AAA Cafe' Daily Chat 07/26/2014

[NaturalClocks]

Welcome to new members, welcome back to returning teammates! If this is your first time here - this is a place to ask questions, share your most embarrassing secrets, or just chat about the slow and boring bits of your day…we want to hear from you!!

Be sure to check out the discussion board. There are games to be played and threads to explore. The more you promote your fellow team mates, the more you get promoted, so be sure to participate on a daily basis. Check out our blog and our Facebook page, as well as the other links provided below.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
* Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/301427606658253/
* Etsy Calculator: salecalc.com/etsy
* Etsyology: www.etsyology.net/
♥ Online Photo Programs: fotoflexer.com/ or www.picmonkey.com/
treasurypin.com./ and editor.pho.to/
arwmedia.net/tools/pixlr_express.php
* Etsy Craft Tools: www.mycrafttools.com/
* Etsy Gadget: www.estygadget.com
* Craftopolis -Edit multiple listings: www.craftopolis.com/#com=ee
* Etsy Banner Maker: bannerfans.com/banner_maker.php?bnew=1&pses=1a256d05
* Craftcount - craftcount.com/teritory.php
* Google+ tutorials blog.kissmetrics.com/personal-google-plus-account/ and moz.com/blog/tips-to-use-google-for-seo

Good morning team!

At last some clouds will start building up during the day and it should cool down from tomorrow, yippie! Fed up to hear how packed with people it is down at the lake and to see a fairly empty village for this time of the year.

Adele: I love those ribbons and I think that the price is ok. And I also hope that your supplier of the plastic you use will come back with a positive answer, keep us posted.

My thoughts are with all of you that are going through difficult times with ill loved ones. Keep strong and keep positive, I sincerely hope that everything will get better sooner rather than later.

Just one word of "warning" about announcements and vacation mode: whoever is in one of the dreadful test (and I strongly believe that the percentage is higher that what Etsy lead to believe) won't see the announcement, worth keeping that in mind. I've read that some sellers are using the first lines of their About page for announcements, as those lines appear in the main page of your shop.

Denise suggested we discussed Paypal and Direct Check Out. My thoughts: if your country is enabled with DC, go for it and set it up in your shop without delay. Not only people will be able to use their gifts cards, but it doubles the alternatives that a customer has when it comes down to paying for their goods and therefore it doubles your chances of making a sale. I'm on about 50-50 as far as my customers go, so there is clearly demand to be be able to pay with your credit card, not everybody is a fan of Paypal. I personally always chose Paypal over debit/credit cards, simply because it saves me entering the card details and address every time and the paypal balance goes towards paying for new supplies, but we are all different.

Have a great day everybody!

[Former_Member]

4 of my 14 sales are paypal and the rest direct checkout. Like Val, I use paypal myself. Its just easier.

My new listings:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197684789/beach-bracelet-seashell-jewelry-spiral?ref=listing-0
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197593458/unique-sea-shell-necklace-conch-natural?ref=listing-2
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197596390/seashell-jewelry-conch-necklace-mermaid?ref=listing-1

I think my craft is trying to tell me I need to visit the beach, lol.

[CinderellaButtons]

Hi all
I have been looking into DC, but as yet have not set anything up. At the momnet everything is through paypal, which I love for the same reasons as Val and Jess.
I have had a few sales and all have gone through paypal without any trouble.
Its really hot in UK at the moment so finding I can't work for long especially if I am hand sewing material. A lot cooler at the moment!
Hope you all have a good day.

[Former_Member]

I'm set up for direct check out and I prefer it to PayPal myself!

I'm watching Jurassic park right now! I haven't watched in forever and honestly can't remember it at all!

[Former_Member]

Morning All,

I had forgotten all about direct checkout, it's on my 'stuff I need to do' list. I shall take a look at setting it up today - good to give the customer options - although I prefer using Paypal myself for the same reasons as you Val.

Still not sure about what to do with my shop when we are away. I'm inclining towards putting it in vacation mode, that way I can just forget all about it for a week.

