Thread: Selling on the internet

No
Cheers
Barry

I was approached by the operator of an internet craft market to sell on consignment through her site. Put a couple of boxes up, but didn't sell any through there.

She did buy one for herself though.

I've dabbled on eBay.

Simon M.

In a previous life I was a web programmer, writing stuff using PHP and MySQL (the software used by this forum for example) and Ive been meaning to explore developing an online shop/cartel/deadend for woodwork I and a couple of mates do. If there is enough interest I would be happy to lift that up on the priority list (above plasterinng bedroom and doing the dishes, but below sanding useless pieces of wood to see what they look like).

I wouldn't envisage it costing anything to create, and without plumping my own horn too much - I'm pretty sure it would look and perform okay.

What do people think?

Please keep me postrd Namtrak
Alf

sounds interesting

I would be interested in people's expectations on a commercial online outlet presence for wood workers?

How would I best be served by setting something up? Online secure transactions, contact details for craftsmen, selling everything from logs, trees, to DAR timber, woodwork, craftwork, tools, books, opinions? Or should it specialise?

Allow anybody and everybody to list products or by invitation?

Utilise existing online systems eg Ebay, classifieds etc?

Any opinion is appreciated.

Although I make nothing sellable, as a consumer I would say vet all the products and producers so customers don't have to:
1 . wade through screens of crap to get to the wood/book they want, or the art that will grab them
2 . deal with unprofesional (in attitude) dealers.
Delivery times should be stated and stuck to / if you don't have it don't list it / update sold items regularly / logical clasification of items for quickly narrowing the search / make it a market site not an advice line - do one thing and do it well / list the maker and contact details (if the maker wishes) with each piece to allow for commissions.

I would also like the sun and the moon and the tide driven back

Okay DIO, thats a great start - gives some clear parameters. Now about the sun and moon - just pretend that nothing was impossible......

I agree with DaveInOz about making it a market place and not an advice line.

I think you will want to implement some of the ideas that a site like eBay uses. For example, the craftsman/customer should be responsible for making contact with each other to finalise the transaction. The craftsman is also responsible for upholding his/her end of the deal (delivery times & costs etc.) and possibly a time frame on advertisements so that unsold items do not sit there for ages.

Who knows, the odd sale may help some of us fund our hobby.

Simon M.

Valid point, why bother re-creating what is already perfected by UBeaut support forums.

And yes, for simplicity sake I would envisage not getting involved in the craftsman/customer transaction. Maybe if customers could rate the craftsman in some way?

Entirely feasible to time limit listings - to prevent dead-end orders. Maybe running a showcase of works and focus on obtaining commission based work?

Why limit online sales to commission based works?
This must limit the clientele to only those people that want individual pieces.
Give all clients the widest possible choices so they can choose whether to deal with a one off arty crafty person or with a productive person with a variety of nice products.

It's entirely possible to do it both ways.

By commission/consignment is cool as long as the artisan is able to deliver on the job.


From a existing supply. Same thing again, as long as the artisan has the product in stock.

In either case the reputation of the supplier/website/shop is damaged if the product isn't delivered.

I'll be getting a prototype site together over the next few weeks. the more feedback/input/advice etc the merrier.

Cheers
Mick