Big Shot Cutting

[lgilmartin]

Does anyone charge customers to use the Big Shot. Several of my customers don't want to invest in the BS, but would like to use my machine and dies to do some cutting. What do you charge, do you let them use for free if they put in a minimum order of lets say $50?

[susanvm]

Perhaps this would get more responses on the demo-side of SCS. If you are not already a member on the demo-side, you can go to the "Join a Group" tab that is on the left hand side, and request membership.

[iluv2color]

Well, you never said if you are a demo or not but reguardless here is what I think. There really isn't anything that can get worn out on the BS with just normal use, so I say...just let your customers use it. Afterall, they are probably buying paper from you, right? Now if it was a cricut, then I'd tell them to invest in their own mat and buy you a new blade once in a while.

[AbbysGrammy]

Tell them to invest in their own cutting pads and they can use your machine. That's what wears out.

[pjw2855]

I'm not a demo, but I would never ask someone to use their machine and dies. I would purchase my own. I don't feel it's proper to use other people's craft tools.

Comment.....yes the machine could get damaged if the person doesn't know how to use it properly. Also the cutting pads are consumables, they do wear out.

Patti

[amysuefaber]

The dies can wear out too. It would depend on what they were doing and why. I wouldn't generally just let everyone go to town with my stuff, but maybe in certain circumstances. I have also had a day where people can sort of rent my stuff out for a certain price. If I thought someone were to go crazy with something though and make thousands of something, I just wouldn't put that particular die or pad out.

[scoopy]

The local stamp stores I've seen that have die cut machines usually have customers buy the paper and then they can use the machine... Maybe you can figure out something similar that would work for you too? Depends on how much cutting they plan to do though. I can see it working for the onesie twosies, but if someone is planning to cut enough boxes for a large wedding then they need to get their own machine IMHO.

[IdahoLee]

my demo hosted a "big shot" party, where the group of us that gets together every month for a regular SU party all brought our own dies and big shots (if we had them) our own paper, some food to share, and we all cut to our hearts content. we would use each other's dies, embossing folders, etc. so we would have the images of the different shapes, etc.

we each paid a small amount, mainly to replace the cutting pads... i know that because of that, a few people who didn't think they needed the big shot ended up getting one....it also helps that she uses it on at least one project each time we have a party....

this isn't an answer to your question, but thought i'd throw it in anyway...another thing she has done is a "big shot club" for people who can't just plunk down 100.00 in one shot; she put together four people who wanted the big shot, and they each paid 25.00 per month (plus the handling and tax) and each month someone got the big shot, at the end of four months, all four people had their own. she probably drew names to see what order people got theirs in....it seemed to work out really well....

[catxnmks]

My LSS sells the Big Shot for $59!!!!!

[kyla8824]

My demo is doing something AWESOME. She is collecting food for the local food bank and is having a Stamp/Cut out Hunger event. So if you bring canned or boxed food that can be donated and your own paper, she is allowing all of her customers to cut any dies that you want! I thought that was an awesome way to "pay" back the community and have alot of fun!

[pwnmom]

My demo lets people just use hers. We have a small group and now three out of about 10 of us have a BS. If I hadn't gotten to "play" on hers, I would NOT have purchased one.

I think you have a good idea, that if they purchase so much, then they can use your machince for free. You might could even do a system... like for every $X amount spent you earn an hour of use or something like that. That way you are earning money through the sales, but your customers feel like they are "earning" something for spending. It's a win/win... you get money to replace the cutting pads and they get to use your machine. If they use it enough, they may just end up buying one!