Welcome back Donna, glad you enjoyed your trip. And thank you for the treasury inclusion Jess.

Have a happy weekend all :)

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

I joined the DC arrangement a couple of months ago, and have so far not had any sales - on either route! Summer time really is not the time folks consider Toys I don't think.

Thanks very much for all those who obviously hearted the links I gave for the Jess and Lucy link up with me!

Got to go and get ready to put Toys on a stall for the Strawberry Tea/Bazaar running this afternoon here at The Hospital of St. John. Then those not sold (probably all, because I think Heytesbury has been saturated with Cuddlies - and restored toys too!) will be packed away in their travelling case(s) to be opened in their new Home in just over a couple of weeks' time. Gosh - that's not far away now!

Cartons for packing books and unbreakables being delivered Monday afternoon: then it really will be action, as opposed to talking about it all the time.

Have a great week-end everyone. Will be back, hopefully, later.

[Former_Member]

Good morning !

Thank you for all the recommendations Val.
I've put a shop announcement regarding my vacations, but I've also included the same information in all my listings, so in case of a possible order, the buyer will see all the information.

I've just joined the DC, so we'll see how it works.
Time for some housework now.

Wish you all a great weekend ! :)

[TheEclecticInterior]

Good morning, sorry to be MIA lately, but it's just been so busy around here. I am getting ready to head for a bit of vacation so thank you so much for the vacation mode advice Val!

I set up DC right after it was offered and have had many sales through DC. Believe it or not, many people do not have a PayPal account and just prefer to use their credit card.

Have a great day everyone!

[Former_Member]

Good morning, everyone.

I use both Paypal and DC, and my customers are split 50-50 as to who uses which.

My sister had a cardiac catheterization yesterday. It showed a 70 percent occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, which is one of major coronary arteries. It's amazing she hasn't had a heart attack before. They put in a stent. Her chest pains have been intermittant for about a year, but her cardiologist swore it was gastrointestinal, while her GI guy swore it was cardiac. Now, thank God, it has been resolved. I am very relieved. She stayed overnight in the CCCU, but should be home today.

Cloudy and stormy weather on tap for today, but at least it is cooler.

Have a great day, everyone.

[DCArtandPhotography]

Morning!!

I actually just got around to setting up direct checkout last week, and immediately had 3 sales because of it. Although I have not had any sales since unfortunately... I have items with thousands of views, but have not sold...which makes me wonder if my wording in the descriptions needs some work....probably does!

I know I am WAY behind on the RAK, so here is a treasury I made this morning:
https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjA3ODc3NTl8MjcyMzk4ODYzNw/a-rainbow-of-pastels

And a few new listings:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197077529/aqua-blue-green-and-yellow-memory-wrap
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197065852/bright-red-memory-wrap-braceletred
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197048620/white-para-cord-support-bracelet-white

[ItsSewYouDear]

Good morning all.

Alanna, glad to hear your sister's problem is solved.

Lagney, I know most sellers here don't recommend putting the shop in vacation mode, however, I did for three weeks when we were in Spain and when I got back, I listed a couple of new items and views were back to normal. As a matter of fact, I got a sale two or three days after I opened shop. I was like you and didn't want my shop hanging over my head while on vacation.

As for today's topic, my sales are split about 50-50 between Paypal and DC. Fees are more or less the same, so I too would recommend offering both if you have them available where you are. Personally, I too use Paypal unless I am making a large purchase, then I use my American Express as nothing beats their protection :)

I cannot believe that July is almost over!

Happy Saturday all!

[NisesNostalgia]

Alanna, I'll add your sister to my prayer list, hoping for a speedy recovery.

I have net set up DC yet only because I like that all my etsy money is in one account. I use it for my shipping, supplies and buying trips. If i do open DC, should I open a separate account at my local bank? Paypal does take all credit cards, but of course not the gift cards, but obviously, I don't want to miss sales!

