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Title: What would you do? Post by Melissa on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:46am HI As some of you know, I make mosaic crosses and sell them on eBay. I make them as they're purchased and usually list 3 of sky blue and 3 of pink for each auction. Because I only have 2 hands, kids and a husband, the most I can make in 2 days is 6, and even that's pushing it. Anyway, I received a message from another eBay member last night and here's what it said... Quote:
Now, my intial reaction was "is this spam?" but no, it's a legit question from an established member. My second reaction was, "am I going to have to just give some to this person and if they sell, THEN I get the money?" I didn't like that idea at all. So, my question is, would I just respond to them as say something along the lines of, "You can sell them in your shop, but I require payment up front before I ship them to you."??? I've never come across something like this before, so any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm not looking to gain "exposure" per say, but wouldn't mind if a shop sold my crosses. Only thing is, I can't afford to just send them off for free and then hope I get paid if they ever sell, know what I mean? Thanks!! :)mel |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by chuckv on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:51am I would go the payment up front route. Tell her you would be happy to ship her some to display and maybe offer them to her at a discount so she can make a little too. |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by chewy on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:57am What you want to do is first decide what it is you want to do and what it is you are capable of doing. A sort of business plan. Then you want to request from the store owner a direct contact number so you can discuss the possibilties directly and begin negotiating. It may very well be on a consignment basis. You could negotiate to have the store owner pay the shipping costs up front and then either negotiate a time line for full payment or a monthly percentage payment. |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by PollyPocket on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:04am Mel, I used to make some unusual xmas stockings and a store in a tourist area wanted them in their store. I had to do it on a consignment basis, but they sold really fast even at their jacked up price! The good part was that it generated a LOT of direct sales too, for special orders, and those I got deposits on. I think its a great opportunity. Crunch some numbers and work your plan. Good Luck (and go for it) |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Yorky on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:07am cover your cost's ...to start (as a downpayment, for good's received) good luck [smiley=thumb.gif] |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by chewy on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:13am Remeber also that you dont have to committ to anything during the first contact. Write down her proposals and get back to her after you have thought them through. Dont box yourself into a corner by agreeing to something right off the bat. Have her put her proposal in writing and fax it to you. |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by andrewjb on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:23am on 02/01/08 at 10:57:11, chewy wrote:
;;D, wise words indeed. follow this advice and you won't go far wrong. andrew. |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Mosaicwench on Feb 1st, 2008, 12:40pm Stillwater IS a lovely little town. I've been a tourist there a couple of times. Grumpy Steve's is their great coffee shop. All good advice given above. My only addition is figure out what you MUST get for each cross (for instance, you won't sell them for less than $20 gross to you - that means SHE has to sell them for more to cover her overhead/costs/commission and still give $20 each to you). Don't sell yourself short, but don't price yourself out of future income, either. Good luck. |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Melissa on Feb 1st, 2008, 4:28pm Thank you all for your input. I'm going to take the weekend to think about it. :)mel |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Jonny on Feb 1st, 2008, 4:41pm on 02/01/08 at 11:23:37, andrewjb wrote:
LMMFAO!!!!! [smiley=grin2.gif] |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by deltadarlin on Feb 1st, 2008, 6:00pm Don't pay no nevermind to jonny ;) , Chewy DID give you good advice several times over. Another thing to consider, if she really wants your items, get her to put up 50% non-refundable deposits on however many she wants (I used to make little girls hairbows and headbands). That way, at lest the cost of your crosses are covered and the only thing you are out for is time. How about small craft shows? or small gift shops that are close to where you live? |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by chewy on Feb 1st, 2008, 7:37pm on 02/01/08 at 10:57:11, chewy wrote:
