How MyLot helped me make an extra $20.50 in one day
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220084)
Walnut Creek, California
May 23, 2016 2:31pm CST
A week or so ago, I wrote about how I was working on a pair of Vintage AR-3a loudspeakers. I asked the MyLot community how much I should charge for my work, as some of the surfaces were really easy to work on.
The consensus was that I should charge him a figure near the high end of the range I was considering, so that's what I did. I charged him $80, and he was very happy with that. He was so excited about the way the speakers looked, he even gave me a hug. I didn't mind.
I'll attach a picture of the speakers as they appeared right before he took them home. Do you ever "sell yourself short"?
19 people like this
20 responses
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
24 May 16
These came out very nice. Good price.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
24 May 16
@TheHorse ....Yes, I think my suggestion was $70
4 people like this
@TheHorse (220084)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 May 16
@celticeagle I was initially thinking $50 or $60. Thanks for the suggestion. Like many people, I think I tend to under-value my own work.
4 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 May 16
I havent sold handmade items in so long i dont know, I used to sell inked art, maybe I did then
3 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 May 16
@TheHorse if I had the time, yeah. I esp loved drawing in metallic gels on black paper
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220084)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 May 16
@Jessicalynnt Sounds interesting. Will you be able to find the time at some point? I haven't worked on my coasters in weeks or months--too busy right now.
1 person likes this
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
24 May 16
I do crochet some beanie hats and sling bags but never sold them. Sometimes I gave it away as gifts. Someday maybe when someone made order for those items but the problem would be the price I do not how to do some pricing considering the yarns are somewhat expensive specially the cotton yarns and they are smaller than the ones I use in doing my kids stuff.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137463)
• United States
24 May 16
@TheHorse Yes, pony, the phrase "selling yourself short" does come from the stock market. Here is a link you might like:
Sell Yourself Short : Phrases, Cliches, Expressions & Sayings
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220084)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 May 16
@DaddyEvil Gracias. I'll check it out. Right now, I'm heading back to work to tape my corn. Sigh.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
24 May 16
Those are some good looking speakers!
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
23 May 16
Speakers turned out nicely, aw he gave you a hug 
2 people like this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
24 May 16
Glad you were able to sell the speakers.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220084)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 May 16
I didn't actually sell them. I refinished them for their owner, who bought them from someone else for $550. When all is said and done, he's going to have an $1100 pair of speakers for under $700. I think that's a part of what led to the hug.
1 person likes this
@carebear29 (31970)
• Wausau, Wisconsin
25 May 16
How much do you average a month here anyways?
1 person likes this
@carebear29 (31970)
• Wausau, Wisconsin
26 May 16
@TheHorse Right. But worth it huh?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220084)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 May 16
@carebear29 Restoring speakers actually supplements my income a bit. Writing at MyLot is worth it for the socializing and the "validation."
1 person likes this
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
24 May 16
That's a good price and I'm great that your earn a good amount for it.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137463)
• United States
24 May 16
You DID do a great job with those speakers, pony! He should have been happy with your pricing!
I often SAY I am free and easy, but I am only SAYING that! I don't really MEAN the free part! LOL! My services can become expensive, depending.... usually on what the traffic is willing to bear and what the extras are that the customer is interesting in....
Once in a while, a customer will request something I simply can't (won't) do, but for the most part, if I CAN, then the customer can. LMFAO!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137463)
• United States
27 May 16
@TheHorse That's what I've been trying to tell you, too!
@TheHorse (220084)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 May 16
If this were my main business, I'm sure I'd charge more. The truth is, my overhead is very low (sandpaper, art gum erasers as sanding blocks, oil, steel wool), but I'm very meticulous, so folks are getting high quality work. And I shouldn't forget that my knowledge itself has value.
1 person likes this
