Roll for Adventure: New Dice Bags incoming... and mini Etsy rant
I've been a touch busy of late. In between the job hunting (I quit my job last month), I've been getting back to creating dice bags, amongst other crafty creations.
I finally got round to making up a mini version of the drawstring pouches (see above) I have been making to start using up my Liberty Tana Lawn fabric stash. There a few new prints I rather like the look of but before I can consider purchasing I really need to make a dent in the pile I have already!
I've also made two Bard Dice bags, in the classic size of 19 x 16 cm, which will hold more dice, the mini version comfortably holds one set, which is perfect for the extra-special ones. This version of the Bard class symbol is a little more time consuming due to the nature of working padded satin stitch but I love the 'domed' effect. One has already flown off to their new home, and the purple one (picture above) can be found on my Etsy store.
I've already got more designs to stitch up including three commission requests that I am currently looking into, I've just got to get my head around how I want to work out my commission rates but I am looking forward to the possibility of working on a multi-class design.
Also just to give my tuppence to Etsy's recent dumb-arse announcement Get Priority Placement in US Search with a Free Delivery Guarantee in their misguided move, this is to enhance and change the shopping experience for US buyers...
Buyers tell us time and again that paying additional postage costs often keeps them from making a purchase and coming back to Etsy. in fact, we know that shoppers on Etsy are 20% more likely to complete their purchase when the item is marked as delivered for free.
Etsy, Inc.
Not sure where or who they gathered this feedback from but as both a buyer and a seller on Etsy, I rarely nor do I seek out free shipping from sellers on Etsy. Reason being I know that majority (not all - resellers *roll eyes*) are individuals that simply cannot afford to offer such an option. It's not just the cost of physically shipping; it's the packaging materials, time spent wrapping an item, taking it to the post office etc. that's often overlooked. Which for some, like myself, isn't always factored into the shipping cost, most of the time I take a hit on this as I try to recycle and reuse packaging I've received.
Setting the right pricing strategy for you
Offering free delivery to your buyers doesn't mean you have to pay the postage cost yourself. Just like the cost of your materials and other business expenses, it's a cost you need to consider when setting the price of your item. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Delivery in the Seller Handbook for in-depth delivery education on creating a pricing strategy that's right for you. You can also check out our updated Ultimate Guide to Search to learn more about how to optimise your listings for Etsy search.
Etsy, Inc.
They are encouraging sellers to effectively increase their prices to cover this 'free' postage. Now as someone based in the UK, shipping to outside my home country is always going to be expensive. It costs around 4 GBP to post to the USA and that doesn't include tracking or insurance. By including the cost of the shipping, I am then inflating the cost for non-US based buyers. You could work out the average for postage around the world but at the end of the day, someone is going to be out of pocket. If you don't offer it you'll get bumped down the search listings. They already offer buyers the option to search for listings by 'free shipping'.
I don't see the logic and frankly I am not alone in this thought.
