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Mary Sparrow · 10-14-2003, 07:01 AM

... keeping my prices at a point where I didn't feel like I was ripping off my friends. But that isn't paying the bills.

I have always been worried about it until now and I realize that I am not getting the same consideration. Here is an example:

I just did a portrait of a friend's children. He happens to own a computer sales and repair shop. I am in desperate need of a really nice computer.

We have been friends for EVER, like siblings. When he approached me about his portrait, I gave him the price list, he chose to do one that would come to $2,900. Because I am such a wimp, I IMMEDIATELY told him I would do it for half! He didn't even ask.

Then I mentioned that I needed a new computer, when I told him everything I needed he said it would retail around $1500. So that is what we are trading for. You see where I'm going with this... I cut my price in half, he trades for his retail price, I don't know what the markup is in computers but I'm assuming maybe half... So he has managed to get a $3,000 portrait for what? $7-900?

This type of thing has happened to me often and I'm too much of a wimp to say anything.

I need someone to sit me down and give me a lecture, make out a price list for me and tell me to STICK TO IT ... any volunteers?

10-14-2003, 07:01 AM	#8
Mary Sparrow EDUCATIONAL MODERATOR Juried Member Joined: Jul 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,120	I have spent way too much time ... ... keeping my prices at a point where I didn't feel like I was ripping off my friends. But that isn't paying the bills. I have always been worried about it until now and I realize that I am not getting the same consideration. Here is an example: I just did a portrait of a friend's children. He happens to own a computer sales and repair shop. I am in desperate need of a really nice computer. We have been friends for EVER, like siblings. When he approached me about his portrait, I gave him the price list, he chose to do one that would come to $2,900. Because I am such a wimp, I IMMEDIATELY told him I would do it for half! He didn't even ask. Then I mentioned that I needed a new computer, when I told him everything I needed he said it would retail around $1500. So that is what we are trading for. You see where I'm going with this... I cut my price in half, he trades for his retail price, I don't know what the markup is in computers but I'm assuming maybe half... So he has managed to get a $3,000 portrait for what? $7-900? This type of thing has happened to me often and I'm too much of a wimp to say anything. I need someone to sit me down and give me a lecture, make out a price list for me and tell me to STICK TO IT ... any volunteers?