Image Designer Archive
Thread: No Really, what do you charge and why?
Nouva
Wed Jul 28, 2004 10:25 am
#27
I like yourreasoning, Nouva, and may just start charging similar prices once I get more experience with each species under my belt.
People that cannot afford one's prices for an Image Design should get out there doing more missions. Image Design is a luxury, not a right. Just like anyone sellingarmor, weapons, vehicles, droids, housing, furniture, harvesters, medpacks, buffs,spices,resources, rare items, or instruments, I expect to be paid my asking price.
Exactly... I see image design as a right of passage from newbie to expert. When you design your character you are not only saying I can afford it, but that you are ready for new horizons...new image new way of life, etc. You certainly don't see your barber or manicurist saying "It's on me, just give me what you think is right," now do you?
I think many designers work for free or just tips because they belive that because only they have the skill to ID, they feel obligated to change everyone's appearance. There are some that do it for fun but should just do it for fun on themselves in my opinion, and tehre are just ID's that ID thier PA and friends, which is ok so long as they keep it in that circle and not take business from professional designers whose ID career is thier only source of income. Free designers who wantfully take business from charging designers are no worse than AFK entertainers who steal business from the live crew who actually dance/play music for thier income.
I have been scowled at for my line of thinking and even bad-mouthed on my server about my prices. But you want to know something? The same people who bad mouth me come right to my palace steps asking me for design. I think it all boils down to this:
When you pay for something it has more value than if you were given it for free or a cheaper price. I think more people come to get designed by me because it's like a status symbol, bragging rights. Many can argue that ID is the same its button clicking, but if you really look at it, it's actually a talent. The creation engine can make an avatar face look remarkably like anyone you can think of, and true talent lies in using the creation engine to it's full potential.
Albight any talent, charging a higher price distinguishes you from the novice designers. It's like choosing to shop at Macys over K-Mart even though they may sell the same dress. Would you feel better saying you bought your dress from Macys or K-Mart? Think about it. Sure you may look more savy and effecient if you admit K-Mart, but Image Design is all about IMAGE. One's image is more than just looks alone, its actions and achievment. High Achivers are my main client base because they know when they brag they can say, "Yea I have my ultra sliced Krayt Rifle, 90% krayt composite, 100 million in the bank, and Lady China does my image design..." Damn that makes me feel good! And I am certain it makes my clients feel even better.
Will there always be a place for free or tip-only designers who are bent on taking business away from the professionals (this does not include you who do it for fun or your friends, people)? Of course, someone's gotta do charity for the beggers, scammers, and dregs right? Your achievment as an Image Designer is worth more than begging for tips or giving it away for free. Show some pride in yourself and your title, and never be ashamed to charge. Image Design is a luxury, not a priveledge.
MinaMaloo
Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:58 pm
#28
I've been a MID on Bria forever, my prices since I hit master have been close to the same, it's simple and to the point. I charge 20k for stat migrations. I find that fair, considering it is 10 minutes of time, which if you go to a master tailor, for example, you will probably pay similar to that. I charge 7k for most changes, just about everything besides body adjustments. 10k for body adjustments. I get bad tells for charging this much, but I don't really feel bad. I grinded this without macro's ect, and it's a business like any other. I really haven't had many complaints ever, I clear it up with the customer once I greet them and we group. I keep the price updated within the required payment slot...It works quite nicely for me <^.^>
Ihira Lez'Erpo, Lipstick Queen of Bria!
Erann
Tue Aug 03, 2004 8:49 am
#29
I've gotton a few 50K stats. I ask for 10 and explain there are rude players that require me to be be upfront withthis amount.
As for Changes.. I really would like the THeed ID tent moved away from the cantina and not near the medi center. and away from the landing zone. If the tent was on the opposite side of the street where the Bazzars are across from the Cantina (recessed) and it's own building enterable zone that would be greatly loved. Even with ignore spam from AFK it's still hard to follow a session conversation.
Rubicon49BC
Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:22 am
#30
Simaxus wrote:
ntwi said:
don't have a "fixed" price for stat changes, although it hovers around 10k, with extra fee's for attitude, l33t speak and jedi titles showing... I actually tend to make more money off image changes, as when you create the exact "look" someone wanted they tend to be rather generous.
