AAA Cafe' Daily Chat 08/09/2014

[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-s
* Chrome Treasury Box: brittanysbest.com/treasurybox-chrome-extension/

Good morning team!

Cool and cloudy at the moment, it should stay dry though, hopefully there will be lots of tourists around the village today.

I've realised that Etsy in an amazing community and you can get asked all sorts of things. The last one was from a lovely seller in the US that came across one of my slate clocks and wanted to know where I got the hands for it, as she had bought a slate clock from somewhere but she didn't like the hands it had and wanted to change them with the ones I use. After a few convos with details and info etc, she bought a clock mechanism and the chosen hands from me for her husband to swap. I sold it to her almost at cost price plus shipping, and why not, I was just very pleased to help her!

Etsy may be a bit of a nightmare with all these tests, but the seller community is in general fantastic. Have you ever had unusual requests?

Have a great day everybody!

[Former_Member]

I'm new, so nothing like that yet!

I have been considering opening a second store(yes I know I haven't even sold anything yet) for pillow cases, curtains and perhaps other types of bedding/decor. Any thoughts? I just feel like my current shop isn't in the most popular category!

[NaturalClocks]

One shop is a lot of work, two... I couldn't even contemplate.. :D I would personally put the new items in your existing shop, after all they are all made out of fabric, so they would fit in nicely. It would also give you more chances to get found, somebody may be looking for a pillow case, see a skirt they like and buy both.

[naturepoet]

Bekka, I agree with Val. I have been on Etsy over 4 years and have thought about a second shop, but know I can never keep up to it. I have enough trouble keeping up to the one I have and I don't work outside the home.

[RedRiverValley]

Just this week I had a customer ask me where I get my shadow boxes and she had put the link to 1 of my listings in the message. After being irritated at first I responded by telling her I don't share that with customers but I would be happy to work on a custom order for her. I haven't heard back from her so I presume she was going to try to make it herself. Glad yours worked out better Val! I agree that the Etsy sellers community is absolutely great!

Bekka I agree that running 2 shops would be difficult but it can be done. I do think home decor items would fit in your current shop. You will have to evaluate how much time you have available to see if you could properly manage 2 shops.

[KrochetKingdom]

Val - nice sale. Sometimes it is not the money. Good job.

The only unusual conversation I had was with someone in my area wanting to come to my home to purchase a scarf and see all the others that I had. I politely told her that I do not do business at my home but would be glad to meet her someplace to do the transaction. Never heard from her again.

I have been thinking for some time to add some vintage items to my shop. Selling scarves and hats makes it difficult to incorporate vintage. Any ideas? I could not possibly manage another shop. Thanks.

[ItsSewYouDear]

Good morning team mates!

Val, I have"met" so many wonderful people on Etsy, including one seller that I met in person since she lives 15 minutes from me! Back in March I think shortly after I had opened my shop, she sent me a convo to say "hi neighbor" and that she was getting ready to close her shop and has a lot of material to sell at a really low price. Well, I need more fabric like I need a hole in my head haha, but of course we set up a date to meet and talk, and she has been so helpful. We have met a few times since then and plan to meet more.

Bekka, I agree with everyone. Just add the items to this shop. I think you get a boost of views the more items you list and then as people get to your shop, they will find a nice variety. As time goes on, you can re-evaluate and go from there.

Beautiful day here but I am stuck at work!
Happy Saturday all!

[NisesNostalgia]

I've had a couple odd convos, one from the designer of a vintage item I was selling and one recently which I did not understand what she was asking. She offered a reward. It ended up that she was looking for a particular pin, but in the meantime she bought 3 bracelets and a pin from me. I plan on looking for the pin!

The convos that confuse me the most is when people ask the condition of a vintage item and I give them the answer I think they would want (only if it's the truth) like the item is in great condition and they don't buy it.

Bekka, I say go for it too! I do know that pillows made with vintage materials (old tablecloths, bedspreads, etc) are very popular!

[homecraftframing]

Val, You are a nice person! In the 21 years I have been in business, the questions I had customer ask me ranged from sweet to bizarre. I had one person approach me at a craft show in Michigan, who wanted to know everything about my business and she would not leave my booth. So I told her to sit down and I handed her a piece of paper with a pen and told her to take notes. By the time I told her everything it takes to be a successful business person and what she needed to do in order to have a successful booth at the Country Sampler show, she handed me back the paper and pen and that was the last I saw of her. As for giving out my trade secrets, no it is not going to happen. I might give them a hint, to yank their chains but nothing they wouldn't have been able to find on their own. If someone is asking you these kinds of questions, the truth is, they are too lazy to do the work and honestly they would never be your competition. I had another person who had a chip on her shoulder and was drilling for information. I told her, hey why don't I run your business and I will send you all the money I make. She told me I was a smarta@@ and I told her I am sure your have worse today about yourself. As for giving information on Etsy or my website from people who ask for information, I do not answer those emails. It is much easier to ignore an email, than when they are standing in front of you.

Speaking of people asking questions, do you ever get people wanting you to do wholesale? Watch these people, some are not even a business. If you want to give wholesale a try, ask for their Occupational License Numbers and tell them the a high minimum they have to purchase for wholesale. I had two yesterday, one on the phone and one by convo. The one on the phone I just told I do not do wholesale but she insisted that her customers would love my frames. To end the conversation I said, give them my website address. The one on the Etsy convo, I told her I am a one woman show and I am busy with retail sales. Keep in mind about Wholesale, you will work twice as hard to make half as much. Also, many of these so called businesses will be your competition on the internet. If they want a business let them make the products just like you are doing.

