Questions about those buying lampwork

I can't explain, but I think you don't get as much as you should for your beads. I am a big fan of yours, even own my own set of beads that you made...I watch most of your auctions, and only bid when I can truly afford the beads...you don't get near what your beads are worth in my opinion. The set I won was a steal, buy hey, I love them, so they went to a good home! Arleen

Hi Arleen,

I am glad you liked your beads. That is what is important for me!!!

I am really amazed at what some people pay for beads number one, but especially when they could pay the same price for andartist that has amazing talent and likely get more than 5 beads...I remember Corina's Spolight on selling...and she said never try to figure this out as there is no answer:D!

Cindy

I don't make lampworked beads, but I've found in pricing my auctions, if I price too low, ppl won't buy! It's like if I don't value my merchandise, they don't think it's worth much either. A lot of times something I've listed for a while sells when I INCREASE the price. Go figure! You should charge the minimum you believe your beads are worth, and if your buyers won't pay that, raise it and see what happens! LOL I know some lampworkers start out at .99 and get astronomical prices for their beads - but they've developed a following, almost a cult, like Corinna.

Seriously, one reason I list at JustBeads is that you can relist your item (and change the price if need be) until it sells. The problem with eBay, IMHO, is that it costs too much to keep listing until the item sells. You're tempted to price low to sell quickly, but I believe that's probably a mistake... you undersell yourself so to speak. HTH

Ya know, I don't usually bother looking but I did, this time, go search it out, and I would have to say that in this case it's probably a combination of having an established following and offering something marketed very specifically; she makes sets to fit a particular bracelet style, it appears. All 5 bids were from the same two customers battling it out; apparently they both want that particular color combination very much.

My experience with eBay is that if you list c> This is a very silly questions/comment. I know it takes a while to get a

Wow you are good and found it:O!!

I have been doing exactly what you said below, and am very happy with my success...but some times I get completely surprised when I see something like that.

Cindy,

I own several sets of your beads and I'm glad to have won them. I feel they were underpriced but it's simply a case of your being a 'new' artist. People buy regularly from artists they know and many of them develop a following that is based on may factors, including 'collecting a name' approach to buying.

Karleen is right, underpricing is worse than overpricing, but it's hard to know where to put the prices when you start out on places like eBay and JB. If you price too high no one will be the first to buy, if you price too low it may look like you're undervaluing yourself and your work and again, no one will buy. I think everyone who sells struggles with that. And part of the problem with sites that are auction houses is that people expect instant sales and are devastated (I know, I used to cry when Mike's beads didn't sell right away!) when things don't go at the first listing or for the 'right' price. The problem is that people treat selling on eBay incorrectly. If they want fast results they should accept that the results will be set by the bidders. If they want a certain price they should set that price in a 'shop' and wait till the right buyer happens along. It won't work both ways and as with any art, you have to build up a following and feedback. That takes time and patience and the thing that's hardest... confidence!

If you feel you need a certain price for things, put them in an online shop either on eBay or on your own website and use eBay auctions and the 'About Me' page to promote yourself and your site. It's the one place on eBay where you can have a link to an external site so use it wisely and don't waste that free advertising.

By the way, I'm finally making that stunning mass of beads I bought from you into sets of earrings and bracelets. I'll let you know when I'm done and have some pics!

-Su

Ebay is an enigma. There's rarely ever any rhyme or reason to it. The beads went for that amount simply because there was one or more persons interested, and someone was willing to pay that amount. I try hard not to analyze ebay anymore - it just gives me a headache. :) Do your best, price your beads at where you are comfortable, spread the word and then hope for the best. :)

It takes time to build a following on ebay - Cindy, you've not been doing it long, right? It will come - just keep at it.

i agree with everything said here:) just wanted to say that i have no idea about lampworking, but i just adore your beads:) and your prices are sometimes too low. i am trully shocked with prices of some of your jewelry. wasnt you listening dr sooz about low prices?:) and you are selling a bracelet for 8$!

eBay is definitely an enigma, Kandice. I'm always fascinated by it. Apparently it's one of the world's biggest 'economies'.

I did a Google and found this fascinating article:

I don't know what beads you are talking about and I don't mean to malign someone who might be totally honest (and I apologize to her if she's reading this and is innocent!) but all bidding is not always on the up and up, if you know what I mean. It's pretty easy to get a friend to up the bids or make a final bid if the auction isn't selling for what you want it to sell for. When I'm buying something, I'm always very suspicious of a late/high bidder that has almost no feedback to speak of (oh, say, less than 10) and who bids early enough for me to raise my bid again. When that "buyer" comes in, I leave.

Take a close look at the bidder list (it is available by clicking a link off the auction page) and see who bid what. You might even look at their feedback to see if they show up as the successful bidder on this person's auctions *a lot*. Yes, yes, I know we all buy stuff from seller's we like so that's not the definitive indicator but it should give you a good clue.

And at that point, you can consider the .99 cent option, but not before (imo). I think a lot of the problem with the .99 cent auctions is that newer folks see how successful other, established folks are with this "technique" and they think it will work for them, too, just like that. SO not so!

And the thing is, even if a seller is patient and does build a large, solid following over the years, it *still* doesn't guarantee that the buyers will end up paying hundreds/thousands for a set of beads. I think the "demographic" has to be considered, as well... "to whom do my beads seem to appeal?" It may sound silly and way off, but there are certain beads that appeal to collectors, and other beads which appeal to the more budget-conscious group. I'm also convinced that auction layout, text, tone, quality of pictures, etc. are as much a factor in determining the type of buyer one attracts, as the beads themselves.

So basically, my point is - there are certain things a seller can control. But for the most part, the whole eBay thing is a crapshoot. And it can be totally fun if you know what to expect and don't take the whole thing so seriously.

Just thinking out loud... :)

Fran

I don't want anyone to get me wrong...I feel I am doing very well, and I'm starting to regular buyers (believe it or not even custom orders:D!)...I was just completely amazed when I saw this particular auction...others made me raise my eyes..but this one made my mouth fall open.

You are right, I have only been making beads for about 9 months and selling for about 6...so I am not concerned with my status...just amazed at the selling on eBay:D!!

Cindy

Thank you for the advice...it is hard to know the value of ones own items. I was hoping in time, that they prices will just naturally go up on there own...and it is slowly but surely...maybe I need to assist it a little;)!

Yes...it is a crapshoot alright...maybe that is why I am having so much fun with it right now...even though some of the auctions amaze me:D!

I totally agree with Kalera on the pricing of this set. I start beads that are similar to that at a min. of $5 each.

Keep plugging away, it does take time. Your beads are great.

I never start a set lower than the bare min. I am willing to sell it for.

Lara

Ebay's fickle - it only takes two people to have a bidding war. :) I'm never amazed there anymore. :)