Business is S-L-O-ooooo-W-wwww

GavinsMommy · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:23 am Post subject: Business is S-L-O-ooooo-W-wwww

I am getting discouraged. I am trying to make extra $ for my family, but things just aren't moving! crying

I have stuff on clearance in WAHM wares, and my HC is constantly being stocked. http://hyenacart.com/CountryFaery/

So what is it? I have seen a new wahm that paints tees that are just drool

WOW I mean so AMAZING it almost makes me wanna give up & quit the biz lol

so I'm feeling bummed.

I'm making a poll so you can be anon, but if you want to add comments feel free to post or PM. You will not hurt my feelings I promise, I WANT feedback. The only issue I am aware of is at times I can be slow to get orders out, slower than I like, but when I have 5+ custom orders and well a life and family to take care of, it's hard at times. I aim for 2 weeks max but it can sometimes take up to a month. I take my time to make sure I deliver a nice product. Other than that??? So please help me out. Smile

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Melanie, wife to James, Mammy to Gavin & Brent (EDD July 11!)

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junko · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:22 am Post subject:

I vote "none of the above." I know it's true in my case that I'm just soooo busy with the kids, garden, and activities during the summer, that I just don't have the time to browse and shop online like I do the rest of the year! I'm sure it's that way with a lot of other people, too.
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shoefairy3 · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:00 am Post subject:

biz is just slow
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TheQueen · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:34 am Post subject:

I've owned Amethyst Cottage for 2 1/2 years now, and have watched business nosedive all over. We're heading into a recession. Web sales are down, holiday sales, all of it. I'm not trying to be discouraging, Melanie, just to reassure you that *everyone* is going through it. Perfect example: last year and this year I did the exact same venue for July 4th holiday week. Last year we broke all our sales records and dropped even our own jaws - this year, we did 25% of last year's sales. Not 25% less, 25% OF.

People are scared. The housing market is down, interest rates are not keeping up, the China recalls are horrendous, an election year is coming, the war - there are so many reasons. All you can do is bring your best product and best customer service to the table, and know that you've done what you can. It isn't US as retailers, WAHMs or people - it's the economy.
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GavinsMommy · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:12 pm Post subject:

thanks Melissa, I never really thought about all that kwim? You never realize what can be affected by what's going on in the world until it affects you I think..
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Melanie, wife to James, Mammy to Gavin & Brent (EDD July 11!)

Ebay Feeback * Coastal Creations

SunflowerMommy · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject:

There's a lot of reasons why biz is slow right now for everyone. A lot of people just don't have extra money this time of year. I know with us a lot of extra money is being spent on gardening, home repairs, vacations, lots of produce for canning and freezing and now school supplies and clothing. The bank account usually gets happy again in October/Novemver (just in time for Christmas shopping) LOL.

Another thing, specifically regarding what type of items you're selling, there are a ton of shirt dyers/painters around right now. Not only on HC but also on wahm wares over at ds and that makes for a ton of competition. I find that custom shirts sell better than instock because people like to pick their colours to match specifically with something they already have. Try offering up more custom YPA slots but only take in what you can finish in a reasonable timeframe (like a two week turn around time) so you don't get overwhelmed.

HTH

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Jill, mama to 5

GavinsMommy · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:14 pm Post subject:

thanks Mama, yea I must say I am shocked whenever I see some of your stuff in stock! lol Let me know when you offer custom slots again Wink

And yes, I do sell more custom than instock heheh
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Melanie, wife to James, Mammy to Gavin & Brent (EDD July 11!)

Ebay Feeback * Coastal Creations

SunflowerMommy · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject:

Yeah, it's been slow for almost everyone this summer. I've been really surprised at some of the stuff I've seen sit. It is starting to pick up again now though so that's good news for everyone. I quite like it when it's busy. It motivates me to actually get off the couch and work. LOL When things are slow I just don't feel like going into the sewing room.
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Jill, mama to 5

coco4cloth · Maxed out Hyena Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 3027 HC$ 31.15

We are soooo broke right now:( school started, we had to buy a large amount of money for my sons hockey, dd starts dance, and on and on. I can't remember the last time I bought something off hyenacart.

Beneath the Rowan Tree · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject:

Summer is very slow, everywhere ~ historically and this year specifically. So hang in there, after summer comes holiday shopping, right?

And yes, there are lots of painters (I am another one Embarassed

) but you know, we all do something different and everyone has different tastes, so I hear you about being bummed when you see the work of others (I try not to look, first of all because i get bummed out, and secondly because I don't want to inadvertently use someone else's ideas when my brain says "hey, how about this!" :P). just keep doing you best of what you do and your customers will come to you for what you do.

L
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steph322 · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject:

I'll admit, I'm not shopping due to being broke (hubby just became a SAHD). But I wanted to comment because I saw what you said about being slow to get orders out. More than two weeks, and sometimes a month would make me pretty unhappy if I had ordered from you, especially if you didn't send me an email (I don't know if you do, just saying), and I'd probably mention it in feedback. So I just wanted to mention that, in hopes that it will help you. Good luck, I hope things pick up!
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Stephanie, mommy to March babies Jamie 3/22/05, and Samantha, 3/20/07!

GavinsMommy · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject:

I always keep contact with my customers, and it says on my HC that it can take up to two weeks. That's the norm.. 1. I take my time so I give a nice product, 2. it needs drying time and to be heat set, 3. I usually have other orders going on too... if my calendar is clear of others though a few days usually. If it takes longer than that usually has to do with RL/family stuff going on. Ty tho! I've learned though what my limit is and am starting to limit the amount of orders I can take at once kwim?
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Melanie, wife to James, Mammy to Gavin & Brent (EDD July 11!)

Ebay Feeback * Coastal Creations

steph322 · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject:

Oh, I was thinking 2 weeks to a month to ship in stock stuff. If it is custom, or needs to be made after purchase, then of course it would take that long. Sorry, I misunderstood!
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Stephanie, mommy to March babies Jamie 3/22/05, and Samantha, 3/20/07!

GavinsMommy · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:51 am Post subject:

lol oh heavens no heheh instock stuff ships within a couple days Wink

hehe
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Melanie, wife to James, Mammy to Gavin & Brent (EDD July 11!)

Ebay Feeback * Coastal Creations

Ladyluck · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject:

I do shirts, appliqued not painted, and sell VERY few instock. most of my work is custom and not really even through the sale of custom slots, but through collabs, PMs, stuff like that.

Anyway, everything is just slow.
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