Prices for larger pieces (LONG!)

My parents went to a local business networking shebang a week or two ago, and I sent a balloon hula monkey holding a banner along with them. (I forgot to take a pic, but it's like this + a "sign" made from a 260 attached to both hands and arched above her head:)



They said people constantly took pictures of it, and the coordinator (who told my mom they didn't want a twister/painter because his kids do simple twisting and didn't know it could be cool/something adults would like - right! ) said he didn't know twisting could be like this! Anyway, I got a call today from a florist who had seen it.

She's currently working with another twister doing non-floral pieces (she kept talking about baskets of monkeys...) and how she wanted two twisters available (2 or 3 days in advance) for weekday pieces if need be, as the other guy was getting really busy.

Then we got to prices.

Way back when, I'd asked you guys about pricing for a 7' high window display, and many points were made about time, design, etc, with the bottom line of (as always) charge fairly/what you're worth. Whenever I price big pieces, I think back to that, and have had a client happily pay $55 for a baptism bouquet:



Turns out her current twister (whom I've never heard of, and I've heard of most of us in the area) is charging her $20-30 for a 3' tall vase with 3 monkeys (monkey heads?) holding bananas, and even an 8' stork or Frankenstein only costs the florist $30 (so she says), who retails them for $75.

I remarked that he must be fast ("Oh yes, he's very fast!") and gave her a list of things I COULD do for $30 and under - and the giant balloon mustang is not one of those things! I'm a fast twister too (again, I have no idea how fast he actually is) but I still wouldn't have charged only 30 for that monkey display.

I ended up telling her to definitely keep working with him because I can't argue with that price, but we could maybe work something out in the future.

But really? If I was to twist on site, it would be an hourly rate, and a minimum of 2 - so it's generally cheaper to pick up pre-made balloons from me, instead of having me twist on site - anyway, no way would I work on a piece for $30 if I know it's taking me over an hour of fast twisting to do. (Home twisting is slower )

I'm not sure if there's a point to my post - I just needed to type. I kind of hope she doesn't call me back...I know they're balloons, and they deflate, but she sells flowers which will wilt, and THOSE aren't cheap, either...

The monkey is so cute! I love the flower in her hair

Beautiful basket too.

Sounds like a grinder...good answer you gave.

Don't sell yourself short Kristal!! We all know you are the bomb and I hate to say it but either she is lying or she is trying to grind you! If she calls I would suggest that you consider asking her to take a picture of the other person's work (or PART of the design) so that you can see it. I bet she won't.

These designs are awesome. I love the monkey. Will you post the instructions on how to do it? My husband usually makes all the balloons but, I am starting to learn. He doesn't make a monkey though. I got my first taste of twisting this weekend and I LOVE IT!!! I told my husband I was going to smoke his butt and learn all kinds of cool designs. I made candy canes and designed a snow man this weekend. SO SO FUN!!!! I HAVE TO LEARN THIS MONKEY KRISTAL