Lowery's Loft LLC on Etsy!

I have finally done it!  I've opened a store on Etsy.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/LowerysLoftLLC

There are only a few items in the store right now.  After listing so much jewelry on eBay, I've been inspired to start creating jewelry.

In the shop there will also be items under the theme "Choose Joy."  This is my mantra this year and I look forward to making magnets and pictures to hang with this theme.

With all the back to school hype, I might take a detour and make items on Teachers Pay Teachers as well.  There are just not enough hours in the day!

Please share, share, share Lowery's Loft LLC with your friends whether it is the eBay, Etsy, or TpT.  Please pin items on Pinterest and share on Facebook.

 I am trying to stay at home with my daughter and grow my business.  Thank you so much for helping to support Lowery's Loft!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LowerysLoftLLC

Also please remember www.LowerysLoft.com has links to just about everything.  

(I haven't added TpT to it yet.)

Shipping Lots on eBay (How Much Do I Charge?)

Tonight I am going to list lots of lots on eBay.

When I list in lots I weight the lighter lots.  If they are less than 13 oz I mail them and charge between $3.00 and $3.75 for shipping.  I try to keep shipping costs low for the buyer but I have to factor in the cost of supplies (e.g. mailer, bubble wrap, printer ink, label) and the fees (PayPal & eBay).

If it is a small lot that weighs more than 13 oz I try to ship it in a flat rate envelope which I charge $5.00 since I do not have to pay for the envelope itself.  I prefer this method because it is more economical than the flat rate box and it hold more.

The flat rate box is ideal for breakable or fragile items.  I charge $5.75 usually to mail it via this method because it costs a wee bit more.

When the lot is larger I aim to have it fit in a medium flat rate box.  I charge $10.00 and eat some of the fees.  Chances are if you are using a medium flat rate box that the value is higher.

Regular boxes shipped priority that weigh two pounds or less I charge between $6.50 and $8.00 depending on the weight.

Large flat rate boxes are great for very heavy expensive items.  I really do not like to use them often through because the shipping is $17.00 which can eat into profits.  So rather than shipping a ginormous large flat rate lot, I may break it into two smaller medium flat rate boxes to make shipping more affordable for the buyer.

Well, that's my take on shipping!

You can check out my listings to see how I do it.

Please note sometimes I charge less than what it costs me to ship and build it into the price.  For example If I think a pair of earrings is worth $6.00 I may list them for $3.99 and only charge $2.00 shipping.  It will cost me more to ship it but I like to change it up some to see what motivates buyers.  I have found lower shipping costs can be a deciding factor.

Happy Shipping!

Understanding eBay (Trying to Build Traffic)

It can be overwhelming to try to understand eBay.  I know how to list products, manage my store, find items, but I do not know how to build traffic.

Merely stating eBay is huge...is an extreme understatement.  There are millions of sellers and gazillions of listings.  (I may be exaggerating...or not, your call.)  The question of the day is:  How do I get others to notice my items in my store?

I've been looking into SEO optimization and it sounds interesting.  I do know that when I am super descriptive in my "description" my items get found (especially if they are on the rarer side).   

But when I list an average run of the mill costume / fashion unsigned jewelry bit or bauble, it is like a needle in a haystack.  I guess I could simply limit my listings to items that have a name per se and clearly identifiable attributes.  I am getting better at doing this but there are many pieces that are beautiful and they go unnoticed because the words to describe them are overused.  What do you do then?

I guess the solution would be to draw more people into my eBay store where they happen upon these items while perusing the listings.  BUT...Do people actually do this?  What type of shoppers are on eBay?  Are they the ones who are looking for hard to find items and hone it and buy just that item or are they leisurely lookers who glide from one eBay store to the next?

What can I possibly do to set my store apart?  In all essence I am just another resale shop.  I try to have excellent customer service.  I know that is important.  What can I do to get satisfied customers to share my store?

How long does it take to grow an online store?  

I'm sorry to ramble but this is how my mind has been revolving since beginning eBay.  I research and I research and I research.  I apply some techniques and I research and I research and I apply but my wheels are spinning.  

If you have any surefire advice on growing a business that does not cost money, I would love to hear it. 

Also, I am at around the 1,000 listing mark.  I want to grow my store further but then the fees grow too.  Would it be better to just remain at this level or take it to the next step?  

AND when it comes to pricing I want to keep things at the impulsive price point because it is such a good deal but I feel that I might do better selling less for more. 

Is it better to sell less for more or more for less?  Sales is quite complex and there are gazillions of books and blogs about it all trying to sell you something.  I just need to continue to plod along and discover as I go.  It's just hard to be patient and grow slowly because what if it doesn't grow?  I'm thankful that it is manageable but I am ready to hit the ground running.  I guess I could just try to up my daily listings and make sure that I do not become complacent. 

