People say I'm too expensive... Am I?

[Former_Member]

Okay well I asked people to critique my shop and they told me my prices are high. I charge how ever much the price of the supplies is plus $50 since each bed takes at least 5 hours of my time... normally more. Is that really too expensive? I looked at other dog beds on here and I found a shop that had just pain dog beds that were embriodered too and the price of one of them that the was the size of one of my medium beds was the price of one of my beds for giant breeds. The only thing different was that you could take the filling out of hers and wash the cover. Hers didn't have the built in blanket and it didn't have the faux fur. She didn't list what kind of fabric she used. I use high quality home decor fabric (normally a treated canvas that is stain, sun, and water resistant) and a high quality faux fur. My beds don't fall apart easily and they don't need to be washed besides maybe sprayed with fabreze or something every once in a while. The one I made for my dog has lasted a year without any holes or flattening and hers was just a practice one and I used a lower quality fabric. It has never needed washed even though she has puked on it. All I did was use a stain remover and a little water and it came out easily. I expect the beds to last at least 3 years each. Do you think my prices are high?

[Former_Member]

Okay, first let me say that your beds look amazing! Now, for me, the prices are high, but that's *only* because I'm too poor to buy one. If that weren't the case, I think the price would be *totally* reasonable! :-)

Quality really makes a difference, and when you're using your products yourself, and you know they hold up well, then those are good selling points.

Wish I could be of more help!

[NatashasDesignz]

Hi, I have just taken a look at your shop and can see the quality. Maybe you should aim for the higher market IE people that can afford such luxurious quality items?

I too would struggle to buy one of your products (If I had a pet) but that doesn't mean I think your wrong to sell at that price. At the end of the day you know the price and the time that you put into your products and I would not reduce just to get a sale (I had fallen to that also but have overcome that now). I just think you need to find your market that's all.

Lots of good luck with your shop, I hope you get a sale soon :-) x

[Former_Member]

Thank you guys. I'm thinking about adding economy listings that are out of like fleece and cotton instead of canvas and faux fur. I need to make one for my dogs so I can make sure they hold up good though.

[Skarvery]

I have an Akita at home.
right now she's pretty content to sleep in my moon chair.
If I could afford to buy a bed for her, though, then I would totally purchase from you. (she'd still sleep in the moon chair so I don't bother with beds) :)
But I think your beds look lovely. I can tell there is a high quality and workmanship just from the photos.
Like Shawna said above - only reason why someone would say that you're too expensive is because they (we) are too poor to afford your merchandise.
But in all honesty - as compared with the types of beds and prices that Petco offers - I think your beds and prices are much more reasonable.

I once bought a bed for my dog at Petco. This was when she was still a puppy so the bed was small sized. I paid $80 for a small sized padded bed for her. She didn't want to sleep in it. Then when I left for work the next day she ripped it up.
If you say that your beds are much more durable then I'd definitely think your prices are equally reasonable.
...expand your audience. try to sell to pet stores that specialize in high-end pet products.