maloof rocker

Beauitful rentman. That some real craftsmanship.

THANK YOU DICK

Nice, very nice!

Was this built using Bill Kappel's plans? and, how much are you asking for it? It's a beautiful chair.

I'm building a $1,200.00 coffee table and was told yesterday by a friend "I'd never pay $1,200.00 for a coffee table." My brother-in-law and I discussed his comment and we came to the conclusion that worth is determined by two factors. What the seller determines it's worth and what the buyer determines it's worth.

How long did it take you to build it?
What were the material costs?
Does the market know how much Sam's Chairs sell for?

Nice job Phil. It may just get you on the track of building furniture for a living.

This is no small undertaking. Excellent workmanship.

bravo.
not just furniture
not just a chair
but a ROCKING chair!!!
nice!!!

obi,IM NOT SURE HOW MUCH TO ASK.
IF ANY OF YOU ALL HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON HOW MUCH I SOULD ASK OR GET PLEASE LET ME KNOW
THANKS FOR THE GOOD COMMENTS GUYS!!

That's a beautiful chair! Love the color, too.

Rentman,
Bill Kappel in Sacramento (the rocking chair guy here in Lumberjocks) has an indoor/outdoor model that he lists at $1,600.00 and that's for Oak

His cheapest model after that sells for $4,500.00

I've seen Heirloom Rockers sell as cheap as $3,500.00 while Mr Maloof's start at $25,000.00 (or so I've read). Yours, ... Walnut… I'd list it at at least $3,500.00

I'm making one out of Cherry and I won't sell it less than $2,500.00 and that's because I got the Cherry really cheap, and that would only be to my best friend.

obi do you have any pics yet,please post if so

gee, now the hickory ( or ???) I saw a few years ago in Wood going for $900 seems like an incredible bargain (ok the issue may be from the 80's, I nhereited a box full of magazines from my grandfather)

I think a lot would depend on what the customer is willing to pay. Some people think all pieces of furniture should cost less than $100, since they see it in Walmart or Target for such a price. Others will realize the cost of materials, the time, the quality of the craft, etc. and be willing to pay for it.

One thing you could do is scan eBay and see what they have rockers listed as. It would give you some idea of the range. I would agree with Scott that it should be in the $700-900 range at least.

Selling it? What is your asking price? Maloof-Inspired rockers sell in the neighborhood of $5K-$10K in USD, depending on a lot of factors, and your "signature" is the most important aspect. A collectible signature can add another $10K to it.

The use of hard-soft sculpted lines make the difference in which end of the price is used by most makers. Those that round all of the corners and edges can make a chair faster, but it is not as pretty. Sam has set the standard, everyone else either copies, or comes short in my mind, including myself.

I get a lot of activity on my Maloof-Inspired rocker I have posted here, and at some point someone will agree to the $8K-$10K range of my price, and I will make another one then. I have a standing offer to build two of them, if I want to come down in my price a little. I may take it.

I am not a proponent of the "spongy" lumbar support, as told about in the latest WoodShop News cover story. I saw those chairs at the Western Design Conference. In my opinion, the lumbar area needs a firm foundation, not a spring that flexes away from the proper sitting position. Many people sat in my chair at the WDC show and I always directed them to the other chair maker's booths with Maloof-Inspired chairs. Each time, they said they liked the comfortable fit of my chair best. The only real difference in the chairs was that that my lumbar support was firm, and in the right place to fit the back.

In my opinion, You won't have trouble finding a home for your chair, only the price you will ask will determine how quickly you ship it. 99.9% of the People still want a "bargain." Those aren't the people that you will build a business on though. You want to find a Home that respects you as an artist, respects the unique ability you have, and if price is the deciding factor, keep the chair.

You want long-term customers that come back year after year, not someone that brags at a party about what a "deal" they got on their chair, but can't remember your name. If you need to, you can sell that Maloof-Inspired chair 30 years from now, just as quickly as you can now, they are timeless. A guy that found me at an art show years ago, told me to make something for myself every year, and not sell it. He said it would work to be a great retirement savings plan, as people would pay more for collection of things when I was retired than they do now. Selling them to fund my future medical, and nursing home needs! God help us.

It might even be more "profitable" for you to have the chair to take to shows with you, than to sell the chair now. If you can make a Maloof Chair, you can make anything, and people at juried art shows recognize that. People looked at my chairs and tables and stuff at the WDC show, and then would ask something like, "could you carve a large set of entry doors with a big buffalo on them?" I would just say "sure, can." Being able to make a comfortable rocker in a Maloof styling, is a great calling card for you to demonstrate your abilities in manipulating wood to your Will.

I would not recommend selling it on eBay, people just looking for a "deal" there. You will best find a home for it, in my mind, by using your own website, using lumberjocks, or by attending juried art shows, or all three. After a few years of satisfied customers, they will call and ask you what you have sitting around for sale. Keep us posted on what works for you.

"wife" is telling me to get to work! So I really need to go now,
Mark

Thanks for your help Mark.BTW I agree with you I like the stiff back supports better,and I have made chairs both ways.

sweet chair, any plans? A maloof inspired rocker is my next project. Any advice?

great advice there Mark…

I think that's funny about people commenting on your chair and then asking for something totally different (as if there was no difference between a chair and door to them). Of course you can, and we know that… but it still strikes me as a funny connection!

I also like the idea of building your own retirement plan… what a great idea! Good advice for many.