Lorelei Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 My melts didn't sell this year like other years. I've resigned to the fact that BBBeyond and every store in the nation is seling the cheap versions, however, today I see that there is another reason after being told this by two of my customers. They are ordering from a store that also sells on ebay and their own site. They offer clams for 2.91 in all the favorite scents and boast "Astonishing" throw. The store is offering free shipping too. How on earth? I was looking at only one listing on ebay and it looks like that one was ordered 12 times in 24 hours. If they have dozens of listings that would be a lot of sales but how can you truly break even offering free shipping. I'm just posting to be posting I guess LOL humor me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beckemmons Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I would love to know the answer to this too. I just dont' get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorseScentS Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 (edited) So we just have to switch to do something different, like salt popourri they can use in their tart melters, with essential oils. And emphasize that we are LOCAL artisans that they should support. Edited December 30, 2014 by HorsescentS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Why even try to compete with flea market and bargain basement prices? Choose a different spin and different market. Secret Garden started on Etsy and switched over to facebook. She has fans world wide and still commands premium prices for her offerings. There's even a swap group for her stuff. Those ebay sellers could be relying on volume as the profit generator. They could also be treating their melting wax as loss leaders. Who knows what their business plan is? Who cares? Forge your own path. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 There are always cheaper wax products where I live. You can buy 3/$10 square masons pretty much anywhere if you look for them, or bargain for them. And then there's always Walmart selling 16 oz jars for $4 when they put them on sale (end of season). You have to find people who appreciate what you sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuzyK Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Yes, You certainly do have to find people who appreciate what you sell. I can't compete with those who sell their wax melts a lot cheaper than mine. I don't even try. I know that mine are way better than what most stores offer. Once people try mine, they usually come back for more! Plus, they're impressed that I make them myself and appreciate that they can support handmade. Running a business can be so frustrating sometimes. It's so hard to see others selling the same things for super cheap when we put in so much hard work and testing to make great products. Keep on keeping on! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puma52 Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Yup....keep on keeping on....if you make an awesome product, once people try your company and get to know your product, they WILL pay your prices. I also believe that selling your product dirt cheap creates the thought that your product and company is cheap.....I so am NOT going there. If they want cheap, they can go elsewhere....they get what they pay for when they buy my product. The scented items market has ALWAYS been strong. People love candles and scent in their lives any way they can get it. Every single one of US is sitting on a potential gold mine....just figuring out the plan that makes it all happen ......that's what a person's gotta do. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorelei Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 I really was posting this less about the competition side and more about HOW ON EARTH do they offer free shipping on these!? I'd really love to know! I still sell plenty, and this isn't my primary business so I'm not as concerned, more curious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldGlory Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Do they have a minimum order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Fields Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I have been debating with myself about posting to this one. So, here goes and not sure if I should. Our clamshells cost us .50 to make. We sell them for $2 wholesale and $2.95 retail, and sell around 25-30K of them a year. The cost is based on someone else pouring them. And our melts are great. We have many, many Scentsy dealers and distributors who buy from us. Puma is right. Don't cheapen your product. We work hard at keeping our costs low and making a product that is as good as or better than everyone else's. Our cost per unit has come down as our volume sold went up due to being able to get better prices for volume buying. We buy 20K clamshells at a time. We don't offer free shipping. Don't have to....yet. So, the person selling at $2.91 with free shipping could be making good money. Just saying. Everyone starts small and grows as their time, money, interest, ingenuity, and motivation allows. Don't despair; just keep on, keeping on. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justajesuschick Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I suppose how they ship would matter. My customers expect Priority Mail (and pay for such) so I cannot offer free shipping with my margin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puma52 Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 I have been debating with myself about posting to this one. So, here goes and not sure if I should. Our clamshells cost us .50 to make. We sell them for $2 wholesale and $2.95 retail, and sell around 25-30K of them a year. The cost is based on someone else pouring them. And our melts are great. We have many, many Scentsy dealers and distributors who buy from us. Puma is right. Don't cheapen your product. We work hard at keeping our costs low and making a product that is as good as or better than everyone else's. Our cost per unit has come down as our volume sold went up due to being able to get better prices for volume buying. We buy 20K clamshells at a time. We don't offer free shipping. Don't have to....yet. So, the person selling at $2.91 with free shipping could be making good money. Just saying. Everyone starts small and grows as their time, money, interest, ingenuity, and motivation allows. Don't despair; just keep on, keeping on. Thanks so much for posting David. You know, we appreciate it when one of the "big guys" share what works for them. It is still hard to think that those folks make much or any money at all offering free shipping, but your explanation gives us a peek as to how it can and does work. We all can learn much from each other. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Yup....keep on keeping on....if you make an awesome product, once people try your company and get to know your product, they WILL pay your prices. I also believe that selling your product dirt cheap creates the thought that your product and company is cheap.....I so am NOT going there. If they want cheap, they can go elsewhere....they get what they pay for when they buy my product. The scented items market has ALWAYS been strong. People love candles and scent in their lives any way they can get it. Every single one of US is sitting on a potential gold mine....just figuring out the plan that makes it all happen ......that's what a person's gotta do. Well Said Puma ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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