Keeping the Biz Going in Summer

Typically spring and summer months see a dip in sales, both for online and brick-and-mortar stores. Even the Big Box stores feel the pinch. And while it’s the perfect time to enjoy the warm weather with family and friends at picnics, concerts and hiking, I also don’t want to neglect my store.

Here’s what I’ll be doing this summer storewise…

Item Acquisition–Buy, Buy, Buy

With all the yard sales, estate sales, flea markets and rummage sales popping up, now is the perfect time to stock up on some great items for the fall and holiday seasons. I’ll still be selective though, but it’s exciting to think about what I might find.

Listing Review

I’ll also be taking a hard look at all my older listings to see if anything needs to be improved or changed. Usually I do this tedious task from my front stoop where I can also enjoy my roses and the birds.

Here’s what I check:

• Photos: Do any need to be improved? (So crucial, but not my forte!)
• Title and description
• Price: Is my price still consistent with other sellers? Is it realistic with previous sales?
• Search keywords: Are folks finding my listings?

Running Sales

At any given time I have a selection of items marked down 10-25%, but summer is the perfect time to put more things on sale and move them along.

In one of my recent 20% off sales I sold a ceramic ewer which I shouldn’t have bought to begin with! I found it at my local neighborhood thrift store for $13 and thought it was fabulous and would bring me great riches…or at least $60 to $70!

It was a cool 1960s Deena Pottery textured ewer with real 24kt gold splatters, but alas this wasn’t selling for much. I should have exchanged it, but I didn’t. 😦 For over a year I had it listed for $32.99. I finally put it on sale and it sold for $26.39. After cost of goods and fees I made a small profit but it was a pain in the butt to package and ship. Definitely not worth it!

Letting Stuff Go

Sometimes even a sale won’t budge an item and it’s time to re-donate it. (I’ve given up doing my own yard sales.) This handblown glass vase (bought for $4) has been in my store for over two years. I thought for sure someone would love the beachy vibe of this piece. I know part of the problem was my lackluster photos (like this one) which I never retook.

I’d lowered the price, but it still got very little traffic or interest. Obviously I could drop the price more, but then it becomes rather pointless. Since it isn’t particularly old or a spectacular art piece, I’ve decided it’s time to let this go back to the thrift store.

Continuing Listing

It’s hard to stay motivated listing when you’re not getting a lot of sales, but I know this is a good time to do it. This morning I dug into a bin tucked underneath my bed and found this wonderful antique cast iron letter flap. I bought it years ago and was intending to “do something with it” and never did. Time to list it!

I’ve also started listing more of the amber jewelry I got from a Polish nun’s estate over a year ago! Here’s a modern-style pendant made of egg yolk baltic amber and sterling silver. Such a classy piece!

In a Nutshell

So in a nutshell this summer I want to: Buy well, give buyers great deals, donate the chaff and list a lot. But I also plan on getting to as many free concerts as I can. See you on the dance floor!

Happy hunting,

Karen