From a distance, my lovely little rose bloomed. It’s near the chicken wire fence and I didn’t want to step on the ground cover to get closer. This will have to do, until I can use my long distance lens. (I was in my pajamas at the time – no time for the big girl camera.) It’s a lovely rose.
I haven’t been adding anything new to my Etsy shop so there are only a few things available. In fact, I hadn’t had any orders since last summer. But then, in the space of a week, I had two orders which really surprised me. I had to scramble for packing supplies. The reason I bring this up is to discuss Etsy raising their fees, which is impacting all sellers on that platform. I have heard a lot about this from other sellers – Blythe customizers, those that sell miniatures – and all of them have had to either increase their prices to cover the fees or have moved to other platforms. The sale earlier this week caused me to lose money. I made less than the cost of the item, which was $20. I cleared around $16. This is ridiculous. They even charge a fee for ‘shipping’ even though they don’t ship the item. I do all the packing, as well as taking it to the post office. I provide the tracking number. What shipping? This is a stark change from my prior sales. I’m really not replenishing my stock and I don’t have a business that really relies on Etsy, so the impact is minor – but still annoying. Imagine how this impacts sellers that have a large inventory of items. I know that some Blythe customizers will list a doll and say that it will be less expensive if paid directly to them via PayPal, but if the customer prefers Etsy, the price will have to be higher to cover the fees. I raised the prices of my remaining stock, but I just might close the shop temporarily and say I’m on vacation.
Why do corporations have to get greedy? Don’t even bother answering, my friends. It’s a fact of life.
I have ordered a few times from miniatures(dot)com before they close. Prices were slashed and it seemed a good time to invest in a few supplies.
I got a great deal on these doors. I had planned on using them in the Beacon Hill, but the door openings are narrower and not as tall, which makes me want to smack Greenleaf, the company that makes the Beacon Hill. I suppose I could try to enlarge the door openings, but that is a difficult proposition when the house is already assembled.
So, I’ll hang on to them for another project. Sigh. Into the stash they go!
I’m debating whether to mow a bit today. It’s going to rain tomorrow and the corral is looking overgrown.
First, more coffee.
Happy Friday.
Stay safe.
glad your stashes of miniatures and blooms are growing!
sorry about the fees situation by that website. you raise prices as you need to take care of you!
i’ve long wanted a book that someone self-published and she’s finally (no criticism implied … i know it takes time and that i can be impatient) re-stocked so i am going to get it! :) she lives in the u.k. so there will be a shipping fee that could be greater than the cost of the book itself, but i understand. it’s a hardbound book of her art and, since i’m not replacing my parents’ art or hanging some from my own collection (sounds fancier than what i have … haha) on the walls, books are a way for me to look at more art. :)
need to get going. hope you’re enjoying a nice cup of coffee with your sweetheart and pretty weather. stay safe.
kathy
Everything is expensive to ship now – especially with tariffs. Sigh.
Stay safe, Kathy.
It must be so frustrating to make a loss on a sold product! I’ve never used Etsy but presumably they are already taking a percentage of the retail price and as you say asking for a shipping fee when that doesn’t cost them anything!
Your rose is very pretty. A couple of Christmases ago, my friend bought me a pale yellow rose called Tottering by Gently which is the name of a fictional cartoon village in Country Life.
It’s just outside my lounge window in the flowerbed below and it’s taller than I am.
I love that it’s quite wild looking and I can see it from inside blowing in the breeze.
Happy Friday
The best name for a rose! Love that.
Stay safe, Dee Dee.
I used to buy a lot of my Blythe doll clothes from Etsy vendors. Now, with higher prices, the exchange rate and high shipping fees I haven’t bought anything for awhile. Correct me if I’m wrong, Claudia, but is it Etsy that determines the shipping fees? The reason I ask is that sometimes a vendor has refunded me the difference if the actual shipping fee is less than the one quoted. Your rose is beautiful. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs, Elaine
Etsy does determine the fees. In addition to the issues with fees, they often overestimate the costs and I have to refund the difference.
I know think twice before I order because of those price increases, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Sounds like Etsey is going to kill the geese/vendors that lay their golden eggs. Your rose is beautiful! Roses and Frogs and it’s almost June, summer is here.
Ceci
They are definitely losing vendors.
Thanks so much, Ceci.
Stay safe.
That’s too bad about the doors. I like the style. But I can see where modifying the house wouldn’t be a great idea. I wish you had a less expensive alternative to Etsy. Some of those charges sound really unwarranted. Having a loss on something you’ve already sold — that just feels wrong.
It does feel wrong. Especially when the price is quite modest to begin with!
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.