Gift Wrapping Service

[TheBluePig]

I am thinking about adding a gift wrapping services to my shop. I want to add this service to my listings. The customer can let me know what the occasion is, what they want to say on the card, which will be up to 90 characters, & where to send it too. I will have wrapping paper for birthday, wedding/anniversary, and Christmas. The customer will not get to choose the wrapping paper. My question is, should I charge for this service? What should I charge? Any helpful hints will be greatly appreciated.

[ObjectApparel]

I think you should up all of your prices in your shop for one thing. Some of your items should double in price and some should triple, there are only a handful that seem priced well. I think you will have a hard time making money, and believe it or not you will get more sales if you up your prices. I did this in my other shop and sold things immediately after doubling my prices, it it all about perceived value of your items. Your pictures are well taken, although I am not a fan of the black (but thats just a personal preference) I think vintage housewares look nice against white or gray and maybe staged on a shelf or a nicely staged table. I think if you raised your prices enough you could consider adding gift wrapping without charging any extra, but in its current state you would need to charge because your items are priced so low. You have such beautiful items and you are really underselling them. I have no idea what they are worth but that doesn't always matter. Take the beautiful amber colored glass cup I would charge 12-16 dollars for that, lower the shipping to 3 or 4 dollars and then charge an extra 1.50 - 2 dollars for gift wrapping just as an example. I hope this helps I really love your items, you have some beautiful stuff!!!!

[EAGERforWORD]

Christmas 2012 was a time I was asked on several occasions to gift wrap - it wasn't mentioned in my listings and they got a fairly basic wrap. Last Christmas no one asked for it - not one! How you pack is up to you but there isn't necessarily a huge need for gift wrap.

With ref. to Object's suggestion of lowering your shipping charge - just reflect the actual cost.

[Former_Member]

You can mention in the listings that you do offer gift wrapping and have the customer leave the information in the 'notes to seller'.

However, in all my years here, I've only had one person ask for gift wrap.

[KiltedWoman]

I offer free gift wrap and no one has taken advantage of it. People do appreciate that I send a note or card if requested.

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

If people are giving one of your items as a gift, they will likely want to view the item first - and then wrap the item themselves. The only time they may want gift wrapping is if they are shipping directly to someone. Again, this is not something that happens often.

So, no, I don't think you need to spend time on offering this option.

I have found, however, that cute, colorful gift boxes work very well to pack my items (ornaments); I also tie a ribbon around the box. So the package almost looks "wrapped". But it's easy for the customer to see the product inside and re-box the item if it is a gift. Maybe you would like to consider something similar - at least for your smaller items.

[Former_Member]

I do offer gift wrap to my items also. I had only few customers asked me to do a giftwrap, and a note to their loved one. I think its a great idea to offer that service especially around Christmas time.

[Former_Member]

I use sheer organza bag to send my items.

[TheBluePig]

Thank you to everyone for the input. I appreciate your help.

[Former_Member]

I offer to gift wrap for free in all my listings. Its not extravagant gift wrap though, I don't need to charge more. I think its a good service perk for the shopper who might need it. I get about 10% of purchasers request this. I suspect you would get less.... just because what I sell is quite typically for presents, and I think people would buy your items for themselves.