I had a disappointing sale recently, so I’m trying to learn from it, but then also be honest about how sometimes things don’t always go like you hope! Thanks for watching today, I hope the video is encouraging to maybe someone else whose had something in business not work out.
Thank you! Thank you for being real. I appreciate it and I know others will too. It helps others so much to not get discouraged when every picture and post and video isn't perfection. That just isn't realistic. It is actually quite intimidating to watch too many "perfect" stories and posts and pictures. Enjoyed this one, and I'm encouraged to not be quick to scrap something before analyzing the "why".
Melanie, I recall a video by Amanda's Mercantile recently, where she commented that her booth sales had been unusually slow. She also commented that perhaps back to school shopping or people being busier than usual due to the hustle-bustle of kids going back to school caused a drop in sales. You may want to check that out. Amanda was at a loss as to why sales had slowed so much. Same as you.
Thanks! I believe I saw that video as well. Honestly, I’ve seen a big drop off all across my business since about April, with little fresh spurts here and there, but overall way down after 5-6 years of a steady sales rate. So I do think something is going on in general with retail, but also you’re right-back to school time is specifically tough
The economy is undoubtedly having an effect on sales. It's been tough paying for the necessities in the past few years. Hopefully we are due for a big turn around. I'm keeping the faith.
Thank you for the inspiration. As a beginner in the vintage resale world, it can be easy to get down on myself about a bad month or not selling things quickly when I thought they would fly off the shelves. It helps to know that others have struggles, too.
Thank you so much. My son is starting a live-edge lumber business and the marketing for his online shop difficult. This gave him ideas to help his shop. Thank you. in failures are we learning !!!
Thanks for your content - always interesting. Yes, failure might be the norm and so your post about it is refreshing and I like to see your process too. Thanks much.
My sales on Etsy haven't been that great. Been a bit disappointed and my antique booth took in $375 this month. Ugh awful. So i get it and I can't quit my day job yet :) Any suggestions on taking better photos for Etsy?
There’s the regular things-natural light and staging your items well. I’ve seen also recently an app that removes the backgrounds to really highlight the product, and I think it looks neat! Take a look at this seller-her photos are like that and are staged so beautifully! www.etsy.com/shop/bellalulu
I think it was timing. The first two and a half weeks in August were a big bust and I wasn’t sure I’d make my booth rental. HOWEVER, the second half was gangbusters and I did fairly well. I think people were going on last summer vacays and getting kids to school. Keep going!! I think it’s part training you customers as you said. Thanks for sharing everything with us and good luck!
I think it was the time of year just before school or first two weeks of school for your state. You have a great personality and love your videos. People will buy from you because you are nice.
Lots and lots of Instagram selling, and lots of different ways to do it! I polled my followers and they said they liked shopping on a true website, more than a live sale or commenting on a post. So I thought it could work… still not ready to throw in the towel!
Thank you, Melanie, for being so transparent with us! I'm sorry it didn't go as you expected, but you have the right mindset ~ if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
I am a new reseller on Instagram too. I don't do drops etc. I am using it for a contact point and to make a presence. I feel like there are more vintage sellers then buyers.
It’s interesting! I used to sell vintage on Etsy and Instagram. But they both went downhill for me. Etsy has so many shops and items that the competition is stiff, and Instagram is very cliquey, if you’re in you’re in & if you’re not you’re not. I didn’t care for that, but I tried for a over a year anyway. It went well for a while, but Instagram then changed its algorithm…I took a break from commenting, posting, liking, etc for a week while I was in the mountains, came back and no sales after that. I wasn’t relevant anymore. I got frustrated and stopped selling on IG, and that’s when I got a booth at a mall: so many sales!! I think people like in person shopping again. Anyway enough of my rambling, thank you for telling us Melanie!! I appreciate the realness.😊
It’s like a constant figuring out of what works and what doesn’t, right? And the something works for awhile and stops 😂 Glad you found a good local spot that’s working well for you!
Thanks for sharing this story of learning and growing. Personally, I don’t see only one sale as a fail since it was your first time using this model. I’ll tell you that as a customer, I don’t love this model of shopping because it’s too stringent as far as the timing that you can shop and I find that items seem to be priced a little too high in these sales due to the impression that others are vying for the same items at the same exact time. However, as a seller, I can see some of the benefits. It would be interesting to see how these sales do in comparison to the regular model of selling. I can also see some downsides to it. I think you should ask the other lady how she did because it’s business information that is useful to have. I’m in the process of waiting for a booth to open up at my local Antique Mall but in the meantime, starting an online shop and Etsy shop. Thanks again for sharing. It’s never failing but learning and growing ❤
Yes, one sale is better than none! And I have had 2-3 more since I recorded the video, the items will move… just will take some time. I appreciate your perspective as a customer too!
Thank you Melanie for your honesty. I feel your frustration. I have a booth at a pop-up shop in California. We are open 3 1/2 days a month and people come to buy. Because of this people know that if they see something it may not be there in an hour, a day or the next month. We completely redo our booths every month and fluff them continuously through the 3 1/2 days. Last month was VERY disappointing sales wise. I have a lot of merchandise that I keep hoping will sell quickly and when it doesn’t it is disappointing. Our shop has a lot of repeat customers which is great, but we also need to keep getting new ones. If my sales are not what I hope they would be. I do what you’re doing and try to figure out why. I’m still working on the why, unfortunately! Lol. I love listening to all of your business information. Thank you.
I love that pop up idea Karen, and have tried to make that work here locally myself but have no found a financially feasible way to do it (yet!) And it’s so hard to not take it personally when stuff doesn’t sell, right? But it’s good to remember it’s just stuff and an opportunity to learn and try again. Thanks for watching!
@@LostFoundDecor the pop-up shop I’ve been at has been in the same location for 14 years and has been very successful! It changed owners right before the pandemic. They were able to stay open and be successful during the pandemic because they set up outside in the parking lot. Now in addition to our inside booth we also set up an outside market Friday night, It’s open Saturday and Sunday as well as our indoor booths. We have about 25+ vendors and are located in an industrial area. We don’t get charged for outside booths so it’s like getting two booths for the price of one I utilize my outside space as much as possible and sometimes have two 10 x 10 spaces set up.
Back to school, tapped out budgets, HEAT everywhere (it's been a looong summer!) and selections that as a group seemed more Primitive and perhaps monotone than your usual vignettes. But great learning for you and us!!
Well, that’s bummer! I’m sorry Melanie: hopefully the next one will be much better. This is a very good reminder to me to keep focused on what is working in my business & to try new things. It’s ok to punt & start over. And… it’s ok to disappointed when things don’t go as planned. We have to keep trying! I appreciate you sharing this - it’s encouraging to know that not everyone on IG is killing it except me! LOL