[ItsSewYouDear]

Denise, I have both my Paypal and DC accounts linked to the same checking account. Etsy deposits the money for me there.

[NisesNostalgia]

Candi, mine are linked, but my money from etsy stays in my paypal account and I use my paypal debit card for purchases. My bank actually charges more when I use my debit card than paypal does! For those that use both, is there an easy way of keeping etsy funds separate from my other bills?

[Former_Member]

Thanks Candi, I have pretty much decided to shut up shop for the week as there is no internet access where we're staying and I understand that even mobile phone reception is erratic. No phone for a week - yippee!!

Thanks for todays thread Val, it's prompted me to finally set up DC.

Lovely treasury Charlene.

Alanna all best wishes for a speedy recovery for you sister and I hope your husband is on the mend Denise.

[homecraftframing]

Val, I have stayed with Pay Pal only, since I have my website and Etsy using it. It keeps all the transactions in one place. This way I am not wondering if or when the transactions was finalized. Besides, I am not fond of Etsy holding to my money until they want to make the deposit. I have my money instantly in my Pay Pal account. Also, if there is a problem with the buyer not being verified or their address unconfirmed, Pay Pal lets me know right away. In addition, if I should ever get where I have a huge amount of sales on Pay Pal (from my lips to God's Ears), Pay Pal gives a lower percentage on the transactions.

I have been with Pay Pal, since 1999 and as of yet, I have never had a problem. I have heard some horror stories but there were times when people allowed their Pay Pal account to go below a certain amount and yes they got zap with a penalty. This also happens with your bank account as well. I only withdrawal money to add to my checking account, to pay my credit card bill. The balance stays in my Pay Pal account. I use my Pal Pal balance to make purchases on the internet.

Alanna, I will keep you and your sister in my prayers. I use to work for Travelers Insurance Company in health claims. This problem where a heart doctor does open heart surgery, then later it is discovered it was gall bladder problem and not a heart problem is nothing new. Insurance companies came down hard on heart surgeons who were preforming open heart surgeries when it was not necessary. I had one heart surgeon who I had noticed did surgery on my insureds, then a couple of months later, the patient had to have a cholecystectomy. I gave the files to my boss and he said, something smelled fishy in Denmark. Also, some doctors do not listen to women patients like they do men and disregard a woman's symptoms. The kind of heart pain a woman has, is different than a man's heart pain. This is why women usually do not get the same treatment for her heart problems and some die from their heart attacks. By the way, if your sister has this problem, you might want to be checked as well.

I have to make some frames today and get them done for Monday. I am going to watch some TV tonight and kick back. The weather is weird. I woke up and it was sunny, hour later there was lighting and dark, then it was sunny, now it is dark again. It is not hot, so I am okay with what it is trying to do outside. Have a great day everyone!

[GlensWorkshop]

Good Morning Everyone,

Yesterday was a wet rainy day as we moved from Homer to Kenai, AK. today is supposed to be partly cloudy and a little warmer. We hope to do some exploring in this area before moving on tomorrow.

I use both DC and PayPal. This creates the most options for my customers. I make sales on both. I believe the charges for DC and PayPal are the same. I have my PayPal associated with my business account at my credit union (much better than a bank) which makes funds transfers either way easy. I often have Etsy to transfer my funds ahead of the scheduled date which is easy to do.

Faved the new listings and treasury above. Nice work all!

Alanna - hope your sister's recovery continues on track.

Have a great day everyone!

[NaturalClocks]

Alanna, I'm so happy that your sister got the treatment she needed and that you can now both look forward to her full recovery. 18 months ago my Dad ended up with 6 stents on top of the one he already had put in the year before and he's made a full recovery, he's just had some check up tests done and all is good. I have no doubts that your sister will be back on her feet in no time :)

Lagney, as far as putting the shop on vacation mode goes, you should do what you are most comfortable with. Like Candi, I put mine on vacation mode when I went to Italy back in March, when I got back I played some extra promotional games in various teams, listed a few items and within 2 or 3 days my views were back to normal and I made a couple of sales within a week. And I enjoyed my time with my family without stressing too much, as I have no access to the internet there (unless it's an emergency, in which case I can quickly go and use my brother's computer in his travel agency).

