Vintage Rescue Squad

New Rule: No Etsy Before Bedtime

While home for our family's patented "early Christmas," my dad commented "you girls spend a lot of time on computers." I'm tempted to dismiss his observation as the Luddite views of an octogenarian, but, um, TRUE DAT.

I spent the bulk of my time catching up on blogs, reviewing a friend's young-adult novel, and playing stupid games. But I'm here to attest that my sister spent nearly 10 hours a day on etsy: checking etsy, researching on etsy, favoriting on etsy, creating secret treasuries on etsy, yadda yadda. Basically, plummeting down the etsy wormhole. It was a wonder to behold.

 

And now I'm doing it too. Lord, help me.

One night, while in Florida, my sister crept into the room we were sharing and I awoke from an AWESOME dream I was having about an AMAZING estate sale, with lots of cool mixed-media artwork that I knew I could sell for big bucks on etsy. Snis hooted when I told her about it—even louder as I desperately attempted to re-enter that great dream.

Then, last night, after exploring a wormhole of carnival/medical oddity items (represented above), I dreamed I had flown out of town to a flea market that was really good, ran into a medical-oddity dealer and we fell in love, so I skipped my flight home—in part hoping he'd give me some good deals. WTF.

Great. Just like spicy food, I now need to avoid etsy before bed.

Embracing Etsy: All the Ps

This morning, my sister and I were having one of our frequent etsy bitchfests. Don't get me wrong—we love etsy—but it can be complicated, frustrating, taxing, and oftentimes hilarious. We're always sharing tips, swapping foibles, and gently poking fun at some of the items we come across. OK, I lied about that last part; we're relentless.

As we're both fairly newbie sellers (for me mainly by virtue of my infrequent additions to my shop, due to the accursed day job), in some ways we're still learning the ropes. For instance, I just now discovered something pretty important that I had NO IDEA existed. Oof.

What set us off this morning was a discussion of shipping policies, and packaging. We understand that many buyers have allergies and need to know whether their purchases are coming from a pet- and smoke-free home, but as vintage sellers, we have no idea what the previous conditions were. We buy from flea markets and estate sales. But, we started riffing on what it would be like if people were brutally honest about the conditions of their storage areas/where they keep their etsy items.

Or, would anyone notice if I changed mine to read: "Items are stored in a shaman-blessed room with muzak softly playing in the background, and windchimes and a dreamcatcher hanging above them. They are packaged by the Boy in the Bubble."

————

In all seriousness, however, we wonder how much buyers care about packaging. As vintage dealers (and buyers), we're focused mainly on PRICE. I know many sellers (mainly homemade sellers) have wondrous packaging: beautiful wrapping, lots of bonus extras, etc. I tend to take a more utilitarian view: clean and straightforward packaging. However, I often re-use boxes and bubble wrap. Is that tacky or cheap or off-putting? I'm going to start including a note that in the interests of being green I often re-use packaging, unless the buyer requests otherwise.

Also, although I have Paypal send the aviso that the item has shipped, I do not convo the buyer to let them know. Does that make me cold, or too business-like? So much for proaction and personal attention, huh? I've decided to change my ways, and will now do so.

I guess etsy is really all about the Ps: product, price, photography, punctuality, posting, and maybe personality. Any of you long-time etsy sellers want to chime in with some advice, or clue me in to yet another feature I'm completely gripless about?

While I'm awaiting your sage advice, I'm going off to check on the Boy in the Bubble....

 

P.S. I seriously recently listed a few new items, and calendars should arrive within 10 days, just in time for the holidays and 2012!

Etsy Elation!

Blog readers are the BEST! I was despondent last night when I feared my inactive listings had expired, but thanks to Beth and Barbara, all my items have been renewed (yet still inactive). Apparently, it's much easier to bleat about my etsy problems than to spend the time investigating them myself. A bazillion thanks to both, and all commenters for feeling my pain. It's buoyed me to continue.

