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#81
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Totally. Thank you Tina.
-- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net ..."Some people don't know how to start..........." This is something that should have been addressed. And by the way, Kandice is my role model for how to sell on eBay. The difference between selling wholesale (and for wholesale prices) and selling on eBay is the element of retailing. A lot of the retailing costs are much lower because eBay provides much of the advertising and acts as a storefront, without the rent. But the other elements of retailing are there. You have to educate your customers. You have to explain why your product is better, you have to show why it's better, and you have to deliver what you claim and have a consistant product. Consistant product means you NEVER sell anything but your best, unless you clearly state that they are seconds, even telling people why they are seconds. Admitting that "pairs aren't quite the same size ot that the colors are somewhat muddy, etc. If a lampworker doesn't let the customer know that they, the artist, know that the color is mudy or the shape is off, then I as a customer will assume that the bead maker doesn't know good from bad, or is trying to get top price for an inferior (from their usual, eg) bead. And you have to show that your beads are worth your asking price. Over the net, that means photographic quality that is near professional. If you aren't that good at photography, have someone else do it, or anticipate lower prices. My photographics skills, or rather my lack of them, is one reason why I am selling wholesale. And you have to take the time to write good copy. That's part of the job of marketting. You can ask for whatever price you want, but getting that price depends on marketing. Depends on working at marketing. One reason that eBay can't command the prices a store front does is that, no matter what(!), you are always taking a chance on eBay. I might get a bead and see something on the back that is either better or less good than I had expected. I might get a bead that is wonderful, but have much more purple or cobalt in it than it seemed to have in it's photo -- so that it's just as wonderful as I thought, but not as personally pleasing, and not what I wanted to spend that much money on (you notice I am not saying it is not worth the price, but perhaps not worth it to me). You can't really talk about pricing without talking about selling. Tina "meijhana" wrote ... ................... But also, some people don't know how to start, or how to find out the information. Sometimes it's "laziness" (i.e. let eBay sell the item for me. If I put it on there, it should automatically sell with 5million bids). I think part of this is not just "let's set prices" but the education, also. It's not just support of "aww, poor baby, you aren't getting your prices, but you need to raise them". But support should also be sharing of hints and help. But not specifically "Here's the formula for selling your items and making a million like I do". I agree with most people when someone comes on here, and says "how do I sell, and where?". There should be some research, and also, each area is different. But guiding, and hinting is good. And there *are* "here's the formula" sites out there! :-) |
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#82
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Kandice, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were a lot older than you really
are. You are wise and thoughtful beyond your years. ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#83
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ROFLMAO!!! I can't stop. I just love the phrase too darn much, and
always imagine it with an evil little girl's voice. Thank your DD for me, willya? evil grin -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net Heh heh heh Gee thanks, Kandice. Just when I almost got over the emotional trauma... |
#84
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Thank you for this. Every bead I put up for sale sells in a very short
amount of time, and mostly for a very decent price - even the ones on my website. I never have any inventory. I know it may sound like I am bragging, but I am not. I have to disappoint many customers who email or call and ask what I have on hand that they can buy right now. This is why I have such a difficult time making up any invetory for a show. It just sells too fast (not that I'm complaining!!). I feel very very fortunate that this is the case. Many lampworkers do have a lot of beads in inventory, even though their beads are just gorgeous. For some reason, people just like my stuff, and they like how I market my stuff. I am really happy about that!! Of course, I work like a dog and I have no other life, but that's the way it goes. I wouldn't change it for millions upon millions of dollars, either. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net I think that the people complaining about low selling prices should look inward, rather than outward. If your beads are truly unique and technically perfect, you'll have the world beating a path to your door - and probably sooner rather than later. Kandice, you're a perfect example of this. (even though you are evil and "heh, heh, heh" at me all the time) You really haven't been at your craft for a very long time, but I suspect that you have very few beads that go unsold (or sell for a pittance). Your beads are beautiful, and your customers recognize that they are well worth the money. |
#85
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I love you. I just love you. insert sappy, girly stuff here
-- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net Kandice, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were a lot older than you really are. You are wise and thoughtful beyond your years. ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#86
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I love you. I just love you. insert sappy, girly stuff here
Aw, I'm just trying to get free beads. ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#87
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Score!!
-- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net I love you. I just love you. insert sappy, girly stuff here Aw, I'm just trying to get free beads. ~~ Sooz ------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html |
#88
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hi everyone, i'm a newbie to your newsgroup and have only been beading for a
short time... i haven't ventured into lampwork as yet, mostly due to the expense (but i think my own ignorance lol)... Kandice, I have just had a look at your website and your jewellery and beads are absolutely exquisite... I noticed on your auction page that these bracelets initially started at $9.99 and are now well over $70 -- so it goes to show that the $9.99 is an attraction that brings in the bids... and it works! BTW is that price acceptable to you?? or is it only just covering costs? (i only ask because i don't want to 'overpay' for beads, but i certainly want to know what they are worth because as the seller & manufacturer you need to make $$$$$ -- otherwise what is the point! -- Also, I would like to think that as part of the beading community I'm not hurting any of my "sisters"...) I make this post as i have been reading your "Beadmakers Liberation Front" thread... I, like others within your group, can see both sides. As a beader, obviously the less i pay for my beads, the more profit goes into my own pocket and that's only a natural want of anybody. Having said that, when you see such beautiful beads as Kandice's you can clearly see their worth and I can see how the collection fettish could quite easily stick. I will keep reading and throwing my 2c worth in every now & then if that's ok... I'm just starting up my market here (in Western Australia) and would like to learn everything possible... oh & Kandice you'll hear from me again, because my goal now is to buy at least one of your beautiful pieces and I will also make a point of having a look at the rest of the sites in this group... I had no idea there was so much variety, and so many talented people... and i love the way that every piece is as individual as the person that makes them. Your friend in beading, Sharon (no www, no links... yet!) "Kandice Seeber" wrote in message ... Thank you for this. Every bead I put up for sale sells in a very short amount of time, and mostly for a very decent price - even the ones on my website. I never have any inventory. I know it may sound like I am bragging, but I am not. I have to disappoint many customers who email or call and ask what I have on hand that they can buy right now. This is why I have such a difficult time making up any invetory for a show. It just sells too fast (not that I'm complaining!!). I feel very very fortunate that this is the case. Many lampworkers do have a lot of beads in inventory, even though their beads are just gorgeous. For some reason, people just like my stuff, and they like how I market my stuff. I am really happy about that!! Of course, I work like a dog and I have no other life, but that's the way it goes. I wouldn't change it for millions upon millions of dollars, either. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net I think that the people complaining about low selling prices should look inward, rather than outward. If your beads are truly unique and technically perfect, you'll have the world beating a path to your door - and probably sooner rather than later. Kandice, you're a perfect example of this. (even though you are evil and "heh, heh, heh" at me all the time) You really haven't been at your craft for a very long time, but I suspect that you have very few beads that go unsold (or sell for a pittance). Your beads are beautiful, and your customers recognize that they are well worth the money. |
#89
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Hi Sharon - welcome to the group.
The bead sets that you refer to aren't bracelets, but temporarily strung bead sets that I have made. Thanks for the kind words! Yes, the auction prices I am getting are pretty decent. The sets that have 9-13 focals and some spacers have been going for about $70-$85, and this is pretty good. The larger sets vary widely - from $90-$140. These are still lower than retail, but higher than wholesale, and for me that's just fine. I sell many beads from my website at retail, so it all evens out eventually. If you buy on ebay from me you will likely never overpay. I think there have only been two times when a bead set has gone way over what I would have charged retail. And that was because two people wanted the same set really really bad. Auctions work that way! I can't speak for anyone else though. I sure appreciate your comments - and hey, feel free to chime in anytime! We don't bite...much. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net hi everyone, i'm a newbie to your newsgroup and have only been beading for a short time... i haven't ventured into lampwork as yet, mostly due to the expense (but i think my own ignorance lol)... Kandice, I have just had a look at your website and your jewellery and beads are absolutely exquisite... I noticed on your auction page that these bracelets initially started at $9.99 and are now well over $70 -- so it goes to show that the $9.99 is an attraction that brings in the bids... and it works! BTW is that price acceptable to you?? or is it only just covering costs? (i only ask because i don't want to 'overpay' for beads, but i certainly want to know what they are worth because as the seller & manufacturer you need to make $$$$$ -- otherwise what is the point! -- Also, I would like to think that as part of the beading community I'm not hurting any of my "sisters"...) I make this post as i have been reading your "Beadmakers Liberation Front" thread... I, like others within your group, can see both sides. As a beader, obviously the less i pay for my beads, the more profit goes into my own pocket and that's only a natural want of anybody. Having said that, when you see such beautiful beads as Kandice's you can clearly see their worth and I can see how the collection fettish could quite easily stick. I will keep reading and throwing my 2c worth in every now & then if that's ok... I'm just starting up my market here (in Western Australia) and would like to learn everything possible... oh & Kandice you'll hear from me again, because my goal now is to buy at least one of your beautiful pieces and I will also make a point of having a look at the rest of the sites in this group... I had no idea there was so much variety, and so many talented people... and i love the way that every piece is as individual as the person that makes them. Your friend in beading, Sharon (no www, no links... yet!) "Kandice Seeber" wrote in message ... Thank you for this. Every bead I put up for sale sells in a very short amount of time, and mostly for a very decent price - even the ones on my website. I never have any inventory. I know it may sound like I am bragging, but I am not. I have to disappoint many customers who email or call and ask what I have on hand that they can buy right now. This is why I have such a difficult time making up any invetory for a show. It just sells too fast (not that I'm complaining!!). I feel very very fortunate that this is the case. Many lampworkers do have a lot of beads in inventory, even though their beads are just gorgeous. For some reason, people just like my stuff, and they like how I market my stuff. I am really happy about that!! Of course, I work like a dog and I have no other life, but that's the way it goes. I wouldn't change it for millions upon millions of dollars, either. