Etsy EBay Bonanza Ecrater Poshmark Mercari Marketplace Platform

 

Etsy EBay Bonanza Ecrater Poshmark Mercari Marketplace Platform with LilacsNDreams. Welcome to all who are visiting!

Been thinking about, and trying to feel what platform is for me to sell on. There are so many choices out there. Trying to choose one, or which ones you would like to use can be confusing. Everyone says sell here, sell there, no this one is better, etc. You need to choose the platform that will benefit for you, and what you sell.

I started years ago with EBay. Back then it was fun, and I looked forward to listing things there. Things started changing, and honestly I was changing too. From EBay I moved onto Bonanza, Ecrater, Artfire, and I did land on Etsy where I spent more time there too. 

Things are changing again with Etsy. Fees, rules, how they are charging the sellers, advertising fees that are forced upon you according to the money you make. I was fortunate enough to be able to opt out from that. If you offer free shipping, advertising, and so on its suppose to help with your position of how you are found in searches. Honestly with what little bit I do I have been seen more by my internet actions than what Etsy has done. 

So many places, so many ways to put things together for you to sell. Using a platform you pay fees with, place that you could pay monthly plans with, and many things to consider. Maybe you wish to do Big Commerce where you can work with Facebook Marketplace, and Instagram being in same place. You could consider Shopify, or maybe Square Space too. Then there are ideas for your own website.

So, now you need to consider the shipping company or companies you would like to use. Trying to use the best rates possible with shipping costs being an issue for some right now. If you do some of your sales yourself you need to have a payment processor for completing transactions by collecting money paid. 

Wow! It can be overwhelming can’t it? I have a friend who has a store at EBay, she does well, and enjoys what she does. She has also been using Facebook Marketplace, and doing pretty good there. Less hassle, less fees, and rules to abide by. If you offer items for sale there you should also consider offering shipping with your items too. People notice a difference with sales there by offering shipping which makes it better. I also just found out that if you have an item to sell for over $500 on the Marketplace they do not permit you to offer the shipping. Why I don’t know, but I do find it odd. Some are able to get around that by noting their price for $123, and explaining their asking price is actually XXX amount. 

I’d love to have my own website which takes a little money for that. So, till then I use Etsy a little bit, I show things with my Blog/Site that I have, and I have been picturing items that I will be offering at Facebook Marketplace for sale. Wish I could do more, and be speedier about it too. Unfortunately, there isn’t much support from home to do these things. So, working at my pace, and time I have for me is limited some days. 

I apologize if the posting I offer today seems kind of short. I have been feeling a little under the weather today. Nothing serious. I think yesterday caught up with me riding around looking at properties for sale, checking some areas out for living, realtor in the morning being given information and ideas to look for, etc. Over did it a bit I think, and the weather changes aren’t helping a lot either.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop on by anytime, say Hi, share something if you like, and hope you enjoy the visit too. Till next time take care everyone, and be safe. Toodles . . . . 

Poshmark Sale With New Reversible Purse Bag at LilacsNDreams

Poshmark Sale With New Reversible Purse Bag at LilacsNDreams. 

Welcome everyone! I was so excited Saturday night to get notice of a sale with Poshmark! I received it later that night, was out for the night with family, and knew Sunday I would prepare everything for shipment Monday morning.

I woke Sunday morning, filled out what I needed to with Poshmark, and they then sent me my shipping label to use. If it was over 5 pounds for shipping you had instructions what to do then. I was planning on what box to use, checked printer for paper, located some tissue paper to use, got my shipping tape out, and cleared spot on table to prepare this shipment. Then, I went to my designated Sale Items area to retrieve this purse. 

I looked, looked, looked in containers, looked in boxes, moved things, and I just could not find it! See since our house has been getting remodeled things have been moved to make room for that, and everything was designated to different areas in order to find them when needed. Course no one remembers this, has no clue where it could be, and you have me being frustrated and upset at not finding this. 

So, I did something I have honestly never done in the years I’ve been selling on line. I had to cancel this order. I did that process with Poshmark. Then, I wanted to notify the customer myself about this cancellation, and the reason for it. I felt horrid doing this to her, my first sale at Poshmark, and just was not happy with this situation. 

I try to put myself into that situation as a customer, and try the best I can to communicate and be honest with them. I know it’s over, and done with now. But, I still feel horrible. Also, I have not found this particular bag, and a Coach purse I had listed in which I stopped that listing too. 

So, I had a great weekend until this sale I dealt with at Poshmark. I hope to get more things posted there, and some things I will sell through Facebook Marketplace. If you see anything of interest I can sell from here too. I would invoice you, and I use PayPal too. Just drop me a line at lilacsndreams@gmail.com.

Thanks for visiting at LilacsNDreams! Appreciate your visit, and any comments that you would like to share too. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodles. . . 

