I sat down last night and reworked my corsage and bout., prices. They are somewhat higher than last year, but I also have way more to offer this year. Just got my first order, $40.00 corsage. She didn't even bat an eye when I told her the price.
Prom Orders
- Thread starter Lizi
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Connie
New Member
I think we underestimate the amount these girls or their mothers will pay. When we add on all the blingage and fancy wristlets, most don't bat an eye. All they are worried about is having the corsage match perfectly and not to look like anyone elses. I even had to match a thong (yes, really) one time to get the exact color. My prom wasnt like this!!
twiggy
Well-Known Member
I'm also in the boonies and the kids and moms would faint and swoon at any price over 25.00.. that was then.
I priced my prom flowers in tiers based on the flowers used: Twigs classic, Deluxe and Special order. I included some basic bling in those prices but the fancy bracelets, special gems and Magic Lights I priced as additions.
the smaller price points aren't as intimidating when viewed separately.
our one prom is over already..I posted some pictures on my blog if anyone want's to see
The guys were happy to spend the extra few dollars to impress. Most were happy to spend around 40.00
Lizi- good for you! hope you have a great prom season!:thumbsup
Yeah, I'm in the boonies also. The girl who spent the $40.00, just came in with her friend and she spent $64.00. I am in shock. I am so ready for Prom. I priced the flowers, ribbon at one price, bracelets, bling and extra bling at a different price points.
I think I get a fair price for my corsages and it is nowhere near 40.00! Personally, I think that is highway robbery. As the mother of two boys and had experience with the prices of prom attire I can't imagine charging a kid the price of a dinner for a corsage. I still make a nice profit.
Yes I am in the boonies......we don't have city prices but honestly, $40.00?? Wow
Yes I am in the boonies......we don't have city prices but honestly, $40.00?? Wow
ctherose
New Member
twiggy
Well-Known Member
Highway robbery? that's a little harsh.. I Do have other options, some as low as 17.95. It's their choice
1 Deluxe corsage (the one with roses etc) 26.95
beaded wristlet.. 7.95
magic lights 5.95
total 40.85
quit thinking like a mom!
this mom's thinking
My boys are all grown up now but I would have spent $40 for their date's corsage in a heartbeat.
We just saw J at ISFA and he talked about this very thing. That $5 to us is $20 to kids today. No telling what my granddaughter's corsage will cost. The blingier the better and I can't wait to see her wearing it!
Kynda
My boys are all grown up now but I would have spent $40 for their date's corsage in a heartbeat.
We just saw J at ISFA and he talked about this very thing. That $5 to us is $20 to kids today. No telling what my granddaughter's corsage will cost. The blingier the better and I can't wait to see her wearing it!
Kynda
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
quick cost figures... (prices here for fresh) I've been making wristlets of deco wire, angel hair, & bullion for the past few days...
wristlet (deco wire .16 ft, angel hair .10 less than 50th of a bag, bullion
.05) total .52
ribbon 1 yd wired sheer #3 .45
silk greens (leftovers) v. pitt leaves or ivy or seeded euc leaves .10
1 stem spray roses $1.75 (average 3 blooms 2 buds usually more)
waxflower or baby's breath .50
for a grand total of $3.32
That leaves lots of room for bling whether it be gems, crystal pins, pearls, etc.
Even if you just added a wristlet like Fitz's the cost is still below $10.00. (at least the ones I saw at the wholesalers maybe they don't carry the more expensive ones)
The labor...if you're prepared should be less than 10 minutes, glue and move on... Then add in any glitz you put in the box and the cost of the box...
In my area, I could never get them to pay more than $25.00 for a corsage so my best effort will be utilizing the deco wire, avoiding elastic band wristlets, adding some cheap gems for sparkle, possibly getting them to pay $5.00 for an "upgrade".
have to take the dog out ....will peruse what I wrote when I come back in.
I think $40 in our area is also way out of line...but areas vary!
Back.... for upgrades here, I'm probably going to offer deconstructed mini cymbidiums (will test the waters with that at our Prom Show) as well as dendrobs (they don't go over real well but with lots of blue dresses ugh, those dyed blue dendrobs may fly). Those will head to the $30.00 area.
The little rhinestone sprays with 4 or 5 gems on them give lots of color for small items too.
What are the sizes of your corsages for $40.00??? Our girls like them about 4 - 5" from wrist toward elbow. Have a very hard time getting them to do "different"...
wristlet (deco wire .16 ft, angel hair .10 less than 50th of a bag, bullion
.05) total .52
ribbon 1 yd wired sheer #3 .45
silk greens (leftovers) v. pitt leaves or ivy or seeded euc leaves .10
1 stem spray roses $1.75 (average 3 blooms 2 buds usually more)
waxflower or baby's breath .50
for a grand total of $3.32
That leaves lots of room for bling whether it be gems, crystal pins, pearls, etc.
Even if you just added a wristlet like Fitz's the cost is still below $10.00. (at least the ones I saw at the wholesalers maybe they don't carry the more expensive ones)
The labor...if you're prepared should be less than 10 minutes, glue and move on... Then add in any glitz you put in the box and the cost of the box...