That's my new plan of action.  List more daily.  Gradually find items that are at a slightly higher price point or sell the smaller items in lots and never give up.

On a very personal note:  My Dad passed in March and he was my eBay mentor.  Last week while digging through a bin at the top of my closet I found an autograph book from 5th Grade. Dad had written a message for me 25 years ago that struck home.  "Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win.  Andrea Never Give Up."  Needless to say, I am not giving up!  Learning is an evolving process and that is why I love it.  Learning eBay is just that.  Will I ever understand all the ins and outs of eBay or for building traffic for that matter? No but the quest continues...   

If you haven't visited yet...Check out www.LowerysLoft.com    

                                               

 The portal to my eBay store....oooooo.....ahhhhhhh

I added this nice little image (that you see everywhere) in case you wanted to pin it on Pinterest or share it on Facebook...Hint...Hint

$0.99 Auctions! Ninety-Nine Cents!

Everyone has heard of Spring Cleaning...

Well, this is a beginning of Summer Blowout!

This week many, many, many of my auctions will start at $0.99.

There will be other starting prices too.

Most items will be jewelry but not all...

Come check it out:  LOWERY'S LOFT LLC on eBAY

It's JUNE! - SALE!

Now through the end of June you get 15% off if you spend $50.00 or more on Fixed Price Items.  

There are fun items for Father's Day or just unique items for any day.

I mostly sell vintage jewelry but you never know what you will find at www.LowerysLoft.com.

Learning to Sell on eBay by Studying Other Sellers on eBay

I am still a Top Rated Powerseller ... Phew!

I've been researching other sellers that have 100% positive feedback because 99.8% bothers me.  Can you say perfectionist? 

What I have found is some sellers clearly state in the description to please contact them first if there is any problem.  

Well, that makes sense!  I need to go back to the mindset of a teacher and never assume.  I need to plainly state in my description to contact me first.  

I will say that I spend a lot of time on eBay in buyer mode (not always buying) but looking to see what other sellers do well.  

If you are thinking of selling on eBay the best thing to do is to start out by making a few small purchases to learn how others pack their items, what pamphlets, cards, or notes, are included and how they communicate with you.   

Take what you have learned and then create your own style. 

There are also a lot of discussion forums and online communities you can join.  I have done just one Q&A forum.  This is an area that I need to improve in.

In case you haven't noticed I love learning and adjusting and learning and adjusting.  It keeps things interesting and my mind stimulated.  Selling on eBay is rewarding.  You just have to find what works for you.

What Can You Do?

As you may or may not know, I am trying to make my new business work.  I am taking a leap and trying to sell on eBay full time and it is nerve wracking.

In life I have come to accept that you can't please everyone (this took years and I'm still working on it). Right now, I am a little frustrated trying to do the right thing.  

If I see an imperfection on an item, I note it unless I don't know that there is one to begin with.  I am not an expert on all vintage items so I take pictures and if something doesn't seem right I say it.  When it comes to sizing I can only state what it says and offer to measure it.

I offer a 14 day return policy but only hope/ask that the buyer contact me first so I can resolve any problems. With eBay's new return policy, if a buyer initiates an item not as described returned, it is considered a defect on my part and affects my rating.  

I do not deliberately mislead anyone and I answer and welcome questions.  I wish that returns were not considered defects because we have all bought something and decided it wasn't quite what we wanted or expected.  I buy and sell many things that are vintage.  I can only state what I see and not comment on the unknown.  

This is not the buyers fault because he/she deserves to get his/her money back if it is not what they wanted or what he/she thought it was going to be.  I just wish a return wasn't considered a defect because I welcome returns if someone is dissatisfied.  I would rather he/she feel comfortable to buy from me again.

What I do take issue with is when I refund the money and let the person keep the item and I get a neutral rating because ... What else can I do to make it a pleasant experience.  

People that are newer to eBay do not realize how important these ratings are to the sellers.  I am trying to keep everyone happy.  Normally I do not react like this but I am frustrated because even when I am a conscientious customer oriented seller, I cannot make everyone happy.  I wish I could.  

I want to remain a Top Rated Power Seller but I guess some things are just out of my hands and I have to accept the outcome.  

I'm trying to stay focused on this dream of working from home BUT with what's in the news AND with the uncertainty of income AND with feedback I really cannot control (even if I try my very best) ... It's Hard.

I keep repeating "Without Risk There's No Reward - Do Not Give Up" as my mantra.  Right now I am not so sure...Tomorrow will be another day.