Why My sells have been stopped since January? Can be the delay on delivery to US?

[Former_Member]

Hi,
I am on Etsy since May 2010 and every month I have had few sells, not so much, between 1 and 3. So it was ok so far although of course I would love to have more.
My items have been included in 18 beautiful treasuries, I am port of some teams, circles.....I try to interact and buy also items from other shop....
My items are totally handmade, mainly miniatures (for dollhouse or home decor) and also miniature food earrings....
And suddenly early January I had my last sell and since then I have a lot of new hearts (more than usual) but no sell.
My last three shipments to US (I am Spanish) had a very big delay (around 6-7 weeks) to arrive because of the Increased of security measures. It seems that the United States department of Homeland security has increased security measures for items carried on passenger airlines. As a result, mail entering the US from around the world and including the Spain which would normally be sent via passenger aircraft must now travel by other means including ships and cargo planes.
Do you think that American people is avoiding to buy to European sellers?
What can improve in my shop?
Please I will appreciate any feedback :)
Thank you so much and forgive me if there is any grammar mistake in my English.
Love from Spain

Eva

[TailaStudio]

Hi Eva -- First, your english is wonderful. As a buyer living in the US, if I like something I would buy it regardless of where it came from. It seems you're not the only one experiencing lack of sales :( We're all hoping things will pick up soon. Hang in there!

[Former_Member]

Eva, I ordered something from Amsterdam in January 24 and I just received it last week. I would buy over and the length of time wouldn't deter me. It's just good to let your customers know how long it will take.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for your answers! :)

[Former_Member]

I think its just the time of year. Selling anything in January and February is hard work. People have spent all their money at christmas :) Good Luck, your shop looks great.

[Former_Member]

a few people are saying sales are down.
mine are too!
could be that time of the year or
could be the changes to the forums as I use to be quite active on the forums and promotions
so i think that helped with sales?! not so much anymore...they've made it harder for people and more time consuming

[Former_Member]

Yes, thanks, probably the time of the year (post Christmas) influences...
Let see!

[Former_Member]

Evamini, your items are very nice:)
I started shop in january and no sales so far....
So good luck to both of us :)

[Former_Member]

I really hope it is just the time of year because my sales have been next to nothing too. :( and I have been active on etsy since early 2008. I have gratefully been included in tons of treasures but other shop owners rarely purchase my artwork. I'm kind of at a loss as to what else I can do other than keep making work. Some people do a thousand times better than me with much newer shops, I feel discouragd but it has never stopped me from trying and doing what I love-creating artwork.

[Former_Member]

I live in the Netherlands but I am in California on an extended holiday. I noticed that when I changed my location and shipping prices- my sales shot up drastically. I truly believe Americans - no matter what small percentage of what they write on these posts- only buy from the U.S. - I think it's the shipping prices.

[Former_Member]

Murs Blanc, could be.
Well shipping prices is another nightmare :) From Spain are expensive and I prefer send my items by registered mail so the final cost is increased.
Thanks to all of your for your valuable help!!

[sibstudio]

Hi Evamini - Your shop of beautiful! I love your work.
I too have found sales slow, both on Etsy and locally. I have seen quite a few other shops owners with the same observation in team discussions. I think it's just the time of year.... I hope.

[Former_Member]

MursBlanc - I disagree. Most of my customers are in the US.

[sibstudio]

Ooops - pardon my typo- Your shop is beautiful

[Former_Member]

Not only is it the time of the year, but the world economy is down. I believe most folks are buying what they need right now, and like in times past, women will buy on occasion that little something to brighten their day(during WW2 it was lipstick). As sellers we may have to step up things a bit like the cosemtic companies do...something free with purchase, etc.

I did notice some of you have not updated your shop annoucement, that for me personally is a turn off. I wonder when was the last time the seller really "checked in" with their shop.

As a buyer I will buy from any shop here or aboard if I love the item, but shipping cost will play into my decision to buy. Some shops seem to charge 2-3 times what other shops with similar items to ship.

blessings, jilly

[Former_Member]

studiozuzu, you have a wonderful variety of items to chose from.

blessings, jilly

[Former_Member]

Thanks again for all those inputs. They help a lot!! It is a good idea to add free gifts, or free shippemnt in some items or discounts....
It is true too that the global economy is recovering so slowly from bad times.
Hopefully soon the sells will start again :)
Sibstudio, Glad that you like my shop :-)

[Former_Member]

Sales did slow down quite a bit in February. I'm hoping it will pick back up soon. People in America are getting ready for tax time, so maybe that is part of it too.

[Former_Member]

my last two sales were from the USA so people in the US still buying from overseas sellers

[Former_Member]

I had 2 showcases in the middle of february and I've sold 5 or 6 necklaces in one-two day(s). And now silence... I don't know why people don't buy my things without a showcase because a lot of people fave my things or see them. My shipping is not high, it only includes the material and the shipping costs.
Do we need to promote our things more?

It would be great to have constant sales not 2 sales in a month..

[Former_Member]

I've struggled with sales too and wondered about my shipping prices and times. I even had a customer ask if I could refund a portion of the shipping if it ended up cheaper. Its hard to know what to do to your shop to improve it....all you can do is keep putting in time and hope for the best.

[Former_Member]

it is not easy but perhaps we have to be focused (I have read a discussion about this) in a whole year more than a couple of months :)
Let see if March is better!!! And spring and summer...

[Former_Member]

My first etsy purchase was from Canada and whe I asked she said that US homeland security would moe it about 2 weeks, which was right on the button. I'll admit that I've shied away from buying from other countries, not because of shipping price (I conifer that in the perceived value of the item) but becauseof the length of time for shipping. I may decide just to do it with a pair of earrings I've been drooling :-)

Hang in there, you have cute stuff!

[TheSnapDragonsLair]

I have just been open 2 months and like everyone else, sales are so very slow. I really hope it's the time of the year!

Two of my sales were to non-US. I'm fretting because I have not heard from them so I'm not sure if they have arrived yet. I'm sure that if they arrived damaged, I would have heard.

Seems only some people give feedback and others don't. I love the feedback because I then know the item arrived safe and sound (or not, alas, in one case).

Guess we just have to hang in there as many others have said...

[CustombyBernolli]

I am out of the US but my sales were not so bad until new year. After that sales were slow down... I was on Etsy finds and on the frontpage but they also didn't help much..
Let's wait for the spring and summer :)