Quality or cost advice please:)

[maisiemoon]

I am currenty working on new designs for crochet baby shoes and I am unsure as to which route to go down in terms of yarn.

To make them extra special I could get some gorgeous baby alpaca- but it is quite pricey so the price of the shoes will have to be more and it also means the shoes will have to be handwashed.

Or I could get some baby soft acrylic which means they will come in at a cheaper price and can be thrown in washer at 40 degrees- as a busy mum I do know how annoying handwashing is!

I don't know which to go for or whether to compromise and do some in both yarns and see which sells???

Any input or advice would be appreciated as I am Mrs Indecisive at the moment and am sick of 'dilly dallying' (:D) as my mum would say!

Regards,
Beth

[urbancrafters]

Hi, It's not much help really, but in my experience, people want the expensive stuff (fabric in my case) but with the cheaper price tags!

I would recommend making some of each :) everyone is looking for something different anyway, and then you could see which sell best:D
Good Luck!

[Meljov5]

I would say do some of each and make it very obvious that the expensive ones are the 'premium range'! Those with first babies in particular will buy those over the others just because they are the best! Personally as I am allergic to proper wool I would appreciate the fact that you have the expensive and the slightly cheaper ones. With the second baby onwards I think that the ability to put in the washing machine becomes more paramount than the image of it being the best and I would go for some that I could chuck in the washing machine and that I would not be allergic to so that I could use them on my baby.
Hope this helps!

[cosmic grammie]

I think that's exactly right - first time parents will want the higher end things, and as they become more experienced, they'll get the cheaper end (real life) items. Also, in my experience, people buying gifts for new parents will get the pricier things.

I think it's important to have a "range of ranges" but you don't want to make your lower end items seem "not as good." So they may need a more eye catching marketing approach.

You might consider making some "natural" booties - cotton, bamboo, etc., that won't be too too expensive, and fairly washable. A mid-range. Then you've covered your bases.

[maisiemoon]

Thanks all for your advice- very much appreciated:) I think everyone has raised valid points and I think a 'top end' premium range is a fabulous idea.... and plus I can stop ogling the baby alpaca in my local woolshop and actually buy some... all in the name of meeting possible customer demand;) Shhhh, don't tell my hubby!

I like the idea of the natural range too- am currently working in cotton for summer things, but could definitely extend my range:)

There's some lovely silk and cashmere blend too..... hmmm I wonder how many ranges are too many :D

Thanks again,
Regards,
Beth

[jencel]

I think it's great to offer the same item in 4 different qualities and prices. It gives you a much broader customer base, and people will feel you're offering choice. (And women who have nannies may be tempted by the silk and cashmere ones :))

[ElaineJ]

Check re alpaca yarn and allergies - it's quite likely that people who have a wool allergy (usually from the lanolin) would not be allergic to alpaca. At least one of the forum members (http://www.jandjalpacas.co.uk/index.htm) has alpacas (sells yarn as well) and I'm sure she could tell you.

And if there's no allergy you could state "all the warmth of wool without the allergy".

[Kingsley]

Thanks for the info and i would love to save that much as you do.

[Alice21]

I agree about offering a range you could also try crochet cotton reasonable price and I don't think many people are allergic to it.

Here's a pair of cotton bootees I sold a couple of months ago.
http://www.craftsforum.co.uk/picture.php?albumid=335&pictureid=2240

[beadsbydesign]

You could package according to quality as well. Aim the alpaca as gifts and chritening etc and package in quality gift boxes so that the packaging is all part of the quality!

[carole]

Quality comes first.

[LadyMacbeth]

Hi Beth

I agree with the others, I think a range of bootees would be best. The expensive ones could be in white for a christening or as heirlooms and the 'cheaper' ones for everyday wear so that they can be put in the washing machine. You'll also find grandma's are always good for buying the expensive ones as presents.

Rita:)

[matt.chatterley]

Hi, It's not much help really, but in my experience, people want the expensive stuff (fabric in my case) but with the cheaper price tags!



That sums up the whole world beautifully :)

It's true though - and I think as others have said, making a selection to start with is really the only way to go!