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[#1]

If you need help or got a question just ask.
Anyone who knows the answer can help.**

**No prizes awarded for knowing the correct answer. lol
Just a big old THANK YOU!

[HolsomHeartsAttic]

I listed the links to US Postal, UPS & FedEx. Keep in mind part of figuring out shipping with the last to, is determined by where it's going.

US Postal Calculator
http://postcalc.usps.com/

UPS Price Calculator
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/shipping/index.html

FEDEX
http://www.fedex.com/us/

I have struggled with for a long time. figuring out pricing and shipping. And the size of container you use to ship will alter your price as well. I have been using the containers from the US Postal as a bases for my size for shipping and work from there. I final have it fairly close these days. I have up my Canada shipping by about a dollar.

Sometimes some shops raise their sales prices and charge low shipping or NO Shipping as a way to market, get sales. People are willing to pay a higher price if they don't have to pay shipping.

Keep in mind we have to buy envelopes ( you can reuse some if in good shape from something you bought), Bubble wrap, packaging peanuts or a shredder ( I use shredded paper as filler) Your tape to seal boxesLabels, paper you use to print out your receipts and GAS to go to the post office,
UPS or Fedex office.

[philosophiacreations]

@Alison I'd say at least 1/3 of my item hearts come from customers that reside outside of Canada and the US. Initially I did not have international shipping at my shop but after realizing this, I did make inquiries at the post office & add them. I've only had one sale result from it (to Australia - cool!) but I've still have lots of consistent international interest. So I definitely think it's been worth my while.

It's been my experience that shipping to Canada & the US costs me about the same amount of money, enough that I can only charge 50 cents more to ship to the US and I don't usually lose any money. If I do, it's only a few cents. I'm based in Canada

Also I should note that I only made this change a little bit more than a month ago - at the end of July. Prior to it, I only shipped within Canada & the US.

[philosophiacreations]

I've lost money on a few packages over the years, especially when I was first getting used to using Canada Post. I used to love chunky jewelry featuring HUGE stones (we're talking 15mm to 20mm in diameter). When I sold my first piece like this through Etsy, it cost more than $10 to actually ship the item. I lost about $7 of that sale as a result.

Now my chunkier items are reserved for local sales, haha.

[HolsomHeartsAttic]

Regina , ( and any one else who want to know how to do a Treasury)

if you are viewing any of the treasuries you will see a spot down towards the bottom right side that say "Create a List". Once to that page it is pretty easy.
Just copy the URLs for the shop item you're using and put in the space tht says "listing URL" do 16 different one.
Pick a title /theme to name your Treasury and write a brief Description. Come up with 13 Tags , similar to how you do your item for your shop when listing a new one, one can be BSKPteam.

Hit Save and you are done!

[Former_Member]

Wow lot's of great information here! Anyone else have any questions?

[Former_Member]

What determines the 'hotness' of a treasury?

[Former_Member]

I have no idea Nikki. I tried figuring that one out and it doesn't seem like there is a rhyme or reason to me. It has nothing to do with the amount of views or clicks or at least it seams that way.

[knittingbyreneau]

Hello Team Members!
Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday. It was beautiful here in Central Texas. Anyway, now to the business at hand.........

I Need Help Please............

My shop is in need of your help....not many sales.....I don't know if I am listing them correctly or not. The sales that I do have get wonderful reviews, so I can't figure out why I don't sale more. I even have a 20% off Sale on everything right now and still have not had any sales.

Please help...need suggestions on how to list a "Knit Scarf" for example. Is it best to list it under Knitting or under Clothing or Women or Sweaters.........

I see that other knitting shops are having a lot of sales right now and I don't know what I am doing wrong. I don't think my items are bad.....please visit my shop and let me know what you think.

Thanks, ReNeau

[Former_Member]

Hi ReNeau,

I would mix it up by putting some listings under Knitting, Clothing and Asscecories and see where you get the most views.

The one and most important thing your missing is the colors. Add the color to your title and tagging. Use the colors off the yarn too.

Also keep your photos simple your taking the pictures in the back yard and the picture seems too busy so I would take it up against the fence for a more solid background especially if you have a multi color scarf.

Good Luck and Happy Sales!
Jo

[Former_Member]

ReNeau -

I've just had a quick look. Your scarves are lovely!! If I wasn't such a hot soul, i'd be very tempted to get myself one.

I think you just need to put yourself in the buyer's place and think of other words to describe the uniqueness of your work.

For instance, the ladder knit scarves could be described as lacy, mesh, delicate, sophisticated, cobweb, featherweight, lightweight, gossamer, or special occasion.

