Tube prices. What do you think?

[Mattypo]

Hey guys I posted this in my progression thread but didn't really get any feedback so I figure I would start a thread for this sort of thing. I know pricing is one of the hardest things we have to deal with but I was hoping to get some opinions from those who would like to give input. I have just started making these tubes and I would like to start marketing them to shops. I personally don't dab as much as some people but I do at night time for pain and sleep. I am a little slow still but what do you guys thing about wholesale/retail prices on these. Has anyone bought something similar. I have no experience in purchasing these or selling them as I have only sold my dry pieces. Any input and opinion is welcome here.

If anyone wants to post their work too feel free. Hopefully I don't ruffle any feathers with the pricing questions but I would love to hear what you guys think so here goes...

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[hashmasta-kut]

i think the joints should be angled up some, seem a bit low for view when using? Love that implosion fumer, great job!

price? not sure, it depends on where you live or who you are selling them to. wholesale pricing can vary. Those look pretty clean. If you can check out the prices of similar work in stores then aim for about 60% of that if you can.

[Mattypo]

Thanks for the kind words and input! I thought the angles might be off too. Is a 50 degree or 60 degree angle sound better? I was aiming for 45 but I wasn't sure. Also my wholesale prices are usually 50% for my spoons and sherlocks. Should I be getting a higher percentage for larger more intricate pieces? I like making these and marbles more than spoons. Getting a little tired of the same spoons and I want to switch it up. I can only make like 2 or 3 of these a day I am getting quicker though.

[itssteve]

What I do for pricing is make as many as you can in one day and time yourself. Then take that time you recorded and divide it by how many you made to find what your average time is. Then figure out what you need to pay yourself and figure out what that time is worth. Weigh out the raw glass you use for one, and figure out your costs for clear,color,silver/gold,joint,propane,oxy,electricity. Or any other costs you have that I didn't list. Add it all up and you have your price. Don't forget to tack a little more on for rent/sales time.

I have almost as much fun crunching the numbers and racing against myself as I do blowing glass

[Mattypo]

Thanks steve. Yah I guess I have the numbers crunched. I was thinking $75 for now and see where that takes me. I feel these should be able to sell retail for around $150. Right now I can make close to 3 in one day. That's the wrap and take fume one. 3 in one day would be good if I can get $75 wholesale


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[jr23]

I think if you could streamline your production by making marbles one day . Prep the next and final assemble on next or something of the sort you could get 5 done a day and charge 55 . One out of each 5 clear and put the better mib and horn then ask same for that one . That's a few bucks more a day and at a price point that would go for sure. Or alternate clear base and worked stem or clear stem worked base. Then hit them with the fully worked at 75

[snoopdog6502]

Those tubes are 10 times nicer then the import ones I see in local shops going for $40-$60. $75 wholesale looks good and I could see them sell for $100-$150 retail.

The import $40 rigs are as thin as a freaking Christmas ornament, Your glass would be on another shelf away from the cheapos.

[Mattypo]

Thanks for the responses guys thats great! Jr23 the other day i prepped 2 worked stems and 2 worked cans and 1 clear and shaped them and put them together. Today I added diffys and joints and mibs. I like that idea and was thinking of doing that on my drive home. Great way to speed up the process thank you for sharing! I will try some clear cans with worked stems. The 3 I finished tonight came out so nice I love them I don't want to sell them haha. I am broke so I need to though. I think I will shoot for 75 for the fully worked and 50 or 60 for the clear. The 2 worked have smaller mibs and the clear has a nice big mib it's dope. I'll be posting pics tomorrow also I will be out selling tomorrow I will post my results. Thanks guys!!!

[jr23]

No probs I try to break down production into steps. Because I have kiln space I can prep hundreds of stems ,cans,mibs and horns. Then assembly days are so productive. By repeating each step over and over you figure little things that speed you . Now on fun collab days time does not matter and it's about the love.

[jr23]

The nice thing about doing it in steps batch by batch. If you do mibs all day first day and then throw them back in on stem ,can and assembly day the strike and halo effect gets amazing if you don't over do the silver.

[Mattypo]

Jr23 those are really great tips thanks for sharing. I should sit down and come up with a production schedule. Got me motivated man!


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[jr23]

No prob it's my pleasure. With your attitude and skill a little production correction and you can sell cheaper and therefore sell more and complete said work in equal time. It's a Win win

[jr23]

I like to make sure my production items not only sell but sell by the time I am ready to send out more. Instead of you maki a somewhat cold call sell . They are calling saying all those units are gone can we get more.

[LooseSeal Baller]

great advice, just don't sell yourself short. once you make that price, they (or whomever buy's your product) are going to think it's worth what you asked, and raising the prices in the future could be more difficult.

I'm just sayin don't sell yourself short...

think about all those straight clear hitman rigs that people buy for 600+$...imo your tubes are much nicer than those.

nice work, keep it up!

[jr23]

Hit man has built a name and got in the hype zone. I never try to base my pricing on some product the toke city or dab kids worship like a god. Would it be nice to get super paid for some stuff yes indeed. Make your own goals. I think comparing clear rigs to stuff just to justify price is ludicrous . If hit man would send you a bake on decal then you could raid the price. It's more name than product. And I have friends that collab with hit man tubes and they get paid very well.

[Dan Kooper]

I would charge 60-75 wholesale and retail them for 125-150 in my shop.

[jr23]

That's sounds good also price is very regional . Here I can get paid 10 ta 15 bucks that might bring 5 or 7 or less in Cali or Portland. I used to get 12.50 for 25 mil china glass sherlys little ones. Lol but have a tuff time on higher price point items and the store I send stuff to just doubles price. I was trying to let him know that some buyers are flippers and at 75 they can just go threw one hand before crusty. By the time some folks glass hits the shelf it goes from artist to distro to store to customer . Then resold on Facebook used lol

[Mattypo]

Must spread reputation before giving it to Jr23 again. Thanks again guys off to sell this weekend!