damselcorsets.com

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Artfire

So, running a small business is sometimes really hard. I think most of you would be REALLY surprised if I ever told you how much we really spend on materials for this company each year.I think you would also shed a morose tear if you saw how much we end up giving the government in taxes when tax season rolls around. While lots of you out there are rejoicing at getting your $1500 checks in the mail, we're coughing up a hideous amount. However, I'm not here to expound on the evils of the IRS, I'm here to ask for the support of my customers on something that my company wants to do.
It has of come to my attention that Satan has started infiltrating the inner workings of the Ebay corporation. For that matter, it might be Satan and a whole cast of his minions, because I'm telling you guys, they are NOT being very good to their sellers....you know, the ones who are the reason they exist. To the customer, it might seem like a great harmless place where you have a great profusion of wares to peruse, however, coming from the selling end of the spectrum, it's not pretty. Ebay has been a good friend to Damsel in this Dress in the past. In fact, when I started this company, it was entirely through ebay. My 17-year-old fingers were producing many amateur, but decent little renaissance bodices and onto ebay they went! Through my ebay sales, plasma donations, and my joy-sucking job as a waitress, I was able to pay cash for my first car. Thus, in this regard, I truly appreciate the exposure and the great start that I got from ebay. Alas, after 6 years, they have changed a lot, from where I stand. I don't relish going into details, but let's just suffice it to say that they are power-hungry, controlling, policing, nazis from the deepest pits of hell. We are a good, honest company who believes in good business policies, and when we've hard serious concerns, we've sent ebay emails, and to our dismay, have received bland form letters that basically say "We'd love to help, but screw you."
Now, don't get me wrong, nothing "dirty" is going on, we're just a little frustrated with giving them 14% of our sales by the time all of the fees from both them and paypal are done. Thus, I wanted to encourage you all to make a move to our store on www.artfire.com or http://damselinthisdress.artfire.com
We are SERIOUSLY psyched about this rather new and marvelous venue through which we can sell! We will actually get to keep the dang money we make, and they're working on a great advertising campaign so that they can actually help their sellers. If everyone who purchased from us on ebay could move over to purchasing from us on artfire, the world would be a MUCH BETTER PLACE. It's WAY easy to sign up to purchase things off of www.artfire.com and they do use paypal, so it will be the exact same type of experience. So, help me think of some incentives that you guys would like to see for people who purchase off of our artfire site, rather than off of ebay. I can't give corsets away for $20 or anything, but I certainly could send out great coupons along with artfire purchases or something along those lines. I just WOULD REALLY like to see our business move over to a site who deserves to make money off of its efforts and who has a good honest business plan. Give me your thoughts on this! I've realized that my customers are usually right on when it comes to questions and suggestions that I'm needing, and your input has helped me succeed! ;) So, go check out our shop at artfire and see what you think!

12 comments:

  1. make sure you change your "purchasing" page on your site, then!
    it still only links to ebay and etsy!

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  2. I know that a lot of crafters are moving to artfire for the same reasons. If it lets you keep more of your money, then it's a good move on your part!

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  3. I will follow you anywhere sweetie. coupons are always appreciated. I hope to see you at Sonora. Hugs, Leah

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  4. Definatly just make sure you change your website to link to the new store. Are you staying with Etsy?

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  5. I would suggest maybe offering a free chemise for a corset purchase of $99 or more on Artfire as a possibility to get people moving over there. (Says the girl who keeps enviously eyeing the new black chemises...because it would go with her newest Damsel corset...dangit!). :)

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  6. I agree with changing your purchasing page on your main site, only list smaller things on the ebay site, and have all your ebay listings and announcements point towards your main site - and then have your main site direct them to Etsy and Artfire. Free/sale trinkets/extras are not a bad idea either.

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  7. Maybe offer a discount on Artfire while you're in your "settling in" phase....30 days? Whatever, I sure hope you start a mailing list and let people know it when you do, lol! I'm in the process of moving to Artfire, too, username followtheredbrickrd

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  8. If you ever want to make a charitable donation and thus have to cough up less to the evil IRS, and get some marketing out of the deal. Let me know

    Your stuff is amazing by the way. I coveted it at Sonora....

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  9. As a fellow costumer, I'm with you on this post! The fabric costs alone are beyond most people's cognitive abilities... then you add in the machinery, the grommets and patterning... I get it. And Eeee(w)Bay has really changed under new management. I applaud finding new ponds to swim in!

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  10. I'm moving over to Artfire as well, and for the same reasons. And saving up what I'm not spending on fees for a gorgeous, well thought out, wonderfully constructed corset from you. Oh yes I am.

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  11. We are dressing up "steampunk" for a readers convention and I already have the corset, blouse, jacket, but I want to wear pants.....not a bustle....your opinion??

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