Confess ONE lesson learned & spare a newbie :)
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Original Post
I'm still a newbie, but I've learned from my mistakes on Etsy & never plan to repeat them. I have many new bad ideas to try. BUT let's each list ONE BAD IDEA that might spare some other newbies. Then explain WHY it's a dumb move. I don't mean Etsy Rule Violations -- Read my big dumb move & you'll see what I mean:
LESSON: DON'T post your products on Etsy at one time! (I stayed up all night to get my store complete & am still paying for that dumb idea.)
WHY: Shortly after you add an item to your store, ETSY shows pics of it on its home page for the top 2 (3?) 'tags' on that item. Example: Etsy will show my new listing for a bracelet in both its 'Jewelry' and 'Bracelet' home pages. This is a few minutes of priceless publicity that brings looks into your store, if a buyer clicks on those pics!
OK, WHO'S GOING TO CONFESSION NEXT?
Posted at 6:39pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
Responses
I just sent two laminated bookmarks out in a regular envelope which weighed an ounce and thought I was being generous putting two stamps on the envelope, but it must have been considered 'rigid' and it arrived with 17 cents due to the buyer. I was mortified. Luckily the buyer was a fellow seller and understood.
Lesson learned: If unsure about postage, go to post office and ask.
Another mistake
disorganization - twice misplaced items I have sold and had to make replacements - Quick.
Lesson learned - put things away in individual bags and in one big bag .
Posted at 6:44pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
seattle, I've learned that lesson, too!!
I guess my lesson (and I'm still learning it, btw) is not to underprice yourself. If it wasn't for me finally asking for help, and for a very kind seller pointing out specific examples from my store, I wouldn't have known. And underpricing not only hurts you, since you lose money you've worked hard for, but the community, too, because other sellers feel like they've got to drop prices to compete.
Posted at 6:45pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
I shippd an item to Shanghai and ended up in the negative on the sale due to not checking where I was sending it and just putting in an average cos for international shiiping.
Weigh your items and lok into the postage before posting a shipping price on your items. I sent something to Australia for a lot cheaper and it was just as big and heavy.
Posted at 6:47pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
do not contact sellers to tell them they are being featured... i got muted as a potential spammer lol. To avoid this make sure you read ALL the Do's and Don'ts! ♥
Posted at 6:47pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
I had problems with shipping prices, too...I charged a buyer $3 to ship an item, the actual shipping ended up being almost $8!!! After shipping and fees, I barely broke even...but I learned my lesson!
Posted at 6:47pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
don't expect things to just "happen" on Etsy. You have to work hard to make sales... promote your work! Let people know you are here! You have to be a little shameless in these efforts.
Posted at 6:47pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
This is a fantastic thread! Keep 'em coming! **Sits back and grabs the popcorn**
Posted at 6:48pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
Put all your policy stuff (shipping details, size info, returns, etc) in your profile.
you'll probably want to tweak it, especailly if you're on a new learning curve, and this way it's all in one place.
Posted at 6:48pm Aug 9, 2007 EDT