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net I think that the people complaining about low selling prices should look inward, rather than outward. If your beads are truly unique and technically perfect, you'll have the world beating a path to your door - and probably sooner rather than later. Kandice, you're a perfect example of this. (even though you are evil and "heh, heh, heh" at me all the time) You really haven't been at your craft for a very long time, but I suspect that you have very few beads that go unsold (or sell for a pittance). Your beads are beautiful, and your customers recognize that they are well worth the money. |
#90
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Hi Kandice, i've had a bit of a search around ebay & doesn't seem to be much
the same quality as yours. Which leads me into my next chime hehe lol -- the lower quality beads that i've looked at are cheap -- both in $$$ & appearance... a lot of them i wouldn't even think about bidding on let alone watching the auction, they are just not the beauty that a lampwork bead should be... It goes back to the question/thread that i've read here recently -- a profession or a hobby! My jewellery making is a hobby, and i do it because i love making them & giving them as gifts -- it's only since christmas my friends have been on at me to sell them, hence my venture into ebay... still to set myself up as a sell er, but will be sure to post my url when i do... The bead sets that you refer to aren't bracelets, but temporarily strung bead sets that I have made. Kandice, are these able to be split & rewired with clasps etc... what materials would you recommend using, ie. anything different from my normal beading -- i would rewire them in exactly the same way you prepare them, do you sell made jewellery pieces too??? Thank you for making me feel welcome, i look forward to getting to know you all better... Cheerz, Sharon "Kandice Seeber" wrote in message ... Hi Sharon - welcome to the group. The bead sets that you refer to aren't bracelets, but temporarily strung bead sets that I have made. Thanks for the kind words! Yes, the auction prices I am getting are pretty decent. The sets that have 9-13 focals and some spacers have been going for about $70-$85, and this is pretty good. The larger sets vary widely - from $90-$140. These are still lower than retail, but higher than wholesale, and for me that's just fine. I sell many beads from my website at retail, so it all evens out eventually. If you buy on ebay from me you will likely never overpay. I think there have only been two times when a bead set has gone way over what I would have charged retail. And that was because two people wanted the same set really really bad. Auctions work that way! I can't speak for anyone else though. I sure appreciate your comments - and hey, feel free to chime in anytime! We don't bite...much. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net hi everyone, i'm a newbie to your newsgroup and have only been beading for a short time... i haven't ventured into lampwork as yet, mostly due to the expense (but i think my own ignorance lol)... Kandice, I have just had a look at your website and your jewellery and beads are absolutely exquisite... I noticed on your auction page that these bracelets initially started at $9.99 and are now well over $70 -- so it goes to show that the $9.99 is an attraction that brings in the bids... and it works! BTW is that price acceptable to you?? or is it only just covering costs? (i only ask because i don't want to 'overpay' for beads, but i certainly want to know what they are worth because as the seller & manufacturer you need to make $$$$$ -- otherwise what is the point! -- Also, I would like to think that as part of the beading community I'm not hurting any of my "sisters"...) I make this post as i have been reading your "Beadmakers Liberation Front" thread... I, like others within your group, can see both sides. As a beader, obviously the less i pay for my beads, the more profit goes into my own pocket and that's only a natural want of anybody. Having said that, when you see such beautiful beads as Kandice's you can clearly see their worth and I can see how the collection fettish could quite easily stick. I will keep reading and throwing my 2c worth in every now & then if that's ok... I'm just starting up my market here (in Western Australia) and would like to learn everything possible... oh & Kandice you'll hear from me again, because my goal now is to buy at least one of your beautiful pieces and I will also make a point of having a look at the rest of the sites in this group... I had no idea there was so much variety, and so many talented people... and i love the way that every piece is as individual as the person that makes them. Your friend in beading, Sharon (no www, no links... yet!) "Kandice Seeber" wrote in message ... Thank you for this. Every bead I put up for sale sells in a very short amount of time, and mostly for a very decent price - even the ones on my website. I never have any inventory. I know it may sound like I am bragging, but I am not. I have to disappoint many customers who email or call and ask what I have on hand that they can buy right now. This is why I have such a difficult time making up any invetory for a show. It just sells too fast (not that I'm complaining!!). I feel very very fortunate that this is the case. Many lampworkers do have a lot of beads in inventory, even though their beads are just gorgeous. For some reason, people just like my stuff, and they like how I market my stuff. I am really happy about that!! Of course, I work like a dog and I have no other life, but that's the way it goes. I wouldn't change it for millions upon millions of dollars, either. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net I think that the people complaining about low selling prices should look inward, rather than outward. If your beads are truly unique and technically perfect, you'll have the world beating a path to your door - and probably sooner rather than later. Kandice, you're a perfect example of this. (even though you are evil and "heh, heh, heh" at me all the time) You really haven't been at your craft for a very long time, but I suspect that you have very few beads that go unsold (or sell for a pittance). Your beads are beautiful, and your customers recognize that they are well worth the money. |
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