Discounts on multiple pieces?

It doesn't take any less time to do each piece. Tactfully I would explain that is why I cannot give discounts. Keep your price per item. My opinion for what it is worth!

 

Me, no discounts it takes just as much work to do 5 as it does to do 1, so my price is my price.

 

Is there Habitat involved? If so tell them sure you'll give a discount, then charge them for the habitat, plus what you lost on the discount and list it on the invoice as Habitat. They think they are getting a deal, and you don't lose money.

 

I always ask them if they do twice the amount of work for less pay at their job, that usually changes their mind.

 

I ask the same question. If your boss came up to you and said "Since I gave you so much work today, the next two hours you will be working for free.", would you go for it?

Another thing I do is give them a $25 discount and then add a $50 discount fee. When they ask how is that discount when you are now charging me $25 more than your normal rate? I then point to the sign that says when discounting an item there will be a discount fee applied.

 

I'm sure it's gonna hit the fan but here's some food for thought.
First of all you will only have to call one client when the piece is complete (saving time). You will only have to wait on one client to come get the piece (faster return on investment). If you have habitat built into your pricing then by adding 5 pieces to a habitat that could have held 2 pieces you have saved additional time and money on the additional habitat.
Therefore IMO you can discount the 5 pieces; or as I would recommend just pocket the additional revenue. $.02!!!

 

Same price no mater what. Well family and friends is up to you but I would stay the same for any one else.

 

I tend to agree with that Newport fella.

 

If a customer brings in 5 game farm sheep, ram or pig, does he get a discount. Smelly pain in the ass hair that tanneries charge more for. Now if you quote higher then normal your going rate and give discount down to your normal rate, discount given.

 

I have much respect for James as a successful businessman, and I also know you others make a good point about making a living. Heres my spin, as I tend to agree with both of you all, for different reasons. If a woman wants 5 mice done, that was her request, Id respectfully but firmly explain that its a job that Ive priced as close as I can and that no additional discount could be offered. If a woman came to me with five mice and said she would like more done in the future, and asked about volume discounts, then Id talk to her about possibly discounting future work, based on that type of volume. As well, I believe that the taxidermists who charge enough for their work, like we all preach, will have the breathing room to make such arrangements as needed.

 

Valid points James and Bill but, that is a slippery slope that I don't like to be on. Over time, when customers keep returning, is when discounts may be given here and there, no different than big suppliers of many things, not just taxidermy related, repeat customers get rewarded for loyalty. I won't give a discount on anything on the first mount, except for veterans or active service members. If you give a discount on the first mount because someone asks, they expect it from then on out on everything. I have yet to have someone walk out because I told them no discounts and if they do, I probably don't want them as customers anyway.

 

But thats what I also said. Return work and not just because its multiple pieces.

 

Got it Bill, I misunderstood the message that you conveyed in your reply the first time I read it.

 

I get that question from time to time. For years there was a local hack that would mount 2 birds for $100. Most people would drop off 2 birds and their $50 deposit and never see either one again. Some did eventually get their birds back, and of course they were less than satisfied.

When clients ask me if I will give them a better deal on 2 critters I say "sure which one do you want me to do half as good a job on?" that usually ends the discount discussion.

Along the same line many years ago I worked for a local sporting goods store that Advertised a sale every other weekend.
Memorial day, Fourth of July, Labor day, whatever holiday they had a sale. They trained their customers to wait for the sale. If they came in after the sale by a day or two they would still want the sale price. The managers would usually cave and let them have it. That company is no longer in business.

We work hard enough to make it in this industry I am not about to train my clients to shop the sale. If they want it cheaper they can go down the road to someone else.

 

James and Bill, you both brought out very good points, though hinging on a few ifs, that I hadn't really thought of.

My repeat customers don't get discounts, however, I don't sweat the extras, upgrades and add ons that I give them.

 

We are all guilty of falling into the "discount" game at various times. I do give military and clergy a little break. If anyone ask, I tell them to pay in cash rather than credit card, and I'll reduce the price by 3%. It really makes no sense to give a discount. Go to Wal-Mart and buy 6 bottles of ketchup and ask for a discount...you will get a blind stare, but no discount.

 

We have to keep in mind we are a labor based service, no a retailer. Any discount is a cut in pay. You can't sell more to make up for it. Those lost wages are gone. It's tough to hold your ground sometimes, but I have yet to regret it.

 

Another Scenario.

30 years ago I worked in archery shop. We built custom arrows, and we also hand fletched all the shop stock. The majority were Easton aluminum, but we did stock some cedar arrows as well. We sold them by the Dozen or the !/2 dozen. From time to time I would have a customer get ticked off because I wouldn't sell him arrows one or two at time. They said they should be able to buy them in whatever quantity they desire. My answer was will the grocery store sell you eggs one at a time?

 

Heres another...I had a guy call me in my NY studio where I did caribou quite often, asking if Id do his caribou, to which I said sure. Then he said well, how much would they be if he brought all the guys caribou, to which I said, my price times as many heads as you bring. He got mad. I said to him, why would I discount them if you bring them all at once, verses everyone coming by with one or two at the normal price? He got sh*tty with me, so I added, what, so YOU can get yours done cheap and make them pay the difference? Hahaha, needless to say, it was a perfect way to not have that jackaxx's work in my place.

But a second scenario, a guy calling about a small bowhunt safari, 5 mounts, wanted to know about volume. I explained that I considered all that when I quoted his price. He brought those and then planned out another trip. when those arrived, I explained that I had rounded up some numbers for him. I explained that I wanted to do this for him, because for one, he didnt ask and two, I appreciated him. Did he really get a discount? Well, he feels like a special customer, I still made the profit margin I needed to, and we both felt we took care of the other fairly. Wink.