So I’m gonna be posting this on the acrylic painting subreddit and the small business one, because I have a small business in creating acrylic painting pieces for my Etsy shop. So, I sell my original acrylic paintings on Etsy. I do all different kinds, whatever speaks to me that day I guess, from landscapes, to cartoons, to festive art. And sometimes my family offers to buy one, or suggests I do a specific painting for them. Almost every single time I’ve done it for a family member, they’ve lowballed me.
For example, I created a very intricate piece for my father of a snowy scene, a church in the background, a truck driving by, trees everywhere, and tons of tiny little details that he SPECIFICALLY asked for. This is the biggest, and most detailed piece I’ve ever done for somebody, and it’s a commission. So I put my all into this piece, it took me 3-4 days and lots of material. When I messaged him and told him the piece was finished and sent him a photo he immediately called me. His words were something along the lines of, “Hi hunny, just let me know how much you’re charging me for it, I know you won’t charge me out my ass because I’m your dad.” And then continues on with “How much do you usually charge for your paintings?” That’s when I began telling him how it depends, because it’s my biggest canvas, (not huge but still my biggest canvas at 11x14.) has lots of little detail, and it took me 4 days. He then replied asking me if “40-45 dollars is good.” No, that’s not good. For what I’ve created, I would ask a random stranger for around 65-70. & My father is not the only family member to do so. It’s so extremely hard for me to sell to my family when this is what they do everytime. They somehow make me feel bad for charging what I believe my time, material, effort, and money is worth. And it fucking sucks. Am I alone?
Hey! Not sure how long you’ve been in business, but every decent and honest small business owner goes through what I think you’re going through. They severely undercharge for their work in general, and as a result, attract clients that are only willing to pay low-end prices.
A family member asking for 25% off is not the end of the world - but it certainly is when you are charging $70 for four days of labour, materials included.
People will often pay “premium” prices simply because they have a psychological inclination to believe that price is a reflection of quality, even in industries where that is absolutely not the case.
Assuming your product really is good, and you really do take care, you need to have the confidence to charge appropriately. You are currently taking wages equivalent to what one would expect to make working in a factory in a poor country.