sewdance
 
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MI USA
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Date: 5/13/09 4:50 PM I'm beginning to thin my inventory of fabrics from my custom clothing business. Many nice suitings, silks, etc. I'm debating whether I want to hold a sale in my studio or put fabrics up for sale on PR.
Those of you who have sold fabric here on PR please comment.
TIA
Anne |
goodworks1
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IL USA
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Date: 5/13/09 7:30 PM I've only tried to sell brand name fabrics (like Malden Mills Silkweight Powerdry), so I think I'm not much help, except for bumping this up so more people see it in the Active Topics area!
I am interested to hear what people say, though.... ------
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LauraTS
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CA USA
Member since 7/10/06
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Date: 5/13/09 7:40 PM I've had pretty good luck selling on PR, although my stuff was definitely lower-end than what your stuff sounds like - knits, washable cottons and such. Sometimes you won't get a big response at first, just because of when you posted or what day it is, and sometimes you'll get five people instantly emailing about the same thing. Since I was just cleaning out my stash of 'what was I thinking' purchases, I was happy to get 50-75% of my retail purchase price back, on average. I have no idea how that would compare to your regular sales. ------
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Sewliz
CO USA
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In reply to sewdance
Date: 5/13/09 7:54 PM I think there are many PR members who would love to see your fabrics in the classifieds, and buy. I personally check the classifieds here every day in case someone is weary of a fabric that is just my thing. Several of my favorite stash fabrics are from fellow PR members' classified sales. I have sold fabric as well but like LauraTS I wasn't expecting lots of cash, only to move some fabric out of my own stash and priced it accordingly. ------
Liz
thefittinglife.blogspot.com |
sewdance
Expert/Couture
MI USA
Member since 10/18/04
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Date: 5/14/09 1:04 AM Thanks, ladies - keep the replies coming!
Definitely quality goods that I'd be putting up. These are bulk buys that I've made, yardage remaining after filling client orders (I learned long ago to always buy more than I think I'm going to need!), or "one-off" designer fabric purchases through my vendors.
BTW- shipping charges are paid by the purchaser, correct? I thought I should ask rather than making an assumption.
-- Edited on 5/14/09 1:06 AM -- |
marec
Intermediate
OR USA
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In reply to sewdance
Date: 5/14/09 1:19 AM I'll reply from the purchaser's POV. I have bought fabric here many times, and have been pleased with being able to do business with PR members. I don't use PayPal, and every seller has been gracious about accepting a personal check. I have paid the shipping costs, and they have been fair.
I prefer to buy/sell with individuals and indies rather than corporate sellers, if at all possible.
I hope to see your listings! ------
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Sewing through my pattern stash-125
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Miss Fairchild
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USA
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In reply to sewdance
Date: 5/14/09 8:27 AM My first classified experience here on PR was back in 2003, looking for fabric. The seller sent me little swatches of fabric she was selling, if I would provide my address. A thirty nine cent cost (postage back then) out the door for her resulted in my purchasing almost all of what she had. I found the swatches so incredibly helpful as I couldn't quite get an idea from the pictures she had.
I've sold fabric many times although not as high end as yours and have had nothing but pleasant experiences. I had a lot of lace a while back and sold that too. Members are trustworthy and thoughtful. As a suggestion, it might be a good idea to show a fold of the fabric (as if to slightly ball it up) so that when the photo is taken, the buyer can see how the light hits the fabric. That's very helpful because someone might want something with sheen and someone might not. The way Fabric Mart (NAYY) displays their fabric on their website might give you an idea. ------
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purplebouquet
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AR USA
Member since 11/16/05
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Date: 5/14/09 10:11 AM Dear Ann,
from a buyer's perspective, I'd say, bring 'em on! I look forward to seeing your stash.
I agree that swatches are very helpful. If I can handle, touch and feel the fabric before buying, I'd be willing to pay slightly higher prices compared to just buying based on a picture, particularly if I can't return it. Also, I really like to know in the fabric description what it is best suited for and where it was purchased originally.
Other incentives are paypal (since it offers byer protection) and low or even no shipping charges.
If the seller only takes money orders, I'd pass. I just don't have the time and energy to bother with that extra trip to buy one at the grocery store or Wal-Mart.
And just as others have said, I'd love to support a fellow PR member and would have a higher degree of trust in that person's credibility than somebody's on Craigslist.
Claudia
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sewdance
Expert/Couture
MI USA
Member since 10/18/04
Posts: 404 |
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Date: 5/16/09 0:01 AM Thanks all!
I'd definitely offer samples if requested-sometimes the only way to see the quality of the goods is to have it in your hot little hands. I can see where this may take a while to get set up- like the learning curve to take and upload pictures!
I don't want to mess around with Paypal so I'll have to consider other payment options. And I'll need to research shipping options-it's been years since I've had a business that required shipping product daily and I know things have changed a lot.
I appreciate everyone's input.
Anne
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LauraTS
Advanced Beginner
CA USA
Member since 7/10/06
Posts: 1952 |
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Date: 5/16/09 1:19 AM Just FYI, paypal is quite easy to set up, and really nice because you don't have to wait for people to mail checks, etc.
Shipping prices have gone up a *lot* recently - check out the usps.com postage calculator for prices, and if you have a scale to weigh packages even better. (I use my food scale.) Or consider using the priority mail flat rate boxes, which are a flat rate for a size no matter what the weight. Even with the higher prices, in my experience UPS and FedEx are still more expensive until you get into really big and heavy stuff. ------
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