Home Improvements With Stay Home Virus Precautions

Home Improvements With Stay Home Virus Precautions with LilacsNDreams today.

This coronavirus COVID-19 disease has really effected our country with our every day tasks. Involving work, traveling, schools, businesses, banks, etc. Many of us are asked to stay home which unfortunately that can be very boring, and a little bit of a hair puller for some of us too.

Was it about mid February when things really started to take off with this disease? Prior to this time our son has come home from the service. He has done 8 years with the army, and says it’s time to be a civilian again. He gets home, and about a week later this outbreak with the virus really started. Watching places, and businesses slowly over time having to temporarily close. Some towns are almost like a ghost town with many staying home.

With our son being home he has been helping us start some changes, and completing/finishing some projects in our home too. We have been working on transferring our 1 room into a bedroom for him. Painting, carpet, and clearing out a lot of my projects that are working and completed. Clearing out my office area also. Trying to figure out new locations for everything is a little harder in a smaller home. So, we had 1 idea for the flooring in the bedroom, got 1/2 of room painted, and 1/2 of it carpeted. Now we need to go back to hardware store to get more carpet for us to finish the other 1/2 of this room. 

We have also completed the living room area with coats of paint, floor padding, and carpet. Had to use a little seaming tape, and the hot iron to combine the 2 separate pieces to cover the floor. Putting the furniture back into the living room makes a big change, and has confirmed I want some new furniture....couch especially. 

It definitely feels more like home, the room seems wider now, and I’m impressed with our handy work done so far. The walls use to be a dark tan color, and the wood floors were dark from all the before things that had been done, and from the carpet that had been removed. The bedroom use to be a darker blue. Much better with the white walls now. 

White walls can be boring if you let them. It’s a start for us knowing we can add to this as we go along. I have to go pick out some baseboards to add to the living room, and the bedroom which will make a change. I need to get new blinds for the windows in these rooms, and adding some wall hangings now would really help the look too.

Now to finish carpet, and paint in bedroom. Next is to pick out some tile for the dining room flooring that will unite nicely with the living room carpet. It’s a working progress, but we have a great start to this right now.

Thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope you enjoyed your visit today, and I look forward to seeing you again. 

Poshmark Selling Platform Stores Shops Community

Poshmark Selling Platform with Shops Stores Community at LilacsNDreams. Last week I mentioned some of the discouraging issues with Etsy that everyone is facing right now. Advertising that you will be forced to pay for if it results to a sale made. You pay the 15% fee with that, and also your selling fees along with a listing fee they have. For some sellers that is an “ouch” especially if they have items selling for a small amount. 

I have listed 1 thing with Bonanza for right now as LilacsNDreams. Now at Poshmark I have 5 items listed there....so far. The 3 purses you see pictured below with 2 being coach purses, and the new orange one is a northcrest with the tags. The other 2 items not shown are diamond rings. 

It isn’t hard to list with Poshmark, many many people follow you, they favorite items of yours, and some of them have been great about sharing items you have posted too. At Poshmark my Shoppe name there is LilacsNDreams. I use that name everywhere. 

If you have a chance while roaming the internet stop on by to have a look. Hopefully this week I can work on getting some shirts listed that I have added into my collections. 

Following other sellers, viewing their shoppes a little bit, and I am seeing a few things besides shirts and purses. I have seen shoes, some great jewelry pieces, I found a seller offering homemade baby quilts that are adorable! I have seen vintage pieces offered, handmade home decor and jewelry, and it’s a growing community. When you have a chance stop by to browse a little bit. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Wishing you all a fabulous week with all you do! Take care till the next time. 

EBay Etsy Poshmark Shopify Mercari Bonanza Selling Platforms

Etsy EBay Poshmark Mercari Shopify Bonanza Selling Platforms with LilacsNDreams. Websites, domains, webstores, and there is so much out there to think about, and choose from!

I, along with many other sellers, sell their vintage collectibles, repurposed, handmade, crafts, home decor on Etsy along with other selling platforms as well. Recently Etsy put a notice out to us about Advertising, the cost, and pretty much in a nutshell we are being forced to pay for it. For those who make $10,000+ for the year will have to pay like 13%-15% of that along with the other fees we normally pay Etsy to use their platform for selling. Roughly about 25% and more will be paid if your item sells because of one of the ads. Now, for those who sell less they have what they call outside advertising which 13% will be charged along with our normal Etsy fees that are paid. For this you are suppose to be able to opt out of it, and this is the category I fall into. I have tried numerous ways to opt out of this deal following instructions I found. The system says the link is not working, or I get 1/2 way through the list, and I cannot get any further. I have tried different ways to contact support which I get told link does not work that I click on. I have read I have till March 28th to decide, and I also read I have till April 10th too. 

