Price increase letter 2024 (guide + free samples)

A price increase letter is a written notification sent by a business or service provider to its customers informing them of an upcoming increase in the prices of the products or services they offer.

This letter usually explains the reasons for the price increase, such as increased production costs, inflation, or changes in market conditions.

The letter may also include details on when the new prices will take effect and how much the increase will be.

The main purpose of a price increase letter is to inform customers of a price increase in a clear and honest way while minimizing any harm to the customer relationship.

As a customer, I know how frustrating it can be to receive a price increase letter from a business or service provider.

It can feel like an unexpected and unwelcome hit to the wallet, especially if you rely on the product or service in question.

However, as someone who has also worked in business, I understand the necessity of price increases and the importance of communicating them effectively to customers.

And I have decided to write this post to share my experience as far as the price increase letter is concerned

Here, I will cover;

• When to send a price increase letter
• How to write an effective price increase letter
• Tips and best practices for crafting a letter that is both informative and persuasive
• sample of price increase letter/email
• etc.

Let’s get started

Read also:

• Letter to terminate service to a client
• Letter to terminate vendor contract

When to send a price increase letter

As a business owner, I have learned that the timing of sending a price increase letter is crucial.

And it depends on various factors, including the industry your business operates, the nature of the price increase, and my relationship with your customers.

From my experience, it’s always best to send the price increase letter well in advance of the effective date, giving your customers ample time to adjust their budgets or purchasing plans accordingly.

This approach ensures that my customers are not caught off guard and can continue their business with me without any major disruptions.

I always follow the following guidelines;

Permanent price increase

If I am planning a permanent price increase, I send the price increase letter at least 30 to 60 days before the new price takes effect.

Temporary price increase

If I am planning a temporary price increase, for instance, due to seasonal demand or a temporary shortage of raw materials,

I send the price increase letter at least 2 weeks prior to the effective date.

Contractual pricing

If my pricing is determined by contract and I have a clause that permits a price increase, I always inform my customers in the way that is authorized in the contract.

For example, many of my contracts include a clause allowing for a price increase with a 30-day notice.

I have created a table to show you when it’s appropriate to send a price increase letter for different types of price increases.

Type of Price Increase	Time to Send a Price Increase Letter
Permanent Price Increase	At least 30 days before the new pricing takes effect
Temporary Price Increase	As soon as possible before the new pricing takes effect
Contractual Pricing	Follow the terms of the contract regarding notice period for price increases
Emergency	Immediately or as soon as possible after the new pricing takes effect

Is it possible to send a price increase letter after you have already changed the price?

YES, It is possible to send a price increase letter after the prices have already been increased, but you have to do it when you are facing an unexpected or emergency situation like an unexpected cost increase. sudden market change, an unexpected change in service or product, etc.

And you should APOLOGIZE for any inconvenience it may have caused.

Sending a price increase letter after the prices have already been increased could be perceived as a lack of transparency, and may damage your relationship with the customers,

As they might feel like they were not given enough notice or that you don’t value your relationship enough to give them adequate notice.

So it is best practice to send a price increase letter before the prices are increased.

Key takeaway: Send a price increase letter after the prices have already been increased, only in unexpected or emergency situations.

How do you determine how much to raise your prices?

Here is the hardest part when it comes to a price increase

I understand that deciding how much to raise prices can be a challenging task.

It requires balancing various factors such as production costs, market conditions, and competition. When determining the extent of a price increase,

I always consider the following factors:

Costs

The most important factor I consider when determining how much to raise my prices is the cost associated with a certain product or service.

For instance, if the cost of raw materials has gone up, I adjust the price of the product accordingly to ensure that the business remains profitable.

Market conditions

Another important factor to consider when determining how much to raise your prices is the current market conditions.

You should research your competitors’ prices and assess how your prices compare.

If your prices are significantly higher or lower than your competitors, you may need to adjust your prices to be more in line with the market.

Value

Pricing should reflect the value of the product or service.

Customers are more willing to pay more for products or services that are unique, of higher quality, or provide more benefits than the competition.

Long-term considerations

You should also consider the long-term effects of any price increases.

