Running a small business is a mix of hands on craft, admin and genuine connection with the people who buy from you. Most customers want to support small businesses, but it can be hard to know what things really cost behind the scenes or why prices differ across platforms. This post is here to bring clarity and help set expectations in a fair, human way.
Why small business pricing looks the way it does
A common question we usually get is why our website prices are not lower than our Etsy shop prices. Etsy takes around 12-20% of each sale, so it feels like the saving should show up on the website. The truth is a bit more layered. Etsy takes a large cut, but it also provides strong built in marketing and visibility, globally.
Website orders look cheaper on paper because the direct commission is lower, but all advertising costs, website maintenance, software and tools, often end up equalling Etsy’s cut. Sometimes it costs even more overall.
If you’d like a quote for a custom piece of furniture, get in touch. We’re always happy to give an honest breakdown so you can see exactly what goes into your piece.
Comparing apples and oranges
Fair comparison helps everyone. A handmade made to order table from a small UK workshop is not the same as a mass produced mango wood or walnut table from a high street shop. Labour costs vary around the world. Materials vary in price depending on where you live. A piece that is cheap and local in one country might be expensive and imported in another.
For example, once compared one of our pine tables to an oak table in a Canadian shop. Their shop was in a very cheap area and the table was priced without delivery. Our piece was handmade in the UK with British labour and quality materials, then shipped overseas. These are completely different situations and the prices will never match.
It is also worth noting that a lot of high street wood is not sustainably sourced. Even when it is, it does not guarantee fair pay throughout the supply chain. Supporting small businesses that choose ethical materials and pay their team fairly will naturally cost more. It should.
How to support small makers in a thoughtful way
Do take time to understand the origin of the piece, the team behind it and the real work involved. Do measure up. Do read the details. Do ask questions. These steps prevent unnecessary returns, which have a much bigger impact on a small workshop than on a global brand.
Do be patient with replies. Makers often spend most of their day actually building the furniture. You will always get a real person, but that person might be sanding a table or gluing a joint when your message arrives.
Do not buy in a rush and expect a return policy that behaves like fast fashion. Custom made furniture carries more weight. Materials, labour time and sustainability all matter. Makers are always willing to help, but a thoughtful approach makes a real difference.
A quick note on discounts and Black Friday
Large brands use discounts strategically because prices were inflated to make room for them. Small businesses do not operate that way. When discounts appear, they are usually small, genuine and used sparingly. Black Friday is a good example. Many small makers either keep discounts modest or sit it out entirely because cutting prices too far directly affects the viability of their workshop.
When a small business does offer a discount, it is a real thank you rather than a marketing tactic.
Understanding lead times for handmade furniture
Most small workshops build every table, desk or set of shelves to order. A custom made piece takes time. Timber needs careful prep, finishes need curing and joinery needs real attention. A few weeks is normal.
This is completely different from flat packed imported furniture that can cost less than £100 and ship the same day. There is nothing wrong with mass produced pieces, but they should not be used as a benchmark for handmade work. One is built for speed. The other is built for longevity.
Final thoughts
Supporting a small business is not just about buying something. It is about understanding the story, the work involved and the true cost of doing things with care. When customers come in with awareness and realistic expectations, everyone wins. It keeps skills alive, keeps materials sustainable, keeps fair pay in place and keeps the work honest.
If you want to learn more about our small team, our approach or our current lead times, or if you want to discuss a custom made table, desk or set of shelves, feel free to get in touch: https://pastos.co/pages/contact
