Shop Policies Question

[DaisyCottageDesigns]

Hi there. I know many people have a desire to have tons of sales and struggle to get any. I don't know how it happened to me, but I have more sales than I can keep up with (well, I do keep up but I don't get much sleep). I've tried raising my prices to no avail - people kept purchasing.

After tons of thought and consideration, I've come up with these policies. Would you mind reading them and giving some feedback? I know it's not an ideal situation, but I'm a busy SAHM to a toddler and baby, piano teacher, and the wife of a youth pastor whom I try to assist as much as possible.

Do you think it will work? Will deactivating my items on a regular basis mess up being found in search?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

[DaisyCottageDesigns]

Meant to include a link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaisyCottageDesigns/policy?ref=shopinfo_policies_leftnav

[Former_Member]

Lauren, I'd love to have your problem! I'm curious how much you raised your prices. $30 seems very reasonable. I think you should try raising them again rather than deactivating listings. Just my two cents.

[AnneLondezGlass]

How many items are you talking about ? If it cuts the number of items in your shop by half, it will certainly have an effect on search results. If it's just a few it won't make that much difference.
That said, I found your policies very clear but a little bit aggressive in the wording. Maybe you could re-write the first sentence ?

[marissaLboutique]

I would keep the message, BUT I think instead of removing the listings (since you will obviously get charged everytime you add something), maybe go on vacation mode until you get caught up?
Good luck :)

[Former_Member]

Policies seem reasonable and you have to do what you have to do for your lifestyle . . . And it sounds like you are very busy. It definitely takes time to crochet and there are no shortcuts. ( It's one of my hobbies) Prices are very reasonable for an adorable, time consuming project. Congrats on your success!

[DaisyCottageDesigns]

Thanks for the input, everyone.

@Mollie - I've raised my prices from 22.99. I have upped them to 34.95 at one point (and sold 5 in a day), but I'm really not comfortable with that price. It seems too high to me.

@ Anne, I'm not sure what you mean by harsh. I was trying to be really honest (but nice).

@Marissa, when you deactivate, I don't think you have to pay to activate them, do you? The reason I don't go on vacation is because I still want to offer the patterns all the time.

@Diane, it is time consuming. Each hat takes about an hour and a half. Plus I have flower orders, etc. I can't do much when my kids (2.5 and 7 months) are awake so I find myself up until all hours of the night.

I really do like having this problem, I'm just trying to come up with a balance so I don't have to shut my shop down and I can still feel like I'm devoting enough time to my kiddos.

[Former_Member]

Hi Lauren,
If you can sell your hats for 34.95 then do it! Isn't that how supply and demand works? You have a product that is obviously in high demand so you can charge more. I'm not sure if you rely on Etsy as an income or if it's just a hobby, but I think it would be a good idea to raise your prices, maybe then you will sell less, but still be able to make the same (if not more) money to support your family.

[ScrapendipityDesigns]

I have to agree, it seems like a lot more work to turn on and shut off listings, I would raise my prices. If they sell at $34.95 then why not? Heck maybe $40 would be better!! It's obviously taking you a long time to make these. For me anything that I am selling for $40 better take less than 2 hours to make, so if it's taking you longer, why not get paid for your time? You may find yourself getting lost in searches when you start taking stuff up and down, and this could prevent people from finding you at all. Personally I would rather make more money and spend less time. People buy purses for thousands of dollars, but those purses are really not that much different than the ones you buy in Target, they are just marketed as "high end". Do the same for your hats and enjoy less sales, but more income. Someone said on here once, and I thought it was pretty smart .... you are not your market. You may not pay $40 for the hats you make, but people who can't do what you do will.

Rachel

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

RAISE YOUR PRICES - and don't feel bad about it. And keep raising your prices til business is at a manageable level. I would not recommend deactivating listings for all the reasons others have pointed out. When something sells, just do not relist until you are ready to make another (or have made another).

You will only get more business during the holiday rush. So raise your prices so that it all balances out to a manageable level.

All the best!

[Former_Member]

I agree that this sounds confusing. I would either raise prices a bit or hire on some help for the busy season. Even if they can't help create, maybe they can help with the other stuff like answering inquiries, packaging, etc.