Sluggish Sales & Innovation

I've had a couple of nice sales this past week, but overall things are slow. I get the feeling that it's the same all over Bonanzle. I do advertise but what has helped the most is getting involved in the buying games. That's given more exposure than anything so far. Exposure is good.

I've also borrowed an idea from another seller. This seller sells Mystery Boxes. I've bought one, and it's wonderful! I can't tell you how much fun I had opening it. So now I'm doing Mystery Packages full of jewelry. This is very nice jewelry - new old stock. I need to move it, and this could be a great way to do this. I've included shipping in the cost of my boxes, and I am accepting returns if the buyer isn't 100% thrilled.

I'm also accepting offers and then giving another 25% off of that figure. So make your best offer, use the coupon, and get 24% off of that number. Spend $50 or more and get another 10% off.

I've heard that I charge too much for shipping. I use strictly Priority. I charge $5 for the first item, and 25 cents for each additional item. This covers my costs for packing materials, tape, etc. I don't feel I'm overcharging. Heck, I have to drive 30 miles to ship packages since I live in a remote area and the PO will not pick up at my home. I use $9 worth of gas each time I go into town. This time of year I have to use the 4 wheel drive to get in and out as the road is a three foot deep sea of mud. I think I'm more than fair.

Yet someone told me she would rather see me raise my item prices and charge less for shipping. To me this doesn't make sense. But everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I'm not going to change my policies for one person. I've looked at other shipping rates, and I feel mine are no higher, and in many cases lower than others.

I think one does best when one adopts a policy and sticks to it. If the policy works, then there is no reason to change it. If it doesn't work, then explore other ideas until you come up with something that does work. But it has to work for the booth owner.

Well, off to sleep. Dream of more sales.