In the near future, Im going to be increasing the prices on my knives significantly, 30-40%. Unfortunately this is something that must be done for me to stay in business, Ill explain why
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1. Communication
This is a killer for me sometimes. Being a one man show I find it difficult to keep up with all communications. I do an OK job most of the time but Im fairly certain that I have some customers who would have me do better.
Currently I have very little time to answer status update questions and these, of course, are what I get the most of.
I have no time for WIP requests, picture requests, nor do I have an easy way to even shoot a picture for upload.
How to handle this situation is debatable yet whats not is the time required to address the customers need to know. There is a requirement that must be met. With today's communication culture it will likely be ever more demanding.
2. Cushion
There is a need in business to be able to make a mistake and not have it ruin, or nearly ruin, your company.
I need to build a cushion that allows for me to make the odd mistake, take the odd loss, or to simply try something new. To never be able to make a mistake or experiment on new ways of doing things is death. This is the level Ive been working at for far too long.
3. Quality in Workmanship
As I gain more experience I offer my customers higher quality through a better product.
Ive gained a lot of experience and Im now a better craftsman that provides a higher level of craftsmanship as a result but this higher level requires a high cost in greater amounts of time and consumables used.
Sometimes more experience can make for a reduction in costs and sometimes it can make for an increase in costs. I always look to find the balance where I can offer better quality without an increase in cost yet there is always a tipping point where I cant do more for less.
4. Materials
Ive always used the best materials I could afford. I will not compromise in my desire to provide the best quality I can to my customers.
The cost of many of the materials, and consumables, used in making knives have increased many times over in recent years and we can expect more of this in the future.
5. Growth
Im at a stagnant growth point. I feel that Im pushing the max out of what I can do with what I have to work with.
I will need to expand on my equipment so that I too can expand and begin to provide the knives that I know Im capable of making.
I have a need to grow as a knifemaker. This doesnt mean that I want a bigger shop, more tools, employees, etc it means that I want to make better knives and to continue to improve my skills so that I can ultimately make better knives.
In summary;
I hope that my past customers can attest to the quality of product Ive provided over the years as well as to the changes Ive made over time, towards offering even better products.
To continue to provide the level of craftsmanship, quality of materials used, to be able to grow & expand, and to experiment with new ideas/concepts I require an increase in pricing of my products.
To soften the blow I will leave my list open for a few weeks to allow for you to get your name on it at todays pricing. Once this passes the new prices will go into effect for any one not on the list.
Thanks to everyone who has purchased a knife in the past and will in the future.
Regards,
Dave
1. Communication
This is a killer for me sometimes. Being a one man show I find it difficult to keep up with all communications. I do an OK job most of the time but Im fairly certain that I have some customers who would have me do better.
Currently I have very little time to answer status update questions and these, of course, are what I get the most of.
I have no time for WIP requests, picture requests, nor do I have an easy way to even shoot a picture for upload.
How to handle this situation is debatable yet whats not is the time required to address the customers need to know. There is a requirement that must be met. With today's communication culture it will likely be ever more demanding.
2. Cushion
There is a need in business to be able to make a mistake and not have it ruin, or nearly ruin, your company.
I need to build a cushion that allows for me to make the odd mistake, take the odd loss, or to simply try something new. To never be able to make a mistake or experiment on new ways of doing things is death. This is the level Ive been working at for far too long.
3. Quality in Workmanship
As I gain more experience I offer my customers higher quality through a better product.
Ive gained a lot of experience and Im now a better craftsman that provides a higher level of craftsmanship as a result but this higher level requires a high cost in greater amounts of time and consumables used.
Sometimes more experience can make for a reduction in costs and sometimes it can make for an increase in costs. I always look to find the balance where I can offer better quality without an increase in cost yet there is always a tipping point where I cant do more for less.
4. Materials
Ive always used the best materials I could afford. I will not compromise in my desire to provide the best quality I can to my customers.
The cost of many of the materials, and consumables, used in making knives have increased many times over in recent years and we can expect more of this in the future.
5. Growth
Im at a stagnant growth point. I feel that Im pushing the max out of what I can do with what I have to work with.
I will need to expand on my equipment so that I too can expand and begin to provide the knives that I know Im capable of making.
I have a need to grow as a knifemaker. This doesnt mean that I want a bigger shop, more tools, employees, etc it means that I want to make better knives and to continue to improve my skills so that I can ultimately make better knives.
In summary;
I hope that my past customers can attest to the quality of product Ive provided over the years as well as to the changes Ive made over time, towards offering even better products.
To continue to provide the level of craftsmanship, quality of materials used, to be able to grow & expand, and to experiment with new ideas/concepts I require an increase in pricing of my products.
To soften the blow I will leave my list open for a few weeks to allow for you to get your name on it at todays pricing. Once this passes the new prices will go into effect for any one not on the list.
Thanks to everyone who has purchased a knife in the past and will in the future.
Regards,
Dave