Pricing eggs for sale from home

[hoosierhen]

I am just about ready to start selling eggs from my home. I live in central Indiana, and egg prices are anywhere from $1.69 for white large grocery eggs on sale, to $3.00-$4.00 for large brown free range organic eggs.
I have a co-worker that wants to buy eggs, and she said : "is $1.50/doz ok?" I think I am going to ask $2.25/doz with a 25 cent discount if purchaser brings their own carton. Does this sound fair? or do you think I'm going to get stuck with lots of eggs and no customers?
Would like to know what others are charging, esp. in Indiana, but elsewhere as well Thanks!

 

[cjeanean]

Eggs here in MO are about the same, from Aldi's they run about 1.79/doz. I'm gonna be asking probably around the same price, maybe starting out at like 1.50/doz, since I want to at least try selling them for cheaper than the store. I know I think that my eggs are gonna be 100 times better than the store eggs, but with the economy like it is most people are looking to save money rather than buy better quality. If a lady up the road from me were selling eggs for more than the store sells them (including tax, I would factor that in) there's no way I could afford to buy them. I can't afford it now!!!! (We buy from my aunt, farm fresh $1.00/doz, the middle of nowhere LOL) Then again, you will always have ppl who can and will put the extra 20-25 cents out there. I know that seems nitpicky, but we are actually in a situation where 20-25 drastically effects us, so I understand some ppl's circumstances. It boils down to whether you think it's fair, whether ppl will buy from you, and whether it's worth it to you!!! If you think it's a fair price (and I think it's more than fair) then GO FOR IT!!!! The worst thing that can happen is they don't sell and you have to drop the price. Just make sure you take others things into consideration.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I've seen where a lot of people are selling them for $2 a dozen or $3 for 18. Even the $2.25 a dozen wouldn't be bad. You could charge that price and then give a 25 cent discount for the people who recycle and bring your egg cartons back to you to be refilled. That would help you and the environment out all at the same time!

I would not let them go any cheaper than that!!! There will be plenty of other willing buyers out there.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Start HIGH. It's easier to lower them later, if needs be, rather than raise them. But with the way that prices are going up in the stores for most staple products, egg prices will continue to increase.

I wouldn't take any less than the store price, here at least $2 a dozen. If you buy your own cartons then you could give discounts for returned cartons. Otherwise, ask pals to save cartons for you (cross out the printing on them) or put them in paper lunch bags, doubled. I can fit 6-12 eggs in a bag, they cost about $.02 each.

A lot will depend on how many laying hens you have, how many eggs you want to move each week, and how easily you & your customers can access each other. If you have a huge surplus of eggs and little contact with potential customers then lower prices.

But it sounds as if you've got a work location & colleagues there. Why not bring in some of your eggs, hard-boiled or otherwise cooked, & let folks sample them first? Show them photos or bring them over to see how well you keep your hens, and how much work they require. Get them to realize what a special opportunity they have to acquire this unique product, then they shouldn't begrudge you the extra $.25-$.50 to obtain them for themselves.

I'm satisfied if I can sell enough eggs each week to cover the cost of their chicken feed. We eat a lot & I also like to give a lot away, for hostess & thank-you gifts, etc.

I used to feel guilty for asking $2 a dozen until recently when I noticed the current price of store eggs. The last time I'd bought them they were $.69-$.99. Now the regular white eggs are $2 a dozen! I don't feel obliged to try to cut the store prices, my hens offer a much superior product. The reason store eggs are so priced is because they're produced in vast numbers under extreme conditions. Look at what the stores charge for "cage-free" eggs. And you know those hens still don't enjoy the healthier lifestyles that yours have. And even though I don't feed my hens organically grown feed, they do range in a yard that's pesticide- & fertilizer-free, and their eggs come so much fresher.

I ask $3 a dozen & may soon ask more. I'd rather sell less and eat more myself than cut prices for cheapskates who complain that eggs cost less at the store. Look a little closer at their lifestyles, are they wasting money buying convenience foods, momentary entertainments, professional grooming, gourmet coffee, overpriced clothes? I don't do any of those things so I don't feel obliged to run an egg charity for those who do.

Of COURSE if I knew a family in severe need I would give them eggs. But you know, those folks would probably be the kind to insist to pay what they're worth, recognizing their value and the worth of the labor you've put into their production.

When I first began keeping chickens folks would say "I bet you save a LOT on your grocery bill!" but we all know that's not true. I find there are 3 basic attitudes towards home-made eggs:

1. They're beyond compare in taste and nutrition plus the satisfaction of knowing they're from healthy chickens raised humanely, well worth the extra expense.

2. They're the same as store eggs but should be cheaper because you got them for "free" from your own chickens.

3. They're nasty & unsanitary because they weren't produced in a factory, sterilized & wrapped in plastics. No, thanks, I'd rather buy mine at WalMart.

You can see this is a topic near & dear to my heart. When it comes to fresh home-grown eggs I think we should hold our heads, our standards, and our prices HIGH.

 

[FarmGirl01]

I sell mine for $2.00 a dozen. I put my sign up every other week or so. Made about $25.00 in one day. Most of the ppl are my nieghbors who are wanting to pay that price because they enjoy the taste. There are always ppl who are cheap and don't want to pay. But there are also ppl who enjoy the taste so much they are willing to pay. Like the others said start high and you will fine the group of ppl who want to pay. They will be you repeat customers. Good luch and have fun with it.

 

[nccountrygirl]

I sell my large brown eggs for 2.00 a Dz. and my Mediums for a 1.50 a Dz

 

[NS2A]

Charge at least $2/dozen (2.25 with carton). You do not want to underprice or quite frankly deal with cheap customers.

Organic eggs in my area go for $4.99 for 6!!

Now, most of ours could not be considered organic (you can't have ANY treated wood around

), but I'd wager your eggs will be fresher and your chickens are better cared for than the organic stuff you buy in the store.

Anyway, if you price yourself cheap, you will have others thinking of your product as cheap.

 

[AussieSharon]

I think $1.50 a dozen for fresh eggs is too cheap and I'm sure your coworker knows that! With gas prices going crazy and the cost of everything is going up, chicken feed included I'd ask at least $2 a dozen. For $2 a dozen you can have the yucky eggs from the grocery or fresh.... I know I would happily pay $2 for farm fresh eggs.

The other thing about charging say $2.25 is you'll spend more time making change.

 

[mmajw]

I sell mine for $2.00/ dz and most people recycle their cartons with me anyway.

 

[newchickmom]

I'm in Lafayette area, I sell mine for $2.25 a doz. with .25 off if they bring an egg carton. I also sell 18 the same way ($3.00 with a returned carton)