Getting an order while I'm away is not what worries me, as the customer would get an auto reply in case they've missed the announcement. What worries me is not being able to respond to a convo in a timely manner in case of a problem with an order (i.e. there is a problem with the item received or there are delays in the post) and risk a 1 star review without having been able to do anything about it. Lets face, we all know that there are a few people out there who don't read announcements, have no patience or are simply not familiar with Etsy, and lets not go down the road of test layouts and no announcements... I would so love the auto reply to all convos, not just when you put your shop on vacation, that would solve my problem!

[Former_Member]

I made a treasury with one of your new bracelets Charlene!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/treasury/NDI0MTAzMTN8MjcyNjU1MDI0Ng/hues-of-blue?ref=af_you_tre

[DCArtandPhotography]

Thanks Bekka!!!!

[Former_Member]

Dona, I do intend to get checked out. I see my new primary care physician in August, and I'm going to ask him to refer me to a cardiologist for a full workup. This blockage of my sister's developed in just four years, because her last cardiac cath in 2010 was utterly clean.

[Former_Member]

Good afternoon everyone -

I also use direct check out and PayPal too. I find it gives better options to any of the customers that may purchase something. The majority of sales though have been through DC.

I plan on listing new paracords at the beginning of the week and also a brand new line of paracord key chains too. Then I will have to be sure to order more supplies to make even more items as well.

Have a great day!

[NatalieOriginals]

Afternoon all!

It's hot, hot and hotter here in the desert. Most of the local businesses are gearing up for "Hot August Nights" a HUGE classic auto meet that happens the first 10 days of August here in Reno/Sparks. Lots of hot, refurbed cars, shows, cruises and tons of people. And of course, some of the hottest days of the year!

We've been set up for the DC and PayPal since we opened the shop. We're about 80/20 when it comes to people using DC over Paypal. Although, I did notice that more customers used PayPal during the holidays. I would put it down to the fact that not everyone is comfortable with using PayPal, where most have been drilled by their banks that it's "safe" to use their debit/CC cards for online purchases.

Alanna, So very happy to hear about your sister. Now she'll be feeling so much better and start her recovery properly. Our prayers are with the both of you.

Denise, It's a little hard to advise you here, because what you're asking about primarily has to do with is your bookkeeping. And all of us have different ways of keeping our finances and business bookkeeping.
What I would suggest is that you take a look at the bank and credit unions in your area, as there are bound to be ones that offer free checking account with no fee debit cards. This would really be one of the best options to consider.
After this, having your shop set up to accept DC so that it direct deposits into your checking account opens up more choices for your customers. The same goes for accepting Etsy gift cards.
I hope this helps.

Have a great day everyone

[Clovetree]

Hi guys. I did a craft fair today - it was a disaster! I was one of the few who actually sold anything, and then I only sold one item. I managed to sign someone up to do a class with me, so the day wasn't a total loss. Very few of the people coming through even wanted to chat. Anyway... back to work to make some new items for my shop. That'll cheer me up!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Just calling back before bedtime. Sold a Toy - amazingly, and there's a prospect of at least a couple more if family members of said potential buyer would just answer her telephone calls! All Cuddlies now in their plastic bags ready for travelling north! Can easily find the potential sales items if they do actually emerge!

Hearted everyone's new items and promoted the two Treasuries too. Can never resist one when they appear on a Team chat thread!

So glad you sister's problems have been diagnosed properly Alanna. Does make one wonder sometimes why one puts one's life in doctors' hands! Agree with Dona, I think it was, that you should get yourself checked out for similar symptoms. They do tend to run in families.

Hope everyone is having a good week-end. It's horribly clammy tonight, but we're promised fresher but dry weather from tomorrow onwards. Can't come quickly enough!