Thread: Fair prices

I know there is no hard and fast rule as to asking price, but anyone have any rules?

For blades I buy off the classifieds, I will resell for what I paid for them if/when I get tired of them. But for razors I restore, I am clueless most of the time as to a fair price and generally just ask what I *think* is fair and then lower it once a week. Is there a better way?

seems like a reasonable way to go about it

You know, it's an interesting thing. I price things for what I think is very fair, but sometimes don't find the right seller. I will sometimes lower it a bit, or just pull it and wait. there is a buyer for everything. some are looking for certain names, some really get caught by the blade itself (me).

I have still make a couple mistaken calls, buying, but overall have gotten much better about picking good ones and not getting upside down in cost/value.

HOWEVER, when i was new I made mistakes, and even after a few months I wasn't always using the best judgement. knowledge of what was worth the money asked, and the quality of the work when, as many of them are, they had been cleaned up/totally reworked, was lacking. I'm just gonna say this straight and let the chips fall where they will, we all know there are some razors that go there that are priced beyond the quality/collectibility. If it is somebody who has been in it longer than fine, they should know better, but we have lots of new guys here, many of them have no idea. they see something really nice and it catches their eye, they want it. they don't know that the quality of the work isn't quite there. It would be great if somebody(ies) were watching and could PM sellers when they're really out of line, just a "hey, I know you probably have a lot of work in that, but really it is high".

I was talking to a friend about this very thing, and the issues I foresee stem out of this, most people knowledgable enough to know when something is overpriced, are sellers too, and naturally would be inclined to not say something is high, for fear of driving down prices on their items or other items that they think should have value.

I see things on here sometimes and the price tags and am stunned that those dollar signs went with that work. which makes me worry that nobody really wants to warn down the prices and kill the value of what they have.

of course it does go back to "it's worth whatever people will pay is what it is worth", I just worry about the less knowledgable guys getting into it.

Leighton, didn't you buy something from me? I was cleaning off my dresser today (I throw all papers from my pockets on top at end of day) and found your name on a post it with the address. were you happy with whatever it was?

Red

Very thoughtful post Red.

I know when something is fairly priced as a buyer and when something is a bargain too. So thats not my concern, however, I see your point. Newbies don't have the experience I do. And some people just get caught up with the blade.

I think I bought the Joseph Elliot with ivory scales from you. I haven't been disappointed with any purchases I make on this forum. If its too much, I just don't buy it. And everyone is honest.

My personal problem is more from the seller's perspective. Like you said, I've put a lot of work into some pieces and there is some emotional attachment. In addition, its different when your appraising something as a seller than as a buyer. I think its a lot easier as a buyer to realize "thats a great deal!" than for a seller to deduce "this is a fair price that will attract a buyer quickly."

I've struggled with how to price a restored razor as well. I usually take the amount that I spent on the blade and have that as a start, then try and figure out what I would spend for the razor if I were purchasing it. I then price somewhere in between those two amounts.

The money I use from selling razors goes straight back into more razors or razor related stuff.

I don't restore to make money, I do it because for some reason I like hand sanding old steel.

Use this formula. X+(Yx2)-10 = U.
X=original purchase price plus materials,
Y=hours spent working on it,
10=easing your conscience as you want to give a good deal,
U=selling price!
Say you got a razor & materials for $20 & spent 20 hours on it, you sell for $50!
That's how it can feel, anyway!
It amazes me how some of the fellas can bear to let thieir hard work go for so little. It's the love that drives it!

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Use this formula. X+(Yx2)-10 = U.
X=original purchase price plus materials,
Y=hours spent working on it,
10=easing your conscience as you want to give a good deal,
U=selling price!
Say you got a razor & materials for $20 & spent 20 hours on it, you sell for $50!
That's how it can feel, anyway!
It amazes me how some of the fellas can bear to let thieir hard work go for so little. It's the love that drives it!

I actually like your formula here, brilliant!

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Use this formula. X+(Yx2)-10 = U.

maybe i'm just incredibly vain, but i like to think my time's worth more than 2 bucks an hour.

i just ask for what i want for it. if people are interested i'll haggle with them, if no one is interested, i'll lower the price a little bit and repeat.

I think the way you go about it is fair, and you can't really ask for more than that.

Originally Posted by jockeys

maybe i'm just incredibly vain, but i like to think my time's worth more than 2 bucks an hour.

You're not vain, it just amazes me what deals can be had here. A lot of the stuff would fetch more on the bay but they get posted up for very good prices. It's probably partly due to the friendliness of the forum.

I don't actually use the formula. I ask what i want too, but resto's generally take long enough that you can't charge a decent hourly rate. I just restore them, use them for a while, then move them on, unless i fall in love!