10/01/2024
A customer asked me how much it cost to do this cake....
I answered her: $500
She said: That’s so expensive for this cake? It’s a “simple” cake?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
She answers me: $350 maximum... “It's a pretty simple cake right?"
- For $350 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For $350 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $150, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want to make it.
- It seemed right to her and she agreed.
- But to get started: you need tools: A cake tin, cooling rack, rolling pin, fondant cutters, food colors, gloves etc...
- But I don't have all this equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
- Well then for another $50 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, she says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'll be ready for you to start doing this work.
- But I can't on Tuesday she said, I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up all my tasks.
- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
- That is? What is this?"
- Tax, vat, security, insurance, fuel etc.
- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to have to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
- Yep..So… we start at 7am ???
- Nope! Too early for me! I’m used to getting up later...
- You know, I've been thinking. I'd rather pay you the $500. If I had to do it, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.
PS: I did not write this dialogue, but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs that's it.
