3rd finished whip, 1st 16 plait

[Guest]

I'm in the support group, I need help!

And congrats, Rachel! What a great thing to have real feedback from real whip handlers! I'm happy for you.

The way I've priced my whips now is more like 15-20€ for a foot on a bullwhip, depending on belly count and other details.
So 10 per feet - I think - is a real bargain for a fully functioning, well made whip. I know it's arrogant to ask for any full price as it is an insult to those who've been on the business for years or decades! Some people are that arrogant though and the products can barely if at all called whips! But my prices are Finland prices. Everything's quite expensive here.

[David Cross]

I can totally see a picture of a braider in a straight jacket, locked up in a padded room, with 8-6 and 6-4 scrawled all over the walls.

[Rachel McCollough]

Erik, for quality work I see those prices you stated as very reasonable, especially when you make a living from it. I don't see that as arrogance. I'm just a beginner and though I do not doubt the quality of my whip as solid, I am very unsure of what myself SHOULD charge as a beginner.

David, that would make an awesome shirt. Ha, only thing I could think of was
"I plait, therefore I am...
Content.
6-4 plait, I am...
Cussing a blue streak."

No, I don't really cuss a blue streak, but it feels necessary sometimes!

[Guest]

Pricing is... Difficult. So far every time someone has asked me how much something costs, I've been "well, hmm... you know, maybe... I don't know... how about [some arbitrary sum]?"

I have no formula for that stuff just yet. Working on it and second guessing a lot, so I know the pain all too well.


- Pokkis

[Rachel McCollough]

Making a wood handle with a horse hoof rasp- I can't really price that. Maybe 4, 4.5 hours on the handle? I'm much to slow and not enough knowledge making these to come out for very much pay. I like making them, I like learning, and my arm doesn't hurt as much. Win win. If the whips pay for themselves that's pretty nice, too. It's my spare time craft project, I reckon.

[Guest]

When I find pricing difficult I imagine if there was lets say an order of 10 whips or whatever the article, I ask myself "for how much money for a piece I would be ready to make them and feel it's worth it for me?" Like the point where it feels good and not like forcing it just to get it done.

[Rachel McCollough]

Very good point, Erik. Makes sense. Thank you!

[Robby Amper]

You can do what ever you think is right, of course. But you should be a little bit careful before you start to sell your work. I am more than interested in Rachel's work. But that does not mean that I'd recommend her to start sales before she has some references. It's no problem if you tell a customer that you're learning and that you sell your stuff just to make it even. And when you have experience, you have a good argument to increase your prices. Just be careful not to overstretch something. At least not in the beginning. As I said in the beginning of this post, you can do what ever you want. I am not the whip god, nor the wise guy on whips. Just be careful, okay?

Robby

[Jessie Edwards]

Rachel, it means nothing coming from me, since I am struggling with my own whips, but I am SO FRIGGIN' PROUD of you! I just grin every time I see your success. This is just awesome.

[Rachel McCollough]

Thank you, Jessica. I'm... apprehensive, I reckon
Robby, I certainly agree to be careful- this is a local person that I will repair anything for if needed. I have no long term field tests on what I am building and that concerns me- if I make something with my hands, quality is important to me.
I appreciate all input from you, and carefulness in this with my name on it I feel is extremely warranted. Thank you, Robby.

[Robby Amper]

Perfect. That's the right idea

Robby

[Rachel McCollough]

Thank you, Robby. I really do appreciate any advice

[Donovan de Swardt]

Sorry I see now that I started a discussion on cost which was not my intention, it was more an exclamation of that's so good I'd pay for it...

[Rachel McCollough]

That's ok, Donovan. And thank you! I could have phrased my answer better, or sidestepped numbers- but I have this inherent born in trait if you ask me a direct question I feel compelled to answer with the complete facts... Which many people find completely annoying! So. That was not your doing, but mine. Don't feel bad about it, please. I believe everything's ok.

[Donovan de Swardt]

Ha ha OK Rachel, but really I forget sometimes that the written word can be read differently.

[Rachel McCollough]

No problem, not your fault-easy to do- I read people's spoken words like that, too!

[Guest]

Well I'm glad at least that we had that conversation about prices and the feedback on it : )

So thanks, Donovan!

[Donovan de Swardt]

Glad to be of service Eric, even if indirectly.

I sold the second whip I made. After I stressed to the person who bought it that I am inexperienced and then only charged for the cost of materials

[Sir Roger Tuson]

Away from the costing issue, I am hugely impressed that you made that handle with a rasp file! Makes me think I could have a go at that.

[Rachel McCollough]

Thank you, Roger. You absolutely can do it. There's no reason anyone can't do it. It really isn't that difficult at all. If you have just a few simple tools, it's no problem, just time and work.