How long?

[TreasuresForAQueen]

Hi everyone!

Its been along time since I have posted on here but here I am again asking for advice. Just when I think I have gotten the hang of having a shop that is at least getting some sales, I come up against another issue.

My shops nearly 3 years old and I have pieces of jewelry sitting in my shop that have been there since the start. I have cut prices (not to the point where I am losing money) but they just aren't moving. How long should I let an item remain in my shop? At what point do I take them off and break them down to reuse the findings? I know that there aren't any hard and fast rule when it comes to having a small business but hearing the experiences of those who have been doing this much longer than me is always helpful. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[RainGirlDesigns]

I take things apart and remake them into new things when I can no longer stand the sight of the original item. when the thought of renewing the listing again makes me roll my eyes or realizing that it has been so long since I have made anything like that because my technique has improved. those are when I know it's time.

[SavoyFaire]

However, yesterday I sold one of mine.
Just peeked and you aren't renewing them - they're just getting older and older. Things don't sell that way you need to renew to sell as they've dropped to bottom of search so no one can find them and aren't relevant as no one finds no one clicks which boosts relevancy.

[livjewellery]

My rule was always to leave everything in the shop because you just never know. I have sold items that are *years* old.

However, I have just recently changed that rule with some pieces that have been in my shop since opening day. Like Joanna, I'm tired of looking at them and I don't think that they reflect my style anymore. I put them in my sale section at 25% off (they've been there since Thanksgiving), and now I'm finally letting them go. I'll take them apart and use the gems for something new.

[BebeAndKay]

I haven't been doing this longer than you here, but I have been selling online since 2004. I swear by renewing. If I renew something that's been in my shop for 4 months, many times it will sell right away. Its very strange, but it happens a lot. Sometimes it might not happen til the second time I renew, as just happened with a peacock brooch. The day I renewed, it sold. It just gets a new set of eyes on it.

Also, I would suggest you look at your sales to figure out what sells and do more of that. And I don't know if you signed up for a critique but you should. I see some areas that need work with SEO.. Every little bit helps.

[TreasuresForAQueen]

Thanks for the info everyone. Normally I renew an item when it gets close to expiring. I work in a very specific niche market (the medieval items) so I know I'm not going to get 10 sales a day. I am just happy that I show up on the very first page of search results for nearly every relevant tag that I use for my medieval items which was a lot of hard work and research. I think I will keep one or two of the older items but as the vast majority of the older items no longer reflect my higher quality, more authentic look, they will be scraped for parts.

[BebeAndKay]

Angela, that's excellent! I was specifically looking at your announcement when I mentioned SEO. I hadn't looked at your titles and tags. It is the most crucial area for google..especially when you sell a niche type of item, you want to be found on the internet, not just etsy. I agree with scrapping for parts when items no longer reflect your style. Good luck!