And remember that buyers visit the forums too.

[NutfieldWeaver]

Some buyers think that you profit $10 from a $10 sale, and it couldn't be farther from the truth. People have little appreciation for the number of fees that sellers incur after a sale, not to mention all of the costs that are associated with making a given item. And there are others who just feel the need to haggle (maybe it is an ego boost to "win" in these situations, I wouldn't know).

[WishDesignStudio]

In some parts of the world, haggling is common. Haggle back. Offer them 2 prints for $8 each, or 3 for $7 each.

[HausofAriella]

Usually when someone makes me an offer it's more about what they can afford on their budget than what they think my work is worth.
_____________________

That really rings true to me. When you're broke $3 can really add up. Of course, $3 can really add up for sellers too, so don't back down if you really feel like you need to get $10 for it. Just don't take the offer personally or as a comment on the quality of your work. And, of course, you could just have a haggler who just wants to save a few bucks and feel special. Just do what feels right for you. If you refuse the offer, just be very nice and explain exactly why. You might get the sale after all.

[WildflowerSalvage]

I think that it is one thing haggling on items in stock and ready, but asking for a custom order and then trying to deal seems a bit rude to me. I would stand my ground as well. Let the customer know that you are happy to make the right size for her, but need $10 for the time and material to do so:)

[Former_Member]

I'd go with everyone who said "stand your ground"! NOBODY but the "maker"
knows how much it takes to do something special.
I've told people(even tho I could REALLY use the $$$$) I DON'T need your $$$
that bad!

[Former_Member]

Stand your ground. $3 is a lot when you're chargind only $10. That's 30% off!
And with supplies going up in price these days, you can't afford to give anything away.
it's hard for people to see our work and realize that we aren't tacking on $100 on everything just because we're trying to make a fast buck. If you can't walk into a big box store and say "I'll pay you $700 for this $1000 item," you shouldn't be able to do it here, either.
That being said, there is no harm in just writing to ask if you can get a discount, I'm sure it works sometimes. Just let them know that $10 is the lowest you can go and that you have been giving customers the best possible price all along.

[JaneStaufferPaperCo]

Stand your ground on your cost in a polite manner.
I am sure you keep your cost down already in order to compete.
You will not feel too good about yourself if you go for it.....
If we were talking an item in the $100's.....even then maybe.

If I gave in to a haggler...I will feel terrible for the buyers who were willing to pay the asking price.

[Former_Member]

I would certainly be more inclined to offer a discount if it were a pricier item, or if they were asking for a package deal (I do offer sets of prints at a 15% discount as well as combined shipping deals). I keep a detailed spreadsheet for all of the items I sell with columns for the cost of the individual components (unit price for sheets of paper, ink cost for each print size, cost of packaging materials, etc.) and the Etsy and Paypal fees and use that to determine my final pricing.

At $7 the Etsy and Paypal fees alone would be 13.5% of the sale price. At $10 that goes down slightly to 11.4% of the sale price. That means discounting the item by $3 ultimately translates to a ~32% loss. Sure, at these prices that's not a lot dollar-wise, but it's a significant percentage! I'm glad so many of you are saying what my gut was telling me: To stand my ground.

Thanks for so many responses so quickly!

[Former_Member]

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

[aliciawatkins]

Here's how I would respond:

"I'm afraid I'm not able to offer that kind of discount at this time, due to the nature and cost of the materials I have to use to create the print, but I'll be sure to let you know if/when my shop is running a Coupon Code! Thanks for your interest in my work."

[StuckOnSilver]

A 30+% off of a $10 sale? Alicia--terrific response!

[Former_Member]

Alicia, I thought your response was great and I sent something along those lines to the person that contacted me. They replied and said they'd purchase the item at $10! And to top it off, shortly before that person replied someone else bought another one of my $10 prints, yay!

[PaperDotCo]

Alicia, that's a great response!

I have stopped accepting demands for lowering the prices. Sometimes, selling at a lower price just doesn't make sense for all the time and effort you put in.

[Former_Member]

Alicia, next time when someone ask "Would you take 7 $?" give the answer: "Would you give 12 $?".

This was a tip from another seller when someone on a market ask for a discount. I used this answer and I allways get my price with a laugh ;-))

[Clayshapes]

Great that it turned out so well. Sometimes customers think -- well, there's no harm in asking.
I got asked for a discount on shipping recently and though my initial reaction was to be insulted, after I thought about it -- I realized that there's no need to take it personally -- especially since I was in control of the outcome. I can always say no to those requests.
But - here's how I handled it. I told the customer that I couldn't reduce the shipping cost, but that I'd recently had a 15% off sale in my shop, and that I'd made a coupon code for her -- and she was welcome to use it on as many items as she liked. I had an idea from our communication that she was a bargain hunter, and couldn't resist a sale.
I was right. She ended up buying two items, and I was able to combine them in shipping, and save her some more money on shipping as well. I got two sales instead of none -- she got a small discount -- and we were both happy.
BTW, the reason I offered the discount in the first place was that the item she was interested in was one that had been sitting around for months -- I was anxious to get it off the shelf. Turns out the second item she chose was another that I thought I'd never sell.
Sometimes it's good to be open to playing the game.

[designbcb]

i think sometimes we can work ourselves into righteous indignation because someone has asked for a discount. I don't know that they are trying to devalue our work, I sometimes think people equate a site like Etsy for a craft market where trying to haggle is the norm.

i thought leslie's situation and how she handled it is stellar.

[Former_Member]

Stand your ground! You will establish a precedent with this customer and if she is a repeat customer, she will expect to receive discounts all the time. It also isn't fair to the customers who buy your work for the set price and don't haggle. It's not the $3, it's the principle. A nice way out which I learned here on this team is to politely say no and tell her that if she would like to be on your mailing list and be notified if you run a sale, special promotion, etc.

[Former_Member]

Honestly, I would stand my ground. My first customer was like this, and because I was so anxious and excited to make a sale, I gave in - only to have her repeatedly come in and expect the same treatment every time. Stop the headache now before it becomes a full migraine - stand firm and true customers will come I promise!