As an aside, this incident reminds me, once again, how amazing it is to be blogging and have hundreds/thousands of invisible friends who CARE—who offer SUPPORT and MOTIVATION. I might sometimes feel like a lone junker and overwhelmed potential etsy seller, but you've got my back. I'm a lucky grrrl.

Etsy Ennui

EVIDENTLY, ETSY is not for ENTRENCHED procrastinators. It's my own fault. Way back in June, immediately after the Art & Soul show, I actually motivated to start the arduous process of photographing, blurbing, pricing, reckoning estimated shipping, and ultimately populating the alleged Etsy shop. Of course, I wasn't quite ready to actually OPEN it, but knew I had 26 items just waiting, waiting, waiting, ready for a simple click.

 

EPIC fail. This morning, in advance of prepping for the calendar listing, I checked my "inactive listings" and found it EMPTY. Um, WHAT inactive listings? I'm an EEDJIT. How did I not know they EXPIRE after 4 months if not renewed? Now that I know that, of course they do. There is not a server large enough to accommodate all the failed, aborted, and left-hanging etsy ambitions.

Oh, but how crushing! I was nearly ready. Thus begins the cycle again.

Embracing Etsy: The Launch

{This is the latest and brand-new installment in my tortuous ramp-up to launching an Etsy shop. The original 3 posts ran on Indiepreneur, and I re-posted them all here. To cringe along with me, you can always click on the "Embracing Etsy" category way over there >>>>>. 'Taint for the faint of heart, but it might save you a little anguish if you're launching one.}

When 3 of my invisible blogbuddies opened up Etsy shops within a week of each other, I realized I was being a wuss by dragging it out. OK, an ambitious, over-employed wuss, but a wuss nonetheless. 

After designing calendars featuring 13 eye-candies and comprehensive listings of nationwide antique/flea market events, I knew that it was TIME to launch the Etsy shop. I'd made some earlier items available directly through my blog, which turned out to be a shipping/billing/tracking nightmare (on my end). I'm eternally grateful to every single reader who inquired and/or bought through my random blogposts, but it had become evident that I needed to handle it through an organized system. 

(Never fear, however: you can ALWAYS buy directly from me if you like something on my blog posts. The only advisory is that if it's already been placed in my booth, I can't get to it until the weekend. And, as a bonus, I will ALWAYS offer a discount on blog purchases, since it doesn't impact my ginormous rent.)

 What I've learned, however, is astounding. 

Shipping: Obviously, I need to educate myself about shipping. Besides having quality merchandise, I think shipping and customer contact are the most important aspects of being a successful Etsy seller. I'm willing to admit right here, front and center, that it's the hardest thing to incorporate into a normal grrrl's daily life. I fear having a big-grrrl job is hindering my ability to easily launch. But I'll make it work. 

And thanks to all my buyers who have been so understanding while I figure things out. And I'm STILL figuring things out. 

I've been shipping through my company's mailroom, and although he's as sweet as can be, I know it's not his job to help me. I've ordered the Priority Mail boxes, and have loaded up on envelopes and other shipping accoutrements, but really wanted to have some other niceties before I started. Now with the Macbook setback and loss of many of my graphics/photos, that's been pushed back too. ARG. Experienced Etsy sellers have advised me to:

1. Set up a "shipping station" at home with all the supplies I'll need, most importantly an accurate scale. 

2. Sign up with USPS for an online account so I can print my own postage. Haven't done this yet, but will in the next few days. 

3. Befriend my mailperson. Unless I feel like trekking all my packages directly to the nearest post office (or hitting up my company mailroom dude), the mailperson is basically an unpaid employee. I intend to warn him, and possibly bribe him with a big plate of cookies. I doubt he wants ephemera. 

Customer service: In most instances, I did not contact those who ordered my calendars. I now regret not doing so. I know not every Etsy seller does so (in fact, most that I've ordered from haven't), but I do want to establish an ongoing relationship with buyers. 