Your purple cowl scarf (bottom of first page), try wine, mulberry, or burgundy as colours.. Also, for this one you could add; embellished, decorated, gold, flower, I doubt anyone will put 'Etsy fashion' in the search box, but they might look for a thick scarf, or a neck warmer. There's also one tag which seems to say 'women teen', and I'm not sure anyone will be putting those two words together in the search box, either.

Another thing you could do is describe the pattern you're using, for instance, on the neat little shoulder wrap style scarf, you could say 'square' or 'block' pattern. Make it more about the item and less general, and I think you'll get more hits.

I do like your photos. I wonder if some people might like to see the reverse side, if you run out of conventional views and have a space left?

[Former_Member]

Good Advice Judy!

[HolsomHeartsAttic]

Hey ReNeau, I understand your feeling totally. I started out the same way when I first started.

Let's look at this one http://www.etsy.com/listing/88853428/knit-scarf-yellow-neckwarmer

You wrote:
"Long Skinny Knit Scarf is made with a lovely yellow Yarn.
100% Cotton Yarn in Buttercup yellow.

Beautiful Knit Scarf that is long enough to wrap around your neck a couple of times or just loop like the picture.
Knit in an Old Shell Stitch for a very feminine look.

Yellow Neckwarmer is very soft, does not itch.

This Knit Scarf would look great with a jacket and skirt or used to dress up jeans and a t-shirt.

It measures 65" long and about 4" wide.
Will stretch longer, this measurement was taken with it just laying out flat on a table.

Not a real thick yarn so it would work great for spring also.

Hand wash and lay flat to dry.
(Machine washing and drying can cause damage to knitted items,
therefore I never suggest you do that.)

Made in a smoke free. "


I like the fact that you gave me enough information, But I want that first line I read to grab me in. So let's try "Flipping" somethings around.


I did a bit of that and some rework:

"This Beautiful Old Shell Stitch Knit Scarf, done in Buttercup yellow, would look great with a jacket and skirt or used to dress up jeans and a t-shirt.

Long enough at 65" to wrap around your neck a couple of times or just loop like the picture. Knit in an for a very feminine look. Skinny At 4" wide to fit in with todays style.

Made with 100% Cotton Yarn this lovely Yellow Neckwarmer is very soft, & does not itch. Best yet it can be worn practically year round.

For Care: Hand wash and lay flat to dry.
(Machine washing and drying can cause damage to knitted items,
therefore I never suggest you do that.)
*As with most yarns stretching will occur, measurements were taken with it just laying out flat on a table."

Made in a smoke free. "

[knittingbyreneau]

Great advice!

Thanks a lot for taking your time to check it out for me. I will put these suggestions into use and see what happens.

Have a great week..........
ReNeau

[MyShardsofGlass]

Hi! What a great thread, and great advise! I'm glad I was directed here :-) I've just opened my shop, not even a month ago, and I know these things take time, but I just had a few questions.
I'm wondering if its harder to get traffic to your shop when only selling one item. And if seperating the items you do have into categories makes a difference. I have also been taking my photos on a table against a light green wall, does the background seem to make a difference?
I read previously that someone changed shipping from fed ex to a local p.o.? I was planning on using fed ex because I will be shipping glasses, would the p.o. be better to lower shipping?
I appreciate any advise! I can't wait for my first sale! :-)
Thank you!
Krystal

[HolsomHeartsAttic]

Krystal,
Shipping price is determined by the location the item is going to. So one time P.O. will be cheaper, the next FedEx , the next UPS or sometimes Speedy Delivery, ( which we have by me). I Ship form a place that does all of them. So Pete ( who is the owner) will give me the cheapest one, and tell me how many days it will take about to get there. If you could find a place like that near you it would be great.

Otherwise shipping glass. Make sure you WRAP and DOUBLE WRAP! Packaging is the most important thing to ensure that your items arrive in one piece! And don't forget to take into account weather. Yes I found out from shipping vinyl records that they can crack in the cold, even if sandwiched between cardboard. The more the layers the better they are protected for the change in weather. I would assume the same would be for glass.

As for selling only one item. If that is what you specialize in so what. You have different types of glasses. wine, beer, Champlain. list them that way if you want for categories.

[Former_Member]

Hi, I am looking for some help or info on dating certain items. In specific right now, Dinnerware/Dishes Made IN Portugal. Any experts out there?
You can message me if you know or know someone who knows someone who knows : )
Thanks, Leah
https://www.etsy.com/your/listings?ref=si_your_shop

[FoundForYou]

Hi Leah,
Not sure who could help, but I often start looking things up on Etsy and expand my search from there. Doing this gives me a starting point.
Good Luck!