*We are almost through January! Only one more week. We've been lucky so far, weather-wise, with not much snow and temps above the January normal. Fingers crossed that our "easier winter" continues. Our monthly meetings continue by Zoom, with almost half of our members attending, and others watching the recordings later. We hope you are feeling connected in this way.
*We are saddened to have recently lost two former members, Jessie Yerxa and Diane Bunker; our condolences to their family and friends.
*Is anyone participating in a Sew Along, Mystery Quilt or Block of the Month right now? Send us some photos! Tell us about it! There are lots of them out there, many for free... Andrea at The Quilting Shed is going to be hosting a Mystery Quilt, with registration beginning in Feb. Get in touch with her if you'd like to join the fun!
*Our next newsletter deadline is Feb. 8 at the latest, earlier is always better. All submissions go to Gail Mitchell, newsletter editor.
*Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting is back on MPBN on Saturday mornings at 10:30. Lots of great ideas and tips to be had there.
*We hope you are planning to participate in this year's guild challenge. Details on the Initials Challenge were on pages 2 and 3 of your November newsletter (emailed on Nov. 11.) Please contact the Program Committee if you have any questions. Have you started yours yet?? Finished entries are due for our April meeting on April 20.
Saw this recently on Facebook, and thought you might enjoy reading it. Although it is written about someone who wants a deck built, it could just as easily apply to someone wanting a quilt made. It's a bit lengthy but well worth the read.
A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE.
A customer asked a contractor friend of mine how much it would cost to do this project.
My friend gave him a proposal: $4500.00
The customer responded: That seems really high.
My friend asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this job?
The customer answered: $2500. maximum.
My friend responded: Ok then, I invite you to do it yourself.
The customer answered: I don't know how to.
My friend responded: Alright then, how about for $2500 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $2000, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.
The customer answered: Sounds good! Let's do it!
My friend responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some tools. You will need a chop saw, table saw, cordless drill, bit set, router, skill saw, jig saw, tool belt, hammer, etc.
The customer answered: But I don't have any of those tools and I can't justify buying all these for one job.
My friend responded: Ok. Well then for an additional $300 I can rent my tools to you to use for this project.
The customer answered: Okay, that's fair.
My friend responded: Great! We will start the project on Monday.
The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. I'm only available on weekends.
My friend responded: If you want to learn from me, then you will need to work when I work. This project will take three days so you will need to take three days off work.
The customer answered: That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my pay for three days or use my vacation time!
My friend responded: That's true. Remember when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.
The customer answered: What do you mean by that?
My friend responded: Doing a job completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, pick up materials, travel time, gas, set up time, clean up and waste disposal amongst other things. That's all in addition to the actual project itself. And speaking of materials, that's where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the lumberyard at 6:00a.m.
The customer answered: At 6a.m.?!! My work day doesn't usually start until 8a.m.!
My friend responded: Well then, you're in luck! My plan is to start on the deck build by 8a.m. But to do so we have to start at 6a.m. to get materials picked up, loaded and delivered to your job site.
The customer answered: You know, I'm realizing that a lot more goes into a job than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of $4500. is very reasonable. I would like you to handle the project.
CONCLUSION: When you pay for a job, especially a custom job (whether it's a physical project or a digital project) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for knowledge, experience, custom skills, tools, time to plan, time to prepare, professionalism, work ethic, excellence, discipline, commitment, integrity, taxes, licenses, sacrifices, liabilities, insurance and permits.
If you request a proposal for custom work to be done, please don't disrespect a service provider by trying to get them to lower their prices. If their proposal exceeds your budget, there's nothing wrong with getting other proposals. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
SERVICE PROVIDERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.
CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.
