08/24/2022
A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE:
A customer asked a taxidermist friend of mine how much it would cost to shoulder mount his deer.
My friend gave him a proposal: $750
The customer responded: That’s seems really high.
My friend asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this mount?
The customer answered: $350 maximum
My friend responded: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself.
The customer answered: I don't know how to.
My friend responded: Alright, then how about for $350 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $400, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.
The customer answered: Sounds good! Let’s do it!
My friend responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some supplies and tools. Some tools you will need a flesher, mounting stand, modeling tools, glue, stout rougher, sewing needles, thread, paint, air brush etc..
The customer answered: But I don't have any of those tools and I can't justify buying all of these for one job.
My friend responded: Ok. Well then for an additional $50 I can rent my shop and tools for you to use on this project.
The customer answered: Okay. That’s fair.
My friend responded: Supplies you need are clay, tanning agent, form, ear liners, butts and eyes. I’ll help you order those, with shipping they will be $200.
The customer answered: That sounds a bit high.
My friend responded: These are necessary to complete the mount. We will start the project on Monday and order supplies.
The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. I’m only available on the weekends.
My friend responded: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. This project will take 3 days so you will need to take 3 days off work. 1 to flesh, turn and tan the hide. 1 to final shave, prep hide and mount. 1 to do finish work and groom. You will also have to stop in after work for 5 days in a row to “babysit” and make adjustments on the mount as it dries.
The customer answered: That means I’m going to have to sacrifice my pay for 3 days or use my vacation time! I also can’t stop by for 5 days straight after work. I have other priorities.
My friend responded: That’s true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.
The customer answered: What do you mean by that?
My friend responded: Doing a job completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, pick up materials, travel time, gas, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. That’s all in addition to the actual project itself. And speaking of materials, that’s where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at my shop at 6:00am.
The customer answered: At 6am?!! My work day doesn’t usually start until 8am!
My friend responded: Well then you’re in luck! My plan is to start fleshing and turning your deer hide by 8am after we order those materials. But to do so we have to start at 6am to get those materials ordered. Then go over some skills you will need to mount your deer. After that we will flesh and turn your deer before we put it in the tan.
The customer answered: You know, I’m realizing that a lot more goes in to a job than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of $750 is very reasonable. I would like you too mount my deer.
CONCLUSION:
When you pay for a job, especially a custom job, (whether it’s a physical project or digital project) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for:
✔️ Knowledge
✔️ Experience
✔️ Custom Skills
✔️ Tools
✔️ Time to plan
✔️ Time to prepare
✔️ Professionalism
✔️ Work Ethic
✔️ Excellence
✔️ Discipline
✔️ Commitment
✔️ Integrity
✔️ Taxes
✔️ Licenses
✔️ Sacrifices
✔️ Liabilities
✔️ Insurance
✔️Electric
✔️Water
If you request a proposal for custom work to be done, please don’t disrespect a service provider by trying to get them to lower their prices.
If their proposal exceeds your budget, there’s nothing wrong with getting other proposals.
Just remember.. you get what you pay for.
👉🏼 SERVICE PROVIDERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.
👉🏼 CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.
Sharing this to support all my friends, family and clients who are Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Tradesman.
Whatever you do that’s your specialty get paid for your skill/ craft !
