Day 26 of 30
Day 26 · Week 4 · Know Before You Stock
The MRP is set. Your job is to make it make sense — by naming the four real costs behind it.
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Week 4 · Know Before You Stock
WEEK 4 · KNOW BEFORE YOU STOCK
What Makes Indian Handmade
Cost What It Costs
A handwoven saree at ₹8,999 has four real costs inside it — artisan time, material rarity, regional skill, and GI protection. Name them, and the price makes sense.
The Concept
Your job isn’t to set the price. It’s to name the four real costs hidden inside it.
The MRP on every Wcommerce listing is already set — you don’t price, mark up, or discount. What you do is bigger: when a customer asks why a handwoven saree costs ₹8,999 when a mall lookalike costs ₹999, you name the four costs that aren’t visible in the picture. Artisan time (months, not minutes). Material rarity (Muga silk grows only in Assam, Pashmina only from one breed of goat). Regional skill (Kanjivaram’s korvai join takes 3 weavers, 7 years to master). GI protection (the legal seal that only Varanasi weavers make a real Banarasi). Once she hears the four, the MRP stops being ‘expensive’ and starts being ‘fair’.
Time + Material + Skill + Legal Protection
= The Real Cost
What’s hidden inside every handmade MRP.
Visual Guide
Cost Components — Small → Large Share
Cost Components — Small → Large Share
~5–10% of MRP🏛️ Legal
~15–30% of MRP🌿 Raw
~20–35% of MRP🎓 Skill
~35–55% of MRP⏳ Time
← Smallest shareBiggest share →
Side by Side
Four Real Costs Inside Every Handmade MRP
⏳
Time
1
cost
Artisan Time
Days, weeks, sometimes months on one piece
⏳ Months not minutesReal labourLargest share
🌿
Material
2
cost
Material Rarity
Muga silk, Pashmina wool, real zari
🌿 Region-onlyLimited supplyReal metal in zari
🎓
Skill
3
cost
Regional Skill
Years to learn one weave or one stitch
🎓 Master-craftTrained 7+ yrsRegion-tied
🏛️
Legal
4
cost
GI Protection
Government legal certification of origin
🏛️ GI Act 1999Limited makersReal Banarasi
Four Costs — Quick Reference
| Cost | What It Pays For | Example |
|---|---|---|
Artisan Time |
Hours, days, months on one piece | One Banarasi saree: 15–30 days on loom |
Material Rarity |
Raw inputs that exist only in one region | Muga silk grows only in Assam |
Regional Skill |
Years of training, one community | Kanjivaram korvai: 3 weavers, 7+ years |
GI Protection |
Legal seal of origin | Only Varanasi can sell ‘Banarasi’ |
Hand-finishing |
Edge, palla, kasht stitching | Tightly hand-stitched palla finish |
Put It to Work
How to Use This in Your Store
Your Brand Edge
When a customer says “arre itna mehnga kyon”, don’t defend the price. Name the four costs. Artisan time. Material rarity. Regional skill. GI protection. Pick one of those four that fits the saree she’s asking about and tell her the story. A Muga silk? Lead with material rarity. A Kanjivaram? Lead with skill. A Banarasi? Lead with GI protection. Each cost is a story she can repeat to her sister — and that’s how the MRP starts making sense for her.
“Didi yeh Muga silk hai — sirf Assam mein hota hai, jangli silk hai, silkworm naturally golden colour banata hai. Ek saree banane mein 4 mahine lagte hain — karigar ka time, durlabh material, Assam ki special skill. MRP mein yeh sab included hai. Mall wala ‘Muga style’ sasta isliye hai kyunki woh polyester hai — Muga nahi.”
Remember this always: You don’t set prices — you explain them. Four real costs sit inside every handmade MRP: artisan time, material rarity, regional skill, GI protection. Pick the one that fits the piece and tell the customer that story. The MRP stops being ‘expensive’ and becomes ‘fair’.
Day 26 Quiz
Check What You Learned
3 questions · Mark your attendance · Keep your streak alive 🔥
Question 1 of 3
Your job as a Wcommerce brand owner regarding pricing is:
A
To mark up the MRP for higher margin
B
To explain the four real costs hidden inside the MRP
C
To offer the customer a discount
D
To negotiate with the customer
Question 2 of 3
The four real costs hidden in a handmade MRP are:
A
Marketing, packaging, shipping, GST
B
Artisan time, material rarity, regional skill, GI protection
C
Cotton, silk, dye, finish
D
Store rent, electricity, staff salary, profit
Question 3 of 3
A customer asks why a Muga silk saree costs more than a regular silk one. Which of the four costs would you lead with?
A
GI protection
B
Material rarity — Muga only grows in Assam
C
Marketing budget
D
Brand premium
Your WhatsApp Number
+91
Use the 10-digit number you have on this WhatsApp channel (no +91, no spaces) — this marks your Day 26 attendance.