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Post by fernwood on Apr 11, 2019 4:49:35 GMT -5
I posted some wire wraps, pendants and necklaces on a local for sale web site. Also, some other items for sale.
Tentatively have sold most of the other items.
The jewelry received some interesting responses. I had priced each piece individually and described what it was. One person asked which necklace went with the pendants. I replied that the pendants were being sold individually, not included with either necklace. The person wrote back, stating they would take all of the pendants for a price that was 10% of what they were listed for. One necklace at 20% of listing price. They called this a bundle price, and a very fair offer.
Let them know I appreciated the offer, but would pass on it. Bit my tongue on that one and did not say what I would have liked to.
A couple other people said my prices were way too high, for "mass produced junk from China and India". Rest assured, nothing was from those countries. Some of the stones used in the necklaces were imported, such as Hemetite.
So, my latest attempt to sell some items was not the greatest. The first person has a fledgling jewelry business, so am guessing that is why she wanted my pendants. For resale.
Will keep looking for outlets.
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 11, 2019 5:35:05 GMT -5
Good example of why I hate sales and dealing with the public.
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Post by fernwood on Apr 11, 2019 5:43:39 GMT -5
I am fine in person. Like showing/describing items to people. Never had anyone try to offer less than posted price then.
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 11, 2019 7:24:03 GMT -5
I am fine in person. Like showing/describing items to people. Never had anyone try to offer less than posted price then. This is one of the reasons I intend to never sell on the Internet, the other is trying to get good pictures of everything and packing and mailing hassles. I am very fortunate to live 5 miles from a venue that hosts about 10 to 12 Indoor Craft Shows a year. All of these shows are sponsored by local High School FFA or Marching Band as fundraisers, to whom I am happy to pay the modest booth fees. ($90 to $100 for an indoor 10X12 space). I have somehow managed to secure very prime spots at two of these Shows so those are always on my schedule and usually fill in with 2 or 3 more as schedule permits. One other advantage to these shows is that I am the only person there selling rocks. Enjoy the Shows and never run in to any A..holes yet. Slowly building up a customer base that have become repeat customers and keep them on an e-mail list to let them know when I will be at the venue. One lady has been to 4 or 5 of my shows in the last 2 years and always buys from me. I keep a tray under the table of pieces I know she likes and pulls them out for her. Occasionally I will bargain with folks on Quartz or Fluorite specimens and even polished geodes. Never really do that for the Pendants. Of course my Pendants are not classic Cabs, they are shaped and tumbled polished, then drilled and fixed with pinch bails and my prices reflect that. I do have some wire wrapped pendants that a friend of mine does for me which I sell for a bit more. As I have said before, this is all "beer and gas" money for me so there's no pressure to earn a living. My raw material cost are low as I never buy rocks on-line or from established dealers. It's all been collected or purchased(given to me) from a couple of friends at bargain prices. If it's more than a $1 a pound I don't need it. You would be surprised at some of the material I have been lucky enough to purchase for $1 or less per pound. I think about the $100 slab from one of the threads the other day and shake my head, for a $100 I got 2 - 5 gallon buckets of slabs. Not all top line material, but on the average very good. Bottom line for me, I enjoy it and it keeps me busy playing with rocks, and there's always a cold beer waiting for me in the frig!! And I meet some nice folks including all the people out here on the forum. Henry
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 11, 2019 7:48:41 GMT -5
Sorry, Beth. Just keep on tucking. Everyone is bound to run into one or several of those people when trying to sell. I have been approached many times to sell wholesale- for resale. The prices are never appealing. Why would I want to bust my tail for so much less? I get approached for coupons, too, but oddly, that doesn't bother me much. I do have some wiggle room, but not 10% or 20% of listing price! If I were you, I would have politely offered them a firm 15% off.
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Post by fernwood on Apr 11, 2019 8:11:54 GMT -5
I am not giving up, no worries.
The person who offered so little was more than a little rude about it this AM. Wondered why I did not take her up on a great deal for my "junk". People can be so nasty around here. The market is flooded with crafters who think nothing of representing dyed howlite as AZ Turquoise and many other things. Silver plate is the same as sterling. Gold plate or filled is the same as 14 k gold. Way too much deception.
Beginning to think that only the artists are honest, which is probably correct.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 11, 2019 8:25:39 GMT -5
I am not giving up, no worries. The person who offered so little was more than a little rude about it this AM. Wondered why I did not take her up on a great deal for my "junk". People can be so nasty around here. The market is flooded with crafters who think nothing of representing dyed howlite as AZ Turquoise and many other things. Silver plate is the same as sterling. Gold plate or filled is the same as 14 k gold. Way too much deception. Beginning to think that only the artists are honest, which is probably correct. Well, screw em. If they thought it was junk why did they want to buy it? Unfortunately, I have to say that too many sellers/artists misrepresent what they sell which is why so many consumers are leery. I wish all artists were honest, but it's not the case. But it is another case of one bad apple spoiling the bunch. If it weren't for the bad sellers, it would be easier for the good ones.
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Post by MsAli on Apr 11, 2019 9:41:56 GMT -5
I am not giving up, no worries. The person who offered so little was more than a little rude about it this AM. Wondered why I did not take her up on a great deal for my "junk". People can be so nasty around here. The market is flooded with crafters who think nothing of representing dyed howlite as AZ Turquoise and many other things. Silver plate is the same as sterling. Gold plate or filled is the same as 14 k gold. Way too much deception. Beginning to think that only the artists are honest, which is probably correct. Well, screw em. Unfortunately, I have to say that too many sellers/artists misrepresent what they sell which is why so many consumers are leery. I wish all artists were honest, but it's not the case. But it is another case of one bad apple spoiling the bunch. If it weren't for the bad sellers, it would be easier for the good ones. Which is exactly what my response would of been. Wish her well and on with the next.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Apr 11, 2019 10:02:40 GMT -5
fernwood - Keep Calm & ignore the lowballers. Some people try to negotiate by belittling the seller or the thing they want to buy. This bozo is probably trying to buy cheap to resell. There are great customers out there! I love selling at shows. The internet is good too, but I like interacting with people. They are not only buying my jewelry & cabs, they are buying my story & me. Let's hear a success story. Be patient. It'll happen. Lynn
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Post by Rockindad on Apr 11, 2019 10:16:48 GMT -5
We are living in a Walmart world and there are fewer and fewer people who value handcrafted or well made items. The first consideration for most people is price and quality is somewhere farther down the list. I would rather have fewer "things" of a nicer quality than a boatload of crap.
Unfortunately buyers AND sellers need to beware as there is no shortage of shady characters on both sides. There is a guy on our local Craigslist that sells tools, seems like for a good price unless you know your tools. He buys Harbor Freight tools and sells them for as much as you could get much better quality tools new, certainly a lot more than if you bought the tool at Harbor Freight yourself. A lot of schuysters out there.
Don't let it get you down, they were probably just trying to make some easy money while you put in the work.
Al
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 11, 2019 10:24:02 GMT -5
I suspect the anonymity aspect of online sales is a major factor in bringing out those jerks and a__holes. In a face to face situation most would not make those offers. I am sure there must be a select few who still would. Bottom line, don't let the idiots rain on your parade. They are usually the type of person who creates their own pain.
Karma! You have to trust in it.
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Post by Pat on Apr 11, 2019 10:55:29 GMT -5
No argument. No discussion.
Just a firm and friendly no, prices are firm.
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Post by fernwood on Apr 11, 2019 11:24:02 GMT -5
I am fortunate to live in an area of artists. Those who create the most amazing items. The area is becoming known as the cultural/artist hub of Wisconsin. There are now 4 studios within 5 miles of me. Another 20-25 in the rest of the county.
In person exhibition opportunities are frequent. My problem is that I am usually working, serving craft beers on the days of most exhibition opportunities.
I am learning how to go about becoming an exhibitor local. Have made some contacts. Need to be accepted into the circle by a few others before being allowed to exhibit at these events. A tough market to break into. Mostly people older than me. Yes, they do exist, lol.
Approaching this in a similar way to what I did when working in the middle of the Navajo Nation. Show respect for elders, show interest in them and what they do. Share with them examples of my creations. Appreciate their creations. Promote their creations. Am hoping after a couple of years doing this I will be accepted.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 11, 2019 12:24:24 GMT -5
When I price my goodies, it usually is a medium happy (as I call it) price wise... When they start jawing me down and saying Joe Blow has the same stuff, but lower prices, I tell them "Well head on over to Joe's than, my prices stick"! Most will buy, a few walk away mumbling....
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Post by fernwood on Apr 11, 2019 12:39:47 GMT -5
When I price my goodies, it usually is a medium happy (as I call it) price wise... When they start jawing me down and saying Joe Blow has the same stuff, but lower prices, I tell them "Well head on over to Joe's than, my prices stick"! Most will buy, a few walk away mumbling.... Ha Ha. Great approach. Some customers know the difference between quality and junk. Others do not. I have had way too many people tell me that I have quality at great prices. It is only that 20% who are uninformed and do not know the difference between mass produced imports and quality produced from USA (mostly) materials.
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Post by greig on Apr 11, 2019 13:34:42 GMT -5
You will find this kind of thing happening on everything for sale on the internet. For example, put up a used car and look at the responses. Most important is don't let the negative input and lowball offers reset your expectations. I think it is understood that everybody wants a good deal and some people are more aggressive than others to try to achieve that. Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it, not what one particular person "wants" to pay. I hate selling stuff, so if someone comes out of the gate with a stupid offer, I prefer to tell them "thanks, but it is sold or pending sold awaiting pickup", so they go away. Funny thing is that tends to reset their expectations. ;-)
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Post by toiv0 on Apr 11, 2019 14:02:53 GMT -5
I must differ from every one else, but if I read right the person wanted 20 percent off of one but if bought all 10 percent. I would have taken 10 percent and sold the bunch. Even if I broke even it gives cash flow. If you were losing money at 10 percent off you need to look in the mirror and see if what you are doing makes sense. I have to give up 40 percent on consignment, I let them do the pricing and I do ok. Oh and by the way should be in your area next week.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Apr 11, 2019 19:06:52 GMT -5
I must differ from every one else, but if I read right the person wanted 20 percent off of one but if bought all 10 percent. I would have taken 10 percent and sold the bunch. Even if I broke even it gives cash flow. If you were losing money at 10 percent off you need to look in the mirror and see if what you are doing makes sense. I have to give up 40 percent on consignment, I let them do the pricing and I do ok. Oh and by the way should be in your area next week. Nope, they wanted it for 10% OF (not OFF) the original price. Lynn
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Post by toiv0 on Apr 11, 2019 20:20:38 GMT -5
I must differ from every one else, but if I read right the person wanted 20 percent off of one but if bought all 10 percent. I would have taken 10 percent and sold the bunch. Even if I broke even it gives cash flow. If you were losing money at 10 percent off you need to look in the mirror and see if what you are doing makes sense. I have to give up 40 percent on consignment, I let them do the pricing and I do ok. Oh and by the way should be in your area next week. Nope, they wanted it for 10% OF (not OFF) the original price. Lynn Color me bad, I misread Miss Beths post. Thanks Lynn for catching this. I appologize Miss Beth. billy
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 11, 2019 20:30:49 GMT -5
Personally, if part of their bargaining strategy is to tell me I have junk my response is "then why are you interested?" and the selling price goes up. As a buyer I am not afraid to lowball but I always let them know that their stuff is worth more than I'm able to offer, and that they only want to sell for my price if they need a quick sale or just need to make it go away. Life is way too short to not be at least moderately respectful.
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