In my area, I could never get them to pay more than $25.00 for a corsage so my best effort will be utilizing the deco wire, avoiding elastic band wristlets, adding some cheap gems for sparkle, possibly getting them to pay $5.00 for an "upgrade".
have to take the dog out ....will peruse what I wrote when I come back in.
I think $40 in our area is also way out of line...but areas vary!
Back.... for upgrades here, I'm probably going to offer deconstructed mini cymbidiums (will test the waters with that at our Prom Show) as well as dendrobs (they don't go over real well but with lots of blue dresses ugh, those dyed blue dendrobs may fly). Those will head to the $30.00 area.
The little rhinestone sprays with 4 or 5 gems on them give lots of color for small items too.
What are the sizes of your corsages for $40.00??? Our girls like them about 4 - 5" from wrist toward elbow. Have a very hard time getting them to do "different"...
ctherose
New Member
I just figured out a new pricing formula for this year:
$11.00--base (includes 20 min. labor @ .50/min, corsage box)
+ retail fresh flowers, filler & greens (here, a whole stem of spray roses is $8.75 or $5.00 at a good price)
+ wristlet/bracelet, bling, laser leaves, wire, etc.
=Total
$11.00--base (includes 20 min. labor @ .50/min, corsage box)
+ retail fresh flowers, filler & greens (here, a whole stem of spray roses is $8.75 or $5.00 at a good price)
+ wristlet/bracelet, bling, laser leaves, wire, etc.
=Total
lizzie ann
Well-Known Member
well we also get $35-60 for wrist corsages. Not when we first started tho. We gave out a free Gift cert. for each school for a corsage and bout....blinged the daylights out of it. Everyone saw it...next year everyone wanted it. Now it is a contest to see who has the most unusual and the most expensive. Last year the highest cost was $125 for a clutch b.q. wire necklace and earrings to match all out of oasis colored wire and beads and flowers....never say never.....
I sold one last year for $75.
It was fair. and I'd do it again...
I live in a town of about 13,000 (I think) in the middle of nowhere.
Bonnies have nothing to do with it.
Be sure to figure in time spent trying to sell those prom flowers. Sometimes it takes forever if the whole family comes in with opinions. It make take 10 minutes to make the corsage, but, an hour to sell, no matter how good you are at closing a sale. But I still love the kids & prom excitement.
No, I don't think boonies have anything to do with it, either. We're in a major metropolis, and in a very affluent area of the city, and ... not only can I not get the corsages over $35, but last year I couldn't even get them to do something "different".
Everyone wanted a wristlet, most of those went with the typical elastic one. Ugly. I think about 75% went with sweetheart roses, and most of those were white. The radical chicklets got cymbids or callas! Whoo-hoo.
It's like a completely different world from much of what I read on this site.
Part of the problem might be that most of the orderers are boys ... and they don't know their date's preferences or colours, they're freaked out over how much they've spent on tuxes and tickets, and the only flowers they "know" are roses. And they travel in herds, behaving like all herd animals, and follow the leader.
*sigh*
This year, we're going to streamline the order process and selection guide (which will make our lives a little easier) and offer more bling -- but nothing like I see here, or JTV, or elsewhere.
(I'm not too cut up about it, despite the sigh, because personally I'd rather eat nails than make corsages. The sigh is for the money that could be made ...)
Everyone wanted a wristlet, most of those went with the typical elastic one. Ugly. I think about 75% went with sweetheart roses, and most of those were white. The radical chicklets got cymbids or callas! Whoo-hoo.
It's like a completely different world from much of what I read on this site.
Part of the problem might be that most of the orderers are boys ... and they don't know their date's preferences or colours, they're freaked out over how much they've spent on tuxes and tickets, and the only flowers they "know" are roses. And they travel in herds, behaving like all herd animals, and follow the leader.
*sigh*
This year, we're going to streamline the order process and selection guide (which will make our lives a little easier) and offer more bling -- but nothing like I see here, or JTV, or elsewhere.
(I'm not too cut up about it, despite the sigh, because personally I'd rather eat nails than make corsages. The sigh is for the money that could be made ...)
This is kinda what I did. My basic corsage starts off at 17.00, they can have sweetheart roses, dendroibum orchids, or a mixture of other flowers. The bling and fitz bands are extra. Some of those bands are 10.00 wholesale. So yeah if you add it all up, $40.00 easy. Callas and regular orchids are a little more expensive.
Some of these girls want 2 or 3 different ribbons, and sometimes even 4, you can spend 30 minutes or more with each girl because they are so indecisive. They want to make sure their corsage does not look like someone else's. Then they want gems and deco wire and deco jewelry.
Around here most of the girls mothers pay for their corsages. So if they spend $250.00 for a dress, 80.00 for shoes, mani and peddi, tanning, hair and makeup. Then I don't see where $40.00 for a corsage is too much.
I'm sure I'll sell just as many $17.00 as I will $40.00 corsages.
twiggy
Well-Known Member
Lizi- tack 95 on that 17.00, no one notices and you have that much more in your pocket. my classic corsages that are 17.95 have carnations, alstros,daises, and little delph florets- either a mix of those or all one flower
I think last year I had sold one, this year 0. Most went for the middle price point or the highest.
as far as spending time with each- I LOVE sending them to my site and blog where they can click from one to the other to their heart's content!
(Sometimes that works)
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