I started DIY about a month ago. I enjoy my creations - I intended them for my own pleasure. In the past week, I've had three people ask if they could buy some of my concoctions.
I'd prefer to just give them some but aside from supplies, there is effort involved. Is this a common occurrence? How do you guys handle this? Thanks in advance for any advice or similar stories.
Yes. Sell them and use the money to buy more flavors.
"If you're good at something, never do it for free"
This sounds like some fatherly advice. Thank you.
If they are asking for 15-30mls suggesting 5-10 dollars is still grossly cheaper than what they would be buying "premium" juices at and you can think of it as just compensation for taking the time to make the juice and cost of ingredients. You are providing a good/service after all, and people typically don't get goods/services for free unless they are beta testing it for you or helping in some capacity. If they go out of there way to help you refine the profile of your juice or otherwise are contributing to the recipe that's another thing. Charge whatever you feel comfortable with, and think of it as being rewarded for providing them with a good they are receiving satisfaction from.
Ugh, I feel you. Ever since I started DIYing various people have wanted to buy juice from me - I warn them "you could make it way cheaper yourself" and "the stuff I'm using is a free recipe online.." but they don't really care. I'll often sell them 60ml for $10 or so but I do it rarely because I'm so busy with work and stuff.
In the end, they're happy that they're getting cheap juice and I'm happy that they're paying for more supplies. Win-win.
I charge friends $10 per 60 mL bottle. I only use glass, and after everything is all said and done I make 2-3 times what I put into it depending on the mixture.
EDIT: They usually just pay me using Paypal, and all but 3 of the recipes are either actual recipes on this sub or variations. One that they like (and is also an ADV for me) completely unmodified is Gravel Pit posted by /u/VapeQueen214: https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY_eJuice/comments/2cqb24/clone_recipe_thread_2_son_of_clone_recipe_thread/clv54ea
> One that they like (and is also an ADV for me) completely unmodified is Gravel Pit
Just made some of that but with FA white peach at 3% and it's pretty nice indeed.
I don't have any FA White Peach currently or I'd try that variation too; however, if you haven't tried the mix I linked, you should. It reminds me of the flavor of an Airhead candy, but the texture/juiciness of a hard Jolly Rancher. Shake & Vapeable, but after a good hot bath and overnight steep, it's fully steeped from my experience.
Whooo Im glad you like it! I used to spend so much money on that flavor when it first came out until I realized its simply two flavors. DIY4lyfe
Just saw your recipe post and thought I might as well confirm that those are literally the exact two flavors in the original CRFT Gravel Pit.
I had a cloud comp guy that works with CRFT stop by our shop while he was completely wasted and he willingly gave out the components of two (Gravel pit and a new one they are releasing) of their recipes haha. Can't comment on the percentages but I'm sure your clone has to be close! :)
I almost vape for free from my sales. I make profit. They save money compared to the b&ms. Win win.
> $7
I do this, have 3 customers so far but I'd like to get a few more. Any tips?
I don't have many more than you. It started with one and kind of just went by word of mouth.
I personally couldn't handle much more as I just do it in my free time when I'm not working, which is a rare occurrence. If you can keep your prices lower than the guys with all the overhead but still make what you need and keep the customers happy it could evolve into a full on business opportunity.
Good point, I couldn't handle more than 5 or so regular buyers. Pretty sure word of mouth will spread - my current guys go nuts for some of my flavours as they can't buy them in shops here. Be nice to have a couple more people coming to me, as it'd help fund me buying more concentrates and doing more experiments.
Ia this sarcastic or serious? "Im not comfordable......how do you handle this" . Dude its not like theyre aaking you to smuggle heroin lol, is it really such a huge deal to make a couple 120s, pocket 20-40 bucks a pop and help a couple people out? I work 50+ hours a week and can find more than enough time to make whatevers asked of me. If you have some kind of anxiety about it, are lazy or just a total introvert, itll take you a minute to write the recipe and tell them to google "diy e juice. The smart thing to do is to tell them to pay up front so you can order shit, make em some bottles, keep the excess supplies or cash . I mean youre being a homie and getting some free beer/fun/supply money..so im genuinely curious as to what it is you have against it
Until their stupid kid drinks it and dies....and they sue you for everything you own.
This is one of the reasons I'm weary on selling my juice. I have no problem selling to friends for cost, but actually branching out to strangers without a LLC worries me.
Oh so i guess you wouldnt cook dinner for anyone besides you in fear of giving them food poisoning or salmonella etc. Eh i dont have a crippiling paranoia that makes me over analyze the worst case scenario of every minor situation i have to deal with. Although you did explain why OP would have such a stick up his butt about sellin juice, so thanks. It would be as simple as taking cash only and only communicating verbally and there would be no proof that the dude didnt just steal the juice from your house. Not that i would EVER let such a dramatic paranoia influence helpin someone out with some juice. My heart goes out to you man. If someone asked me to make em juice and my mind went to dying children, id probably seek mental help though.... but thats just my opinion
Obviously nothing bad has ever happened to you. I'm glad.
This shit happens all the time. I've been sued for less ( not my fault ) and lost just because I have a good paying job. Courts feel sorry for stupid people and if you have money or assets, then they think you should pay regardless or whether it's reasonable or not. After you are burnt once, you begin to question your actions moving forward. I won't put myself at risk just to give handouts to others. It's just not worth it.
You need to be careful selling it unless you have the proper business license, etc. For one, there's the tax issue (don't want dat IRS coming down on you) and second, there's a liability issue (this guy's juice made me sick, I'm suing, etc.).
Unless you are only selling to a handful of close friends, you need to consider all of this.
Of all the replies, this most accurately represents my concerns. In opposition to one poster's assertion, I'm neither lazy nor anxiety-prone -- but observant of risk, While I'm fairly opportunistic, I am tempered to err to the side of caution. I ended up delivering 15ml to each of the inquirers at no cost. I'm pleased that they appreciate my efforts and tastes, and I'm good with that for now. Should a commercial venture be warranted, I will proceed accordingly and with prudence. I really appreciate the varied replies and advice from this community, whether or not I agree with it.
just sell it to them at half price of traditional juice. you saved them money, got money to cover and buy more supplies, can keep expanding your flavors and etc. just make sure they are good friends and if you only want to sell to them and no one else then make that clear.
you wouldn't want to end up selling to your friend's friend's uncle's brother's friend's friend. then you don't even know them and giving them a massive cut on juice and laboring over it XD