What would you pay for this?

greyford1979

Ok fellow polkies, I really need your help with this as I am completely clueless I built an end table sub as there are not many options for buying something like this if you don't have the skills to make one yourself. I'm not trying to start a company lol, just something I enjoy building and figured why not build some for others if the interest is there. I built one for a friend and he and his girlfriend love it. He loves it because of the sound and she loves it because it blends right in with the rest of her furniture:biggrin: I'm leaving it unfinished as to allow the buyer to choose a color from 15 colors I have available so they can match it to there decor. The build cost right around $350 in materials and built it in my spare time after work. I just have no idea what to charge for the time put into the build, so that's why I'm asking you fellas and ladies for advice. Also I was thinking of eventually doing other colors for the enclosure instead of just the black satin if I get interest from people. Also I would build ones with other size drivers and amps:biggrin: And for now ofc I would keep it local and to surrounding states, as I would deliver it person for maybe some gas money, much cheaper than freight shipping Unless ofc somebody really wanted to pay the freight shipping:eek: The link provided is for the entire build for this one. Thanks in advance for your help and replies!

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111167

codyc1ark

I hadn't seen the finished product until today, that is a SEXY beast. That is one of the best looking subs I've seen to date, nice work. I wouldn't see a reason you shouldn't be able to get 500/550 for it, if I had seen this offering when I was shopping, would have been on my short list. NICE WORK!

F1nut

Figure out what your time is worth to you, how many hours you have into building and finishing, the cost of materials and you will arrive at a price.

greyford1979

codyc1ark wrote: »

I hadn't seen the finished product until today, that is a SEXY beast. That is one of the best looking subs I've seen to date, nice work. I wouldn't see a reason you shouldn't be able to get 500/550 for it, if I had seen this offering when I was shopping, would have been on my short list. NICE WORK!

Thanks!

F1nut wrote: »

Figure out what your time is worth to you, how many hours you have into building and finishing, the cost of materials and you will arrive at a price.

Yeah I guess I should figure out how many hours I put into building this thing lol My problem has always been being afraid that I will charge someone too much for something:redface:

I kind of have a ballpark figure so far, but am still open to more advice. Thanks to both of you for the replies so far

Joe08867

I would think 500-600. It all depends on how custom you will go.

RuSsMaN

If you are serious go get a dba and tax id, and source your parts wholesale. Never sell yourself short on price. This product is specialized and that means $ for that limited market. It doesn't matter how much Polk or SVS sub you can get for $X, they don't make ones that double as end tables.

I'd be closer to the $800 and up pricepoint. Assuming the work is truely furniture grade.

rooftop59

I think that it looks awesome, and that if it sounds even close to what it looks like, then 500-600 is a steal. Having said that, shipping will be a beast, and most people will want to hear before they buy, which limits your clientele. In other words, I think that you have the potential to ask a lot more, but at the beginning this sounds about right (and of course it all depends on what you think its worth based on your time).

All I can say is, wish I was closer to you! (meant in the least romantic way possible)

kawizx9r

You need to get others' ears on that sub!

As far as I saw, it's a great looking sub but no one has an idea as to how it sounds and what it's comparable with (in terms of performance strictly).

Come up with a price of around the $600 +/- (depends how much you value your time/effort put into it) for just the first sub. If it gains praise well then, feel free to ask more for the subs you build later on since again it's your time and effort that's being put into this.

greyford1979

Thanks again for the replies guys. Yeah I know it's hard without anyone, except those close to me, not being able to hear it first. That's why I'm trying this mainly local and within states close to me as of now, unless somebody just has money to blow lol

Russman, thanks as well...who knows maybe in the near future, I'm trying to get a feel for how this goes right now, but I guess I have to start somewhere. If there is a serious interest, I would definitely look into going full blown serious about it someday. I have a friend who has already offered to build me a website, and I would definitely invest in some better and more tools that would make me more efficient with high quality.

I think as I get a few more of these builds under my belt, the quality will get even better (I'm my worst critic) and I will be more comfortable with pricing. I wish I had the skills of my grandfather who was a carpenter his whole adult life.This first official production one, will be a little lower since I fudged up the bottom even though it is unseen:frown:

Oh and btw, this is the main reason I came to here to ask about advice on this, because so many of you have so much more knowledge about this stuff than anybody I know. Hopefully soon, I will make a decision as the thoughts from you guys come in, thanks again!:biggrin:

exalted512

What about making them to spec of whatever sub people want (I realize space is a limitation), then they can buy the sub separate. Would reduce shipping by a lot.
-Cody

greyford1979

Eventually if this takes off, then yes I was thinking about doing that as well, as well as making ones without amps if somebody already has a plate amp and ones that are passive for those that have a rack mount type amp. Even without a sub installed though it's still large and a heavy **** Like I said I just don't want to get ahead of myself right now lol. This is a trial run and will work on a certain production version which I will honor the warranties that come with the driver and the amp, but also have custom versions. I just wanted to give this a shot to offer something to those who cannot build something like this or don't have the time. There are very few choices I have found on the internet for these types of subs and they don't come cheap.

txcoastal1

I would have to agree with Russ also once simplifying your builds by cutting your time by ripping multiple pieces at once...stocking small inventory for the wood materials precut the first few maybe a break even. Like others have mentioned get some ears on them with reviews and reference and your ready to roll...Good luck nice to make a little change when its something u enjoy. You could support different price levels pending on how much people want spend.

Toolfan66

Don't cut yourself short your work is worth the extra money. Your time is worth $$$$$

greyford1979

Thank you fellas!!!

Gadabout

I'm with Russ on the price, if it has good sound and is furniture grade it is the perfect niche for WAF and should easily get $800. How many folks that have a HT in the family room and find the space for a decent sub? This is the perfect fit.

Scott

greyford1979

Thanks! I think for this first one, I might offer it up on here first to a fellow polkie for a lower price, maybe the $500-600 range. At least this way others could get a better idea of how it sounds. My quality will get even better as I build more and if I can find better quality lumber. The trim pieces for the legs and borders were slightly bowed but every piece I checked was about the same:frown: The legs came out fine but the border pieces are a little off but still look nice. Most wouldn't even notice it. Also forgot to mention that I will even deliver it within a certain range from my house if I do put it up for sale here first. I think by this weekend I will make my final decision lol.

greyford1979

Ok I made my decision lol. This being the first one I'm officially putting up for sale, I'm going to offer it up for $550 to polkies just to see how things go. If things somehow started going well then ofc my asking price will be different. And also the 12 inch version would be slightly more lol.

Gadabout

Just for future reference, you can usually get decent wood at Wood Craft. My local store usually has a pretty good selection of wood. It will be a bit more expensive perhaps, but you'll probably find what your looking for if you plan to expand into custom orders.

Good luck with the project.

Scott

Sherardp

That looks pretty good. Have you had a chance to play it, hits pretty hard or what?

greyford1979

Sherardp wrote: »

That looks pretty good. Have you had a chance to play it, hits pretty hard or what?

Thanks! Yes I tested it already with many types of music, some very bass heavy, and also with Avatar and Iron Man 2. It sounded real good with nice clean, tight, hard hitting lows. Not quite the output of my 15 I built on movies, but sounds a tad better with music I think. Should only sound better as it breaks in. There was only a slight bit of port noise on really low notes, subsonic ones, on some songs but with the movies I didn't notice much if any at all.