As many of you know that have shops or booth spaces...there is always the constant "hunt" for treasures or items that we can resale. Of course I use the word "resale" loosely, because there is so much more to it than just finding, buying and selling. There is also the search, the haul, the cleaning, fixing and painting, pricing and hauling again to your shop space. So that being said, I'm going to rant a little.
See this pretty free standing white mirror in my booth...
I love painting boxes and the color on this round one it so pretty. It's Faux Real Paints newest spring color.
I just added some new items to my Etsy Shop. Some new pieces from Jeanne d'Arc Living and a lace dress from Areve.
Jeanne d'Arc Crocheted Hat with tulle, lace and pearl flowers.
New Jeanne d'Arc tunic in soft powder rose.
Cream colored Pantaloons from Jeanne d'Arc.
See this pretty free standing white mirror in my booth...
Let's talk about it for a minute. I found it, hauled it, cleaned and painted it, hauled it again, placed it in my booth, priced it. A customer wanted it but first she needed to make a phone call. She left the phone on speaker and I could hear the lady on the other end telling her to offer me a low price because I probably only paid $10. for it!!!!!! EKKKKKKKK, SCREAM, BOIL, SILENTLY BLOW A GASKET!!!
She then proceeded to offer me a price lower than what I paid for it before I made it beautiful!!!!
I smiled, while seething inside and told her my price was firm.
and she said...
"I'll take it!"
Does this happen to you?? I hear this all the time from shoppers. I just wish they would stop and think about how much work goes into that beautiful piece that they are wanting so bad, and keep their thoughts to themselves.
Oh, and by the way,
What about the ones who pick up your item, looks at it and says to their friend...."Oh, I can make this. It would be so easy!"
Yep, I'm thinking. Just go ahead and buy $300. worth of supplies and make away!!!
Okay, got my ranting out of the way.
Speaking of finding things. I found this great table at Habitat and the price was right. I just white washed it with some chalk paint and now it's mine! Well, until I decide to sell it...you know how it goes.
Okay, that's it for now. Thanks for listening to my rant and for visiting my blog.
Big Hugs!!!
Sissie
20 comments:
Hello!!! Wonderful as all blog ... perfect !!! kisses
I know how hard you work to make your items beautiful. It is so crazy that others want your hard work for pennies. Love the new table, pretty!
hugs,
Linda
Oh boy, yes! I've even had people try to low-ball me on Etsy (more so on the vintage/antique items) and I always hold firm. Sometimes I sell and sometimes I don't. It's the principle.
Jeanine
Everything such gorgeous
Hugs
Alessandra
Oh yes. All too familiar. We are just too used to the nice and thoughtful blogging community. I wish I loved to paint anything! Your table is a beauty.
I know how you feel-
sell at Market Days, have had booths before, and on Ebay.
People's best offers are really out there! (low)
Laura-
I just realized that I ran so fast to your shop that I forgot to leave a comment. I cannot wait to get this new style of JDL pantaloons. I love the Summer hat too but will have to wait.
Your whitewashed table is gorgeous. I think it is a keeper.
The table is beautiful!! I understand where you are coming from and that is exactly why I got out of the Craft Business!
I found that if I tried to sell my crafts for what I thought I put into it, they did not sell. When I dropped the prices, I had no trouble selling them but then it was not worth the time and energy to make the so I quit or I should say that I am on a hiatus until I decide what to do......
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb
I have been working in my booth moving things around and cleaning. I have overheard every possible negative thing about my items. I have a few signed oil paintings from around 1900. I got them for a steal and price them way below the appraised value ($175) priced $75. One lady said she saw the ame paintings at the thrift store this morning and they were only $2 each. she wanted to know if that was where I bought them. Sweetly I told her the paintings came from an estate sale and maybe she should have bought the ones she saw if they were such a deal.We have a dealer in the mall who sells milk paint, waxes, and finishes. When someone says I can do that, I answer yes, you can. Let me show you what you need. My rant for tonight. Beautiful table and where do you find that paint for the box - love the color.
Oh Sissy we are giggling! It's all soooooo true ;) We always get that in our store, and now that we have had a booth for a year now we are finding out ALL sorts of things lol lol! Guess it's a good thing God gave us a good humor 'eh?!!
Hi Diana,
You just have to laugh at some of these peeps! Most people will get the work you put into these pieces. Your things are beautiful and if someone loves it they will pay your price. Glad you stayed firm. Your talent and work put into re loving a piece is worth a lot. People crack me up!!!! You just have to chalk it up to ignorance on their part that they have never re loved a piece or made a pretty new craft. Glad you have a good sense of humor about it and do not let this stuff stop your creative soul.
Have a great rest of the week.
