Price Comparison
 

Fair warning, this is totally self-serving, and constitutes advertising, but the results astounded me, so I can't help but share.

I took a look at my product line and that of two other supplies dealers here on the east coat. I found 25 products that the three had in common, and did some price comparisons on a per-unit basis.

One of the two, a long-time supplies vendor and one I trust and have done business with myself, had prices ranging from 14.7% lower than mine on one product, to 96.7% higher on another, for an overall average of being 41% higher. (Don't forget, these are for identical items - some thing they carry, I don't, and vice versa, so overall, if you consider that we carry similar items that might be adequate substitutes, I'd estimate we're quite on par with each other.)

The other, a newer-, and very popular supplies vendor, had prices ranging from 21.5% to 389% higher than mine, for an overall average of 136% higher. Yep - on average, what costs $1 from me costs $2.36 from them. Again, I was comparing identical products, and they do offer more potential substitutes, but WOW!

So shall I consider jacking up my prices?

LOL!!! Wish there was a "like" button here!

There is!

I like your current pricing just fine. My first batch of Orchiata came from a big East Coast vendor. When I needed more, I saw I could buy double the quantity at half the price from you and gave you my business instead. When it was time for an RO system, your great pricing on the other supllies definitely influenced my decision to go with you. Some of us are on tight bidgets, and orchids being a very unnecessary luxury, affordability is important.

I've also price shopped for supplies on the internet and have found Ray's prices are overall the best. No more high price vendor for me, even if we are located in the same state.. just 30 miles down the road.

Please don't jack up your prices Ray. lol

Judy

No plans to change prices.

I just try to be fair to you all and myself. If my costs change, my prices usually will too, but only to compensate, and that's both up and down.

A couple of years ago, the cost of plastic skyrocketed, and so did the cost of flower pots, so my prices followed. The next time I ordered, the price had dropped considerably, so I lowered the prices again.

I also pride myself on my support, and lately, I've gotten several emails from folks saying "I bought [this product] from [the high-priced spread], and am not sure how I can do so-and-so...". I'm a little taken aback - you'll give your money to them, but you expect me to provide support for it?????

I do anyway, despite my inclination to respond in a less-than-gentlemanly way.