I am not happy at all with this! Many other sellers are in an uproar about this because of being forced to pay for advertising that is not wanted, the cost, not being given the choice to decide, etc. So, I like many others have decisions to make. Stay at Etsy, and deal with it, and most won’t be making any money for their time. Another idea that many are sharing is to move onto another place, and keep just a few things with their shops at Etsy. It’s ironic that at the same time EBay is making some changes that sellers are not happy with there either. Shopify got wind of some of the issues because many sellers at Etsy received emails with offers that they have too. 

It’s very upsetting being forced to pay for something you don’t want to use. We lost a little more control of our shoppes after working to get them where they are at now. Like I had mentioned in a group I get offers for Google Ads too. I don’t accept the offer. But, it is my choice, my decision that I am making myself for my Shoppe. 

Moving to another platform. Where to go, looking at pros and cons to different sights, cost, exposure that you would get there, getting your own webstore, getting your own domain, and many different things to consider. 

Last Sunday I spent the day with a very good friend of mine. A little thrifting, lunch, and discussing about stepping a little outside our boxes. She sells on EBay, I sell on Etsy, and maybe it’s time for us to change things a little bit. Not only the places we sell, but adding some items into what we normally sell. She showed me a few items she sold, prices, and offered some ideas to me from what she has learned. I am going back a little bit to when I first started selling on eBay years ago. Along with some of the things that I sell now I use to do fairly descent with purses too. So, I am going to start adding that in along with different pieces of clothing. 

Right now I am going to put some things at Poshmark which will be a collection of purses I have accumulated. Along with that I am going to start selling clothes items too. Their selling fee is the average of what is usually dealt with. They pay the shipping, and for these items the shipping will not be as heavy. I won’t have to use bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that I normally use. 

I’ve also looked a little into Bonanza. They have been around for awhile. I use to sell a little bit there a long time ago. I looked a little more into them yesterday. They have 3.5% fees paid with sales, they give you the option of advertising with different plans to choose. They showed a chart, and the smallest fee they showed was with the selling fee plus advertising, and it was like a total of 9%. Most places charge at least a 10% fee for sales made, and that’s only sales. No advertising, or anything else. Also, you can have a webstore with them for a fee of $25 a month. They offer more payment options than just Paypal. They had some things to consider, and think about here.

As for the advertising? I’ve gotten this far without it. I have spent a little time here, and there with promoting myself through different social media channels. I try to include back links where I can, and use hashtags where it’s permissible too. Trying to save cost, but also trying to be effective with things that will help me with exposure as well.

So, I have some ideas. I’m looking into things, researching, reading up on what others have to say and offer, testing a few things out, etc. If you have anything to share I’d be happy to hear from you as well.

LilacsNDreams will still be around, and doing what I have always done with selling online. If I feel it will be an issue adding in clothes, and purses I always have my domain for LilacsNDreams Shoppe that I can use for that if I have to. Everywhere I go, every platform I use, and anything I do I will keep you updated. Just look for LilacsNDreams because I’ll be around some where. 

Thanks for visiting with me today, and hope to see you again soon. Again, any ideas you wish to share are welcomed here. Thanks again everyone! 

Etsy Poshmark Ebay FB Marketplace Websites Used For Online Sales

Etsy Poshmark EBay Own Website For Online Sales

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you stopping by! How many of you sell online? If you are selling online are you using Etsy, Poshmark, EBay, your own Website, FB Marketplace, or maybe another place not mentioned. So far I am using my Shoppe at Etsy, and once in a while I’ll put something at Poshmark. Years ago when I first started selling online I started with EBay. I usually sold vintage collectibles, sometimes home decor, and then over time I started adding in some repurposed, restyled, DIY, handmade treasures. 

Season is changing, holidays are approaching, advertisements are being done on TV for some of the venues, and I’m reminded I need to get to work. I have made some items that need to be posted with my Shoppe at Etsy I love the seasons, the holidays, and I enjoy occupying my time making things for the home to display too. 

If you are selling online what preference do you have for a venue? Which one have you had more success with? Would love to hear the ins, and outs of your experiences shared with us. 

eBay is eBay, and is the well known one to use. I enjoyed it when I first started, and later on decided it was time to move on. I tried a few places out with one of them being Etsy. That is one Shoppe I have hung onto over time. They are known for handmade products along with vintage collectibles too. I’m anxious to list items I have made, and really get back into the swing of things. I need to hurry up, and finish projects for the home I am working on. I also need to better focus on doing my listings instead of being side tracked by all the products that others are offering. I love what others share which helps me with ideas of my own, and maybe keeps me a little busier roaming around than I should allow it to...LOL! 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, comments, messages left to me, and look forward to you stopping by again. Take care till the next time everyone! Toodles . . . . . .