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I gave a gift of handmade stamped cards in the stationery box to my hairdresser and she asked me to bring some in to sell. Has anyone ever sold their cards? If so, any advice would be appreciated. I do have the Stampin' Up stamp set for the back of each card. Thanks for all your help.
I was in our office craft show at Xmas time and I did pretty well with my cards and stuff. I think I sold them for $2/each or 6/$10. I can't remember now. I had some that were my first ones, that I sold for $1/each, mainly to just get rid of them.
It's against SU policy to sell cards in a fixed/permanent location (like your hair salon). If you do a search in the forum for "angel policy" I think you'll find several threads on the subject.
Funny you should ask - I was wondering the same thing. So my friend and co-worker and I sat down this morning and did some figuring. For a "basic" card with 3 colors of paper, ink, 2 embellishements and an envelope, it would cost approximately .95 each to make. The cost of the stamp set was not figured in - we figured using sets we had, but ordering supplies. I really think it is something I am going to try to do. So I'd love to hear eveyone's advise
Melanie in NC
I would love to know what people do as well...I'm really thinking about selling them at a craft fair, but I wonder if its worth it...
I know Melanie you said that you figured it out to .96 + the cost of the stamps?? Is $2 enough then considering yoru time (and the cost of renting the table)? I was thinking if I did it mabye $3 each or 4/$10 CDN. Do people think thats reasonable?
I have sold them for $3 each, including a matching stamped envelop, but they have all been personalized somehow. I've done monograms and ones for organizations that included some sort of special "symbol" relating to them. No one has even blinked at that price so I think it's fair. Also, people spend $4-5 for a store bought card. With the effort and artistry that goes into our work, I think $3 is a bargain.
I've never sold at a craft fair or anything like that. People who receive cards and gifts from me just ask if I could make some for them.
If we want to charge comparably with Hallmark then we should charge 3.50 -5.00 per card. I just don't know if people will pay that? Will they? Or are they looking for a deal? And, do we need to undercut Hallmark? If we charge 2.00, are we undervaluing our time and effort? I'm thinking I'll start at 2.00 each and then move up or down depending on the reaction I get. I think I'm letting myself get paralyzed by this delema and just need to go for it and try.
Melanie in NC
Yes, I have. I have had many requests from coworkers (I have a board of RAK's on my wall that they all see) for cards for anniversaries, birthdays, etc. I was also asked for some sympathy cards not too long ago.
I charge $5 (Canadian) for a card....more if it's really "detailed". The most I ever made on one card was $20 from a coworker....and it didn't even have stamping on it! LOL!! (Custom made, special sized, with their wedding photo and a vellum overlay with dry embossing on it....)
I prefer to make them for my own pleasure. I seem to lock up when it's for someone else!
__________________ ~Debbi~
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. ~Author Unknown
Pricing is tricky. Some people think handmade means cheaper and some realize it's a work of art.
My MIL wanted to buy cards but when I told her $15 for a set of 8 with envelopes and I'd mail them to her, she said, "Oh never mind, I can get a box of twenty at the dollar store."
....
And yes the angel policy makes it clear that they don't want you to sell in a fixed location. I saw someone specifically ask about their desk at work not too long ago, and SU! said no, it's a fixed location. However, I think the way Debbi does it works great. She just has RAKs up, so people know she stamps and they ask her to make cards. You can't make sets of cards and take them to the office to sell, though. See the difference??
__________________ Kathy Wrose "Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
I make cards till they are coming out my ears, so for me $2 a card is more than fair. I buy my US white at Paper Zone, 11.99 for 500. A2 envys are 9.99 for 250. If I figured it out right, a basic card is approx 25 cents. Since I am making them anyway, I feel like its Christmas when I get money for them. If I go fancy, $3 is tops. I just reinvest it in SU anyway!
When I create one, I make 8 of them. My mother (age 80) and I have a card sale at our home once a year. We sell them for $2.50 each and have been doing this for about 7 years. We do very well. Had them in a shop once and they just get damaged too easily unless you package them individually. We use stamps for dozens of different manufacturers and didn't know about the fixed location thing then.
Word of mouth is the best!! I have helped several girls with their wedding invitations and it was my wedding gift to them.
Many people who buy our cards have an awful time sending them because they want to keep them!
__________________ Ann Here is my oily blog! CLICK HERE Certified Copic Instructor - Local ClassesI love cars, stamping and essential oils!
I have only sold at one craft fair so far but my friends & family buy cards from me. Mine are priced at $3.50 & up each, depending on how detailed & and em- belllished they are. Even though our 'cost' pre card is not very much, I hate to see you ladies underpricing your masterpieces. I have never had one person say they thought my cards are too expensive. In addition to the cost of the materials your time and talent is worth more than you realize. JMHO
. I saw someone specifically ask about their desk at work not too long ago, and SU! said no, it's a fixed location.
Maybe someone should invest in one of those paperboy delivery bags. If you strap it on yourself at work, you could be constantly moving around and never at a fixed location. Sorry..I'm being a smart you know what LOL.
Maybe someone should invest in one of those paperboy delivery bags. If you strap it on yourself at work, you could be constantly moving around and never at a fixed location. Sorry..I'm being a smart you know what LOL.
ROFL!!!!!!!!
__________________ Kathy Wrose "Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
Once, about 10 years ago. A co-worker asked if I could make a St. Patrick's Day/Birthday card for her to give to someone. I made a couple nice cards, plus all the trial and error, since it was my first, and I wanted it to be perfect. She wanted to pay, I declined, she insisted. I finally said $3.00. She was astounded, and said she could get a card at Hallmark for $3.00. I was so annoyed, that I decided I would stay with giving them away. I help with shower invites, etc. for my family. I had the same experience with cake decorating. I spent all day decorating a beautiful cake for about $20, and decided I didn't like selling them.
