Shopping Habits
11-14-2017, 03:55 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 985
Just my 2¢...I sell on EBay and Etsy and sales declined during the election last year and haven't really recovered since then. I sell craft supplies, vintage items, etc...kind of an eclectic mix. I should be selling about 3x what I am right now being the time of year.
11-14-2017, 05:18 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 4,443
Just my 2¢...I sell on EBay and Etsy and sales declined during the election last year and haven't really recovered since then. I sell craft supplies, vintage items, etc...kind of an eclectic mix. I should be selling about 3x what I am right now being the time of year.
11-14-2017, 05:52 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,595
The lack of sales may be due the site itself. How did she determine her sales were down? Dollar amount? number of sales? repeat sales? What is she doing to attract repeat sales, new customers?
Is the site kept updated and easy to use? If a site is cumbersome to navigate or takes a while to load, I will bypass it for another one.
How easy is the check-out process? Is there an ongoing marketing"grab" to keep customers coming back? It's all about building her marketing plan. Are the prices in line with other LQS and other online sites? Are the photos of fabrics a good representation of the actual fabrics?
What products does she offer? Tutorials? Patterns? Free items?
Just because you have a site, does not mean people will come. You still have to market and get it "out there". It might be time for a re-do of the site. There are companies that can help with the layout, buttons, and set-up. It just depends on what the owner wants to make of it.
Is the site kept updated and easy to use? If a site is cumbersome to navigate or takes a while to load, I will bypass it for another one.
How easy is the check-out process? Is there an ongoing marketing"grab" to keep customers coming back? It's all about building her marketing plan. Are the prices in line with other LQS and other online sites? Are the photos of fabrics a good representation of the actual fabrics?
What products does she offer? Tutorials? Patterns? Free items?
Just because you have a site, does not mean people will come. You still have to market and get it "out there". It might be time for a re-do of the site. There are companies that can help with the layout, buttons, and set-up. It just depends on what the owner wants to make of it.
11-14-2017, 05:54 PM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,595
We're doing much better since the last election. We have our own business and this last year has been the best since about 2009 or 2010. And my investment/retirement accounts and doing very well, too.
11-14-2017, 06:07 PM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 2,507
I have to echo what's been said. I rarely buy online anymore unless it's a specific panel, or something I just can't find at the fabric warehouse. I have a good sized stash, and have stopped buying all that fabric that routinely calls my name. (Or at least I try to tell it to hush!) I don't know what her site is like, but I get frustrated with sites that are not easy to navigate. It's not a financial thing with me, it's just a "I'll never finish what I already have planned thing".
11-14-2017, 06:18 PM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,146
I buy a lot online, and the number one thing that will discourage me (unless I really, really want something ) is if I can't use paypal. My husband's credit card has gotten hacked so many times from his online purchases that I am very reluctant to give out my credit card info.
11-14-2017, 07:00 PM
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,213
Since the population is said to be aging, meaning there are more 'older people' just don't always want to be collecting more stuff.
I have more fabrics than I could use in a couple of lifetimes so I don't buy much fabric anywhere.
Our business (unrelated) to sewing and a lot of other things was slowly failing for 2-3 years. Since we were over retirement age we closed it down. We are enjoying a much slower life.
I have more fabrics than I could use in a couple of lifetimes so I don't buy much fabric anywhere.
Our business (unrelated) to sewing and a lot of other things was slowly failing for 2-3 years. Since we were over retirement age we closed it down. We are enjoying a much slower life.
11-14-2017, 07:12 PM
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,230
Since the population is said to be aging, meaning there are more 'older people' just don't always want to be collecting more stuff.
I have more fabrics than I could use in a couple of lifetimes so I don't buy much fabric anywhere.
Our business (unrelated) to sewing and a lot of other things was slowly failing for 2-3 years. Since we were over retirement age we closed it down. We are enjoying a much slower life.
I have more fabrics than I could use in a couple of lifetimes so I don't buy much fabric anywhere.
Our business (unrelated) to sewing and a lot of other things was slowly failing for 2-3 years. Since we were over retirement age we closed it down. We are enjoying a much slower life.
My husband and I love antiquing and noticed that prices are lower than previously. At first I thought it was a fluke but I'm seeing it more and more. Could be that younger people don't want antiques- I don't really know. I know my own kids are minimalists and have very little "stuff". Sorry if I'm getting off the topic!!
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