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Post by jeffrx on Sept 19, 2015 7:00:39 GMT -6
Ciano, you are absolutely correct to increase prices a little. You have to turn a profit to keep the business running. Just look at Lawless as a case example. When they were overrun with orders, they did the exact opposite as you by offering crazy 50% sales, free credits to everyone, and empty promises. By increasing prices a little, you are risking that you will receive fewer orders, but you are ensuring that the quality will remain. As long as the quality remains, most people will stay with you. At the end of the day, people will remember the quality of the products and will not remember the extra $20 they had to cough up to acquire them. Don't feel guilty about it, you have to do what needs to be done to make the business sustainable over time.
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Post by mkeview on Sept 19, 2015 8:09:08 GMT -6
I think most people here want the artisan quality that you provide and are willing to pay. Are there any plans to move into shirts? (as if things aren't crazy enough !)
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Post by david2403 on Sept 19, 2015 8:26:10 GMT -6
I agree with most of the comments given already. I would only suggest you charge what you really need to turn a profit. If it's more then charge more. Anyone who spends more than $200 for a pair of jeans and then sends them out to Railcar for another $40 plus in alterations would have a tough time complaining about a $20 upcharge for your customization services. There is value in what you do and your product is exceptional. Don't sell yourself short. Just my $.02.
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Post by whiskeyriver on Sept 19, 2015 8:32:26 GMT -6
I agree with most of the comments given already. I would only suggest you charge what you really need to turn a profit. If it's more then charge more. Anyone who spends more than $200 for a pair of jeans and then sends them out to Railcar for another $40 plus in alterations would have a tough time complaining about a $20 upcharge for your customization services. There is value in what you do and your product is exceptional. Don't sell yourself short. Just my $.02. Totally 100% agree.
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Post by davelewis on Sept 19, 2015 8:49:12 GMT -6
re: customization, this is what LD&Co promised to everyone and look what happened. It's nice that you offer customization to a degree but when compounded with many orders it does nothing but slow you down and it's not very cost effective. I would treat customization like you would a MTM tailor and charge accordingly. The typeIII trucker you posted is a good example. I think many of us would pay the extra fee to get a customized trucker, but you have to be transparent about it and make sure it's a feasible proposition. Forum members see the work you've done and are impressed by it so you're inevitably bombarded with requests to make jeans with custom Sasquatch pocket lining and a hand-numbered Unicorn patch. We've also seen many people complain to Gustin about this that and the other, namely stuff like having shorter inseam lengths on their jeans. But the truth is, it's not efficient to do so. it's great to separate yourself from other makers but don't shoot yourself in the foot gaseousclay yes...as per the jackets..alot of customers are requesting us to change the body length and sleeve length..we do have a standard....so with the "dragon lady's" hourly rate...as long as we do not have to adjust the the main specs we will not have to charge a $68USD custom pattern fee.. but we still have to make changes on the current pattern. [ mult- sleeve lengths for example] so for example..we have to take the current pattern and make another paper pattern [$ cost ] for the sleeve to increase by 1 inch....so we are going to have to calculate the time and material cost that goes into making the the new sleeve length... before i would say ..it's only a 10 minute thing to do..but honestly..it is not... when we have to do this 4-5 times since we cut each item out one at a time..... also a roll of pattern paper is 50USD.....with shipping.... you mentioned "UNICORN" FUNNY STORY.. i know you love these!!!! Mike's daughter came in the shop the other weekend...obviously a plant for Mike's wife to see if we are installing stripper poles in the shop...HAAAAA... she brought her piggy bank in and handed it to me and ask me to make her a pair of jeans with Kelo the unicorns on them....and I am saying ..whatttt? ? to Mike..so he shows me a youtube vid.....so Mike and I got on the singer 114W and tired our best to make unicorns on the chain stitch embroidery machine....it was the worst!!!!! i wish we were drinking because the unicorns would have come out better for all you aficionado..we use the 14oz pre-shrunk Cone denim .......but at 6 years olds..she loved it...this is one of the reasons why y'll deliveries are late...sorry ...I can not say no to a Texas blue eyed 6 year old young LADY with her own money asking for a custom job from us..... [ we never took her money..dad put it all back ] funny thing was,..the next day..she told mommy "daddy works really hard"...and it was not the answer Mike's wife wanted to hear... HAAAAA..the striper pole is in the back of the shop behind a hidden door Mike and I built.... it is only open form 12AM - 3 AM.. Southern Baptist !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers Ciano I'm also thinking that is where you keep your stash of Texas bourbon!
