Needing some reassurance and help!

[Former_Member]

So I just raised my prices. (so nerve racking!)
I did the math, priced it all out and if I want to make a living at this, these are the prices I have to charge. I don't think they are unreasonable especially based on the quality and materials, however I would love to get your opinion!
I also feel like perhaps I need to find a way to showcase the products in a more luxurious/expensive way.....just not sure how to did, so I would appreciate your suggestions.
What do you think shows customers that your products are high quality and worth more than the factory made cheap stuff?

[Former_Member]

=D help please ...I don't bite

[AnneLondezGlass]

Hi Jillian,

Fun stuff. I know nothing about your market but your prices seem reasonable to me considering the work involved.

I do think that your pics could help in giving that luxurious/high quality feel. Here are a few random thoughts. Your pics with the green hedge as a background don't look professional enough. I thing it's a good idea to have a modeled pic but since your items are brightly colored, you need to keep the rest of the pic (clothes & background) as neutral as possible. Light gray or beige for example. Keeping the pics simple and playing on the lighting to give it a dramatic feel are your best bets. An easy way to make a nice backdrop is to buy a roll of paper and tack it to a wall.
Then you need to emphasize the handmade quality and materials in the description.
Hope that helps a little !

[Spellbinderie]

Hi Jillian, I don't think your prices are too high at all. I think the photos could be better. I know it's not easy though! Maybe on a cleaner background, the shrub behind the model distracts me. I am not your target market so I'm not sure what people who buy these items are looking for but you mention Burning Man so I think having photos that fit that theme would help. Not all, just a few targeted ones. Shot on a neutral background wearing appropriate attire. At Burning Man would be even better or at least out in the desert ;) Just my 2 cents, hope someone else pitches in.

EDITED:
After posting this, I saw Anne had also posted. So it seems we both agree, neutral background. It will give a more polished look to your shop.

[Former_Member]

I definitely agree! I have been in discussions with my bf (who takes the photos) on improving them. We started with the product photos, but the modeled photos are really what brings people in (I discovered after doing some research) so I didn't want to get rid of them till I get new ones. I'm working on finding a location with good lighting and neutral background cause thats been my biggest issue, but I just have to get it done! Thanks I love photo suggestions because I don't think there is a standard for clothing and I'm a bit lost with it.

[ohmyclumsyheart]

The tough thing with pricing on Etsy is.. a buyer searches for an item they fancy buying and then have a multitude of items to pick from so they will look at the least expensive and most expensive and then ask "well why is that one so much more expensive?" Some people will take the time to read the description, learn about the materials (no doubt the most expensive will have quality materials and involve a more laborious process) and buy it. Some people want to buy things cheap.

If you have arrived at the correct retail price yet there are people with almost identical products on Etsy selling for a cheaper price.. it might be an idea to re-think materials used.

Looking at your shop I don't think your items are overpriced. For instance, I have seen similar products online to this one of yours for a lot more money.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98989362/awesome-bright-orange-fox-ears-cosplay

Have you compared your items against other similar ones on Etsy? Have you looked at the materials used?

I do this with my jewellery once I have priced everything up at the correct retail price and often I find cheaper versions of similar designs that use gold plated chains, which cuts quite a large chunk of money off of the price tag and justifies my own prices.

x

[AllieBlankets]

I just raised my prices today too. You aren't alone! My old prices had me making $1-$2 an hour on my items...now I make $3 an hour across the board. I'm going to slowly increase how much I make an hour over a period of a few months until I feel happy with the prices.

As for making sure you look high quality, this is what I suggest (this is all general advice, not saying you do all of this wrong):

-Really good pictures. Make sure you use natural light and lots of it to make it a clear picture where the colors of your item really show. Make sure it is a professional looking photo as well. How would a retail store photograpgh your items to sell them online? Lots of brainstorming can happen with this. :) Photoshop can be a godsend to improve photos as well.

-Descriptions that explain how awesome your products are. Have a description with good writing and grammar that sells your product. Everytime I think of good descriptions I think of the shop BakeAllTheThings...her descriptions make you want to reach into your screen and grab her cookies off the page. I myself explain how many hours go into my afghans, and I also explain how their quality makes them heirloom quality. I also explain that I use high quality yarn.

- Good Banner/policies/shop overall. I know this is minimal, but make your shop look high quality overall. Have a clean, professional banner, and speak proffessionally throughout your shop. It gives customers confidence about your products.


Looking at your shop, I don't think you are going to have many issues with a raise in your prices. A lot of people will raise prices when they start to get a ton of orders to slow them down yet make the same money. Most shops never regret raising prices, it can help in ways you didn't expect! :)

[heartsabustin]

MUCH better. :D

[Former_Member]

I like your prices a lot better too. Good job for thinking ahead and raising them as a result.

I agree that I would retake the pictures. I don't mind how they are modeled, but the background makes it look like you took them in your back yard. I'd choose a solid color background that doesn't compete with your model.

[Former_Member]

Your prices still look VERY reasonable to me. I raised my prices a few months ago based on cost of materials, amount of time to make the items, and to make a bit of a profit. And I find that I get MORE sales now than when my items were under-priced. I think that buyers are suspicious of quality when they see an underpriced item. Your items look like they are of high-quality and they look like a lot of work. I think you are smart to raise your prices.

I think if you go with the ubiquitous white background, your items will look more high end. And, I agree with the others, that your models should wear neutral colors to really showcase your colorful costumes.

You have great stuff! Show us your shop again after taking new pictures - I can't wait to see how it will look.

[Former_Member]

Hi Sophie! thanks for your response!
I have compared to other shops and I seem to be about mid range, there are people making similar stuff, but my paws are very different so I have a hard time pricing them. I just have had such an increase in sales that I'm worried that its all down hill after raising prices....sigh...I don't know. I think I just need to stick to them and see how it turns out. I continue to check back at the prices of others to compare.
xx

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much for those who have checked out my first thread about wether or not to raise prices, your help was very much appreciated there and here! xx

[Former_Member]

Just did some test shots, me modeling in a black top on white background with natural light....we'll see how they turn out!