No interest in my handmade crayon tote bags on Marketplace

[Helensalsa]

Hi everyone,
I'm hoping for a bit of advice from fellow parents. 😊
I've recently started making handmade Disney-themed children's crayon tote bags and have listed them on Facebook Marketplace, but unfortunately I haven't had any enquiries yet.
I'd really appreciate some honest feedback from a parent's point of view. Is there anything that would make you more likely to buy one? Is it the photos, the description, the price, or is it just not something you'd look for on Marketplace?
I genuinely believe the quality and price are good, but I'd love to know what I could improve. I've shared them on a few Strood Facebook groups too, but still haven't had any messages or comments. Similar products seem to sell well in shops like Argos, so I'm wondering what I'm missing.
Any constructive advice would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you, Hels ❤️

Why specifically for crayons? Surely they would slide out every time the bag gets put down flat. Any without lids would mark the outside of the bag and potentially clothing as well. Where is it you are imagining children carrying lots of individual pencils? I think making pencil cases would be more practical. Or perhaps tote bags with a built in pencil compartment of some type?

Also if you only sell in the Strood Facebook group, then the reason I wouldn’t buy it is I don’t live in Strood.

You can't sell items made with Disney themed fabrics; people have learnt this the hard way.
Agreeing with others that the pencils/pens are not secure and will fall out.
Tote bags are extremely easy to make, and the market is saturated with them. You need something that stands out whilst being practical and suitable for its purpose.

Can anyone link to the similar in Argos products cos like the many others I don't get this?

I don't have kids so no real opinion on the product, but I strongly doubt this is the kind of thing people are searching for when they go on Facebook Marketplace. Most people are going to be looking for secondhand items - furniture, bundles of kids' toys, baby stuff etc. They're not really going to be looking for something that, although cute, is a fairly gimmicky, niche, non-essential item.

Agree with everyone else.

• Facebook market place is the wrong place for new handmade stuff.
• If that is your advertising photo, it doesn't show the product well - a flat lay is far better.
• Disney WILL sue your arse off - they are actively looking for small 'one man band' businesses to go after because it is a super cheap way of defending their trademarks, which they have to do (a trademark must be actively defended or it will go dormant and someone else could then take it, is the simplified version). So do not think that as you are just one person you will fly under the radar, they're expressly looking for you. Disney fabrics are licensed for personal use only - you'd need to apply for a commercial licence, which costs a fortune and they won't approve if they don't like your product.
• It isn't a particularly good product, not very practical, better options around.

Come up with a better product - a waterproof lined pen/crayon roll that has a place to sit inside a smaller bag for example. In a variety of plainer and legal-to-use fabrics. If you want to use FB and say, Insta or TikTok, make a FB page that shows your product images and directs people to an insta or tiktok shop.

Look at the products other people are making and then improve on them.

As others have said, it looks dangerous if a child fell over the landed on the crayons Even worse if they also store scissors or pencils will the point upwards in it.

Why post a photo of a child. Not appropriate.

Like others have said the pens would fall straight out and it's massive. Have you actually tried it in a day out. I know I'd end up carrying it and cursing it and chucking all the pens in the bag. I never bothered with anything I had to sort things into individual pockets each time.

I still find crayon ends in various handbags of mine!

It's impracticable

I'm not really understanding the concept. If I wanted to transport crayons I'd use a pencil case. If I wanted to have easy access to them while I was using them then your pocket design could be useful, but on an apron not a bag.

Have you considered making tote bag type products to order based on a child (or adult’s) favourite T-shirt/duvet cover etc material?

I’ve work in retail and it’s surprising how many kids have a fascination with something obscure eg a pink hedgehogs

There are businesses that will sew a teddy based on a child’s outgrown baby clothes and the idea is that each item would be more bespoke than using Disney that could get you in trouble!

It doesn’t have to be limited to bags- scrunchies and other items would be easy enough.

Not sure why you went for a crayon bag. A pencil case would be more understandable for a group of people known for running and jumping around.

Why?

Don't post photos of children on SM. As a product, it doesn't look practical.

youd be better off making them smaller;
like a small child’s tote bag, still character themed, and then including inside some matching theme colouring activities / book etc. Like a little themed activity bag. You could sell letter charms (or give one free) with each bag so people could add their child’s name. Good for travelling and birthday parties etc.

I don’t think there’s a need for a large tote bag with pens on the outside.

It’s not practical, they will fall out within minutes.

This is the sort of thing I would buy only if my 5 year old asked for it, but she can't browse Marketplace..if it were at a local fair or market stall, she might very well ask me to buy it for her, but I wouldnt seek it out online? Have you tried selling them locally in person at car boot sales etc?

Also agree with other posters that other non-character prints would be potentially more appealing (my kids are very into sloths, capybaras, turtles etc).

Hi OP 👋

My DM bought my DS this pencil roll back from her holiday - is this something different you could try?

I agree with others that Disney infringement is not something you want to do - they are obviously a huge company so you're ripe for being sued!

Plus... Facebook marketplace isn't really the best place to sell, and I'm sure if you tweaked the design to a lovely one and sold on Etsy or similar, you would have a lot more luck ✨️🥰

Do you understand that by selling unlicensed products, then anyone can buy them and then ask to see your license from Disney and when you cannot provide that then they are entitled to a full refund without returning the product?

Stop ripping off copyrighted ideas.

Even on the Strood page where you advertise them I cant find the price? Plus I would be very careful about all those photos of your child with the bags and as others have said you need to stop using the Disney fabric and name straight away.

I'm sorry but I wouldn't even use that if someone gave it to me for free. Anywhere we go where the DCs might need to colour in, we just thrown their books and pens in any bag we have around. I wouldn't keep one specifically for that purpose.

That pencil roll looks ace, for a kid (adult, ahem) who cares deeply about keeping them in colour order!
The bag not so much. The proportions are wrong.
actually that reminds me of another post (which got taken down) where a weirdly proportional woman was asking opinions on her very average outfit. Is this a bot post or something?

I think the lack of sales or enquiries tells you everything OP, unfortunately.

Echoing others re. Disney too. I deal with Disney professionally and it is extremely expensive to become a licensed seller, so it is annoying to see people flogging knock off items made at home as Disney.

Putting the pencils on the outside looks very impractical to me, @Helensalsa - they will fall out and get lost - sorry.

Sorry I agree with others that I don't see the point in the bag and would use a pencil case