Popular item not selling!

[Former_Member]

I designed Smile Crocodiles - a plush toy with a zipper mouth, and they were a really big hit. The pattern sells well, and anytime I sold the toys they did, too.

However, I decided I couldn't keep up with the CPSIA and stopped selling them as a children's item. I enlarged the toy pattern and now sell it as a novelty pillow. So its in a new category and its a higher price (although certainly not too high) and I can't sell them! And they take up a lot of space in my studio - so I'd really like too!

Any suggestions? Will it just not sell outside of the children's category?

They're in the shop section: zipper mouth pillows

[RobertaValle]

Maybe try to promoting it?
Or to have a discount on it?

Good luck :)

[Former_Member]

how do I promote it? I have free shipping and I do search ads.

[RobertaValle]

I don't think they are too expensive, maybe give them time... find a place where you can put them in the meanwhile...
Not everything sell, maybe people aren't looking for it...
Anyway, you had a lot of sale! Congratz!!!

[Former_Member]

I do have a nice number of sales, but most of them are from last year. This year my sales more than cut in half. :(

[SilverLilyJewelry]

would u consider going back to your old product for a "limited time?"

[Former_Member]

I can't meet the CPSIA requirements, at least not right now.

But honestly, I like the bigger ones better anyway!

[Former_Member]

I wonder if people worry about the CPSIA and know different than to buy something for children which is not made accordingly.

OR maybe they just can't find them like they use to. Maybe a new public is being directed to your store and those are less interested in toys. If so, perhaps you'd like to work on the tags.

Just suggestions of what may be happening. Zero such experience, though.

[Former_Member]

(PS: also don't think they're expensive)

[Former_Member]

Well, I was hoping to appeal to an older market now. I thought, as pillows, they'd be nice in a dorm or as a throw pillow. So, I'm not targeting children anymore. Maybe adults just aren't interested?

[Former_Member]

any tips on my tags? I'm adding "teen" right now...

[Former_Member]

hmm i see. Maybe you could make them in colors that are more appealing to teens and such -- navy blue, black, olive green etc

i don't know. i think they're super cute!

maybe just work on the tags and promoting right now. I guess you could try adding, for instance,

fun
style
youth
crazy
unique
fabric pillow animal
shaped pillow
fun gift boy

[Former_Member]

Best of luck, Laura !

[Former_Member]

thanks, those are good tags!

[sunshineandvodka]

Laura, maybe you could email/convo the buyers from last year letting them know of the new product and offer a repeat customer discount on them.