Chaim, you admitted your self to buying something on sale.. I bet you felt good buying that thing on sale.. I bet you were more compelled to buy it because it was on sale.. why do you think people have sales?
Key is have a sale.. don't work for less than you are worth.. and then charge a premium on upsells... then call me from your yacht to shoot the breeze. This is simply how it works.. you said that you have been doing it one way but want to grow. Growth involves change.. to reach a larger amount of consumers you will be forced to play their game.. it sucks that this is how it is but it is true. That does not mean that those people will not appreciate your quality and attention to work.. it's simply an "in".
Ryan, I think in an earlier thread you compared having a sale as to a retail store where you've gone in and bought something on sale. A retail store has a lot more flexibility to mark something else up in the store to make up for the sale. Or they are having a sale because they bought something at a reduced price and can afford to pass on a savings to a customer. Just wondering what your take is on these thoughts. I know the only thing I can discount would be my labor or a chemical. I assume it's the same for you.