I like it! I'm thinking 5k per offense, and I would add hologrinders to my list. (Anybody with 10 or more master profession badges). So a l33t speaking jedi would be charged 25k prior to any attutide adjustments.
You call 10 professions hologrinding 
? I would say 20 or so for a serious hologrinder 
As for pricing, I once got charged 50K for a statmigration, which I found rather high. Last time I asked for a statmigration, an age modification and a small facial change. The IDersaid 'Tip what you think is fair' andI paid 75K.
Aori
Wed Aug 04, 2004 6:04 am
#31
Stats migration: 10k (It's the standard going rate in our tent on our server. However, I've been known to charge 9-12k, depending on the situation, or more if they close the window and expect me to sit there for another 10 minutes with them)
Hairstyle 3k. (Used to be 5k ...but now I'm so happy to do actual ID changes rather than a migration, all of my ID changing prices have dropped)
Haircolor - Free with Hairstyle change ORif no hairstyle change: 1k for natural colors, 2k for unnatural/post-pubish 9 haircolors.
Mon Cal Marking Design, Wookie Fur Pattern,or Zabrak Tattoo Style: 2k
Every other change: 1k each.
Holoemotes: 2k for one or 5k for all.
If a customer tips me very well before the session is over or is just areally good customer (patience, kind, friendly) where I enjoy working with them the experience is especially pleasant, I'll give them a set of holoemotes as like a free gift/reward.
Gamma_Ray
Wed Aug 04, 2004 6:35 pm
#32
I don't charge as much as others because I still need the experience (4143 so far), and right now experiance is more valuable to be than money. But tell me...Do people really pay 1 Million for stat migrations? That's not really something the ID can change, the person does it themselves. So there is no "better" migrations to pay for. I'm not criticizing, just curious. I find that I can design pretty well and maybe I'm really cheating myself here.
FuschiaD
Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:10 pm
#33
Gamma_Ray wrote:
But tell me...Do people really pay 1 Million for stat migrations?
Let's put it this way. I would never, ever imagine charging anywhere near that... but, if the person sends me a tell and says "I REALLY need a stat migration, I'll give you 1 million credits if you'll drop what you're doing and migrate me right now" I would be out of there so fast, you'd think my hawt pants were on fire. 
Erann
Thu Aug 05, 2004 8:35 am
#34
One million credits on a tip and I follow them like a lost puppy hoping they keep me.
DiusFidus
Thu Aug 05, 2004 9:26 am
#35
No charge, free services when I am online if I am not occupied doing something else. Why? Thats my question.
Diirt
Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:21 am
#36
Aori wrote:
.....
Holoemotes: 2k for one or 5k for all.
If a customer tips me very well before the session is over or is just areally good customer (patience, kind, friendly) where I enjoy working with them the experience is especially pleasant, I'll give them a set of holoemotes as like a free gift/reward.
It pays to be nice 
FuschiaD
Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:43 am
#37
DiusFidus wrote:
No charge, free services when I am online if I am not occupied doing something else. Why? Thats my question.
Why do you give away your services? It's never been about the money for me, but my time is worth something, and by not charging, I would make image designers worth less overall for my server. I don't want to do that for anyone, because not everyone is fortunate enough to have money from other sources. At least charge for tips.
DiusFidus
Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:11 pm
#38
I don't have money from other sources either, only about 600k on Bloodfin and the same on Chilastra. I just play these characters for fun. If you go to a restaurant, does the waiter/waitress tell you up front, "I expect to be tipped for my time spent with you"?
To me, if time was truly the measure by which charges are to be based, then a simple hairstyle would cost more then a stat migration.
FuschiaD
Thu Aug 05, 2004 1:35 pm
#39
DiusFidus wrote:
I don't have money from other sources either, only about 600k on Bloodfin and the same on Chilastra. I just play these characters for fun. If you go to a restaurant, does the waiter/waitress tell you up front, "I expect to be tipped for my time spent with you"?
To me, if time was truly the measure by which charges are to be based, then a simple hairstyle would cost more then a stat migration.
The waitress analogy doesn't fly, because when I go to a restaurant to eat, I'm still paying for my food, and the waiter/waitress is still being paid to serve me. As an ID, there's no fee PLUS tip. There's either a fee, or a tip. If I don't get either one, I've given away a service I worked long and hard to attain.
I just think not charging for a service you provide is bad for the economy, and it causes problems for all other ID's on your server. I wish you would rethink it.