Your thoughts?

[Former_Member]

Lately due to many other busy aspects of my life, most of my products have become "made to order" instead of pre-made. I usually require 1 week turnaround to sew the item. My sales are still steady/up since I started selling in April, but I was curious if anyone thinks that having to wait for your item to be made is a total bummer. it's just easier for me to buy fabric in bulk and make as they orders come instead of sewing for hours and having a ton of purses etc. hanging around waiting to be sold.... also, I have many different items made from same fabrics, so I can make products ordered as I go without wasting material on stuff that might not sell and needing to order more material for things that do. I hope that makes sense. Thanks! :)

[Former_Member]

That's how I do most of my items. I don't think that having to wait for it will deter a potential buyer, so long that you have your turnaround time listed in the description.

[Former_Member]

I think it depends on how long it takes -- a lot of people are browsing Etsy for something they want immediately (and aren't we all a little addicted to immediate satisfaction?), so some customers might be bummed... but if it's a high-quality product (and it looks like the items in your shop definitely are!) it's worth a little bit of a wait for them.

I've started listing a few "made to order" items as well -- I try to keep them in stock, but I like that if someone orders more than I already have available, I've got that built-in cushion with already stating the turn around time for making the item from scratch.

[Former_Member]

PS: You're after my own heart with those state pillows, I love them!! :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for your answers. And thanks for your kind words, Vanessa!! :) I'm happy that Etsy has instilled the new drop-down "processing time" category when listing items. Even though I do state the time needed for each item in each listing description, I know people don't always read. I also put MADE TO ORDER in each title. Even with these things, I still have had 2 customers recently contact me a couple days after purchase and ask why their item hasn't shipped yet (even though I clearly state I need 1 week BEFORE shipping it). *sigh* It just makes me nervous because even though I didn't do anything wrong, I don't want a buyer to leave neutral/negative feedback and say I was slow because they didn't read the details. Do you contact each buyer and remind them after purchase how long it will take?

[beatroad]

I agree that to me, it depends on the item and how quickly I need it. I've had to wait a week for some custom made beads before, and as long as I knew of the shipping time I didn't mind waiting. Perhaps you could have some ready to ship items just in case a customer needs them immediately? I've seen stores do this. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Former_Member]

I think I would be more then happy to wait when its something I really want!

[beatroad]

Ah, I just saw your reply. ;) You could always bump up the wait time notice to the top of your listing? Just a thought... If something is super important I put it right in people's faces in case they don't read the entire item description. ;)

[Former_Member]

I am in the process of doing this as well. I consider it shop evolution!

I never mind waiting as long as the creation time is listed in the description.

[Former_Member]

Karly, as a buyer, I think there is nothing at all wrong with a few days to a week lead time. The most important thing is to communicate this to your customers, which you obviously are! I have seen really successful, busy shops saying, "please allow 2 weeks for delivery of your unique product". The impression it gives me is that they are such awesome things that everyone wants them, and they need time to be created.

It kind of makes me feel a little more special...thinking that you are working on my order after I make it, instead of just grabbing a pre-made item. Not that there is anything wrong with pre-made items!

I was equally hesitant to increase my processing time, but I have found no drawbacks. I write in my descriptions, "I make my products in small batches, and fill orders as they are made to ensure the utmost freshness, flavor and enduring quality", so people know where I am coming from (if they are interested).

[Former_Member]

I think you're doing all the right things. Maybe after a purchase, you could add an extra note to the buyer reminding them about the time it will take.

[Former_Member]

50% of my items are made to order, I allow a maximum of 3 weeks for the items to be made, this covers yarn issues, buying it in, making the hat, and day to day life that may get in the way. My customers understand this and are happy to wait : )

I feel the need to contact the seller once again, along with the automated message after a sale just to reassure them that I have their order and it's being taken care of.