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Entrepreneurship:  Etsy experience?  |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 8:58:59 PM
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| I am looking for feedback from farmgirls who may have listed their crafts on etsy. I have a handmade children's clothing and accessories business that I've been pretty successful with at art fairs, craft shows etc., but if I move out to our cabin in Montana, there won't be as many opportunities for me to sell, so I thought I'd try listing some things on etsy. I am wondering what your experiences have been with this site. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 9:36:36 PM
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I am liking it so far...only opened my etsy shop on Jan 12..have sold 8 items. AnnieT has been doing it since November. I asked her first what she thought.
I think it is easy, and inexpensive..well worth trying!! Good luck Sherri!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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realme52
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Klara
Gatesville
Texas
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 9:37:29 PM
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I only have experience with etsy as a buyer, not as a seller. From this perspective I find it an appealing site that is easy to maneuver. Competition is huge (probably bad for you, as a seller, unless your product is really unique) and prices are low (I think!), which may also be a disadvantage for you.
Support from etsy seems to be great! I heard from a friend that they supply you with cards (buisness-card-like) and other marketing tools. My impression is that you still have to work hard on customer service, build your own niche and groom your clientele.
That's my five cents. But I'm only seeing it from a buyer's point of view....
From this hour I ordain myself loss'd of limits and immaginary lines. Walt Whitman |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 9:40:25 PM
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| Thanks for the feedback so far. I was wondering about the pictures.... we just recently got a digital camera and I'm not sure how to get those little tiny pictures on the camera onto the computer screen! Jenny, is it hard? I'm a pretty skilled and creative seamstress but I'm not too techno savvy! |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 9:51:08 PM
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NO>>it is real easy..believe me..I couldn't do it if it were hard. You just upload them to your computer and then there is a "list and item" place in the set up part of "your shop" (you will see what I mean if you do it..really easy to navigate) and you can put your pictures on right from there ..they don't have to be posted on another website first..like when you post many places. They make it a thumbnail size for you. You just leave it the size it was when you took it with the digital camera. Very simple. Trust me..I am such a beginner..and a clumsy one..if I can do it you can for sure!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 9:56:00 PM
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| Thanks Jenny! I am going to try that tomarrow! Do you accept PayPal in your shop? Do you think it helps sales? |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 10:20:06 PM
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I don't yet. AnnieT says that she thinks it is a good idea. I bet it is. I need to do that. I have just been hesitant. But shouldn't be I guess.
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 10:35:39 PM
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I have been on Etsy since Jan 13th and have sold 4 items so far. I'm selling more and getting more inquiries than I have on Ebay for some time. Plus it is so much less expensive. I have a feeling that Etsy is going to be a big deal and it would be good to get yourself established while it is in the beginning stages. It reminds me of Ebay when that first got started. It was fun to list things, easy to navigate, and sales were good. Now Ebay is so big, and listing fees are so expensive, it is hard for me to make a profit. And I like the fact that Etsy is for handmade items.
Competition is not necessarily a bad thing. If people feel that they are able to purchase because of good prices it will drive more to the site. If you have a unique item and your quality plus customer service are excellent then you'll do fine.
I'm not an expert but the one thing that I can say is to take good pictures. And make an enticing description. That's what is going to sell your item.
I accept PayPal in my shop. I've had my PayPal account since they opened and have never had a problem. 98% of my Ebay customers pay that way. I say go for it!
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - therusticcottage on Jan 15 2006 10:45:43 PM |
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AnnieT
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
Annie
287 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2006 : 11:09:56 AM
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Etsy is great. I'm not getting TONS of sales, like I want, but it is a very inexpensive venue to get started on, that's for sure. Getting photos online is pretty simple. Paypal is definately important, in my opinion. All of my buyers have payed with Paypal. I have a premier (or whatever it's called) account so I can accept credit cards.
To reiterate what Kay said: "I'm not an expert but the one thing that I can say is to take good pictures. And make an enticing description. That's what is going to sell your item."
Best of luck!
Annie
Visit the Bramblestitches store: www.bramblestitches.etsy.com
Visit me at my blog: http://bramblestitches.blogspot.com/ |
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sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2006 : 12:22:20 PM
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I have a Etsy account also, and I like it. I haven't seen much business yet but I only have a few things up right now. I agree with Annie definitely good pictures and descriptions are the key. Thats what will get you on that front page. Also Feel like the more stuff you post the more you will sell. This is just something I've notice surfing around shopping on Etsy. Also I like to read about the features seller and learn from what they're doing.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com www.sisterhood.sqrlbee.com
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Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2006 : 2:53:56 PM
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I'm going to open an Etsy account as soon as I have the photos done. I have to ask a photographer friend to do it as I don't have a digital camera and can't really afford one right now. Maybe I"ll sell enough to be able to buy one, he he. I have used Paypal for my Petreader payments for years and have been very happy with it. You can also get a (free) card that works like a debit card so you can use it to buy in the stores. THey also have a detailed statement of your sales and purchases as you go along and you get back "interest" so it really pays for itself. My clients love being able to just click click and pay for their readings. I encourage you to use Paypal. How does one get started in Etsy? Thanks.
P
Happy Wishes! |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2006 : 7:58:55 PM
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| Well, I finally got busy and set up my etsy account. Etsy was easy --- it was the digital pictures that gave me grey hair!! My son finally said "Mom, why don't you hire someone to come here and show you how to do that?" When I told him I had checked into it at the computer store and they told me it was $169 to have someone come for an hour, he said "It'd be worth it ... I think you've already used that much up in high blood pressure medication!" He knows me so well... Anyway, I set it up, so when you get a chance, check it out. It's www.smallfrys.etsy.com. Thanks for all the input! |
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Entrepreneurship: Etsy experience? |
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Etsy experience?
