Image Designer Archive

This evening I made Master Image Designer and in the same evening I had someone outright tell me that I shouldn't charge for my services. I have set prices as I'm sure a number of Image Designers do.

This is the first time I've had someone cringe at me having prices for my services. I did level up in this and I did pay for quite a bit of training costs.

Does anyone give the service away for free or do you charge people? If you charge, do you have a set price?

Thanks for any input on a matter that has frustrated me most of the evening!

I have no set prices for my image designer. But I do expect tips. I don't think I would feel as comfortable having set fees since we aren't really using any materials (although I am only at novice right now, but it doesn;t look like I'll be needing any extras). But just saying "It's all free!" sure isn't the way to go.

I also don't have set fees. Even though I had to pay for all of my training, I've managed to get by. If I feel that this person is going to annoy me, I don't agree to help them. And sometimes, I am generously surprised by my clientele.

There's a Master Tailor who played in beta and wanted a specific style. My husband travelled to Tantoonie to see her shop, and then bought an outfit for me. He mentioned my career to her, and she immediately planned to travel to Talus where I live. Not only did she pay me the 10K for her hairstyle, she gave me another 20k (by her prices) worth of stuff to wear. Guess who will continue to advertise the services of Squaw whenever folks ask who my tailor is?

For a while I tried to run my services without anyreal notice about how much my services cost,but I actually had to setsome guidelines and prices in the end. I've had a few people say that I shouldn't charge for the services but those are the people who don't understand the true art of Image Design. I always try to inform the curious customers about how difficult and strenuous the actual road to mastering Image Design can be. Normally, they praise me for it. And I have had some people watch my Image Design others out of sheer delight. How rewarding, ne?

To be more on topic, I charge what I call an "Initial Fee" off 500 credits (for all non-entertainer customers; I only charge them 200-250 if even. Sometimes nothing). This fee is for my time and initial skills that they are seeking. However, if they do not find what they want exactly, most - if not all - are willing to let me hold on to the500 for my services. This quickly adds up and even if I don't receive more, I still am able to live off this profession.

After a successful Image Design, I never actually ask for more. In the beginning I state my "Initial Fee is 500 and they can tip accordingly after that." I actually had one man tip me 10k! WOW.

My golden rule is to not sound desperate for the money; I address it as a "more or less" and "how you see fit" sort of issue. And more times than none, I receive a very positive response (and quite hefty tips, might I add).

Ultimately, it just depends on what you feel is most appropriate and/or what you are most comfortable asking for? When people question my tips I let them know how costly my profession is (seeing as I had to purchase most of my skills), ending any doubts about my credibility. In the end, just go with what feels just right

I think you are all undercharging.

Our service is EXTREMELY unique in that there are not too many people doing this (just look at the post count in this forum compared to other professions).

Making master anything is hard work, and we are no exception.

I charge between 2-4k just for hairstyles (another 1k for color). That doesn't even cover any facial changes. And at these prices, I've had none, zero, zip, complaints. People wait on me and set appointments for the next day. I could probably increase my prices 50% with no loss of business.

My suggestion is to get with the known IDs on your galaxy and set a standard. That's pretty much what we've done on Lowca. There's a good five or six of us across the planets and we keep in touch.

This is a good idea for many reasons:

One, it sets the standard for that service so no one is shell shocked if they get something done for 100c and then find out it's 2k from someone else.

Two, keeping good communication with other IDs can alert you to potential problem customers.

Three, letting your customers know that all the IDs are in a sort of union, makes them feel comfortable that they are not getting ripped off.

Four, you won't get any, "well, so and so will do it for half that price."


Just a suggestion. This coming on the eve of preparing for a meeting of all of the IDs on Lowca shortly where we can meet in person and discuss things.

Ermm.. wow 2-4k for a style? I, myself will charge approx 800 for a style and normally get way more for it. Normally go for about 500 for color or anything else. I'm nota master yet but will probably charge way more for the master skills. I have only had one person complain about my charges. /shrug all servers are different though.

Relica Tremayne

Dancer / Image Designer

2k for char creation styles.

4k for master styles.

3k for ones in-between.

Each server is different and Lowca's economy is a bit screwy due to our no resource shift for 20 plus days and then four shifts within the last week.

This is what I charge and I make sure my customers know this before-hand (which is very important). And occasionally I even get a tip AFTER these prices. My two most memorable so far is a 6k payment for a 3k job and a probot (very nice tip).

But like I've said before, I spend ALOT of time with my customers 15mins. at least, sometimes more, until they are completely satisfied.

Thank you for the input. I really feel that our profession isn't much different than a tailor or an architect, we have a valid service to sell. I keep thinking to myself "Would you go to the barber or hair dresser and expect to get their services for free in real life?" No, you wouldn't. What you are paying for is their skill and their time. I suppose I always felt that was the same with Image Design.

