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Arts and crafts

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

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Original poster

How long should I try to sell my cards on ebay before giving up?

40 replies

Riddo · 13/04/2006 08:35

I'm trying to sell handmade cards on ebay but have so far only sold enough to cover all the fees. Is it worth perservering?

OP posts:

Original poster

Riddo · 13/04/2006 12:17

No takers since Tuesday. Anyone got experience of selling to craft shops?

OP posts:

pepperpots · 13/04/2006 12:18

Don't suppose you have any nice birthday cards do you?

Original poster

Riddo · 13/04/2006 12:23

I did have a nice fairy one on but no one bought any and a football one. So far only new baby have sold. Perhaps I'm giving up too soon.

OP posts:

pepperpots · 13/04/2006 12:24

Give it a little while longer but i will have a look cos i'm looking for something unusual for my little sisters bday she will be 12 (a young 12 iyswim)

Original poster

Riddo · 13/04/2006 12:27

Thank you for the encouragement Pepperpots. I feel much better. My sellers name is Rachel1441 but don't feel obligated - they may not be your taste!

OP posts:

pepperpots · 13/04/2006 12:41

OMG! There are over 8000 cards give me a clue as to whats on the subject line because i can't search by name or if you can i don't know how

PiccadillyCircus · 13/04/2006 12:46

\link{http://crafts.search.ebay.co.uk/_Cardmaking-Scrapbooking_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQrdZ0QQsacatZ11788QQsassZrachel1441\Here are the items for sale}

pepperpots · 13/04/2006 12:47

have found and bought just what i was looking for

pepperpots · 13/04/2006 12:48

Thanks Piccadily
Riddo i don't suppose you make 1st Birthday cards too?

jenk1 · 13/04/2006 13:14

Riddo, i dont know why they arent selling as they are lovely cards and at a good price too.

I wouldnt give up yet if i were you

MrsBigD · 13/04/2006 13:56

just had a look at them they're lovely and very reasonably priced considering how much one pays in the shops for cards :) Keep it up.
I find ebay a bit disheartening at times, but as long as you break even it's a start :)

Original poster

Riddo · 13/04/2006 14:05

Thank you for all your encouraging words.

Pepperpots. I can make a first birthday card - if you pay for the shape and style you like and add details of exactly what you want - gender, hair colour etc then I can do it. There is a space in the paypal bit for you to make requests. Thanks

OP posts:

pootlepod · 13/04/2006 15:41

They look like very nice cards. Since a lot are baby cards, have you thought about selling via parent and toddler groups? You could approach them to have a stall and either give a fee of give a percentage of your takings for their funds. Or perhaps advertise in your local NCT newsletter? Just some ideas (as I am thinking about doing the same)

heavenis · 13/04/2006 16:07

They look lovely cards.Have you thought about puting more birthday cards on. If you can add things like age or a name why don't you advertise that too.
Your feedback is good.
One thing I would suggest is having a separtate buying account.
This way people can't see what you've bought. If your using the item in your card making they'll know what it cost you IYSWIM.

perfumelady · 13/04/2006 17:30

with regards to the unsold football cards did you put the words like liverpool, chelsea, southampton, arsnel, everton in the subject bar that way football fans searching for football stuff will have your cards come up when they type there football clubs name in. i sold loads of hand crafted cards on ebay for my mum but she did lots of character ones, like thomas, tweenies, groovy chick, bratz disney princess etc but also sold footbal and baby ones i always put at the bottom of listing please check out my other cards for sale this works because people read that then tend to see what else your selling. my mum now sells them on industrial estates offices and factorys etc she delivers them on a monday and picks the box back up with money collected on a wed or thurs she sell loads this way, you could also try craft fairs and school fairs this time of year there are loads going on or try and get a local shop to sell them for you add an extra 20p to price and give it to shop for each one they sell.

perfumelady · 13/04/2006 17:37

also forgot to add the ones i sold for my mum were personalised with name and age, and also got loads of emails from ebay sales for people asking for more cards like please could you do me a little mermaid with age 5 with the name emily, so got loads of private sales. do a freead on freeads.net then people might email you with order or do an advert on mumsnet advert section with a link to your ebay site so people can see what the cards look like.may be just say you can do a character that the child maybe into plus card will be personalised with childs age & name

perfumelady · 13/04/2006 17:39

that should have said any character not a character. sorry

UCM · 13/04/2006 18:14

Riddo, Sorry to be blunt, but why on earth would anyone look on Ebay for a card. I wouldn't ever, and I am pretty sure that no one else on here would....... Correct me if I am wrong but if you wanted a card for your Sisters new baby would you look on ebay.

Your cards are fantastic. You need to put them in the Gallery on here, to start with.

Then look at your local paper, check out Spring Fairs etc at the local schools.

I am so sorry if I have upset you, I started making cards seriously less than a year ago and I have my own website, only 8 people have ordered a card from it.

JayzMummy · 13/04/2006 18:54

Hi Riddo and welcome to the arts and crafts board.

Your cards are really lovely and you should pop some into the gallery here.

Ive sold a few cards on ebay....but from the sales have generated further sales by the customers coming back and reordering.

I think its just a case of persevering and not giving up.

I also sell to a couple of shops and do the school craft/spring/easter/summer fairs etc. Try contacting all the PTA's in your area and ask for dates of any fairs they have organised....ask if you can hire a table from them and then get making!!!
Once a customer buys a card from you they have your details and most come back for more.
Pop a lable on the back of your card giving contact details etc.

Dont give up....it takes time for word to get about that you are making,selling cards and building up a good customer base doesnt happen overnight.

Original poster

Riddo · 13/04/2006 21:14

Thanks everyone for your helpful words. School fairs is a great idea. I was planning on selling them at ds's school but I will try others too.

Thank you purfume lady for your suggestions.

UCM - I agree that I wouldn't buy a card from ebay but I've sold some. My hope was that people who live a distance from a decent card shop might be interested. I do need to investigate other outlets though. I'm not very confident about selling my stuff hence ebay as it's anonymous

OP posts:

Dior · 13/04/2006 21:21

Riddo. I think that people on ebay are looking for a real bargain, and don't want to pay for quality. Also, there are some really cheap cards in supermarkets now. It is my own experience that people buy more cards when they can actually see them. I sometimes have girly nights at my house, or take my cards along to other girls' get-togethers. I usually sell quite a few. I also do table-top sales.

Shops are a good idea, but you might have to accept 'sale or return' terms. I have three shops selling my cards, and they sell slowly, because they are always with cheaper cards! They do sell though!

I also take my cards to my old M&T group, at special times of the year, like Mothers' Day. I pay the group 25p per card sold.

mumball · 16/04/2006 11:54

Just bought two of your cards. Why not buy them on Ebay, saves going out, more time on mumsnet :o

Original poster

Riddo · 16/04/2006 14:45

Mumball - which two did you buy? I can't see them in my sold list.

OP posts:

Radley · 16/04/2006 15:28

I think they are lovely too, but, i make my own too.

Radley · 16/04/2006 15:31

That last post of mine was a bit vague riddo. What I meant to say was,

Your cards are lovely, but, I do agree with what some people have said about the majority of people going for the cost rather than the quality. I do sell some, but it is only to close friends and family etc. I have LOADS to do in June.

Keep at it on ebay with selling your cards, they are lovely, and the only reason I wouldn't buy one, is not because of the price (I think they are reasonable) but, because I make my own.

The only kind of cards that I buy are the 'Deepest Sympathy' cards.

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