i just had to get rid of my frustration, sorry! i am a member of a bowling club and every year we hold a silent auction to raise money for the fees so this
year i thought of selling cards, big mistake! all year ive been at it and took 61 ranging from 50p up to £3.50 for boxed guess how many sold - 6, i was so
upset and feel like giving up. why cant people appreciate that they are getting something a bit different - i even used my precious tassles and feathers! -
that has alot of thought and time put in to doing these cards. they even had the cheek to say i should take them to matches every week then they can sell them
to visiting teams! i wouldnt care but i wasnt asking for any of the money to cover the costs, anyway i am now thinking of sending them to the soldiers im sure
they would be more appreciated there, can anyone tell me how they have to be packaged eg in cello bags? with a note of the verse? etc etc
0 Kudo
im so dissapointed with cards
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 penwhit |
im so dissapointed with cards |
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Posts: 164 (07/04/2008 09:48:50) |
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Tina |
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Posts: 29094 (07/04/2008 09:52:20) Administrator |
Don't be despondant, it happens to us all. I took in a huge box of cards (many donated) to our support meeting and very few sold, so one of our members (a
nurse) took them into work. None sold as although they were well liked, they decided £1 a card was too much when you could get 5 for a £1 in the local cheap
shop!
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kerenc |
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Posts: 3180 (07/04/2008 09:55:12) |
What a shame penwhit, i feel for you. I once made up a box of cards for my friend who was going to a table top sale. She sold the grand total of 0. I had
worked hard, but people just weren't interested in them. I sell quite a few cards to family and friends and it knocked my confidence. Don't let it get
to you, some people just don't appreciate how much time goes into making cards. Sending you {{{HUGS}}}
Keren x |
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murchison |
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Posts: 4989 (07/04/2008 10:04:57) |
please dont get upset or give up the hobby you enjoy so much it happens to us all i did a sale and sold 6 i had 2 table full of cards didn't even cover the
costs but then did a car free day a few months later almost sold out best day i have ever had. i used to have a market stall years ago and i worked a 7 day
week i would do the bootsales on a sunday now at a bootsale i found and this may sound a bit strange but if i was to cheap i didnt sell but if i put up the
cost of the very same item the next week would sell out hugs linda
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PuppyAnn |
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Posts: 277 (07/04/2008 10:35:58) |
There seem to be so many cheap cards on the market now, it is becoming difficult to compete. Disappointing when you take into account the cost of the
materials you use and the time involved.
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millie sue |
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Posts: 601 (07/04/2008 10:44:19) |
That's such a shame, but try not to be too despondent. I held a table top sale for Marie Curie and was feeling quite good about myself and my sales until I
heard someone say, 'don't think much of her cards, just buying them for the charity'. I sold a fair few that day but that comment just spolied it
all.
Your work will be beautiful, so don't beat yourself up about it. Why don't you hold them onto them and try selling them for another charity (or yourself) later on? |
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dogdaft |
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Posts: 408 (07/04/2008 10:48:18) |
i have been there too. I made 50 cards to take in to a friends shop when she was having an open night for people. They all picked my cards up and thought they
were lovely, but they wouldn't buy. I was pretty upset too. But my dad took some into his work and they all sold in a day.
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Pat |
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Posts: 307 (07/04/2008 10:51:34) |
I agree with all these comments,I too have had problems getting anyone to buy,so after ranting a bit,I have now decided I am making them for ME and Family,and
still going to enjoy it,only not so many,at least I, and we can still keep doing them,everyone knows someone with a Birthday so there will always one be needed
at home,and for the amount you can actually make from Cards,its not a fortune,so please carry on like I have.
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Anne06 |
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Posts: 3693 (07/04/2008 11:08:01) |
Ditto to everything the others have said....
Dont give up your hobby *get even* keep your chin up i,ll p,m you Hugs Anne xxxxxxxxxxxxx |
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maggie may |
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Posts: 3144 (07/04/2008 11:13:07) |
Don't be dissapointed some people just don't have any taste what-so-ever We all have dissapointments and then other times are overwhelmed by the amount
we sell so don't let it get you down it was just the wrong venue just keep putting your cards out there and they will get noticed and will sell
hugs maggie |
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bik59 |
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Posts: 2235 (07/04/2008 11:26:32) |
Ditto everyone else. I went along to a Christmas Craft fair a couple of years back and found I was about three tables away from an actual Card Shop who had a
table there. There was no way I could compete - but a couple of my friends took them to work and through that I have now got a couple of new customers, so keep
going
Beryl x |
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Coppernob Card Craft |
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Posts: 13 (07/04/2008 11:29:06) |
agree with you Maggie - if folk prefer to get a pack from the market for a £1 - let them.
