Given that disappointment always stems from not meeting expectations, I see
only one safe business model for the "cottage industry" craftsman who's
strengths, more often than not, lie on the creative side rather than the
business side of the operation.  Sell only what you have already made and
avoid the process of taking orders completely.  This completely avoids the
problem of accurate forecasting and planning.  You know material costs
because you have already spent the money on them.  Labor costs are also a
known commodity by that time.  If you or a family member becomes sick, you
avoid burdening paying customers with delays stemming your personal
tragedy.  If your other hustle (which, in the US, might be paying your
families health insurance) becomes more needing of your time, you can adapt
without your customers noticing.  Finally, your pricing can easily
fluctuate to reflect market forces if you sell in batches or one-offs.
Deposits taken as a sign of commitment from a customer is one thing, but if
you are relying on those deposits for the purchase of materials or tooling
to do the job, then you are already behind the 8-ball and are setting
yourself, and everyone who gave money to you, up for failure. I've seen
this play out a few times - a certain infill plane kit making company
springs to mind.  I own a dovetail saw from a guy who's handmade saws
should have been priced north of $400 (at the time) but tried to sell them
for the price of an LN saw at $125.  The Schwarz Effect tanked his business
because he couldn't keep up with demand at that price.  To his credit, to
my knowledge made good on the orders he accepted, but I'm sure he lost his
shirt on the deal to say nothing of his sanity.  I'm not sure what the
answer would be for a cottage industry "service" like saw-sharpening would
be.  I've sent saws off to someone who didn't get them back to me for 11
months - and this person had the foresight of keeping a waitlist to 10
people at a time.  Perhaps a shorter wait-list?  Better communication with
waiting customers?  All I know is I had some nervous moments thinking some
of my favorite users may never return to me.

-Paul, in rainy SF

On Tue, Mar 21, 2023 at 5:10 AM Dennis Heyza 
wrote: