You HAVE to try this!! EBAY your way to DISNEY!!

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Thanks for all of the advice.

surprisingly Claudia, I was attempting to make the clear/silver bracelet 7 inches and it ended at 8.5. The pearl just barely makes 7 inches when twisted.

My concern with starting higher is that I won't attract buyers. The beads I've used aren't top quality, neither are the clasps. I wouldn't want to get neg'd for offering a lesser quality bracelet at a high price.

How does one calculate the value of time to create a project? It might take me 30-90 minutes - knotting is the worst. Am I being fair with 5.50 for shipping and handling. I prefer PM w/ins., but does that sway buyers away from the auction?

If you have any other tips - I'm open to suggestions.

 

[claudia]

How does one calculate the value of time to create a project?

I think you could calculate the value of time based on what you feel you would be paid to assemble the items.
As far as the shipping goes, the PM w/ins. might be enough to have someone look elsewhere....most of the items I have purchased have had shipping in the $2.50 - $3.00 range, and have shipped by first class in an envelope. Which will add to your final costs to purchase the envelopes.
You mentioned that you work in a department store...do you have any personal relationships with the buyers (or dept. mgrs)for the store? If so, they may be able to lead you to suppliers, or possibly have connections that would enable you to buy your supplies more deeply discounted. Or possibly have names of wholesalers that would be willing to work with you. Or even allow you to purchase over ordered jewelery stock at a discount.....(just some thoughts)
Maybe for now, put up the items that you have created and see how they do. You could try the $2.95 start price if you feel that you won't be upset to let them go for that amount.
One more thought.....if you were able to get a history from your store about what kind/type of bracelets sell best in the price range you want to sell in may be helpful to help you decided which kind of bracelet to create/sell. That would provide you with some inexpensive marketing research!
Again, best of luck!

 

[Madi100]

If you want to see where the bracelets will go, why don't you start the bid at $1.99. That is where I start EVERYTHING I sell. I sold a leather coat that went for $150, and I started it at $1.99. I've found that starting low is the best because I get more lookers. I've only been disappointed once in the 300 some items I've listed. You can even put in your description that you are starting the bidding low. That way people will realize it's not junk. And, then you can see how high it will go without the buy it now.

 

[DMRick]

I've found that starting low is the best because I get more lookers.

Can I assume you aren't selling hand made craft items? That generally doesn't work, to start low on those type of items, because then people may assume it's a "cheap" item, and only worth $1.99. She can always try it, of course.
I do think your s/h may be a little high..have you scoped out what others are selling them for? I know there is a lot of jewelry on eBay, so looking at completed auctions may be the way to go.

Another way to market these, by the way, may be to offer two..one for a little girl, and one to match for her My Twin doll. Just make sure the sizes work for both, and list them.

 

[Madi100]

Can I assume you aren't selling hand made craft items? That generally doesn't work, to start low on those type of items, because then people may assume it's a "cheap" item, and only worth $1.99. She can always try it, of course.

No, I don't sell jewelry. I've just been told that you should start everything low. More people will look. Of course, if you are looking for expensive or nice jewelry, then I completely agree with you on that one. People probably don't even start low on looking for those.

I agree on the shipping part too. Too high.

 

[pjlla]

I didn't look at the link for the bracelets, so not sure what the shipping is, but it can't be as bad as this........

I bought some Disney pins on ebay last week. Let me start by saying, I knew all this in advance, so I wasn't really "cheated", but it just shows what people do......

The pins all started at .01. Anyhow, I bought 4 pins from the same seller, ranging from .01 to about $4. Under his shipping description he clearly states "$5 s/h each... NO COMBINED SHIPPING!"

Well I got my pins yesterday, all in one envelope, with about $1 worth of postage/packaging!! This person is making most of their money off the shipping!!! While I clearly knew this and bought from him anyhow, it sort of makes me mad!! SURE, I could list/sell my stuff for .01 too, if I was willing to GOUGE people on the shipping!!!!!!!

My husband has been looking for a new digital camera and thought he found a few good deals on re-manufactured ones on ebay.... the buyer he was looking at charges $50 s/h for standard shipping within the U.S. with no insurance!!!!! FOR A CAMERA??????? You could use $10 worth of bubble wrap and it still wouldn't cost $50 to ship it in the continental U.S. Another example of people making their $$ off shipping!

I actually enclosed a $2.00 check in a package to a buyer once because when I got to the p.o. I discovered I had overcharged on the shipping and I felt bad!! So how can these people do this in good conscience? I suppose the only way to stop these types is to just not buy from them. By buying those pins, I basically told that seller that it was okay to GOUGE me!! I did the receive the pins promptly and they are exactly what I expected, but I won't be buying from that seller again!!

ANYHOW, thanks for letting me vent!! I needed that. I will probably be venting again soon about two items that I bought from disreputable people and never received..... but that is a story for another day!!!

 

[DMRick]

By buying those pins, I basically told that seller that it was okay to GOUGE me!!

Let me start by saying this is not how I do business.

Actually, the only way he would be able to gouge you, is if s/h wasn't listed, and you found out after you bought. When buying on eBay you have to take the "whole" into consideration. What is the total price of that pin through someone who charges .50 for shipping? Did you get the item (s/h included) for less? Then you aren't the person he's cheating. It's eBay. You don't have to pay final auction fees on your "reasonable" shipping/handling, and eBay would find that reasonable. If you are still paying what you would consider a fair price in the total, then really, for the buyer, that's all it should matter. Postive feedback should be given, since the transaction went well, you are satisfied with the total price, and item was as stated. I personally don't believe the high shipping should even be mentioned, as long as you knew what it was in advance. We never have to buy from someone, and the good part of this was, you knew the "total" in advance.

It's a shame eBay doesn't address this issue, but it really is eBay's loss, not mine or yours.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I've polled some coworkers about the bracelets. We think around $3 is fair. I'm going to start at 3.25 w/BIN of $5 because the bracelets are not anything extraordinary. The concensus here is that they wouldn't pay more than $5 and would expect $3-5 at a craft fair. I'm not expecting a booming bracelet business that will replace my day job...well maybe some day

Shipping - I planned on charging 5.50 (3.85 + 1.30 + .45 handling) for shipping the bracelets USPS Priority Mail using a flat-rate envelope...same rate everywhere. I like being able to get my items to my buyers quickly. I'm always afraid that my first class shipment will get lost in the mail.

 

[cpl100]

Thought I'd chime in on the shipping issue. I always take the total price into consideration when bidding. I also think that those people who start their auction at a penny but charge a higher shipping are doing the same thought process as me---what is the total cost/profit. While I am not an expert on Disney pin prices, the total you paid seems reasonable to me. Since it was clearly stated in the auction, I don't feel you got an unfair deal. It would have been nicer if there had been a reduction in shipping (even minimal) to honor your 4 item win/bid but even that was stated up front. It seems that the seller had a feeling that the items would 'go for cheap money' and knew he/she had to recoup his costs somehow.

 

[cpl100]

intenseblue...

While I am not personally in the market for that type of jewelry, I would just like to say that shipping price would turn me away from your auction. Perhaps you could offer a shipping choice?

 

[cpl100]

For those people who have found a way to obtain those packing peanuts and/or small boxes for shipping from anywhere other than buying at a store, how do you do it? If you don't feel comfortable posting it here, please pm me with your ideas.

I just have to tell this one story, though. I was at the Clarins make up counter to pick up something and I noticed that they had an opened box with the peanuts on the floor from unpacking merchandise. I figured they would just throw them away and asked if I could have them! I felt a little embarrassed/nervy, but the sales clerk was very nice about it and didn't seem to mind at all.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Check out this auction!

What a hoot! Be sure to keep reading through to the added comments after the bidding started!

Not anything I'd actually ever say to my customers, but kind of feels good to see someone else say it!
__________________________________________________

I noticed that they had an opened box with the peanuts on the floor from unpacking merchandise.

cpl100, last night at my department's holiday dinner/yankee swap, I asked for all the bubble wrap people were going to throw away! Didn't even feel embarrassed!

Joy

 

[pjlla]

PLEASE DON"T GET ME WRONG!!!! I don't intend to leave anything other than positive feedback for the pins!! Like I stated in my original post...... I knew the S/H price upfront, so it was my option to not buy/bid on the item....... I was just commenting on how some people are so unreasonable on shipping charges. And like DMRick stated, that is how they get around paying lower FVF... but it is still cheating the ebay system.