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Post by nate001 on Sept 21, 2015 12:55:15 GMT -6
Just heard from Ciano this weekend. Looks like they may have found a different option for corozo buttons, so hopefully the pants that were waiting on that issue (like mine) will be finished and out the door soon. Kudos to you Ciano for being so straightforward with these issues. I don't know about the rest of the forum, but I feel better about waiting if I know why I'm waiting.
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Post by benjaminpersitz on Sept 22, 2015 10:47:44 GMT -6
cianofarmer , how do we go about ordering in our custom pattern we have on file? Click "yes" on the do you have a custom pattern on file with us? What do we put in the size portion? Put our pattern in the notes? Also, do you make chinos in twill at all? I want something a little more refined than duck canvas. Thanks!
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Post by davelewis on Sept 22, 2015 11:35:38 GMT -6
cianofarmer , how do we go about ordering in our custom pattern we have on file? Click "yes" on the do you have a custom pattern on file with us? What do we put in the size portion? Put our pattern in the notes? Also, do you make chinos in twill at all? I want something a little more refined than duck canvas. Thanks! I have a sample of a selvedge brown twill he sent me, as I had the same idea as you. I decided to pass, as it is not exactly what I was looking for, in that it has a texture to it, with an almost herringbone vibe to it. I'd reach out to him if your interested.
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Post by Dirty_Denim on Sept 22, 2015 11:58:01 GMT -6
Charge more will fix many of your issues. When u have money in the bank to cover supplier backlog, u can easily jump to quicker more expensive alternatives Ex Etsy or other retail suppliers) Its nice that customers are getting a great deal on denim but you need to be here for customers to enjoy those prices. If you had the extra few bucks from sales you could have jumped on higher priced buttons immediately without having to sit and hope your supplier would come thru. That added to your backlog not the suppliers. Money allows you to be proactive without hurting your bottom line.
What you are going thru is exactly what LD went thru but there is 1 thing different...management belief system. You can fix this by being realistic and genuine. I also think you should either eliminate custom altogether unless you are going to charge a fair price for you to continue. There is a reason other brands charge $500 to $700 for a custom garment. The fabric and details may be the same as a $79 item but the time that goes into it costs a lot more. Spending 2 days on 1 item could have meant 10 non custom items completed. I know early in a business you want to bend over backwards to earn customers but you need to look past those initial customers and think past them. You cant succeed by catering to a small group who will jump on full custom for the same price as a pair of N&F jeans. We are insatiable when it comes to denim anything so do not leave it up to us. Lead us not us lead you
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Post by david2403 on Sept 22, 2015 12:02:09 GMT -6
Charge more will fix many of your issues. When u have money in the bank to cover supplier backlog, u can easily jump to quicker more expensive alternatives Ex Etsy or other retail suppliers) Its nice that customers are getting a great deal on denim but you need to be here for customers to enjoy those prices. If you had the extra few bucks from sales you could have jumped on higher priced buttons immediately without having to sit and hope your supplier would come thru. That added to your backlog not the suppliers. Money allows you to be proactive without hurting your bottom line. What you are going thru is exactly what LD went thru but there is 1 thing different...management belief system. You can fix this by being realistic and genuine. I also think you should either eliminate custom altogether unless you are going to charge a fair price for you to continue. There is a reason other brands charge $500 to $700 for a custom garment. The fabric and details may be the same as a $79 item but the time that goes into it costs a lot more. Spending 2 days on 1 item could have meant 10 non custom items completed. I know early in a business you want to bend over backwards to earn customers but you need to look past those initial customers and think past them. You cant succeed by catering to a small group who will jump on full custom for the same price as a pair of N&F jeans. We are insatiable when it comes to denim anything so do not leave it up to us. Lead us not us lead you My sentiments exactly.
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Post by metals37 on Sept 22, 2015 20:14:25 GMT -6
cianofarmer , how do we go about ordering in our custom pattern we have on file? Click "yes" on the do you have a custom pattern on file with us? What do we put in the size portion? Put our pattern in the notes? Also, do you make chinos in twill at all? I want something a little more refined than duck canvas. Thanks! I have a sample of a selvedge brown twill he sent me, as I had the same idea as you. I decided to pass, as it is not exactly what I was looking for, in that it has a texture to it, with an almost herringbone vibe to it. I'd reach out to him if your interested. Can you post a picture? I'm on the lookout for a brown non-duck fabric in a chino.