Kris
I'm so glad that you are into Jeanne d' living. I just can't ever get enough of it. Have a marvelous day. xx Jo
I know just what you mean Sissie. My daughter's and I used to sell at markets here locally and I used to sell made-over furniture in my daughter's store in Boise and that always happened to us too. Yes, we were able to pick up great things at great prices, but we still had to put a lot of work into them before we sold them. If I see a piece and fall hard for it and don't like the price, I usually leave it behind. It never occurs to me to ask for a lower price because of the very reasons you listed here. Sometimes I go back and get it, but usually I keep hunting for something I can afford. I remember visiting my daughter out of state and saw a beautiful mirror at an antique store and it was 100 dollars and I knew I would still have to paint it to fit my style, so I left it behind. To this day, I wish I had bought it anyway because I've never found anything I liked better.
I love that awesome table you found and I love the painted box...and the ones in your post before. Just so pretty!!!
sending hugs...
I hear you, Sissie...what an insult. Have you ever explained to these sad people what you've done to make a piece so beautiful? I know you are being graceful but I would have a little chat after hearing this one too many times. The only time i negotiate is when some thing is 'as is' and I find that a lot in the little fleatiques' around here. Junk, actually. I love an old chair or table I can play with. However, what you do is amazing and you have every right to vent.
Love your new table and the little box is charming.
Take care and know we hear you loud and clear!! :)
Jane xxx
Oh my.....I so understand this, Sissie. So glad you stayed firm on your price. Everyone will try to get a better price if they can...but YOU know what your piece is worth!
The table you washed looks charming.
I like the new items in your etsy...will check them out.
Have a fun weekend.
Smooches.
Debbie
xo
I totally understand your need to "rant"...as you say! A lot of work and effort go into having a booth. (We don't have one currently...but have had them in the past!) People like to get bargains...but they need to be kind and respectful...and it isn't right for people to be rude!
You always have such lovely items...and I know people love your things. I love looking at them here on your blog...and they make me feel good to just browse through...so thanks Sissie! <3
Wishing you many rewards financially for all of your efforts to supply people with treasured items!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
I hear you on this one. I am a stained glass artist and people do this all the time. They have no idea how much money goes into a piece or how many hours of work it takes. Sometimes I want to ask them if they would ever work a job for free or to pay someone for the joy of doing the job because that is exactly what they are expecting an artist to do when they question their prices.
I had a call once years ago from the lady who owned the shop my space was in, I had a framed picture in my space that a customer wanted to purchase. However I had accidentally left the "Goodwill" sticker price tag somewhere on the back. I believe I paid about $1.99 and repriced it at about $8. The customer saw the "Goodwill" tag and thought she would offer what I paid for it, since of course, it was only worth that much. Never mind the fact that I had spent time and gas(and tax) money to buy it. I had cleaned it up because it was particularly grimy and I had also painted the frame to make it more attractive. Then I had to stamp my personalized price tag and tag it, wrap and box it, spend more gas $ to take it to my booth and when I sell it, take 12% commission of the price before I even recouped my $. Yet, this customer had the nerve or stupidity, I don't know which, to expect me to do all of this for her, on my own time for about $1.80, so she could save $6. Needless to say, I said no and I can't remember if she bought it or not!
I think there are some people that will just generally try and get a better deal and some who are just ignorant of how a vendor space works and all that actually goes into making a space and it's items appealing/worth buying. I also don't know how it all started that prices were negotiable so much, you don't walk into a regular retail store like Kmart or Homegoods and ask for a discount.
I find it especially frustrating that people ask for a lower price on furniture I paint. I have quit giving discounts unless a piece has been there for at least a couple of months. I used to get calls all the time for discounts at my last shop. I rarely get them now at my new shop. I think the customer base is different and they know generally the price is as marked. That could mean too that I lose out on some sales happening more quickly so I guess it is a toss up.
Now you have me venting! That is the one customer that has stuck in my craw the most after all these years. I also get irritated with other vendors, mostly from out of town who expect a discount because they are a vendor. Even though I don't know them, most likely will never know them or be able to purchase something from them for the discount I extended them.
Love the table you found! Also love that straw sun hat. Have a delicious day!~Sares/Tara
Well, that is just plain rude. I am not a vendor, but another thing I don't like to hear is "I could make that" or people taking photos so they can re-create your artwork. People just don't think.
Glad you got some of that out in the open.
*Smiles*
Oh can I relate to customers who want something for nothing. The thing that makes me crazy is when a customer brings an item to checkout and says "I'll give you this amount of money for this item" as if they're at a yard sale. You gotta love those customers who love an item, pay full price, and never ask for a discount.
Mary Alice
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