Shopper Help
In this Discussion
- doodlesjewels March 2013
- Erin March 2013
- germandolls March 2014
- indieAdmin March 2014
- Junko March 2013
- Kandace March 2013
- Rikki March 2013
- rtnsgirly March 2013
- satiglenn March 2013
- scentsorycreations March 2013
Thoughts on whether there's really a need for this venue
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I've gone back and forth on this one and would love everyone's thoughts on whether this site would fill a needed niche or not. As a seller, do you find that it might be interesting for you? What about as a shopper?
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Okay, so as far as the indieCart vs. Etsy, (let's use etsy for now) I think both sellers and buyers alike will appreciate not having 47,000,000,000 other listings to compete with/sort through when searching. I know that is the all-time biggest thing that keeps me away from buying OR selling there. It's just all too overwhelming, and I really think we should market toward that. We can solve the "big problem" of being overwhelmed by offering a more cozy venue.
Also, reselling sucks majorly. And I am certainly not the only person who feels that way, lol. When I search "yarn" on a site like Hyena Cart, Etsy, Big Cartel, etc. I do NOT want to see Lorna's Laces, Noro, etc. If I wanted that yarn, I'd google for it. Making this STRICTLY HANDMADE ONLY will appeal to all the right people; the ones who specifically want to be 'green' AND support WAHMs. That seems to be our biggest demographic at HC, but so many of us are moving on with our lives, out of the baby/diapering stage, and into the home-steading, home-schooling phase (not saying they all do that, but just this type of mind-set.) To have a HC-like site to shop that is moving on with us, I think, would be delightful. -
I guess the only issue I see is how handmade is determined. If someone takes vintage pieces and reuses them in a unique way, will that be considered handmade? If someone uses stock yarn but dyes it themselves, is that handmade? I make dolls using cotton and wool, I make every inch of the dolls except the fabric itself so I'm not worried about my dolls or doll clothes being handmade since clearly they are, but I guess it's important to define what makes something handmade. I do consider dying yarn a handmade item even if it were stock yarn but I can imagine another doesn't. This is where etsy ended up allowing "resellers". There are beautiful vintage items there but are not altered in any way so my opinion would be not appropriate for this site.
If though the person disassembles and reassembles the vintage piece into a unique one of a kind item then it's handmade. However I wouldn't want to see someone take a vintage brooch, add some epoxy and glue it to a hair pin and say handmade. This is where very clear handmade definitions will be necessary. Also I see a dress seller on etsy and can find those dresses on international websites all the time. They are clearly a reseller but they make big money for etsy so they continue to allow it. How do you avoid someone getting in the site that is actually reselling even though they claim handmade?
Another issue for me personally is I do not knit. My stepmom knits sweaters and dresses for my dollies on Etsy I simply could list her as a shop member as she ships me the items, I list and sell and ship myself. How will this situation be handled?
There are my thoughts! Thank you Karen for inviting me. I've been so busy I lost track of this endeavor and am excited to learn it is happening! -
Hi Kandace -- you're right, and I'm probably going to play it by ear at first. I hate to write out some long, legalistic document with my definitions of handmade or not handmade. I'm going to take it case-by-case at first and learn as we go. Hopefully people will be ok with that.
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I like it. I hope to get some of my old HC traffic back. :)
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Hi there - we'd love to make the site easier to use for both you and your shoppers.
For pictures, can you let us know what has been hard for you?
For the shoppers that complained, do you have specifics on what bothered them about the site?
The stocking calendar lists stores based on when they have items stocking. Your store will show up automatically based on the start time of your listings. Shoppers can use the calendar to find out what stores are listing new items each day.
