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| I am guessing that as her skills have gotten better, she's found that she can charge more and people are willing to pay that. When you compare what the dressmaker makes per hour versus a regular job, the dressmaker comes in at the lower end of the scale. In order to stay in business, the dressmaker needs to raise her prices — especially now, with the cost of everything else increasing. (NT) | dress prices = whatever the market will bear | Wednesday, July 02, 08:34:04am |
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 I work with people on tight budgets. Email if you're interested. (NT) | SDM | Wednesday, July 02, 11:26:15am |
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| I doubt we'll ever all charge as much, because there's a lot more burnout involved in being a small dm. We get customers who want everything for nothing and take advantage. Sorry that she charges more--she's probably only now charging what she's worth! It's difficult to make a living doing this, and even more difficult when people think we overcharge for fun... (NT) | No name | Wednesday, July 02, 12:57:57pm |
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| Something to also consider, when a dressmaker enters a new market klike this one they may be prepared to work at a los for a period to establish their reputation, test the market. Best of luck to her in such a fickle industry. (NT) | I wish her all the best | Thursday, July 03, 12:38:38am |
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| This happens all the time when "new" people get established in the market. I made dresses for costprice when I started, then added about $3/h labour costs to it. Now I have enough dresses made an out thre to call myself a true DM and so I charge a "normal" (minimum) wage. This means over the last 4 years my prices have tripled. (NT) | Just how it works -took me 5 years to learn this... | Thursday, July 03, 01:31:21am |
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| I agree, I am new to this I have made 6 to 7 dresses and still going strong I charge less because I am new and want to get established.. Its how it works.. (NT) | new dressmaker in maine | Thursday, July 03, 08:43:37am |
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| part of the reason I was drawn to smaller dressmakers was both the uniqueness of the dress designs and the more affordable prices-now that it's clear they all aim to get into the price range of the BNDMs then I guess I'll have to find other sources (NT) | OP | Thursday, July 03, 10:09:50am |
- I would not say "they all aim to get into the price range of the BNDM." I would say, they all aim to make a fair wage for the hours of work they put into those uniquely designed and well made dresses that you like. Losing money is not something anyone can sustain over a long period. Would you work for free? (NT) -- hpyswr, Thursday, July 03, 10:19:01am
- You can't imagine how degrading it is to put in so many hours, chg a low price for the dress, & see majority of people willing to pay 3 times price for same thing. You can't do it for long w/o losing all motivation, let me tell you. (NT) -- none, Thursday, July 03, 10:59:36am
- How true this is. People gasp at the $1100 you charge. They don't realize one third of that goes to taxes (in the U.S.) and at least $200 goes for materials. That leaves the dressmaker $534 for her 80 hours of work. Almost $7 an hour. Wow. (NT) -- people need to be educated, Thursday, July 03, 06:42:55pm
- yep, and sometimes that $200 is a modest figure. I had to import a specially chosen sequin fabric for sleeves at $90/yd. Imagine nearly $100 just for your sleeves! (NT) -- the extras add up!, Thursday, July 03, 06:50:29pm
- I spend 200 just on fabric. Stiffener, thread, rhinestones, zippers, snaps, needles, interfacing, etc. usually adds another $100 and that doesn't consider overhead costs - electric, wear & tear on equipment & car, etc. (NT) -- But still, I love my job!, Thursday, July 03, 10:48:11pm
- You may be an exception to the rule when you say you are drawn to non-BNDM designs.. When I ask clients to show me pictures of what they like, 98% of the time its Sopia Rince & Elevation dresses. They want the look for less. I charge 800-1200 less than BNDM, but it's still twice what I used to charge. (NT) -- wooo making $7 an hour!, Thursday, July 03, 11:12:07am
- I know what it is like to have no money to spend on your hobby. Heck, I even know what it is like to have no money for a decent meal. Hence, I started making my own dresses, and now I am a DM and pay my dance expenses of the money I make with these dresses. If I can do this... (NT) -- So can you., Thursday, July 03, 11:16:44am
- Why shouldn't they aim to make that much? It is a BUSINESS and they need to make money to continue to do it at all. I'm sorry that it costs so much, but that's what happens when you want a hand-made, custom-fitted garment. (NT) -- No name, Thursday, July 03, 07:57:35pm
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| I LOVE the local dressmakers. Our one and only custom solo was by a local DM and we are still loving it. She's able to do alterations for a reasonable price too because it's *her* dress and there are no surprises. (NT) | LOVE local DM's | Thursday, July 03, 01:57:40pm |
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| If any dressmaker could be cheaper surely it could be the BN's as they have all the machinery to do the job so much quicker. (NT) | . | Thursday, July 03, 11:19:30pm |
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| If they don't make a lot more money than the smaller dressmaker then why take on so much stress? (NT) | SDM | Friday, July 04, 04:16:50am |
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| Not bashing. Just trying to understand it all. Don't be so judgemental (NT) | Why are you so touchy? | Friday, July 04, 06:37:12am |
- I am sorry and do apologize. I did not mean to sound snappy. Just tired of the ol' BN's discussion.... (NT) -- and I am not a BN :-), Friday, July 04, 08:36:51am
- you must be a buyer of BN dresses- (NT) -- am I right?, Friday, July 04, 09:44:12am
- I don't know about the above poster, but I'm a small time dm, and am sick of the BN bashing. No, I don't always like their business practices, but it's their BUSINESS and they can do what they want. And they're very successful, and make some amazing dresses, so kudos to them. (NT) -- realistic admiration has it's place, Friday, July 04, 10:18:45am
- No, I am not a BN buyer. I am a small time DM. (NT) -- Original "snappy" poster., Friday, July 04, 11:31:20am
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| Small DMs don't underestimate yourselves. I spent countless hours with a client and endless tiny alterations and "tweaking" the design that she had drawn, another crown , another cape, ect.. only to see that she had a new dress for Nationals, not mine... that's loyalty for ya" - charge what you can get, your work is as good as the big DMs (NT) | MJ | Saturday, July 05, 08:59:41pm |
- oh yeah and the BFF very friendly Mom never told me I had to see the picture of her daughter on teh Nationals website - gotta love those dance Moms (NT) -- above, Saturday, July 05, 09:02:38pm
- I'm sorry yoiu had to deal with that MJ. I noticed that many DM's don't do consultations or spend much time "working" with their future client unless a deposit is paid for which is partly non-refundable. I have often found this a harsh way of dealing with clients, but am finding out more and more this is the way to go to avoid these timewasters... (NT) -- small DM with similar problems, Sunday, July 06, 02:18:30am
- How unbelievably tacky of her. (NT) -- bleh, Sunday, July 06, 09:10:24am
- Maybe their TC told her she had to get a BN dress for Nationals, and she was embarrassed. People flip out before Majors. (NT) -- Buyer of USED small DM dresses :), Sunday, July 06, 09:44:46am
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