What to do to get ready for Christmas

[OdysseyCreations]

We had a local luncheon today and how to prepare for Christmas was brought up. Here is a quick summary of some things discussed that I thought might be worth sharing to everyone:

WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE FOR CHRISTMAS? In addition to the standard Christmas preparation of "make and list more if you want to sell more", following are some things that should also be priorities that you may not always think about.

• UPDATE YOUR SHIPPING PROFILES to include priority mail and also express mail. I do not use the calculated rates per location as they seem to come in sometimes less than actual postage. Our shops use only the shipping profiles where rates are calculated through the Etsy shipping calculator, with an amount for shipping supplies and handling added to the base rate.

We do rates for regular USPS in the USA, Canada, and International with options for priority mail (2-3 day delivery in the USA and 6-10 day delivery in internationally) and also for USPS EXPRESS shipping (1 day overnight delivery in the USA and 3-5 day delivery internationally). Keep in mind that you will want to set your priority and express rates for the ADDITIONAL charge above and beyond the basic shipping rate. Thus, if you are currently charging $3.00 for regular first class mail, you will want to charge a minimum of $2.25 additional for priority and about $24.00 more for express. If you think that people will not use express shipping, you are wrong (we have had several, including international); and if you do not have the option there and they have to email you for a rate, you have probably lost a sale and they will move onto another shop that requires less work on their part.

On the shipping allocation for WITH ANOTHER ITEM, do set an amount, even if it is small, as an additional cost per item on additional items as well depending on the size of your product. The more people add to their cart from your shop, the bigger box and more weight it will be, so make sure you are covered on your costs. The rates rise quite a bit on weight for priority and express too, so add an extra amount on those as well.

Time frames for shipping delivery can be extended considerably during the holiday season. It’s a good idea to post everywhere in your shop policies, messages, announcements, etc. from mid-November on that shipping delays can be anywhere from 7 to 10 days during the holiday rush season and even 3-4 weeks internationally during the holiday season. Order early!

Be sure to double check your rates on the shipping calculator every time the postal service has a rate increase.

• UPDATE YOUR POLICIES

o RETURN POLICY: Set a time frame for items to be returned. One of our members actually had a customer that wanted to return an expensive wall hanging 12 YEARS after purchase. Set a reasonable time frame like 15 to 30 day for USA orders and 30-45 days for international. Refunds cannot be provided on Paypal or Etsy after 60 days from the transaction date.

o SHIPPING POLICIES: Note that delays can be significant during the holiday season and plan accordingly. Anything purchased after December 10 should be shipped priority and if purchased after the 20th, should be shipped expressed for delivery by Christmas.

o CUSTOM ORDERS: One of our members was advised by attorney to note the wording “1st down payment” for any deposits received on custom order listings. It is also a good idea to specify whether or not that deposit (or the entire purchase) is refundable or non-refundable after materials are purchased or work started or whatever guidelines you may have depending on your product. You don’t want to make a specific piece that cannot sell to anyone else due to size or monograming and then be stuck with it if they back out. This again may vary on your product line. Also, make your listing a “contract” with expected completion dates by you as the seller and that the balance plus shipping will be due upon completion by the buyer within 24 hours or whatever time frame you are comfortable with. Payment of the “1st down payment” listing constitutes a written agreement between both the buyer and the seller. I note “Final payment” on the final listing for any of my custom listings. Link your policies or note that the buyer should read the shop’s policies prior to purchase.

I hope this helps out a few people with some points they may not have thought about otherwise. Happy sales to all!

[RayOfLightJewels]

I would add, make sure you have plenty of packing and printing supplies. The last thing you want to do is scramble around for supplies when you're in the middle of baking cookies!

[heartsabustin]

Ink! Don't forget to stock up on ink jet cartridges or laser toner. There is NOTHING worse than running out while printing out labels.

Ask me how I know!! O.O

[AlisonHiggins]

Thanks, Barb and Dave. Great info!

[Former_Member]

I start my Holiday preparations on January 2nd each year.

I begin with a complete analysis of what sold during the previous season, what I ran out of and what could have been done better.

I start ordering my supplies in March and continue right through until August.

The first batch of postal supplies get ordered in early August with a second smaller batch ordered in late October (if necessary).

Meals are pretty much planned ahead of time so there's no wondering about 'what's for dinner' or having to grab a quick take away.

[CircusOfCelebrations]

When you have the time in the summer, go through and update or clarify instructions (I have to include then with my items). It's also a good time to edit your listings to answer some questions you kept getting last year, or to reflect any changes you've made to the product.
The light is great in the summer, so refreshing any pictures you need to fix is great to do now. I always have trouble getting good light on the days I want to photograph new products in the winter!

[TheRusticHome]

Things we have learned over the years:

Stock up on all packing and shipping materials.

Start ordering your Free boxes from USPS.com NOW, if using priority mail and flat rate shipping.

Double check all your shipping times. Make sure you have a cut off date for holiday orders and give yourself a realistic amount of time to finish custom orders and have them reach customers in time for gift giving. Not everyone celebrates Dec. 25th so be sure to communicate with buyers if you are not shipping items out within 3 days of purchase.

Give yourself breaks. Do not get burned out. Burnout means mistakes and more.

Be sure to leave yourself time to enjoy your own holiday season with your family. :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share all these wonderful tips!

[WellnessCharms]

Thank you for this very helpful tips specially to a starting seller like me. I will start to update my shop policy and will add important things mentioned above.:)

[fishcouple]

I didn't do well last Xmas and hopefully I will get ready for this year.

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for the post and all the other comments below. I have to update shipping and have the upgrades ready for customers. I do agree it is an option you should have. Thanks for the reminder. I will get to work.
Have getting ready for the Holiday season,
Maricarmen

[JcwPrism]

Thanks so much for the tips. This is great information. I will save and keep it handy to help me prepare for the holiday season.

[MaxplanationPhotos]

great info thanks

[Former_Member]

Thank you for this awesome tip. :)

[ItsYourSeason]

Thank you for all of the tips. This will be my first Christmas as an Etsy store owner. Remaining hopeful!

[CCsSoapinaPouch]

Thank you for this wonderful information. Shipping is something I'm still working on. I finally think I am getting the hang of it - especially international shipping. I've been getting more of them lately which is great but if the shipping is not properly calculated, I lose - which has happened in the past. Shipping can be a complicated process.
This year I set a goal of how much I would like to make for the holiday and then make a list of products that would give me that goal. Now I'm in the process of making the products which should be finished by the 1st of October. If I sell them all that would be great and if I don't that will be alright too!
Happy Sales to Everyone!