I am raising my prices in January, and I was actually inspired to do that by one of my regular clients, who sat me down and told me I wasn’t charging enough! But I have gone through a consultation process with all of my regulars to make sure they’re happy with my new charging proposals, as I believe they deserve honesty and respect.

I do offer discounted prices to my regulars and to students, and I also give an hour of my time to people from the Entrepreneur group I belong to, but again, I’m clear on how much that is worth and what they’re getting (and I still extract some kind of “payment” in the form of references and recommendations!)
Liz´s last [type] ..Whose or who’s?

I started my own business 3 months ago and the biggest debate I had with myself was the selling price. To get easy sales it would had been logical to set a low price, but a big part of my business is focussed on the gourmet market, and knowing them, I knew that a low price would make them reject my product.

We are more expensive than our competitors, our product is top quality, our customer service is great and customised (we communicate with each customer the way we know they like) and I’m proud to say that we are dying of success.

The turning point came for me when I took the decision to sack a client who was paying me peanuts and was rude and demanding.

I woke up and realised my worth and that of my business, acknowledged what I offered really WAS as great as people were telling me and raised my prices. A harsh lesson but one that stayed with me – if you don’t value yourself no-one else will..
Sarah Cairncross´s last [type] ..Twitter Updates This Week 2011-01-30

In my salon I retail high end products from well established British companies like Kent, Edwin Jagger and DR Harris.

The salon is for the men who are tired of the 1 minute buzz cut.

Their hair is washed before and after the hair cut. My primary tool are scissors. I use quality products. They always receive a consultation as well as complimentary drinks and quality magazines like GQ, Mens Health etc.

I am the only “barbers” in my area who offers a high-end service and wet shaves with the straight razor.

I have had to work hard to build this business because there are so many £5 barber shops not giving a quality service.

I now get customers who travel some distance to come to me and are thrilled that they don’t have to go to London for these services.

I still have lots to do, but the work is paying off. I simply refused to offer a bargain basement salon for men.

Those last lines of the post are spot on – you have to believe (and make) the offer outstanding. Quality has to be reality. When it is, people willingly pay for it because it’s high value.

RC