So what would you do.....

[JoanFrances]

I think that once Malinda made her decision on what to do, and Vic's rightful input, where wasn't anything left to say on the subject, except for remind the members when preparing to quote a price for a commissioned piece, to have time to do all the required research to ensure they can live with the price and deliver the finished piece as agreed on.         

[Becki]

I'm sorry, Joan Francis. I don't think that once Malinda had made her decision or Vic had responded that the discussion had to end. I found it an interesting topic with interesting responses. We seem to  sometimes avoid actual discussion here.  I think we can learn alot by how people respond to a topic such as this one...or maybe not.  No matter.

Malinda, I'm glad all worked out for you. 

[Malinda]

I think if people kept talking about it then people might feel like thier ethics would be getting into question. Nobody wants to be put on the spot like that :) We all have different thought patterns and while nobodies opinions/thoughts would ultimately change mine it was interesting to hear. I have to live with me and be happy with me :)

[Amber]

I think it was a really good question!

As an independent artist we sometimes have to strike our own balance and it's a learning curve from what I've seen so far *lol. I haven't been selling long but right from the get go I kept having to tell myself that I'm not Walmart, I'm not trying to be the lowest price and this is my home and my time needs to be respected if someone wants to come by and look at some pieces. That being said as an independent worker I need to take it upon myself to make sure I'm just as respectful and kind to anyone that wants to do business with me. If I had made a quote that later I felt was low I would still stick to it and just see it as lessons learned, the person was giving me business based on information that I relayed to them and to change it halfway through would just be disappointing to them. You can't let someone get attached to this lovely, handcrafted, personal gift as an idea and then come back and say it will cost more. Even if offering them a chance to bow out of the deal, it's still a low sinking feeling of disappointment for them and I would rather swallow the costs of doing a bad quote then have someone walk away from me like that.

I hope by tossing in my two cents no one was offended but I think Becki has a good idea by discussing these aspects of being a glass artists. This is a part of what we are and exactly the kinds of things that come up when we start out and even if it's not as fun as seeing some new artwork or looking over the nifty sheet of glass some picked up it's still important. And with this group of people being who they are, I feel safe that no one will throw stones as if this were a heated political debate *lol.

[Vic Rothman]

You know it's really  not much of a question. It's just do onto others..yad yada yada.

[Graham]

I'll go along with the do unto others thing.

Difference is, from the buying side, I would expect someone to make money. I wouldn't like to have them feel that I held them to an unreasonable deal. I would hope that they would tell me if they screwed up on the original quote. I wouldn't be this accomodating to a big corporation, but a little one man band is a different kettle of fish.

So, as the guy at the selling end of the deal, I would have no hesitation to go to the customer and reveal my error, and ask for relief. If the buyer did the "you made your bed, no sleep in it" thing, I'd take the loss. But I'd like to think that someone dealing with an inexperienced seller would be willing to dicker a little. The one time I had that happen, the customer softened somewhat, I kept the job, and he bought another panel the next season.

So, The words are the same, but Vic's "do unto others" translates a little differently than mine. It's a point of view thing.

[PiscesGlass]

Since the question of "what would you do" has been asked...

If you've accepted money as a downpayment on a quoted price..it's a done deal...legally...and the buyer can hold you accountable for providing that product at that price.  That's the legal aspect.  Now the moral issue is that Mal can always explain that due to whatever circumstances (the upcoming move, whatever else has been going on..that she gave a quote that was well thought out and is not fair to her.) and see what the guy says.  He might understand her plight and want to pay her a fair price for the work....or not...depending on the type of individual he is.

If I have underbid my work due to not thinking out my costs correctly..I usually sell it for the price I quoted the person.  LOL..also depends on "what" it is and whether or not it has sellability to another.

Of course the bigger issue is making sure that the pricing of ones work contains all the factors you need to make back your "costs".  Which involve, the space you do your work in, utilities costs, wear and tear of tools, glass, solder, flux, wire, chain, and your time, whether you are paying for delivery (in whatever manner) of said product and probably a miriad of items that I have neglected to add to the list. 

People get into making items to sell and have not thought about all of the hidden costs associated with producing these items and are simply happy to receive $$ for something that they've made.  The downsides of that is that they are making nothing on their product..and ultimately giving people the idea that people trying to make a fair income on their work are priced too high.

I'm hoping that no one takes offense..just stating my thoughts on the subject, with a slightly different slant.

De

[Elizabeth]

This has been a really interesting thread to follow!   I think it's good to hear other people's views on any subject.   As I said earlier - I have under-quoted from way back when in my pre-glass days when I did cake decorating,  but never amended my given price.!  Just sucked it up and vowed not to do it again.....
   These days,  unless I have previously made the item - I tend to say I will get back to the client with a price (which you then need to do QUICKLEY)!   But it does just give me time to collect my thoughts and not make snap decisions that I will live to regret!   (hopefully!)
But thanks for all the input anyway!
Beth