Of course, I wasn't looking to sell in either case. If you do, be certain you charge enough. Eileen
__________________ The best things in life aren't things.
. I saw someone specifically ask about their desk at work not too long ago, and SU! said no, it's a fixed location.
Maybe someone should invest in one of those paperboy delivery bags. If you strap it on yourself at work, you could be constantly moving around and never at a fixed location. Sorry..I'm being a smart you know what LOL.
That is too friggen funny!!! I can just see myself running around w/ a pack of cards trying not to stand in one place for more than a minute at a time!!!
. I saw someone specifically ask about their desk at work not too long ago, and SU! said no, it's a fixed location.
Maybe someone should invest in one of those paperboy delivery bags. If you strap it on yourself at work, you could be constantly moving around and never at a fixed location. Sorry..I'm being a smart you know what LOL.
I think some people think of cards as "Homemade, I could do that, it's cheap" and want to pay as little as possible for everything. That's my MIL for sure.
Then there are people that appreciate artistic endeavors and are willing to support them. I wonder if, when people were snarky about a price they deemed "too high," I could just smile and say, "Well you would be supporting the arts!"
I mean, of course the materials are cheap. Duh.
__________________ Kathy Wrose "Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
What if you just had cards on 'display' with call me for orders. Would that get around the SU policy.
No.
You are not allowed to advertise for card orders using anything that bears the SU! name or any of their images. I asked DS about this a few months ago, and they approved my flyer on the condition that I did not do either of those two things.
__________________ Rachel Proud SU! demo and Sci-Fi Geek!
My Stampin' Up! blog "I'm a time traveler -- I point and laugh at archaeologists." 10th Doctor, "Silence in the Library"
You know, I really wonder why they have this policy. It could really work in their favour to allow you to sell cards at fixed places. Your details are on the back, if a fellow stamper saw you work and went 'gee I really like this stamp', it could get you sales, demo's and even recruits.
Glad I dont have this problem. I sell my cards in a local gift shop. I sell them to the shop for $2.50 per card (cheap really) and they sell them for $4.95 this is in aussie dollars too. The great thing with this is that they buy them straight out from me, not on commission.
In the last five weeks I've sold more than 300 cards to family and friends.
My cousin started out with an order for 100cards for a fundraiser she wanted to do for church.
When I delivered the cards to her, I brought the rest of my stash of about 100 cards and her mom and sisters and cousins cleaned me out!
I just finished an order for 35 surprise birthday party invitations, have paper cut out for 50 christening invitations, and 20 finished cards that need to have "Happy Mother's Day" stamped on the insides that will be picked up tomorrow.
Whew!
I took a CPR class a couple of months ago and to thank the teacher, I sent her a thank you card and three others for her to use. Well, she called me the following week asking if I could sell her some cards, but I never have enough stock for her to go through!
I've been selling the cards at $1 each, but for more detailed ones I will begin charging $2. I'm also going to begin making 6x6 and 5-1/2x8 inch cards and will increase my prices accordingly.
Word of mouth is definitely the way to go - just give anyone and everyone one of your cards, have your contact info on the back (I don't even do that yet and I can't keep up with the orders), and the requests will come pouring in!
You know, I really wonder why they have this policy. It could really work in their favour to allow you to sell cards at fixed places. Your details are on the back, if a fellow stamper saw you work and went 'gee I really like this stamp', it could get you sales, demo's and even recruits.
Glad I dont have this problem. I sell my cards in a local gift shop. I sell them to the shop for $2.50 per card (cheap really) and they sell them for $4.95 this is in aussie dollars too. The great thing with this is that they buy them straight out from me, not on commission.
More than likely it will only lead to more card orders rather than stamp sales and recruits, and SU! is in business to sell stamps, not greeting cards and scrapbooks. It's been my experience that people who buy handmade things from me, whether stamped cards or crocheted baby blankets, like the product but lack the desire to do it themselves because of perceived lack of time, talent, or whatever.
This topic (SU's policy on sales of stamped items) has been discussed to death, so I will not comment further on that except to recommend that if you feel strongly about this to contact SU! directly for an explanation of why they've chosen to do business this way.
Just be sure that the companies whose stamps you use for your cards permit their images to be used for commercial purposes. Several don't allow items made with their stamps to be sold at all, or place restrictions on how many you can sell.
__________________ Rachel Proud SU! demo and Sci-Fi Geek!
My Stampin' Up! blog "I'm a time traveler -- I point and laugh at archaeologists." 10th Doctor, "Silence in the Library"
Location: I try to live in LaLa Land, but people keep interrupting me!
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So is an outhouse! ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolynn
. I saw someone specifically ask about their desk at work not too long ago, and SU! said no, it's a fixed location.
Maybe someone should invest in one of those paperboy delivery bags. If you strap it on yourself at work, you could be constantly moving around and never at a fixed location. Sorry..I'm being a smart you know what LOL.
Location: I try to live in LaLa Land, but people keep interrupting me!
Posts: 1,433
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...Or you have the "Stampin' Up! police" (other SU demos who can't mind thier own business!) turning you in to Stampin' Up! to get your eBay auctions cancelled or just generally being SU Stampford Wives! ROFL!! :rolleyes:
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlisaZoe
You know, I really wonder why they have this policy. It could really work in their favour to allow you to sell cards at fixed places. Your details are on the back, if a fellow stamper saw you work and went 'gee I really like this stamp', it could get you sales, demo's and even recruits.
Glad I dont have this problem. I sell my cards in a local gift shop. I sell them to the shop for $2.50 per card (cheap really) and they sell them for $4.95 this is in aussie dollars too. The great thing with this is that they buy them straight out from me, not on commission.
Have you ever sold your cards?
Selling Cards
