I have a couple of thoughts on this,
If I put a price on a knife, it's a fair representation of materials + time at what I consider a reasonable rate. If I let a knife go for less than this, I am either taking a loss or I am admitting I have "jacked up" my price in preparation for haggling. I won't do the latter because then I'd be suckering anyone who didn't haggle.
As for the former, yes, I will occaisionally sell "at a loss" if I am strapped for cash, given that-
A) the time and money in the knife is in the past, while the offer is here and now (NOTE BAD BUSINESS STRATEGY!)
B) the person really seems to want the knife and/or I like them or forsee future business with them.
Basically, what it comes down to is I like to set people up with knives. If they really want something, I want them to have it and I'm flexible. This is precisely why I'm looking for a "real" job - so I can continue to do this and not worry about what a terrible way it is to run a business. Relying on knives for your income can severely limit your freedom to make and distribute them as you please.
I also feel that my final goal is that everyone be happy and feel that they got more than they paid for. Someone who haggles over the price will rarely feel this way, no matter how low you go.
Seems to me there's a difference here between haggling because you enjoy it and haggling because you want something but simply can't afford it.
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-Corduroy
"Why else would a bear want a pocket?"
Little Bear Knives
Drew Gleason:
adg@student.umass.edu