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Permalink Reply by Natalie McAnulla on October 2, 2010 at 10:08pm

i agrizzle with shekinah. there is no comparison between a $15 vinyl tape hoop and a $30 beautiful hoop, or a $60 beautiful hoop. I own an herb store called the Sacred Journey in Lawrence, KS and we have a local hoop troupe called the Hoop Mamas. Ali, the owner, sells her hoops through my store. I suggest to all my local artisans of crafts, hoops, clothes and hoop costumes to offer their wares at various price points for all people. I find as a retailer that works best for turnover and making money.
So after selling hoops at $25, $35, $45 and higher, twins, minis, and collapsibles I went to ally and asked her what her amount earned is on each hoop. She explained it all to me and I realized how little the profit is. But then we talked about new hoopers and our desire to get more people into the circle and that a $25 investment can seem like alot when you don't know anything about the culture yet. So she thought offering vinyl hoops at $15 each was a reasonable course of action. Both of us only used our first hoops for a couple months, and then it became an addiction and now we have tons. Most hoopers we know are like this. She has been in business as an instructor and hoop maker for five years now and has held the same full time job for 9 years. And is a mother of two. So her time is precious. She doesn't make tons but we both find joy in offering introductory hoops for the interested but unsure beginner.
All her hoops are made with love regardless of the cost, and are of good quality. She never offered this before we talked, but we both came to see value in offering it. So the choice wasn't to undercut anyone else, but to open the joyful hoop arena to those with extremely low funds.
I myself have hoops made by friends and can way tell the difference in bad taping. I dont think there is anything to worry about if you make beautiful and pricier hoops. I have only been hooping six months and I understand the situation. I understand why some hoops are pricey and I understand and value the craftsmans time. So no worries, its no real comparison. People will pay whatever for that one beautiful hoop they have fallen in love with:):)

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Permalink Reply by Sunshine Designs on October 2, 2010 at 11:19pm

there is a great value at offering an item at low cost to get people into hooping.

The problem is offering a really expensive item at low cost. it under cuts everyone.

I am a person who donates litterly hundreds of hoops a year...it's how I spread the hoop love. We deserve and Ali deserves to be paid for her time. In the end she will be happier and people will see the value. There are other ways to get people involved and traffic into your store. It's easier and it's most certainly cost effective.

I especially effects me because I am often up until 2-4 am processing orders of which my price has been under cut to keep up with competition. So I continue lose sleep to continue to lose money when i could be sleeping and enjoying my life.

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