Pricing too high may drive away customers, while pricing too low may not generate enough revenue to sustain the business.

Therefore, it’s important to strike the right balance between costs, profit, and customer demand when setting prices.

Timing

The timing of the price increase can be important as well, as some seasons or market conditions can be more favorable for a price increase.

How do you know when it’s time to raise your prices?

Determining the right time to raise prices is also a crucial step in ensuring the growth and profitability of your business.

As costs increase, market conditions change, and competition evolves, it’s essential to regularly assess whether your prices align with these factors.

With the right approach, you can confidently raise your prices and maintain a strong customer base.

Here are some key indicators that it may be time to increase your prices:

1. Your costs have increased
2. You are consistently running at full capacity
3. Your competition is charging more
4. Your product or service has improved or added more value
5. You’re losing money on the business.
6. etc.

How to write a price increase letter

A price increase letter is written in a business letter format.

Begin your letter with your address and contact information, followed by a date and the recipient’s address, and state that you are writing to inform about the increase in price for a certain service or product.

Finish with “Sincerely,” followed by your name and signature.

REMEMBER! The primary goal of your price increase letter is to inform your customers about the price increase.

Thus, do the following to write an effective price increase letter.

• Provide your name, address, and contact information
• Include the date of the letter
• Include the customer’s  name, address, and contact information, if you write to the general public you may just write Dear customer(s)
• Provide the reason for the price increase
• Specific products or services affected
• State the percentage or exact amount by which the prices will be increased
• State when the price increase will take effect
• Include an expression of appreciation for your customers
• Apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused
• Allow customers to reach out with further questions or concerns.
• Maintain a professional tone
• Be honest
• Be polite and respectful.

Price increase letter template

[Your Company Name]
[Your Company Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email]

[Date]

[Customer Name]
[Customer Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]

Dear [Customer Name],

I am writing to inform you that our prices for [product/service] will be increasing by [percentage/amount]. The new prices will take effect on [effective date].

The reason for this increase is [reason for price increase]. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we want to assure you that we have carefully considered the decision before implementing it. We remain committed to providing the highest quality [product/service], but with the increase in [reason for price increase], we are unable to maintain the same prices.

We value your business and appreciate your continued support. We are confident that the quality of our products and services will continue to justify the prices we charge. We also want to ensure you that we will continue to communicate any changes in the future and invite you to reach out with any concerns or questions you might have.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at [phone number] or via email at [email address].

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]

Sample of price increase letter

The following is a letter to customers about a price increase due to an increase in the cost of raw materials.

Luxe Apparel
123 Main Street
Chicago, IL 60601
(555) 555-5555
info@luxeapparel.com

January 1, 20…

Ms. Jane Doe
456 Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Ms. Doe,

I am writing to inform you that our prices for certain clothing items will be increasing by 10%. The new prices will take effect on February 1, 20.., 30 days from the date of this letter.

The reason for this increase is an increase in the cost of raw materials. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we want to assure you that we have carefully considered the decision before implementing it. We remain committed to providing the highest quality clothing, but with the increase in raw material costs, we are unable to maintain the same prices.

We value your business and appreciate your continued support. We are confident that the quality of our clothing will continue to justify the prices we charge. We also want to ensure you that we will continue to communicate any changes in the future and invite you to reach out with any concerns or questions you might have.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at (555) 555-5555 or via email at info@luxeapparel.com.

Sincerely

Idan King
C.E.O, Luxe Apparel

Price increase letter pdf

Polite price increase notice

Dear Valued Customer,

We hope this message finds you well. We would like to take a moment to express our appreciation for your continued patronage and support of our business.

As you may be aware, our company strives to provide the highest quality products and services to our customers. However, due to recent market conditions and cost increases in raw materials and labor, we regret to inform you that we will be implementing a price increase on some of our products.

We understand that price increases can be inconvenient, and we want to assure you that we have done our best to keep the increase as minimal as possible. We believe that our new pricing still represents a fair value for the quality and service we provide.

We value your business and are committed to providing you with exceptional products and services. We appreciate your understanding and support during this time of transition. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your continued patronage.

Sincerely,

[Your Company Name]