Don't let them belittle your efforts, time and costs. Better to sell a few cards to folk that appreciate what has gone into the making - than to lower your sights and sell lots cheaply - you can become a busy fool sometimes - enjoy what you do and stay true to your craft and what you enjoy. It is ironic though - when you see the price folk will pay for a card when visiting venues like garden centres...! |
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shazz501 |
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Posts: 532 (07/04/2008 11:41:33) |
i had the same problem,tried selling some cards and didn't sell 1, so don't give up,i just enjoy making them now for family and friends
regards sharon |
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Isobel |
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Posts: 1707 (07/04/2008 11:48:38) |
Dont give up...people can be very hurtful..but all it takes is someone to buy some cards and comment on them, thats a great feeling.
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mazfrance |
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Posts: 1260 (07/04/2008 12:26:15) |
Don't be despondent! I live in a country where card giving is not a big thing, but I hand make all my Christmas cards, and our French friends love them,
and I have recently sold 5 oriental cards to an ex neighbour, and 3 to an American lady lady who was staying at our B&B, so now I have got a little stand
to have on the hall table next to the tourist attraction brochures
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TJCrafter |
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Posts: 166 (07/04/2008 12:37:34) |
I booked a table at a christmas fayre only to find right opposite me there was a church stall selling boxes of 100 cards for £1 (loss leader I suspect).
Blahhhhh. They were cheap and looked it, but who then was going to spend £1.50 on one card off my stall? I did sell a couple and only covered my costs by
selling some other items I had. I find I make more selling at work and to my mum, her neighbours and my sister's work colleagues. I'll never get rich
on it but I enjoy the making so that's what's important!
TJ |
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suzanne |
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Posts: 10063 (07/04/2008 12:57:44) |
I feel for you but don`t give up - I think most of us have done the same at one point in time - I know I have and what I spent on the stock as well as time too
But as TJ has said it`s worth finder friends , work people to take your work and sell to them and there friends - I know alot of people working in offices who don`t craft are short of time to by nice cards and you can build a round of people that you can make personnal cards for Chin up and make a card when you feel like it and get the juices running again - then you`ll find the next fair or order will give you a real lift Suzanne |
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JACQUI Q |
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Posts: 11937 (07/04/2008 13:01:27) |
Don't ever beat yourself up over auctions, table top fairs and craft fairs, it isn't worth it. I think people who sell an
inordinate amount at these places, either sell them WAY below price, or are extremely lucky! (no offence meant to anyone) Unless you're a "NAME"
I think big sales are extremely rare, and you shouldn't be put off by it. I've been selling now I suppose for about 5 years. My friend took a couple of
HER cards that I'd made into work, and now most of her colleauges order all their specials off of me. Along with my darts ladies, plus the hairdressers I
sell them in, I'm usually kept busy. The hairdressers, although more people see them in there in bulk, is my slowest place for sales. In January, I was
suddenly inundated with wedding card orders, and "specials" and had to go mad into about the middle of February, then it dropped off a bit, with
perhaps 2-3 a week. I used to get really down when that happened thinking I would never sell again, but the tables turn every time (hopefully this time too!) I
really enjoy making them, and it keeps me sane. If I didn't sell anymore, I would start my scrapbooks (about time too!) Don't be disheartened, just
make them for yourself and family if you enjoy it. luv Jacqui x
ps. The LAST Craft fair I did last year, I sold my wooden bits that I'd made and painted, and could have sold over and over, as people kept coming back. I made my money by those, but think I only sold 2 cards! chin up!! |
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shoestring |
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Posts: 1798 (07/04/2008 13:18:10) |
Don't worry honey! Its all a matter of finding the right venue or 'market' for your cards. I have had success with charity stalls in the past and
disaster with school fetes, table top sales etc. My OH takes my cards into work to sell and they go pretty well and produce more orders. Don't let people
get you down, its usually jealousy anyway. Think about selling at venues where you know customers will be in the right financial bracket and will appreciate a
handmade item. Make sure you present your work in a professional manner ie in cellophane bags and displayed in a proper stand. Put your contact details on the
back to generate further orders. Above all, don't let this one setback put you off. Good luck!
Shoestring x PS. It helps if you take a friend with you to man your stall as sometimes we can be shy about selling our own work but friends will be eager to point out all the work you have put in and how they can't buy original works of art in the shops etc. |
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wlpandiva |
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Posts: 1377 (07/04/2008 14:06:53) |
I don't have a market for my cards at all really, apart from my mother-in-law who has about 10 per year. I live in the sticks with no neighbours and no
connections to any school or anything. It doesn't stop me making cards though as I see it as a hobby rather than a money maker. (Although it would be nice
to shift a few now and again to justify the amount I spend on craft stuff). I want to try loads of different styles so I NEED loads of different products. If
you get pleasure from making the cards then carry on. Selling cards I see as a big bonus and I live in hope of a bus load of tourists just popping in a
snapping them all up.
Beryl xx |
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Nicola01 |
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Posts: 1741 (07/04/2008 14:24:26) |
Dont give up, theres nothing wrong with your cards, its just people are cheap and dont wat to pay for quality, iv tried to sell my cards before but all i get
is woooo there nice, but thats it they never buy, so now i just stick to making them for plessure, if people want to but cheap nasty ones let them.
Nicxx |
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