I'll explain that for anyone who cant get it. Do you want to partner up? Do you want to enter into a business agreement? Do you want to work independantly ? Do you want your merchandise marketed by someone other than yourself? |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Jonny on Feb 1st, 2008, 7:43pm on 02/01/08 at 19:37:41, chewy wrote:
Yeah Andrew, he will splain to you, got it?....LOL [smiley=grin2.gif] |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Samurai on Feb 1st, 2008, 9:10pm One thing you can do to create a paper trail, is to ask her to send a purchase order for your crosses. That should tell you how many she wants and how serious she is about stocking your stuff regularly. It also gives you a chance to decide on your payment terms, and maybe talk to her about them. Then, when you've decided on your terms, you create an invoice to ship with the crosses. This makes the sale an enforceable contract if things get weird. As mentioned above, consignment versus advance payment is a matter of whether or not you can afford to wait for them to actually sell. Usually you get a little less for product when you ask for payment in advance, since the business owner has to take the risk that it will sell. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me, I spent ten years managing warehouses and now I'm in college for Business Administration. Good Luck!! Jason |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Jonny on Feb 1st, 2008, 9:19pm Excelent advice, Jason! [smiley=headbanger.gif] |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by cash5542 on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:38pm A few more things to add to Jason's post.... Ask for references. A reputable dealer provides these without question. The invoice also protects you if the product is broken in shipment. FedEX (1st choice)or UPS is the way we do our shipping. Most terms are net 30 days and the usual rule of thumb is wholesale is marked up 50% and consignment is 30%. We have had a pottery business for almost 30 years and have done alot of mail order. We have only had 2 payment issues. One was a beautiful shop in DC that went bankrupt in the early 80's and I cant remember the end of that. Another store changed their mind after shippment. We ended up in court and won. It was small claims and very simple thanks to the receipt and the terms stated on it. Good luck! Charlotte |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Jonny on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:51pm You ROCK, Charlotte..... [smiley=grin2.gif] |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by andrewjb on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:09pm on 02/01/08 at 19:43:32, Jonny wrote:
yup, clear as mud, ;). andrew. |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Jonny on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:14pm on 02/01/08 at 23:09:54, andrewjb wrote:
Your killing me, bro....ROTFFLMMFAO!!! [smiley=grin2.gif] |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Annette on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:53pm I recently bought a cross from Mel and it is absolutely beautiful !!! You will do well Mel selling them to a shop but you need to check with this lady 1- How many does she want a week/ month, to see if you can actually supply. 2- Check with her how quickly she needs them by if she wants more stock. Be upfront with her about how many you can make. 3- Dont sell too cheaply. I personally think they are worth more than what you are currently listing them for on Ebay ( retail price that is ). 4- Check with her if she wants to just sell them in your shop as a trial or does she want to sell them long term as a regular feature item. That way you can work out how much material should be you stocking up on. 5- Sell to her at "whole sale" price and make sure she pays up front as well as for shipping. Get the money first before you start making them. Hope that helps and I wish you every success :) |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by billlmack on Feb 2nd, 2008, 12:22am You've been given good advise. Try not to dwell too much on what can go wrong. Focus on making the best product you can. Good luck. P.S. there will be risk...... SO WHAT... u have to try. |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Jonny on Feb 2nd, 2008, 1:08pm on 02/01/08 at 23:53:43, Annette wrote:
I bought six of them....LOL ;;D |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Annette on Feb 2nd, 2008, 2:48pm on 02/02/08 at 13:08:01, Jonny wrote:
Thats why you are the King, bro :-* |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Jonny on Feb 2nd, 2008, 5:05pm on 02/02/08 at 14:48:57, Annette wrote:
Thank you, Honey! :-* :-* |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Melissa on Feb 2nd, 2008, 5:48pm Awesome! Thank you all so much! I think I know what I'm going to do now. :) |
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Title: Re: What would you do? Post by Charlie on Feb 2nd, 2008, 10:23pm One thing: These things tend to ease up a bit once they started.....it's my guess anyway. My contribution to all the good advice is that it probably won't be as hard as you think to keep up with this. Hmm. sounded better before I really looked at what I'm saying. Then again maybe they'll be the new pet rock. Good luck Mel. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/good.gif Charlie |
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