From time to time, I get really frustrated by trying to sell Alchemy Stones via large online sales aggregators like eBay, Etsy and Amazon.
Don't get me wrong: I'm as "customer service oriented" as the next person out there, but sometimes these corporate giants apply "blanket terms and conditions" for selling that really only make sense for some kind mass-produced gadget, not for an individual artist offering one-of-a-kind work.
What am I ranting on about, today?
Pretty much... the hoops you have to jump through, and the terms you have to offer, in order to be considered a "top tier" seller.
Free shipping, seller paid returns and the buyer has 90 days to decide whether or not they REALLY want to keep something.
Color me cynical, but from where I am sitting that sounds more like renting out products than actually selling them.
Meanwhile, I also have to guarantee (only a LITTLE cynicism here!) that I ship all items the day before yesterday in order to get my "top seller" badge.
Of course, I recognize that all of this is simply a biproduct of our increasingly impatient world; a world in which everybody wants everything immediately.
As I have mentioned before, I have occasionally been tempted to try "alternative" sales aggregators... and whereas they definitely are more laid back, flexible and oriented towards keeping sellers happy, the only problem is that they have virtually zero traffic, and that's pretty much where the marketing giants have us all "by the short hairs."
Funny thing about some of the "alt" sales venues is that it's almost "dangerous" to point out that one shortcoming of "no customer traffic," and the clique-ish insiders will likely get you "shadowbanned" for actually pointing out the obvious...
But I digress!
In case you think I am being a bit harsh and cynical about the whole "rental" slur here, why not share a story?
I remember a couple of decades back, working in an upscale store that sold — among other things — fancy dinnerware. On more than one occasion, we'd sell something like a $2,000 dinner service for 12 people... and two weeks later (the store had a 30-day money back return policy) the buyer would bring the whole thing back, stating that "they really didn't like it, after all."
After unpacking everything, we'd actually find *food remnants" on the plates and silverware... and it was fairly obvious that the "buyer" had just gotten it all to have a fancy dinner party, with no intention of keeping anything!
Naturally, such shenanigans are a minority, but I am still not interested in subjecting myself to being in the "art rental business," so I am just going to remain a "standard" seller, and forget about becoming a "top tier" seller!
Thanks for stopping by! Do leave me a comment if you feel so inspired — interaction and engagement are always welcome!
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2022.08.17 AS-TXT-118/086
That's sooooo cute!
This all reminds me of a succulent seed seller I bought from. He has a 100% positive reputation on a site similar to ebay, because the reputation is based on how soon you get your items and how well he handles customer correspondence. The sites push you to rate immediately, on receipt of items ordered.
Unfortunately, his seeds are no good. This is based on asking other people who bought from him and also had 0% germination rate
I agree that 90 days feels alot like renting. I happen to be a handmade creator too, and have similar stories to tell. Although I no longer sell what I make online, someone came up to me a few weeks ago and saw one of the gemstone necklaces that I was wearing. She was over the moon about it, and vowed to call me the moment she got home to arrange payment for that necklace and others too. Long story short, it never happened. People are so changeable and prone to random spur of the moment whims. Either that or they are so bored they make decisions that end up negatively impacting creators. It makes it quite difficult to run a business. I think you have made the right decision going to standard!