This morning as I was scanning through my Facebook feed, I came across a post in one of my maker groups that I couldn’t resist posting a sarcastic response to.
Well, if you know me, that’s just the norm.
**Sarcasm…it’s how I hug.**
The OP had just returned home from a craft fair where she had been assaulted all day by comments like, “That price is ridiculous!” or, the one she got that broke the camel’s back for her, “No way, I can make it myself for that!” Her response was to ask, “Yes, but, would you?”
My response was, “Possibly, but look at how that turned out for your makeup!”
In all seriousness, there is no shame asking a booth owner if they will negotiate prices at a flea market type event. It’s all in how you approach it. A tasteful, “Do you negotiate on prices?” isn’t offensive at all. Neither is, “Thank you, it’s just not in my budget.” That actually helps the vendor get a sense for the local market. If enough people ask at an event, they know that the area can’t sustain their price point. When you circle back a bit later for that cute little boutique item you can’t get out of your head, you may just find a reduced price, after all.
However, a snarky comment might just earn you a “You do you, Boo!” smile (which is the equivalent to the Southern “Bless your heart!”).
Most days, I choose not to negotiate prices, and here is why…

• Most small businesses already run pretty close to cost margin, just to compete.
  Prices of supplies are rising daily, supply chains are broken everywhere, and equipment is EXPENSIVE. Sure, you could probably spend all day cutting out letters on your husband’s scroll saw, but you wouldn’t have the crispness and quality that a $6-20k laser can produce. Plus, you’d spend gas money going down to your nearest lumber yard (probably grabbing lunch for you and the kids on the way), paint at the craft store (and five other items you saw on sale that day), and the time spent to create it.
• I refuse to cut the throat of a fellow maker.
  Reducing your prices over and over, or offering to beat a fellow competitor’s price, waters down the market and makes it so no one can afford to put food on the table. Not to mention, it just isn’t very ethical as a business person. Those other makers are struggling in this economy, too. Handcrafted items involve years of knowledge and know-how, inventory costs, time, and usually blood, sweat, and more than a few tears.
  My reputation means more to me than making a sale.
  My legacy is all I’ll leave my children when I leave this earth, and it matters.
  I’d rather call another maker when I’m ordering to see if they need something, too. Or, loan them a product when they have a rush order, or have ruined an item they don’t have more of.
  I cheer for their successes, boost/share/repost their social media, and support their sales. Why? Because I’d rather have an ally who can help me and my business when I need them than have an enemy and a bad reputation.
  We be tight, y’all!
  To ask me to hurt my fellow maker says something about you.
  Actually doing it, would say something about me.
• I’ve been doing this for 20+ years. 
  This business has sustained me and my family for decades. I don’t just have a Cricut in my closet I pull out for fun. That’s how you start in this business, not how you make it. I’ve grown and invested! As do most when they find a trade they want to stay in. You purchase a commercial vinyl cutter and learn how to use it. You invest in design programs and teach yourself new techniques. You go back to college to absorb the rich history and latest info your area of expertise has to offer.  You spend hours researching, practicing, and perfecting your craft.
  To always reduce my price doesn’t respect myself, let alone others who have done the same thing.
  I’ve literally spent half of my life doing what I’m doing. Respect that and you’ll get a lot further with me.
  This industry has gotten most of us through unexpected hospital bills, births of children, divorces and single motherhood, weddings, job loss, sickness, injury, and helped us support community tragedies.
  It isn’t something we do on a whim.
• It’s just poor form to minimize small business. 
  Most people wouldn’t dream of walking into Wal-Mart and demanding a price break. Yet, they’re comfortable doing it to a struggling small business owner. Those same people are the ones sanctimoniously posting to their news feeds around Christmas time about how they yearn to shop small businesses and support their community.
  Well, Karen, I’ve got news for you-Christmas isn’t the only time that supporting small business helps a community.
  Keeping your money local benefits everyone in the long run. Supporting my small business helps support my kid’s dance teacher, tutor, local convenience store, area pizza joint, grocery store, etc. It allows me to support our school fund-raiser, donate back to someone in need, give to my church, employ my neighbors, and feed my children. It makes house payments, car payments, and lets me work from home while raising my family.
  Small business is cyclical.
  Ask yourself if $.50 (or even $5) is worth taking all of that away from your community and your family.
  Strong small businesses build a strong neighborhood foundation, and keep it strong for years to come.

Just one more story before I jump down off my soap box.
Years ago, my sister and I did a group make-and-take event for my church. One lady didn’t pay upfront like the organizer had asked, didn’t show up, and later came to pick up her items from my home. Instead of paying me for her $60 custom order, she rudely told me it was too much and demanded I bring my price down (she had known the price before placing her order and still placed it).
I refused her demand.
All of the others in the group had paid the same amount, and they were custom orders (normally much more of a time-sucker for me). I explained to her that I had already given them a drastically reduced group rate that the organizer had negotiated for them.
After going back and forth for about 5 minutes, her last ditch offer was for $.10 less because a friend of hers could do it for $.10 cheaper.
TEN CENTS, people!!!
I held my ground.
The people who had paid the full group price were my friends and family! It was a matter of principle at that point.
Well, she walked away without her order and I resold what I could to another customer for $15 more (my usual price).
I later learned that they were struggling and her husband was angry she placed the order in the first place.
Had she just been honest and said she couldn’t afford it, I would have figured out a way to help her get that item (I mean, if you’re willing to fight a spouse over one of my crafts, I’m ALL in. I’m throwin’ hands right next to ya, my friend!).
If you’re poor, say you’re poor! We makers TOTALLY understand poor!
Ironically, she still glares at me whenever I see her in town.

I got into this business because I love doing what I do. I believe that it genuinely makes others happy, which makes me happy. I love to beautify a home. I love to give a feeling of peace and comfort when it is needed. I love to bring a smile to a face.This path I’ve chosen fulfills me.
This is the same with every person I’ve ever talked to that is passionate about their small business, no matter the industry.
They’ll do whatever it takes to help you have a piece of their heart, and that’s exactly what they’re handing you with your purchase.
Help them do that by being kind and respectful about it.