But before I ask.... take a look at what I bought today from a "new to me" Etsy shop called Castawayshall
She measures 28" x 11" which I'm hoping will be a perfect fit for her new home.
So my question about Etsy is this....
Am I wrong in being a little "put off" when a buyer offers me a lower price on a single item or asks if I'll combine multiple items for a lower price?
The first time it happened I politely said no and then when it happened a few more times I got to thinking.... is this the norm and should I be willing to barter?
Whether you're a buyer or a seller (or both)....what do you think?
25 comments:
...hhmmmm
i am a little confused,
first, why did they ask if if you wanted a discount??
of course we'd all like things we admire and if it is a little less, why then yes, all the better ~ ring me up!
* on combining items for a lower price,
again, is it the merchandise that she is offering for loss, or the shipping??
sometimes when a customer wishes to order more than 3 items in my shop, they will email and ask to combine shipping ~ but i have not run accross anyone offering me a lower price on an item.
maybe they are trying to be nice and offer you a little something extra??
adore the mermaid:)
i will be checking that link out!
(if she offers me a reduced price, i'll let you know!)
xo, Rosemary
I buy and sell and am usually happy to barter though at the same time do not feel bad for saying no when I am firm on an item.
I may not have been clear.... it's buyers asking me as the seller if I can reduce my asking price
First of all Diane...you look just beautiful in your new photo!!
Second...I have been asked a few times and have said no sometimes and yes others. Depends on the item and how much I have invested in it. When a customer has bought multiple items and asked for a discount I've given 10% off. I always try and combine shipping when possible too.
I've also been asked if I wanted to trade an item from my shop for something out of theirs which has been lots of fun!
I am new to etsy and have not had this happen yet. But I think I would be put off if someone asked if they could purchase something that I was selling for less. I don't believe that is appropriate or kind. We as shop owners are trying to price things reasonably and fairly. I believe we should do unto others as we would want done to us.
I'm an avid Etsy shopper (hmmm, possibly an Etsy addict LOL) and I never barter unless the seller mentions it in their shop description. Otherwise I just click to buy and I think it's up to me, as a buyer, to find the best prices that work for me. It's Etsy, not Ebay!
I notice most sellers do offer lower shipping for more than one item but not all.
I've never bought or sold anything on esty, but I think would feel the same as you about the bartering. I do think that if they are buying multiple items though that shipping would be reduced. I've bought a lot of things on ebay and that is usually what people do :)
When I had my booth that happened all the time, which I was not real happy about. But on Etsy I would say No. I would never even ask! judy
Diane,
I think in this economy, you are certainly going to find folks asking if you can do better in price (as we run into at the shop quite often) I wouldn't feel too put off by it, but remember as the seller...you're within your rights to politely say no. (especially if you feel your price is more than fair to begin with) Also, if it's something you've created by hand, or painted, refinished, etc., you always have to consider how much time you put into it, and your time is worth something. I would think on etsy, you would find people more interested in combined shipping discounts, or perhaps a little break if they're ordering a few things from you. So far I've only been a buyer, but I do hope to begin selling soon. All in all Diane, remember that it's your merchandise and you get the final say. If you don't want to lose the sale, perhaps you could suggest a counter offer (going down a couple dollars to help the customer feel as though they've "won" a little. But that's totally up to you. I think we all learn by trial and error, experience, etc. It never hurts to go with your "gut" as well. Hope this helps some and best of luck selling on esty. I pinned one of your items on PINTEREST (the tin shoe)
Blessings & Hugs,
Karen
The only time i've ever had customers ask me for a "better price" is when they are ordering MANY, MANY of the SAME item as a "custom order." For example, 50 of my clay eggs instead of the 2 that I sell in one package. Also, my tags.....i sell them in sets of 4 or 6 but if they want 25 or more, then i lower my price. I always combine shipping though. I hope this helps! (LOVE you new photo...gorgeous!!) ;)
P.S. Just "hearted" your ETSY shop. Lovely!
P.P.S. i have also had other ETSY shop owners ask if i'd be willing to "trade" them items from my shop for something in theirs. It's fun!
