Well, first off I cannot believe another year is closing soon. Seems like we just had Christmas and now here we are again.
2010 has been interesting in many ways personally. Adjusting to a whole new life in another state definitely has its high and lows.
In relations to my business most definitely. Amazing how markets are so different in different areas. Not sure how much locality or the national economy plays roles but things sure have changed for me.
Houston area was where I was so more demand than supply was the rule.
I so appreciate my customers and folks I meet along the way on the internet. Dealers that are helpful in many ways I also love knowing.
Selling in real life since 1996 and online since 2002 I have learned a great deal.
It changes constantly online. I have tried to change with it over the years but it stays a great challenge to sell.
I have been at many venues including Tias, Go Antiques, Ruby Lane, Joseph Marc, Ioffer, Cyberattic, Bonanzle, MainStreetMall and had an Ebay shop 2 different times. Whew....I am tired just thinking about it all.
I have 100% feedback at Ebay.
Currently and hopefully I have settled down to now selling at Ruby Lane as Exclusive shop and at Ruby Plaza.
Why so many do you ask? Selling online is a lot of work. The greatest factor to it all is the search engines in my honest opinion. Silly me just thought I had to only know my antiques and vintage inventory when I started.
Cost factors and traffic to the different venues play a big role. Customer service of the different venues also play a large role to me personally. It all changes all year long really. At one time I was at 5 places and could not do it. Felt like one of those people trying to juggle dishes.
Life is important to me and I love family and enjoying the fruits of my hard labor sometimes. One side to the business no one ever discusses is how hard it is on ones body to sit and list all day every day. Many dealers are in the business due to health factors believe it or not.
Many have cancer or heart problems or cannot sit for long periods of time. This is another hard thing about selling online. I have seen them come and go literally and it is hard. .
I do this with health and it is hard so really, really feel for these folks trying to do it all.
I love it all though. Pure and simple it is my passion. It gets a bit out of hand sometimes but I try to practice self control at those times. Sharing my finds gives me great satisfaction. I have sold hundreds of items and try my best to give the service I would want to receive. I am open here on my blog and my Facebook page so hopefully open communication at all times will help keep me around for years to come. Please feel free to join my Facebook fan page or comment here. Thank you to all my blog followers also. Sandy
3 comments:
i can't believe December is almost over either! Time sure flies.
Hope you have a happy holiday season! ;)
You are absolutely right...unless you have worked at it, you cannot understand how hard it is to sell online. It is something you have to love to stick with it.
Continued success to you!
I love your site. I, too, hope to sell online soon. I tried a real shop and waaaay too much when you work, go to school etc. Zootsuitmama
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