pricing plants question

[Dirttiller25]

Each year I sell a decent variety of vegetable plants. Last year I ventured into 6 packs instead of all solo size single plant cups. I sold the single plants for $3 (each around atleast 6"-7") and the 6 packs at $2.50 (about 4" plants). The 6 packs sold out faster than the cups with one large plant. Even though the plants are a little smaller in 6 packs than the single plant should I be charging more for a 6 pack? Every time I get to thinking about it my mind gets in a jumbled mess. I know there is a big discussion each time the local big stores are brought up but they charge close to $4 per plant like I have in the solo size so should I take my 6 packs to $3 and singles to $3.50? Not that I'm trying to out compete them. Just want to give customers a good price. Give some input please. Thanks in advance. Just really need to know what you would be willing to pay or what you would charge.

 

[ninnymary]

The fact that the 6 packs sold out tells you something. There is more of a demand for those. Supply and demand dictates that you can and should definitely raise your price. I would charge what big stores are charging. I'm sure your plants are healthier and not the common stuff that they carry.

Mary

 

[Dirttiller25]

The fact that the 6 packs sold out tells you something. There is more of a demand for those. Supply and demand dictates that you can and should definitely raise your price. I would charge what big stores are charging. I'm sure your plants are healthier and not the common stuff that they carry.

Mary

Thanks for the input! That's exactly what I was thinking. Only problem I have is the big stores no longer have 6 packs (atleast not my area) so I don't have anything to go off of to see what the difference in price would be between a 6 pack or single. A local produce place grows in 4 packs at $2.50 each and that's why I did 6 packs at $2.50, to undercut them. One idea I had was to just charge $3.00 for 6 packs and singles. But then I'm thinking the 6 pack would still sell before a large single because people will think why pay 3 for one when I could pay it and get 6. Its not that I'm trying to slow down 6 pack sells I just want to find a good fair price where the customer want really have that thought.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I hate pricing stuff like that. I don't have a set price for my eggs, I tell them to pay whatever they like as it will be donated to a certain fund at church that helps people. Some people pay $1 per dozen, some $5.

I'm not sure what your goals are. If you just want to give customers a good price, you're obviously doing that now. I suspect there is a little more at play here.

The local Mom 'n Pop garden center sells 3, 4, and 6 packs for set prices. If a 4 pack only has 3 plants living in it, they charge 3/4 of the 4 pack price. I have not noticed if they charge the same price per plant whether or not it is a 3, 4 or 6. I'll have to pay attention to that.


I'd probably set one price for single, then use something like 2/3 or 3/4 of that price per plant to set the price for the 6 packs. You did say they were generally smaller but give them a volume discount.

 

[aftermidnight]

$3 for single plant 6"-7". 6 would cost $18.
$2.50 for 6? 4" plants will catch up quickly, you are ripping yourself off. Yes give your customers a deal but you should raise the price of your 6 packs to at least $5 or $6, maybe a dollar or two more. Like Mary says check out the competition, Up here a 6 pack would probably run around $5-$7, maybe more.
Annette

 

[thistlebloom]

Have you penciled out your costs so you know how much profit you are making? That should help you with the pricing, although you are probably not factoring in your time. It would be difficult to compete with the box stores if you were also paying yourself a decent wage, or even minimum wage.

Are the single plants noticeably more mature? If you want to market them better you may need to do some salesmanship on their stronger root system.

Are you offering the same varieties in singles and six packs?
If it were me and I could get 6 of a certain variety as opposed to one and pay less then that's exactly what I'd do.

Maybe you could just sell 6 packs exclusively. ?

 

[so lucky]

If the singles aren't really big, it doesn't make sense (to me) to charge more for them than for 6 smaller plants.
In a certain parameter, the size of the plants don't make that much difference. And many folks really don't want 6 yellow tomato plants, or jalapeno peppers.
But to my way of thinking, a customer shouldn't be overly penalized for only wanting one of something. They may be buying the 6 packs and sharing with their friend or neighbor, or (horrors) tossing out the extra 4 or 5.

You could sell singles of the same size for slightly less than the 6 packs. And some over sized tomato plants for those customers that think bigger is better, for a premium price.
Such as, 6 pack for $3.50, single for $2.50, or larger single (and larger pot) for $5 .

 

[Nyboy]

It is getting harder and harder to find 6 acks here. Around here a single large plant in gallon container with green tomatoes goes for $14, and they sell very well. But here people want instant gratification and will pay for it

 

[ninnymary]

I think last year I paid $3.50 for a 4" pot tomato and $3.95 for a 6 pack of lettuce and kale.

Mary

 

[catjac1975]

Each year I sell a decent variety of vegetable plants. Last year I ventured into 6 packs instead of all solo size single plant cups. I sold the single plants for $3 (each around atleast 6"-7") and the 6 packs at $2.50 (about 4" plants). The 6 packs sold out faster than the cups with one large plant. Even though the plants are a little smaller in 6 packs than the single plant should I be charging more for a 6 pack? Every time I get to thinking about it my mind gets in a jumbled mess. I know there is a big discussion each time the local big stores are brought up but they charge close to $4 per plant like I have in the solo size so should I take my 6 packs to $3 and singles to $3.50? Not that I'm trying to out compete them. Just want to give customers a good price. Give some input please. Thanks in advance. Just really need to know what you would be willing to pay or what you would charge.

Sell a better plant the same or a little cheaper than a store. Or sell organic for a lot more. Most people want organic plants but they are hard to find.