DavidN

This is what I have done in the past when I want to sell one of my trees. I usually only sell to people I know and especially people in my bonsai club. When I sell them the tree I work out what I payed for the pot, the tree(if at all), wire and some of my time. On most occasions the tree that I am selling is because I won't to get rid of it because I no longer wish to have it, spend time on it, work on it. I would usually sell a tree for the cost price plus about 20%. This 20% covers wire and time I spent on the tree. So the members get some very cheap bonsai. They are happy and I am happy. I also get to see the tree again and again and see what they have done to it in terms of styling and so on.

So I guess if I was in your shoes I would be honest. If they were your friend then they should understand. You can explain why you are only charging a lower price for your trees. This will hopefully educate them as well. Also you could explain that they are your friend and only want the cost price of your tree. I guess this will soften the blow that they were over charged.

But if this person is someone you don't known then you can explain that you have no overheads and stuff like that you have to pay and so can sell your trees cheaply.

That is my opinion.