I'm fairly new to etsy myself, Diane, and haven't had this happen yet. I do put in that I will combine shipping, but I don't think I'd bargain for a lower price on something I'm selling. I've put thought into the price I'm listing my items for and try and think "would I pay that amount for this item?". If it happens a lot you could add a sentence to your listings that prices are as listed, but you would combine shipping.
Love the new picture!
I have had a handful of people ask me to reduce my price on certain items, some I said no to and some I agreed only because the most they asked to be discounted was about $0.50 and of those that asked for the discount, never bought and those I said no to, did buy =) Hope this helps! Xoxoxo
Hi Diane~ I have an etsy shop and have had a few people ask If I would take a discount off items~ It really depends on how much youve invested in an item and for me it makes a difference if it is a return buyer that has never asked before. Really you should just go with what feels right depending on the buyer and the item. I always try to combine shipping for more than 2 items. Have a wonderful day!! xo Rachel :)
adorable photo of you btw! :)
Hi Diane,
I am a seller and a frequent buyer. I have done 2 trades...such fun, but you have to be careful. As far as price, I combine shipping, but make a concerted effort to keep my prices on handmade items really reasonable, so people know they are getting a good deal on something really unique. Vintage stuff I can sometimes give a little discount on depending on how much I have into it.
If I can, I will, if I can't, I say I'm sorry, and compare my prices.
There are people who are always going to try to get the price down no matter what we charge, so just don't let it get you down.
Hope that helps!
Hugs to you!
Becky
Oh! And the mermaid is sooo charming!! Love it! :o)
I think is bad manners! I've dealt with customers for over 30 years, some are a pleasure to work with and others just get on your last nerve! If you feel what you are offering is a good price then stick to your guns. When I price things for a show I always up the price a little cause most of the time people ask for something off. But on etsy, that just plain cheap! And I have people say, "well if I take several things, what can you do"? You quote them cheaper prices then they only want one or two items out of the group of things you priced, guess what it goes right back to the original price. This is a hard business and people think we are lucky to be in it! Ha! This is the hardest business I've ever worked in and it's not cheap to go out and buy things, fix them and take them to a show. We spent over $10,000 in fuel alone last year! Yes, $10,000! Crazy isn't it! Sorry, I'm getting all worked up! Hahahaha! I'll shut up now!
tot
Your Etsy is lovely.
Brand new to Etsy myself but I believe most sellers are pricing their items as low as they can.
Like someone said Etsy is not Ebay.
And if you think your price is fair stick to it.
Hello Diane - I love your turquoise mermaid...she's hot! As for Etsy, I'm new to it so haven't had someone ask for a discounted price yet. However, I have my own booth inside an antique shop for many years and sellers asking for discounts happen all the time.
In Etsy, if this ever happens to me, I think I would not be put off. Many buyers know that most sellers in Etsy are small business owners so they will ask on a personal level. For me, it all depends on the item I am selling and how low the price already is. You can always say "no", and add that the list price is already a good price. Well, I'm glad to have read this post...I'm still learning a lot from Etsy, and mainly, how can I up my sales. Any tips?
-Marie
That mermaid would look very at home in my beach house!
x
Melissah
From running a large antiques mall for some time--there are always folks who want a discount. I was stuck many times between the owners who did not want to do ANY discounts and the other dealers who wanted to discount. I can't tell you how many times we'd lose a sale over a few dollars because we couldn't get in contact with a dealer. Barging at a flea market, yard sale, or junk store is one thing, but once you've bought it, fixed it, cleaned it, and put it up for sale on Etsy, eBay, an antiques mall, etc. That is retail to me. In retail you pay the asking price unless it is on sale. If folks want a discount, they need to hunt for it, and fix it up themselves!
I wonder if it's much like a garage/estate sale, where it is very normal to ask for a lower price.
I never thought about asking less for an item in Etsy but I HAVE asked for lower prices with sellers on Ebay. Most of the time, the seller comes down..many times, they are firm.
I think in this economy I would do whatever it takes to make the sale and keep the customer happy.
I try to keep emotions out of it at my booth. If my stuff was flying off the shelves I wouldn't barter but if the inventory is collecting dust I say get it out of there...reduce it and use the $ to get new stuff!
♥Linsey @ Farmhouse Porch
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