A BIT OF GOOD NEWS....... the DVD I bought from a seller's whose auctions were pulled for copyright violation..... I think he finally shipped my item last night!! I tracked the DC number this morning and it finally came up "item accepted for delivery at 4:58 pm in *****, FL on 12/16/03" YEAH!!! So maybe I wasn't totally taken to the cleaners. Still no information on the Pal Mickey however. I pulled the seller's contact info and have a legit phone number (did a reverse look-up to be sure). She says she mailed it Friday.... we'll see about that!! I'll give it until this Friday before I contact her......................P

 

[cpl100]

My word. I'm surprised that anyone would bid on something with an attitude like that. Surprised, too, that Ebay allows it.

 

[dg39]

Yahooo, my boots finally came. They were indeed sent priority mail from California to NJ and it took a whooping 9 days. Boy am I glad.
As for that auction, I thought it was the funniest description on ebay that I think I ever read. You have to admit, that the seller does have some sense of humor and does know how to word things to make it plain and clear to some clear headed bidders. I think he will definately get his point across to all who bid....

Denise

 

[Madi100]

I read a few of that guy's auctions. He is quite entertaining. Besides posting what people had written to him in emails making fun of them, goes against my "no question is a stupid question", I think they are cleverly written. They are very blunt and to the point. I know he uses that d word that we over here in the US belive is a swear word, is absolutely nothing to him, so I've been told. If I had all day, I'd just read all of his auctions.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by iNTeNSeBLue98
I've polled some coworkers about the bracelets. We think around $3 is fair. I'm going to start at 3.25 w/BIN of $5 because the bracelets are not anything extraordinary. The concensus here is that they wouldn't pay more than $5 and would expect $3-5 at a craft fair. I'm not expecting a booming bracelet business that will replace my day job...well maybe some day

Shipping - I planned on charging 5.50 (3.85 + 1.30 + .45 handling) for shipping the bracelets USPS Priority Mail using a flat-rate envelope...same rate everywhere. I like being able to get my items to my buyers quickly. I'm always afraid that my first class shipment will get lost in the mail.

Instead of a $1.30 for insurance.. you could get the shipping assistant for free, and use that Delivery confirmation for free (since you are shipping priority)

Personally I wouldn't pay $1.30 for insurance if I knew that a seller can use the Shipping Assistant for free!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Originally posted by Cindy B
Instead of a $1.30 for insurance.. you could get the shipping assistant for free, and use that Delivery confirmation for free (since you are shipping priority)

Personally I wouldn't pay $1.30 for insurance if I knew that a seller can use the Shipping Assistant for free!

But doesn't the insurance cover if the the item would be damaged in shipment, whereas the DC doesn't? I usually print labels from USPS to ship Priority and get the DC. Am I missing something?

 

[Madi100]

I think your shipping costs are a little expensive also. I probably wouldn't buy for that reason. It's a little bracelet. I think that most people don't want to pay priority mail. You aren't going to sell many before Christmas anyway, so speedy shipping won't be necessary. I'd also make insurance optional. If you use DC, you know that the item is getting there. If you package well, you don't have to worry about damage. The only problem you would have is if the post office did something to damage your item. Personally, for such an inexpensive item, I'd never pay half of it's price to have it insured. I'd just chance it.

I think Doris is the one who mentioned the doll sized bracelet. I think that is a great idea. American Girl stuff seems to sell really well.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

If I were shopping on ebay for bracelets such as yours, I would also be deterred by the priority mail shipping costs. The bracelets would be very light, and in a bubble mailer, you could likely total 2 oz. or less. That's around .60 for 1st class... .73 if you print labels online and include the .13 for DC

I wouldn't think that you'd have as much chance of shipping damage with a product such as yours, so your greatest risk would be loss. Perhaps that is where Cindy B is going with the comparison to DC.

I have bought & sold Disney pins quite a bit, and would absolutely not ever consider paying for priority mail for them, when they are so light and easy to mail in a bubble mailer. I charge $1.50 S & H for a single pin, and only add .50 to .75 for each additional (depending on size), and generally that is plenty to cover actual postage, a new bubble mailer and a bit toward my Stamps.com fees. And using Stamps.com, my postage price is hidden.

I also make beaded jewelry and other beaded accessories, and tried once to market an auto ornament on eBay with no success (a beaded dangly thing that you'd hang from your rear-view mirror - friends and relatives love them!). I was dissappointed, but now just focus on using my time and skills to craft gifts for friends and family.

I wish you great success and hope you find a way to do it so it is worth your time and effort!