A HAPPY Post!

I just sealed the deal today. :) I signed the contract, and paid for the lamps with shipping included, all at once. I've bought cars...I've bought computers...I've never dropped that much cash at once before. :-/ Wow. Surreal. Better start selling some of these soon!

But I'm celebrating tonight. :) It's finally paid! the ball is finally set in motion. I think it's supposed to get here in 35 days? Most of that is in transit...I think they said it would be 28 days at sea? That means it'll only take a week to make the lamps for me.

Oh, and the price on these will be $40, at the most. Maybe less...we'll see. But I didn't have to pay an extra 300-400 bucks for shipping like I thought, and didn't have to pay a bank fee that was as large as I was originally quoted, so there is no need to charge the extra $10. Man...I've learned a LOT about ordering from Asia! Buying in small lots comes with a bunch more crap than I thought...and I thought it was a lot. Apparently, a T/T payment is basically a bank transfer, or the same as wiring money via Western Union or something. It's all at once...or there's a much larger bank charge involved.

Eventually, I might need to invest in an aluminum anodizer. they are pretty dangerous, and a little pricey, I think...but OH SO GOOD at coloring aluminum beautifully. Maybe then I'll charge more than $40...or if I get custom glitter working, but $40 will allow me to cover my expenses + make a small profit to go toward procuring more stock.

I feel pretty good about charging $40 for a custom lamp, considering how much other, non-customized lamps of the same size cost. If you want the same SHAPE, that's a Mathmos jet or living jewel...and you're doing great if you find one new for $40, especially if you live in the US, and again, it's not customizable directly.

How do others feel about this price?

Comment

You need to be a member of Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate to add comments!

Join Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate

Comment by Loren on May 1, 2012 at 1:34pm: I do, indeed. :p

And I might actually do that! LOL! If it works, and winds up being about the same price! Why not?

Comment by Loren on May 1, 2012 at 12:36pm: I'll ship for free to Canada!

That'll be $65, please.

LOL! Seriously though, thanks. :p

Oh, and if the Chinese will ship to Canada for free, then I'm moving to Canada!

Comment by Loren on April 14, 2012 at 10:56pm: And Thanks, Erin! I'm glad that people here might want to try 1-2 out! :D

Comment by Loren on April 14, 2012 at 10:55pm: Awesome, ok. I'm still looking into the anodizer...it uses sulphuric acid! @_@

But yeah...I still want one. I LOVE the look of anodized aluminum, and you just can't duplicate it with paint...at least not that I've seen. I don't know how much it will cost to run an anodizer 1 cycle, but I can't imagine that I would charge you anything to anodize some lamps for you, unless it was a really expensive process.

Comment by Autumn on April 14, 2012 at 10:23pm: I may buy one off of you, I think the price is fair especially since I get to choose the color I want and everything. If you do invest in an aluminum anodizer I would pay to have some of my lamps annodized.

Comment by Erin on April 14, 2012 at 8:28pm: I feel totally OK with $40 a piece. I want a glitter!

Comment by Loren on April 14, 2012 at 8:16pm: Thank you for your input! Knowing me, I'm going to be giving people discounts that basically eliminate my profit sometimes, and even giving lamps away occasionally, but it's looking like the $40 bar is fairly set. Keep in mind though, right now that only includes either a goo kit in your choice of colors, or silver glitter in 1 of 10 different liquid colors, and a custom painted base and cap. I think a LOT of people will get goo kits, and if so that's cool. I can store the glitter that comes with the lamp. I think the insides from 8 of these will fill a grande, and maybe I can fulfill my dream of having an orange grande glitter. :)

Comment by Tim Gill on April 14, 2012 at 8:54am: i think its a fair price, but it has to be considerd how much it would be to do it yourself (i.e. if i were to buy the lamp, glitter and paint how much it would be) if that is about or more then $40 then fair enough then its worth buying from you

If its costs a lot less to do it yourself then you may have issues but considering that you brought in bulk and for the convieance then its a fair deal - something I have added to my wish list.

You right that for the style and value its a bargain (they are similar to a jet or living jewel)