Plushie Prices?

[RedKitsune]

I'm not sure if this topic goes on this board, but it's the best place I could think of. Why do some custom mlp plushies go for like $900 and other ones barely reach $100? That seems like, I don't know, a really wide price difference for similar items x_x; I know some people might say, well plushie A is much better quality than plushie B, so plushie A sells for higher. However, that doesn't always seem to be the case with all the plushies. I see some really top quality work from some artists that can't even sell their work hardly. On the other hand, other artists sell their plushie for $800+ and people have a bidding war over it. Is it because some artists have fan followings or something? Just curious on the whole thing.

Kitsune

[CupidStrikes]

Well, cost of making the plush aside I think it depends on how many people are aware of the sale, and how much they're willing to part with, and how popular that pony is. I've seen a Celestia plush sell for nearly $1000, and I believe there was a Colgate (Minuette?) who went for nearly $2000 recently (I seem to recall that one being HUGE, too). Some plush-makers do have fans who will bid a lot on their plushes, too.

[RedKitsune]

Cupid: Kind of weird how $900 isn't even the top end of it 0_x; I was actually more referring to similar characters. I know people want plushies of characters that were never made, so they are more popular. But what about two similar Applejack or Rainbow Dash plushies? One goes for $100...the other $600? That can't be because of character differences, must be the fan following or something.

[CupidStrikes]

Cupid: Kind of weird how $900 isn't even the top end of it 0_x; I was actually more referring to similar characters. I know people want plushies of characters that were never made, so they are more popular. But what about two similar Applejack or Rainbow Dash plushies? One goes for $100...the other $600? That can't be because of character differences, must be the fan following or something.

I can easily see a lot of pony plushes, especially those made of minky, costing at least $100 just to make. Once you've added up materials (fabric, stuffing, embroidery thread), and time spent sewing or machine-stitching they're not cheap to produce. I really hope the ones going for less aren't making the artist lose money

I'd assume it depends how much each artist advertises the sale and how big their following is. If they post to a few pony sites, and their DA, and they have a few thousand watchers on each then their plush will probably sell for more than someone with fewer followers. People will a good reputation for quality and good customer service will likely have people willing to part with more money than someone with less feedback and all.
It might depend on where they live, too. International shipping get extremely expensive and for a lot of countries they have to factor in customs charges on top of that, and then if the artist even ships outside their country of residence. An artist in the US might sell a plush for more as there are more people able to bid than someone in the UK who will only ship within the UK

Other than that...I guess it's all down to luck on whether people have money at the time the auction goes up.

This is actually kind of interesting when you think about it :O

[RedKitsune]

Cupid: Oh my gosh, how much does minky cost by the yard then?  I actually only know about its existence because I see so many large MLP plushies made out of it.

I know what you mean by international shipping, as it can be crazy. However, the majority of custom plushies I see for sale are not in the US or the UK. The majority seem to come out of Europe for some reason? 0_x; Are all the talented plushie makers in Europe, LOL? This does not seem to stop people from bidding up a storm on the plushie ether.

Yep, I have to agree, it is interesting. The wild prices from low to high have gotten me curious for awhile now xD

[Hatsetsut]

this theme is very interesting! I did wonder the same question my self a few moth ago...  :S because I saw 2 plushies the same quality but very diferent price.
From that moment I started making the plushies my self, I even make them for under comision....

[Em_L._Pea_Customs]

JoAnn Fabrics sells Minky for $15 a yard here in MO. 

[CupidStrikes]

Cupid: Oh my gosh, how much does minky cost by the yard then?  I actually only know about its existence because I see so many large MLP plushies made out of it.

I know what you mean by international shipping, as it can be crazy. However, the majority of custom plushies I see for sale are not in the US or the UK. The majority seem to come out of Europe for some reason? 0_x; Are all the talented plushie makers in Europe, LOL? This does not seem to stop people from bidding up a storm on the plushie ether.

Yep, I have to agree, it is interesting. The wild prices from low to high have gotten me curious for awhile now xD

I recall getting quoted £3/$6 for a quarter of a metre. About 25cm. Most places that sell it are outside the EU which would mean I'd end up paying around 50% extra in customs and handling charges, too 8'D It's really, really expensive. It's lovely, but...yeah.

Hmm, I don't look at custom plushies much as I can't afford them xD It might be more to do with how well-known the artist is, than location, then :O

[RedKitsune]

Hatsetus: See your from Europe, every good plushie maker is from Europe xp In all seriousness, why make them if your losing money making them? Is is just a fun hobby for you, I guess?

Cook: That is outrageous...though everything at JoAnns tends to be higher x_x;;

Cupid: I can afford the lower end of the range for the plushies...but there is no way I can afford to drop a grand on one plush toy. The artist deserves it, but it's not possible for me : / Eh, they don't even sell Minky in the UK? No wonder there are not a lot of Minky plushies from there.

[Skeen]

JoAnn Fabrics sells Minky for $15 a yard here in MO. 

WHAT?!  The Jo Ann here sells it for like $8 but they never have any that doesn't have a pattern or textured weave to it. 

[CupidStrikes]

Hatsetus: See your from Europe, every good plushie maker is from Europe xp In all seriousness, why make them if your losing money making them? Is is just a fun hobby for you, I guess?

Cook: That is outrageous...though everything at JoAnns tends to be higher x_x;;

Cupid: I can afford the lower end of the range for the plushies...but there is no way I can afford to drop a grand on one plush toy. The artist deserves it, but it's not possible for me : / Eh, they don't even sell Minky in the UK? No wonder there are not a lot of Minky plushies from there.

Me neither >.< There are a few plushers here who make beanie baby type ponies for around £12 so I might get one of those sometime x3 Minky is very hard to find here and is thus very expensive for us :< Importing it from the US is also costly because of importing fees.

[Hatsetsut]

Hatsetus: See your from Europe, every good plushie maker is from Europe xp In all seriousness, why make them if your losing money making them? Is is just a fun hobby for you, I guess?

Sorry  I didn´t explain myself clearly: I meant people pays me for it, but not less than they cost me to do. The cost is very low (the fabric is quite cheap if you know were to buy it); it´s true I make them for fun and as a hobby but I don´t lose money ( (I don´t earn lots neither). I´m making plushies at the moment but what I am really commision for is restoring ponies and making customs, this is just something aditional:)

[RedKitsune]

Skeen: Looks like I will have to go to Joanns myself and find out the real price xD; Maybe different sections of the US sell at different prices?

Cupid: I understand how you can only afford so much. Unfortunately, I like the minky stuffed plushies...I didn't know my taste was so expensive, LOL They are still somewhat in my price range, it's just a lot of them aren't ether.

Hatsetsut: It's starting to become more clear to me that people in Europe have better chances at making plushies because they have access to materials that won't kill them in price : / I guess the better term for how you are selling plushies, is that your just breaking even, not losing or gaining much as far as money goes. Do you have some pictures of some of your plushies? I don't think I have ever seen any from you.