I hope this entry finds you enjoyed the afterglow of the Christmas holidays. Preparations for the New Years bash has begun as well in your future. Nothing like spending the new year nursing a hangover and exploring the world of gold making in Azeroth.
Something that both new and experienced crafters learn quickly; there will be a time that you expect a large tip for your efforts. Only to find that the person thanks you with a tip of the cap and a thank you. Somehow not realizing just how much you invested in the pattern, and leveling your profession to its maximum ability. Their newly crafted items equipped and ready for action.
The definition of a "tip" is a gratuity. By definition it is optional to give a tip if you have an item crafted for you. Etiquette would say that if you have a task performed, then a tip should be offered. Problems arise many times when the 10g tip that used to be a large amount of money in game during the burning crusade expansion is no longer appropriate in cataclysm. Inflation of quest rewards and easier availability to obtain gold has raised the expectation of crafters. But many times those asking for the items have not changed with these times. Multiple times i have taken the time to answer a request for an epic item crafting in trade, only to be offered 5g in tip. In my mind I jokingly will say 'I do not even go over to the other side of orgrimmar for less than 100g'.
If your tips have not been to your expectation, it may be time to go ahead and explain that there is a crafting fee for your time and effort. Sometimes where there is a large amount of competition for items (Rare Gem cuts etc) this might not be the best technique to use. Finding yourself with one of the only trained crafters with a specific pattern would change the idea of asking for a 100g or more crafting fee. Just be careful to know what your server population will support. Making sure that you do not quickly drive yourself out of the market.
Supply and demand should be your main drive in understanding when to ask for a crafting fee. And when to just invest your own mats and put the item up on the AH and not worry about non tipping customers at all.
Want to get in contact with me? . Email me at Dragonbearjoe @ gmail. dOT com or find me on twitter at "@Dragonbearjoe" or leave a comment here. You can find me hanging out on the Shandris Server, chat me up and I will buy you a glass of juice.
Past articles by Mommar:
Tis the season to be goblins
My rod shall comfort thee.. and make gold
