David,
As to the question of fair price. Was $1.25 for a hand crafted pie a fair price. Sounds a little country farmy to me. (meaning to cheap) Did a multitude of pies at $1.25 bring in enough money to pay your help a living wage??? Did the $1.25 a pie allow your family to hire help to keep your Dad from working 12 hours a day??? If it did then $1.25 could have been a fair price for your DAD, if it did not then the price was only fair to the customer. I am afraid far too many of us consider fair to be a selling price that returns far too little for us. Should we not strive to price like the Sunny Slope Peach??? Why are we so afraid? JOHN From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Arthur Kelly Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 5:37 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: A discussion of the vision of doing business See Peter Drucker, "The Five Deadly Business Sins" Art Kelly, Kelly Orchards, Acton, ME On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 7:26 PM, David Barclay <[email protected]> wrote: John, I think the bottom line regarding the fair price is that we are all subject to the market of our products. That said, - there are many examples in the produce markets of producers creating their own brands and farm retailers providing exceptional products, services and activities which command the extra gross income. I remember in the 1970's buying a brand of peaches called Sunny Slope. These peaches would consistently cost 25% more that the average marks. And, - they were 25% better, bigger size and more consistent quality. You know what? The retailer made more money on the Sunny Slopes, less waste and more appeal to the retail customer. My Dad and Mom started baking apple pies in 1960 for our new farm market. The pies were really good, - the best apples for flavor and homemade crust., perfect spices - baked to a golden brown. Dad set the price back then at $1.25 for a 9" pie. You couldn't keep up with the demand. We worked 7 days a week to build the business. Hundreds of pies were sold, - then thousands, - then 10's of thousands. Was that a fair price? Well, - I guess so because the volume was the answer. Today I look back and think Dad was pretty lucky but for sure he had a vision of what would sell and have appeal. I think this opportunity exists for everyone in agriculture. David Barclay Colts Neck, New Jersey -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net <http://www.virtualorchard.net/> > and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[email protected]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