Make it purty: I'm so tickled when I receive something I've ordered all gussied up. I know it's not essential to customer service, but it really does make a difference. One time, I ordered something and it came duct-taped in a coffee can. It was certainly memorable (and secure), but not impressive. I'm not aiming to impress, but do want to show I took care in packaging and finessing. I've got a few ideas up my sleeve on which niceties I'd like to have and hope to get them soon! 

Your business relationship with Etsy: Because I get email alerts when anyone orders something, as well as a PayPal email, I hadn't really checked to look on Etsy. After logging in, peruse all the sections. Go to "Your Etsy" for expanded details about your shop. At left, under "Sold (orders)" you can check off which have received payment and which have shipped. I was ecstatic to see this here, rather than creating a potential spreadsheet on my computer. Another thing that no one had mentioned, and I'm glad I thought to check, is Your Etsy Bill. Good thing I did, as it was due in the MIDDLE of the month! Whew. 

Feedback: My feeling about feedback is this: you rub my back, I'll rub yours. Unless there is something egregiously wrong or disappointing with an item, it's a courtesy. You, as well as customers, have feedback ratings to "red-flag" one another as to any potential warning signs. 

All in all, I feel like Etsy was fairly easy to set up, and once done, very navigable and user-friendly. 

Anyone else have a few pointers or ideas? I'd love to include them.... Now I just have to start listing more items!!!! Wish me luck.

 

Embracing Etsy: Nearly There

{This series of posts chronicling the tortuous ramp-up of my alleged Etsy shop originally ran on Indiepreneur. In the interests of keeping all my content together in one place, I'm re-posting them here. This particular one ran on August 24, 2009. That should give you an idea of how long it took me to JAM on this! The now-live VRS Etsy shop is finally populated!}

Don't ever doubt that I live an exciting life: I just spent a few hours (on a Friday night, no less) finally setting up my Etsy shop. Just "setting up". Nothing's in there yet. My excitement clearly does not translate to your excitement. 

Here's the low-down.

Appearance: check. Easy, once I resolved my banner issues. 

Announcement: check. I wish they'd rename this—it's more like your only front-page information. Unless a prospective buyer starts digging into your profile, shop policies, etc., this is pert-near all they'll see. Pay more attention to it than you'd like to.

Sections: check. You can have a maximum of 10 sections. In my estimation, naming them is a little tricky (plus character count is limited). I wanted them to be informative, but also a bit more "fun" than usual. For instance, I used "bling" as one. 'Nuff said. I'm guessing people these days actually search on the word bling, rather than jewelry or rhinestone or broken-old-piece-of-old-lady-sparklies. Little known fact: bling actually made it into the dictionary in 1999 (courtesy of rappers, I suspect). On the plus side, you can enter categories in any order and then re-order and/or re-name them easily. 

Payment methods, shipping policies, yadda yadda: check. All very straightforward and easily changed later once I realize what I've gotten into. 

It's all in a very easily navigable menu, which you can preview at any time. LOVE IT.

One thing it didn't prompt you on, which I'm happy I thought to check, is your public profile. 

I used my avatar (which I'd created a year ago, when I was only a buyer) as the photo, but I'm guessing you could use anything. Etsy has loads of advice on avatars, suggesting it be something easily recognizable as your Etsy presence. Mine doesn't tie in exactly with my banner/name, but I think it's memorable. A lot more so than my face would be! I thought about using my logo, but that seemed too boring. In retrospect, however, I wish I'd used my logo. Oh well. 

All in all, it was super-easy. Now comes the hard part. 