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Post by mkeview on Sept 22, 2015 21:38:36 GMT -6
Same here. I would be ok for a twill chino as well.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 5:11:33 GMT -6
curious please post
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Post by davelewis on Sept 23, 2015 10:23:14 GMT -6
I have a sample of a selvedge brown twill he sent me, as I had the same idea as you. I decided to pass, as it is not exactly what I was looking for, in that it has a texture to it, with an almost herringbone vibe to it. I'd reach out to him if your interested. Can you post a picture? I'm on the lookout for a brown non-duck fabric in a chino. Hey fellows, No cell phone, or camera, BUT, I just got off the phone with Ciano, and he will post up a pic later, and he also said he has a selvedge blue twill, from Cone, and should be posting that up also.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 10:39:30 GMT -6
I wonder if it's the same as Left Field uses!
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Post by metals37 on Sept 23, 2015 12:55:50 GMT -6
Can you post a picture? I'm on the lookout for a brown non-duck fabric in a chino. Hey fellows, No cell phone, or camera, BUT, I just got off the phone with Ciano, and he will post up a pic later, and he also said he has a selvedge blue twill, from Cone, and should be posting that up also. I'm looking forward to seeing it!
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Post by davelewis on Sept 23, 2015 13:53:26 GMT -6
I wonder if it's the same as Left Field uses! I'm not a blue chino guy, and like my indigo to be denim, but I have to say those look outstanding!
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Post by cianofarmer on Sept 23, 2015 19:40:57 GMT -6
davelewis. here is the pic of the Khaki twill we got from KUROKI MILLS..Japan it is a nice 12oz...and a real khaki. we are ting to get the polished Cramerton Twill Selvage from Gaylord..but we have not herad from them..i guess we are to small..but i think it is nicer..but it is not polished.
also here is a Cone Mills 11oz [ white oak ] Navy Twill we got from them asking if we want some..they sent us a 10 yard roll. [ so i can make 3 pair from the roll]
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Post by cianofarmer on Sept 23, 2015 20:00:00 GMT -6
cianofarmerBeen almost 5 months now since I ordered the Wabash jeans. there was no custom measurements, and I think you have the custom Hardwear. I can understand some hold up on production due to not having some Hardwear, custom, etc But mine should have been Run of the Mill production. Any word on the Wabash? Was hoping to enjoy them this summer (being only 12oz) But now I'm breaking out the heavy stuff. DigDug can you email me and i will check on it for you...ciano@cianofarmer.com...we have alot of stuff going out this week ...sorry for the delay.. or you can call me..Mike and I are still in the shop....281-202-1078
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Post by DigDug on Sept 23, 2015 20:32:43 GMT -6
UpDate! I'm A Big Dope! CF had sent my Wabash on Monday (didn't see the shipping email, as the kids say, My Bad). Look forward to doing some Fall yard clean up in them!
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Post by benjaminpersitz on Sept 23, 2015 22:21:57 GMT -6
davelewis. here is the pic of the Khaki twill we got from KUROKI MILLS..Japan it is a nice 12oz...and a real khaki. we are ting to get the polished Cramerton Twill Selvage from Gaylord..but we have not herad from them..i guess we are to small..but i think it is nicer..but it is not polished.
also here is a Cone Mills 11oz [ white oak ] Navy Twill we got from them asking if we want some..they sent us a 10 yard roll. [ so i can make 3 pair from the roll] I like that navy. Especially with a matching vest!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 7:00:26 GMT -6
the cone mills fabric is probably one of my favorites. I had a pair of Left Field Chinos in it (not sure if that was also 11oz?) and then had Luxire make me a pair of chinos in a similar fabric.
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Post by cianofarmer on Oct 2, 2015 21:25:37 GMT -6
here is our new COROZO BUTTON...we will get this in in 12 days.... but we got some others in to fill orders........ it is from a new button supplier out of South America... i hear Dirty Denim and what he said about having extra cash aside for issue like these..but just so you know ...for 8 buttons to complete 2 pair ...i bought on ebay [ the cheapest corozo buttons ] cost us 38USD...FOR 8 buttons..... not the best way to complete production..... so sometime it is best to wait...and to stay in business and find someone else you can supply a good button and change in mid-stream...
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Post by exophobe on Oct 2, 2015 21:33:43 GMT -6
buttons look great! keep it up.
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Post by brentkuz on Oct 3, 2015 6:05:18 GMT -6
Ciano just shipped my girlfriends first sample for her custom pair.
We sent Ciano a pair of Gap regular stretch jeans that fit her well. Going to be interesting to see how she likes a non stretch real denim instead of 10% spandex or what have you.
First fitting should be interesting. Send them back for resizing. Hopefully one or two changes to nail fit. Then she gets to break in some raws.
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