Need advice on class idea

[Tammy Hershberger]

Hey everyone, I need some advice from fellow stampers! I manage a small stamping store. I recently had some classes where I designed 4 somewhat simple Christmas cards, and customers could reserve a spot in the class and they came and made 3 each of the 4 designs, 12 cards for $20. It was quite popular, and I ended up having to run it a third time as opposed to my usual 2. Since everyone liked it so much, I decided to try some more "mass-production" classes similar to this. Years ago, when I used to be a SU! demo, I did a Card Buffet at my house. I designed 10 different, again somewhat simple, cards and anyone who came could make as many cards as they wanted for $1 each. Again, wildly popular... the best thing I ever did when I was a demo. So I wanted to try something similar at the store. I have a banquet room I can use at the restaurant next door, so I was going to do 4 hours on a Saturday. Come and go at anytime, 10 different cards, make whatever you like. However, the store owner who of course is always concerned with the bottom line (as she should be!) thinks we should charge a flat fee of $20 for the first 10 cards. I think that's pretty fair... to reserve a spot they have to pay the up-front cost of $20 and they'll be able to make 10 cards, whatever design they want. However, my idea was then to charge $1 per card for every card they wanted to make after the initial 10. My boss thinks I should create "ala carte" prices for the cards and they'd have to pay whatever each card "costs." Her price ideas are anywhere from $2.00 to $2.75 per extra card, depending on what the "design" of the card is (meaning if it's a little heavier on embellishments or layers it'll cost more.) I do not think people are going to be willing to pay as much as $2.75 per card. They're already paying $2.00 a card for the first 10. It seems backward to me... should I be giving them sort of a price break if they want to do more than 10?

What do you think? Anyone have any experience hosting an event like this? Have you attended something like this? What did you pay? What would you be willing to pay?

Thanks!

[Kim Burmeister]

Tammy,

I did a big card class for Christmas cards for my club members where they made 50 cards for $50 dollars and received envelopes with them. I made sure the cards were simple, so they would not cost me $1.00, so I would make a little money. They loved it! I think your idea is good, but I would charge a set price for so many cards. Try to design cards that don't take too many embellishments. I wanted to do this because it costs more money to mail bulky cards.

I totally understand where your boss is coming from. She needs to look at the bottom line. She would like a flat rate for so many cards. I wish I lived by you, so I could come.

If I think of more ideas I will let you know. I was thinking about doing my class again in the spring for birthday or thank you cards or both. I don't think my club members would pay more than $1.50 a card, because they could go to the dollar store and buy them for less.

I can't wait to see what you decided to do.

Kim

[Jan]

Hi Tammy,
I like your idea and I think it's a fair price. ($20.00/10 cards) I owned a scrapbook store for 2 years and offered LOTS of card classes. I charged 10.00 for 6 cards. I don't know how this would work for you but this is what I did and it was a huge hit..I premade card kits and offered them for .95 a card, envelope included. Most card kits were 6 cards/$5.70, these sold like hotcakes...they had already made the card in class and then bought kits to take home and make more. I still have many customers that I do this for and they love it! Good luck! Jan

[Latisha]

The average store bought card these days is around $4.95. You need to figure in the time it took to prep everything for the class into the cost. Here in San Diego card classes are not cheap, I've seen classes that were $30 for 4 cards, but that included instruction on Copic markers, using the scorepal and different techiques.
I think its more than fair to charge $2 a card. Maybe do 8 cards for $15. The only problem I see is keeping track of how many extra cards a person has made. So maybe have extra card kits to purchase, maybe 4 cards for $5 and they are all bundled together in a clear envelope.
I hope it goes well for you!!

[Cathy (stamper-c)]

I really don't have any experience in this but...since you asked for opinions!!! I agree with the first phase and I also agree that $1 for each additional card is reasonable. As a consumer I would go with that option. Once you start nickel and diming so to speak the fun goes out of it and the consumer doesn't feel like they are getting a bargain. I am assuming too that you want to get them in so they shop as well...well if they spend all their money on the extra cards, they won't be doing much shopping! But that's just my opinion...:-)

[JJ]

The only experience I have is in taking classes, always fun. For Christmas cards, I agree that the $20/10 cards is reasonable and I like the idea of making one of each card, then being able to purchase kits to make more at home. Kits could contain supplies to make 6 cards for $10-$12 dollars (depending on the design). If there is a stamped image involved, you could pre-stamp the image for the kits or offer the stamp/stamps for a percentage off on the day of the class. Or if they purchase the kits, they can stay and make the cards using the stamps from the class.

I would recommend testing out different styles of classes, different prices, etc. Then at the end of each class have the students fill out a short review, what they liked and didn't like or what they would like to change, etc. Every demographic can be different, so your customers & students would be a great wealth of information. Maybe, set a comments form on your counter that allows your customers to comment about your store and then ask them what classes they would like to take in the future, as well.

For birthday cards (thank you, sympathy, etc), I prefer to make only one or two cards, so maybe changing it up to make two of five designs for one price might work better for these cards. You could still have single card kits available for these in case someone wants more of a certain design. Just a few thoughts.....

[Diane Noble]

I've been where you are. A year ago I taught classes in a LSS and had to work within the parameters given to be by the store owner. Ultimately, the owner's guidelines are the ones you will have to follow, and if you feel like you are compromising your integrity somehow by overcharging (in your opinion), I suppose you could always decline the opportunity to teach the class in her store.

Right now my customers are paying $3.75/card when they attend my classes. But that includes all the bells/whistles and of course, embellies. No one thinks a thing about that fee. I recently did a Stamp-a-Stack and charged $22/12 cards, but the designs were really simple. I did a class making 6 nice Christmas cards and charged $20. So prices vary a great deal depending on the complexity/bling of the designs. She suggested $2.00 for the extra cards, which is the same price as the first $10, so maybe that's the best compromise. You'd be following her guidelines, and the other ladies would be getting the same deal on each card, and your designs could be more the same...keeping them all simple. If you charged significantly more for the cards, the ladies would probably think the cards ought to have a little more to them, you think?

Sounds to me like you're being very thoughtful, very customer-centered, and willing to work with the owner. You'll come up with the right thing. Wish I could come. Love being on the other side of the table once in awhile!

[InStyle Stamps]

When I did my card class I did a flat fee of 10 cards for $20.00.

$2.75 per card is a bit steep, but you could offer a package deal like each card is $2.75 but if you make 5 cards extra it will be $8.00 or whatever. To give them a deal so to speak.