Embracing Etsy: Etsy's Handbook, Storque, and Forums

{This series of posts chronicling the tortuous ramp-up of my alleged Etsy shop originally ran on Indiepreneur. In the interests of keeping all my content together in one place, I'm re-posting them here. This particular one ran on August 17, 2009. That should give you an idea of how long it took me to JAM on this! The now-live VRS Etsy shop is finally populated!}

I'm sure I won't make many friends with this post, but it has to be said: Etsy has TOO MUCH advice. Has anyone, save for a meddling friend, ever given you too much advice? Didn't think so. 

Although I appreciate all the time, effort, and woman-hours [although Etsy was founded by a dude, face it: most of the sellers and shoppers are women] that went into it all, it is overwhelming. 

That said, I feel that some of it is glossed over too easily. I definitely needed a lot more advice on making my banner. Something that was more geared towards a Mac, rather than a PC, would've been welcome. If I'm a designer that can't get my banner right, I feel really sorry for the average person trying to create a banner. 

And although I TOTALLY appreciate the forums, I feel that they could severely benefit from some condensation. I know it rankles every editorial nerve in me, and borders on First Amendment violations. OK, that's just being alarmist, but.... My point is that I would've appreciated archived "help" posts that excised the posts along the lines of "thanks!", "good advice," and "can you take a look at my shop?". I know, I know. It's important to keep that all up there. They are forums, after all. But if they were condensed in another format, that would be most helpful. 

Perhaps a yearly (dare I suggest twice-yearly?) editorial/admin revisit on the advice would be more helpful to newbies?

I'm the first to admit that I get exasperated and want a quick fix. Perhaps that's just me, and it's not what Etsy is interested in, but I would find it a lot more helpful. 

That said, I must commend Etsy for the mentors, administrators, and street teams that give 200% at making the Etsy seller experience supportive. It's truly a unique model and I do appreciate it. In fact, I need to take advantage of it. If only I could wade through it.

There, I said it. 

 

 

Embracing Etsy: Getting Started

{This series of posts chronicling the tortuous ramp-up of my alleged Etsy shop originally ran on Indiepreneur. In the interests of keeping all my content together in one place, I'm re-posting them here. This particular one ran on August 10, 2009. That should give you an idea of how long it took me to JAM on this! The now-live VRS Etsy shop is finally populated!}

In preparing to launch an Etsy shop, I hope I've done my research. I fear, however, that I've done TOO MUCH.

My advice: definitely read the Etsy Handbook, and peruse The Storque and forums to get a sense of what you need to do, what problems others are experiencing, and great advice. 

As a long-time Etsy shopper, the first thing I tried to do was to change my login to match my eventual shop name. This is VERY IMPORTANT. If you don't have an account yet, do so. If you already have one under a different name (like your nickname or an email or something), beg and plead to get it changed. It did take me a few times dealing with an Etsy admin dude, but I knew it was crucial. 

Once that was done, I opened a shop account. It's dormant, but I can access it anytime to get it perfected. For me, this was essential as well, as it gave me the incentive to actually follow through with it. It also forced me to really start thinking about my announcement, shop policies, categories, etc. 

That was all about 6 months ago. What I'm stuck on now is perfecting my banner. Oh, it SUCKS being a designer. I'm a 2-D newspaper designer, so am spazzing about making a digital banner. I rarely need to create web designs (I do mainly layout) for my big-grrrl job, so although I KNOW exactly what I want it to look like, I'm stumped on how to achieve it. 

My advice: keep it simple. There are plenty of templates (the bannerator) and Etsy sellers who will gladly and surprisingly cheaply make one for you. I initially contacted someone to come up with a banner for my Etsy shop, another banner for my blog, an avatar, and a logo for print items. The total charge was only to be $45, which is astounding. 

I ultimately decided not to go with it, as I was still hung up on my vision. Hers was great, but as a designer, I realized I truly wanted it to be organic—my own. I hate being a sloppy perfectionist, if only when it comes to VRS....

Every piece of advice I'd read advises that your name, banner, and avatar should truly reflect what you are selling. I suspect this is possibly the best advice I've received, which is why I've been paralyzed.