*hugs*

One thing I have found with going by a price list, if you tell people up front, they are more willing to work with you. Of course there are always people that say "You charge WHAT for that?" And I reply with something like "Let me know if you change your mind", or "That's the going rate for that particular modification".

Very few people aren't willing to pay for my services. And that's fine because that gives me time to work with the people that don't blink about a 10k "implant" or 5k skin color change.

It takes me time to do what I do, I make sure people are satisfied. Now, I could be doing missions, or raising other skills. Therefore, I have no qualms about getting paid for my time. And knowing that most other Image Designers on Lowca charge the same as me is even better. (Especially when I have an extremely rotten customer and I can tell them they won't get the service cheaper by anyone else. :smileytongue

People might tell you that since you don't use any resources you shouldn't charge anything. People might tell you that you are more like an entertainer, and they don't charge for people to watch them dance. I'm telling you that you deserve payment for your time just as much as anyone does. Your service is obviously desired, therefore your time being used. Don't cheat yourself out of getting what you deserve.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Don't ever make yourself into a tipped profession. Remeber, Image Design is a LUXURY for your community, not a responsibility to them.

Here is what I charge on Wanderhome and have no difficulties in getting paid for my time:

Basic Image Designs:
ID I: 100 credits
ID II: 200 credits
ID III: 300 credits
ID IV: 400 credits


Elite Designs:
Novice Image Designs: 1000 credits

Hair and Markings:
Intermediate: 2000 credits
Advanced: 3000 credits
Expert: 4000 credits
Master: 5000 credits

Face snd Body:
Intermediate: 2000 credits
Advanced: 3500 credits
Expert: 5000 credits
Master: 6500 credits

Master Image Designs:
Skin Color: 10,000 credits
Torso: 9,000 credits
Age 8,000 credits
Other: 7,000 credits

Complete Face/hair/body overhaul: 100,000 credits
Complete Face/Hair overhaul: 50,000 credits
Complete Body overhaul: 75,000 credits

Lady China
Wanderhome Server

Maybe it's just me, but even after having leveled up and paid the training costs, I dont look to make my initial investment back immediately. 3 of us Expert id's on Ahazi have come up with a fairly standard rate of 2k per 3 changes + tips we break it down accordingly for less changes irregardless of what level of design they prefer.

IMHO so far we have had nothing but success and have actually opened a salon with each of us focusing on a different aspect of the designs (markings; Body;Hair etc) This seems to have worked extremely well, and sometimes we like the throw in the tenth design free kind of thing. And yes, depending on how we feel that day, we do sometimes give out "free" makeover sessions. People still pay, still tip very well, and I have yet to see anyone complain about the fees. Again, may just be the server I am on, but I so far have made over 100k alone + 3 houses (LOL) so i am quite content.

I definitely agree that you guys should have some sort of pricing scheme. It will really ruin the profession ifID'sjust accept tips. You guys really are a great compliment to us Tailors. I get alot of requests for outfits that look like so and so. I can make the clothes, yall can make them look like that person. Same thing really. The pricing scheme is a bit more difficult to come up with though, as people generally change their outfits more than their body style, which means a little less repeat business I would think, but you also have no resources or overheadto worry about. If you take the time to Master a profession, you should benefit from it, and I don't want to seeID turned into a parlor trick.Oh, if any ID's on Corbantis see this, I would like to change my image a little, will pay with Clothing (or nasty ol' credits if you prefer).

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Nouva wrote:
Don't ever make yourself into a tipped profession. Remeber, Image Design is a LUXURY for your community, not a responsibility to them.

Here is what I charge on Wanderhome and have no difficulties in getting paid for my time:

Basic Image Designs:
ID I: 100 credits
ID II: 200 credits
ID III: 300 credits
ID IV: 400 credits


Elite Designs:
Novice Image Designs: 1000 credits

Hair and Markings:
Intermediate: 2000 credits
Advanced: 3000 credits
Expert: 4000 credits
Master: 5000 credits

Face snd Body:
Intermediate: 2000 credits
Advanced: 3500 credits
Expert: 5000 credits
Master: 6500 credits

Master Image Designs:
Skin Color: 10,000 credits
Torso: 9,000 credits
Age 8,000 credits
Other: 7,000 credits

Complete Face/hair/body overhaul: 100,000 credits
Complete Face/Hair overhaul: 50,000 credits
Complete Body overhaul: 75,000 credits

Lady China
Wanderhome Server

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Are you just mashing the numbers on your keypad?Or is it a Random NumberGenerating program? I hope you don't expect anyone to seriously believe that what you do is worth 50K+ creds, considering how much "work" we actually put into it? I give out my services for free on Wanderhome because its easy, unless I have to travel between planets. Any tips people give me is icing on the cake. All my money comes from destroy missions. Wow, I'm still laughing at those #s.