Honey Stick Pricing... all opinions welcome and needed!!

[Chef Isaac]

a 5 gallon bucket makes about 4,300 sticks. So even if one wanted to send a gallon, it would me something like 800 sticks.

We would also offer to do it with our honey as well as we do not use chemicals in the hive.

[bee crazy]

Hey chef, don't worry, you get that machine and the buyers will come, but don't pay too much for it. It seems automatic stick machines are not very reliable.
Once you get the machine paid for and you get faster at turning the product around you should bee seeing a profit. Has Berkshire Bee chimed in on this subject yet? I wonder what his take would bee, he's loaded with cash, you know!

[Chef Isaac]

My biggest goal is to provide a better product then what Glory Bee does as I think (it is only my opinion), that it is crap to buy honeysticks from them made with someone elses honey.

[bee crazy]

My biggest goal is to provide a better product then what Glory Bee does as I think (it is only my opinion), that it is crap to buy honeysticks from them made with someone elses honey.

Oh I know, and you will. Let me know when your up to production

[BULLSEYE BILL]

I just received an order of 2000 sticks for the next fair I am doing on the 19th & 20th. The order came in at a cost of .08 each including shipping. I sell the sticks for .25 each making a profit of $360 when all are sold, and I nearly sell out every time.

I wouldn’t be looking to replace those sales with my honey in sticks, what I would be interested in is advertising my honey by having my honey in sticks for samples and of course some for sales, although they would have to be priced higher than Glory Bee. The big benefit is not having the mess of dipping honey samples from a jar and getting everything sticky. These sticks become a ‘Cost of Sales’, or an advertising expense that generates sales and is deducted from the bottom line.

I see a lot of return customers that look me up specifically for items that they had at the last fair. They want that same watermelon honey stick or raspberry spun honey, or either that light or dark honey I had last time. You get a following and a reputation for having what they want from before. That does not preclude you from slipping in new products as that is the lifeline of any business, variety is a necessity.

Chef and I have had PM’s about this and now that I have had time to think about it I see these sticks as a specialty item even more so than the regular Glory Bee sticks. They should be priced higher because your sticks are of a higher-grade honey, local, and in my case the same chemical free honey that is offered in the jars on the table. In short a better product that cannot be bought at the grocery store.

For myself I would want my straws about half-length for samples to be given away, some full length for sale, and I would not want any flavoring or color added as I am using them as a sales tool. I want them to taste what they are buying.

It would be interesting to have my spun honey that I make with real powdered fruit in a straw, perhaps infused honey sticks?

[Walt McBride]

Chef Isaak over the years I have done business with Nature's Kick located in Salem, OR.
(503) 581-5805.
I found them to be extreemly reliable and they have gone that extra mile for me.
They will pack your honey in to honey sticks for you. Donot know the charge.
My price is 6 for 1$ or .20 each.
Walt

[doublechallenge]

Dear Chef:

I would be interested in working with you on pricing. It is clearly related to quantity and labor. I would like to use my honey in these strws also. I can be reached at www.atlantabeefactory.com

[doublechallenge]

I would be interested in having Chef Isaac or others fill honey straws with my honey. The key will be having a large quantity to fill in order to reduce the per unit cost. Maybe a cooperatively owned honey straw machine would reduce cost / labor issue?

[Price Loftin]

I would be interested. I also think that it would be best to have my own honey in the sticks. Shipping for the honey could get costly. But I think that 10c to 12c for flavor or none flavor would be a good price. Will you offer a display box with flavor graphics? Tammy

[Chef Isaac]

No, I do not offer a display box as the look and presentation is up to the beekeeper who is selling the straws.

We would be glad to do sticks for you.