Bekka, I would rather see you get one shop well stocked with you lovely items and since you sew, it would all be under the same roof. To me it shows versatility in your shop and who knows, this could open up custom orders for you. If you can get your shop humming like a well oiled machine, you do not need two shops, that you would have to divide your time.

Marion, You are a smart lady not to allow someone off the internet to come to your home. Ever since the Craig List where someone was killed, I stopped allowing people to come and pick up items. I seldom get people from this area buying from me anyway. Really over the years, I have not had many sales in the State of Kentucky, especially since I quit doing craft shows. Although last year, I sent them a check for $15.97 Ky sales tax. The good ole boys could not even buy a cheap bottle of bourbon with that check. LOL!!!

I have a few frames I need to start today to be shipped Monday but tonight I will watch Hulu and do some reading. I will check by later. Have a Great Day Everyone!

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I don't want to include bedding and such with this shop because I don't want that to be part of its "brand" or whatever if it actually starts to progress. I have quite a bit of time on my hands right now but that will change when I go to university next year. Maybe I'll do as Candi said and start with it in my shop and more it later.

Marion, that kind of creepy! I feel like vintage items would fit in your shop pretty well! Maybe keep it off the front page and add a section for the vintage stuff

[910woolgathering]

Marrion I used to sell vintage in the Etsy shop as well as my Brick and Mortar shop. I may start again if I get to going to auctions and garage sales again.

[910woolgathering]

Relisted

https://www.etsy.com/listing/168335974/purple-crochet-cowl-scarf-chunky-bulky

2 new
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199321004/fall-cloche-crochet-slouch-hat-rose-pink?ref=listing-shop-hea...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199306056/autumn-scarf-cowl-rose-pink-white-collar?ref=listing-shop-hea...

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Hello everyone - just dropping for a short stop.

Bekka - I'd agree with what most folk have advised. Add the items as a section in your existing shop (you can have up to 10). The fact that you're working in fabric anyway in no way negates your ability to offer vintage versions at the same time. The more items you list in your shop, the longer folk stay browsing, and the more likely they are to make an order. When I first started out, I was told the nearer to 100 items you get, the more likely you are to make lots of sales.

Still haven't reached that target yet - but judging by the size of my material stash, which I've just got organised for the move, the quicker I start doing something about reducing it, the more there is a chance I'll fit into my new abode!

One more day of packing stuff - and what doesn't get done will be left for the removers. I think I've made a pretty good inroad into the task, so hope it will mean we can get away earlier on Monday afternoon, than they had originally stated. Impatient now to get to the other end - this saying goodbye to one's lovely friends is beginning to get to me! So far, I've held it together: but for how much longer, I'm not sure.

Have a good week-end everyone.

[Former_Member]

Hello, team
Long time I wasn't here in the chat, Now trying to get ready my shop for fall which is a better season for me, did not sell much here but always have outsides orders, for the fall and winter time.
Have to thanks all of you, I had that idea to open a second store, sometimes I get discourage for not selling as I would like and is very helpful to read all your comments.
Yesterday I bought a banner for someone from the team, and I am relisted and I have a new addition to my store, that I would like to share.
Have all a great weekend and a lot of sales!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199321310/infinity-scarf-women-accesorie-cowl?ref=pr_shop

[NaturalClocks]

Oh yeah, I don't think I would want to give "trade" secrets out, not that I've even been asked, still, I would be very uncomfortable if somebody from the UK contacted me to ask where I get the wooden bases and the clock works from. Do your research like I did! Google is your friend LOL!
This lady sells something completely different from me, she only wanted some different hands for her clock, I'm really glad that I could help her.

To be honest Marion I would put vintage in your current shop and see how that goes, you can always open a second shop at a later date if you think that it is worth it. My idea is that the more you have in a shop, the more likelihood you have of making a sale.

Good points about wholesale Dona. I think we should make this topic of the day next week, I've been approached myself once and I politely declined.

Off to get some dinner ready.

[NaturalClocks]

Nice to see you back Rosario!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Val!

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone!
I just got done updating my policy page and adding shipping upgrades (which I didn't even know was possible until now). Go to Listings Manager > shop Settings > options > and click on Shipping Upgrades.
Then go to your usual shipping profile and click Add upgrade and type in the information! Make sure that you price it as being put ON TOP of the current shipping price.
Hopefully this gives me more options for people who may want something faster :)
I just read the whole policy page out loud to my husband and he laughed and said "well I think everything is covered!"
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EverDreamByJess/policy?ref=shopinfo_policies_leftnav

New stuff!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199181383/tree-of-life-bracelet-suede-leather?ref=shop_home_active_1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/199129609/tree-of-life-earrings-jewelry-tree?ref=shop_home_active_2

[KrochetKingdom]

Thanks guys about the vintage section for my shop. I will begin adding items slowly as I get them.

Jess - I like our new stuff...very cute. Faved all on this thread. I like your shipping upgrades. You certainly have left no doubt to a buyer.

Well, I will return tomorrow to chat. Have a good night everyone.

[Former_Member]

You can add shipping upgrades! Great to know thanks!

[Former_Member]

Good evening:

Had a busy day today of working on a new project for a customer and having things I needed break when I needed them. Not very productive I would say.I did finally get new photos of my new line of paracord key chains which I will have in my shop on Monday. Very happy they finally turned out right since trying to photograph neon colors and edit them always made them much worse in color.

Have a good night!

[homecraftframing]

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/Njc3NzA4NHwyNzI0MDY3MzUz/yarn-yarn-yarn
Here is another treasury for all my yarn loving friends. How do you make your treasuries so quickly? Anyway, show it some love. Thank You!