Dear Gritty VA:
I have a client who needs a presentation created and then put on CD. I’m not sure how to charge for the CD since I buy them in bulk. Plus, this situation makes me wonder what to do about the future when I need to charge for supplies. What do you suggest. ~ MD
Well, there are a number of ways you can go about it.
- The client can supply the CDs and you won’t have to worry about.
- You can use your own supply, divide the number of CDs into the price for the box and use that amount to charge per CD at cost.
- You can provide supplies such as a CD at a fair mark-up value.
- You can make sure you are charging a profitable rate or fee that allows you to throw in the occasional incidental supply and include the CD at no additional cost.
You are perfectly entitled to be reimbursed for expenses. Sometimes providing supplies at-cost is reasonable and makes sense. But don’t forget that when you provide supplies, it’s also common business practice to add your own markup.
For example, I might buy a box of hanging folders for $7.95 + tax, making the per folder cost $0.35, but I might charge clients $0.50 per individual folder, and then charge that standard cost on a case by case basis. I might not bother to charge for a single folder it if it’s a one-time situation, but if it’s a special project or an ongoing task that requires regular use of this supply, I will pass that cost onto the client.
At the same time, there’s something to be said for not sweating the small stuff so that you don’t come across as nickel and diming to the client. In the case of project work that I’ve made good money on, I’m sure not going to worry about the cost of little ol’ CD.
Determining what tack is appropriate for a given situation is a sensibility you will develop as your grow into your business ownership. Whatever you do, just don’t forget that you are in business, not charity, and you don’t have to be apologetic for any of the business decisions you make with regard to compensation and making a profit.
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the virtual assistant term is really completely idiotic to...
