I was inspired to write this quote after several encounters with clients who thought that, as my prices were above their budget or too expensive, I was supposed to lower them, just like that! 😂

People really need to understand that we (designers, entrepreneurs, …) *are only responsible for our price, not their budget. I couldn’t understand why someone would even think it possible.

When I’m shopping and I see something I like but the price is too high for me, I LET IT GO. I don’t ask the shop manager to “give me a discount so their product(s) becomes more affordable!”

The thinking

The more I thought of it and the more I was puzzled. Especially with the speed at which some people would say: “It’s too expensive”. Too expensive compared to what my dear?

Do you know the market prices?

Did you take the time to collect quotes from several designers and noticed that I was the most expensive (or less affordable) of the lot?

Do you usually request these type of services and it’s the first time you were given a price this high?

Of course, the answer is no to all of the above.

The understanding

After a few months of analysis, I finally managed to understand.

I asked questions, took time to listen to conversations between my relatives and the following was a real eye opener:

A: We need … to decorate the tables. Do you know where we can find it?

B: Yeah, you can find it at …

A: Okay. It must certainly cost 3€

Woah, wait! Stop right there. What do you mean by “It must certainly cost 3€“? How do you know? Did you actually check?

B: For sure, it cannot be more expensive than that.

What?!?!?

A: I’ll go to the shop tomorrow.

...

B: So? Did you find it?

A: OMG, I didn’t take it because the price was 6€; it’s too expensive!!!

Here we are.

People in my community have an idea in their head of how much the product / service they need should cost. With that idea in mind, they set out to find a service provider, asking around if someone knows a … (designer/photographer/stylist/decorator/shop). They find one (yeah, only one), ask for a quote and SURPRISE! The price is higher than what they “imagined” (I use this word on purpose). So yes, if you follow that schema, it IS too expensive.

In conclusion: I don’t have to make myself affordable

My work has 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞, my craft is 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞. ⁣The price of my services reflect the time and effort I put into giving them life, the years of study, all the things I sacrificed to learn how to do #DoItWell.

Either you can pay my price and we will work together or you can’t pay my price and we won’t. And it’s okay if we don’t.

 

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*Quote by @gigichroniclesnyc

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