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I read the threads with the E-bay sellers and the cards going for 15, 25$ etc. Any so many people were shocked by this.
I sell my stuff at work and no card is less that 6$, many for 7$. I have seen so many people say they sell their cards for 2 or 3 dollars.
Non-stampers are FLOORED by good home-made cards; if done slick, cute, stylish, they will pay! Because they do not believe they can make such a card. Everything they see looks like magic to them. Like, how did they get that paper all swirled (cuttlebug swirl embossing folder); what kind of glitter is that on the middle of those flowers? (stickles);where do they find these cute images! (all our great stamps).
And there are so many people in the world who have TONS of money. To drop some on a card is nothing for them. I think, know your customers, of course. If you can't sell high, then obviously you lower the price. But start high. Our work is worth it. To me, it is art .... art in the form of a card, which brings the recipient much joy.
Great advice! I just charge what it costs to make and a little extra because it really is a hobby for me and I enjoy doing it. I want people to feel like they are getting a great deal.
I was going to say that I could never sell my cards in my workplace for 25$. Not even sure if I could do it on E-bay, but one day, when I can get a fantastic card together, I may try. It's the bidding addiction and if someone bids on a crushed pepsi can, they will certainly bid on a beautiful card. (see thread by snap_scrap_stamp).
I used to manage a high-end women's clothing store. One thing I had to constantly remind the sales associates of was to stop judging people's potential purchases based on their own pocketbooks. It's not an insult to present high ticket items, lol!
I usually get $4 - $5 for mine. My friends seem ok with this but I have come across some people who consider that it is "homemade" therefore it should be cheap. These same people will pay the $6-$7 for a shop bought card which probably costs cents to produce. Of course it isn't made with love and some times blood, sweat and tears LOL
Non-stampers are FLOORED by good home-made cards; if done slick, cute, stylish, they will pay! Because they do not believe they can make such a card. Everything they see looks like magic to them. Like, how did they get that paper all swirled (cuttlebug swirl embossing folder); what kind of glitter is that on the middle of those flowers? (stickles);where do they find these cute images! (all our great stamps).
IMHO it's all about the market. If you have a way to sell your cards to a market that will pay the price, then I say go for it. But what I've seen more is that people think oh, it homemade so its cheaper and other who say "oh, I can do that."
I think we need to also consider the cost of a card if you only made 1. I figure the average card would be at least $20 considering the cost of the stamp, ink pad, and other assorted materials.
I did a large craft fair a couple of years ago and some of the comments where incredible - a shopper would comment to their friend that "well, I can make that" and then turn around and ask me how to do it. I would simply smile and say, oh it's easy, I'm sure you could do it and then change the subject.
I've seen some cards that I would never consider buying, no less selling, but people do.
One of the big things I see in home made cards is a flimsy card base. I think it speaks volumes. You never pick up a Hallmark card and are able to wobble the card around. Using a strong 110 lb cardstock for the base is just one small thing that makes a home made card more professional looking.
Can anyone think of other stuff that makes a card look more professional in order to sell it? I'd love to get some ideas!
(Of course, if you think the idea of a home made card is the fact it IS a home made card and should look it, that's a whole different story! And that is fine. I'm talking about getting top dollar for your work. And many people will not pay for something that looks home made).
Take a look at this card. I think it is gorgeous. Crisp, clean lines. Looks like you could have picked it off a rack in a boutique. I bet this card would sell for at least 7 or 8 bucks in an upscale boutique. Maybe more.
I must say I have been surprised at seeing how many people say they sell for only $2 or $3. That is definitely not enough. I just did a currency conversion, I sell mine for $5.50 - most people think that is not enough and will give more. I don't want a lot - if it started to feel like a business I wouldn't enjoy it. Mostly I give packs as gifts; it's in work I sell some and I think it's different too when you have an ongoing day-to-day relationship with people. Selling through a retail shop or online is impersonal and that makes it easier to charge more.
The home-made = cheap is a whole different ball-game. No point trying to sell to people who think like that, send them to the Euro-shop or whatever your equivalent is. For years I didn't make home-made gifts for my in-laws because I thought they would think they were cheap, till one year when we were a bit short on cash I did an embroidery with robins in the snow - they kept it up for years, and still have some other gifts I made myself on display. So I misjudged them totally!
The best thing is that everybody has different tastes - vive la difference
And back the the OP, if you're selling at all, I agree - don't undersell yourself.
I suppose I should have differentiated been hand-made and home-made, LOL.
Hand-made being the more professional. Why else do so many mass-produced cards now proudly say *hand-crafted* or *finished by hand* (in China, at sweat-shop wages, no doubt, and hard to work out what they've done other than stick things on!) if it's not a good selling point?
Layers and raised levels make a difference in 'wow' factor for me. These are probably the easiest things that a stamper can do and have it look more 'special'. The 1/8 layers are so easy, and so are adding a layer of dimensionals!
Quote:
Originally Posted by denidill
One of the big things I see in home made cards is a flimsy card base. I think it speaks volumes. You never pick up a Hallmark card and are able to wobble the card around. Using a strong 110 lb cardstock for the base is just one small thing that makes a home made card more professional looking.
Can anyone think of other stuff that makes a card look more professional in order to sell it? I'd love to get some ideas!
(Of course, if you think the idea of a home made card is the fact it IS a home made card and should look it, that's a whole different story! And that is fine. I'm talking about getting top dollar for your work. And many people will not pay for something that looks home made).
Take a look at this card. I think it is gorgeous. Crisp, clean lines. Looks like you could have picked it off a rack in a boutique. I bet this card would sell for at least 7 or 8 bucks in an upscale boutique. Maybe more.
In my experience, the majority of people think that handmade cards should cost less than store-bought cards. People have often complimented me by telling me that I should sell my cards, and that they would definitely pay $2 each for them! Wow, thanks! hehe, I know they mean well.
I have been in the card business for nearly 20 years. First working in a retail store, then as a sales rep and finally as a sales manager and product purchaser for a design-led card distributor.
So many of you are undervaluing your cards, that's for sure!
Think about this:
I went into an American Greetings store the other day. I looked a few cards. One was a plain card front with one (ONE!) felt flower on it. That was pretty much the whole card. This mass-produced card was retailing for over $5.00 (Canadian).
Don't be afraid to ask for what your card is worth!
The thing that kills me is the fact that with card manufacturer's - these cards are done in a mass production, highly efficient system, and their cost and time to creat a card have to be considerably less per card than those that are hand made (I prefer the term hand made to home made :p ). They charge twice and sometimes 3 times what we charge for a similar card and people don't have a problem paying their price. I realize that card companies have overhead and wages, but don't we have similar costs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by krystie lee
In my experience, the majority of people think that handmade cards should cost less than store-bought cards. People have often complimented me by telling me that I should sell my cards, and that they would definitely pay $2 each for them! Wow, thanks! hehe, I know they mean well.
selling your cards? don't under value your work
