New Business: Problem Selling

**Hurray** · 09-18-2008 02:13 PM

Hi,
I am having a problem with my new business and would hope to get some ideas and advices here.

I sell jewels made in a foreign country on Ebay and on my website. Both ebay and my website have been very inconsistent in brining in revenues. Some months I make almost nothing.

What other means are there to sell? I do not have enough money and resources to open up a boutique even though I would like to at some point in future.

There are many hair salons around where I live and sometimes I feel like stopping by to ask them if they would be interested in putting some of my jewels on their shelves to attract their customers. That way they take some commission on the price when it gets sold, and I make some money. But I have not dared to do so as I am afraid I may not make the right approach.

Can anyone suggest me what else I can do to grow my business and take if off line as well?

**Librazoe1982** · 09-18-2008 02:23 PM

Check out other auction sites, or craigslist.

**Mega B** · 09-18-2008 02:24 PM

Welcome to YE,as you have 2 websites why dont you post the links so people can comment and try and give you some help.

Mega.......

**Hurray** · 09-18-2008 03:07 PM

My websites are in french to attract french customers. They are: Savdana and Pradnie.

I could not provide the URL as I am new here.

**andrewrichardgale** · 09-18-2008 03:28 PM

can i see a example of what you sell?

**malahverdian** · 09-18-2008 03:37 PM

http://www.savdana.com/ and Artisanat Bijoux en argent Tibetain Nepalais Bouddhiste

**brianaaron** · 09-18-2008 04:15 PM

if you think walking into a hairsalon may help and there is many of them around you, then walk into one ask for owner and ask them if they are interested in selling your items. do not be worried about what to say, there are many of them you will figure out what works before you run out of them, and do not be afraid of rejection, what do you have currently - a small failing business - what could you have if some of these hairsalons say yes to you - a small business possibly making money - and in the worst case all of these salons say no to you what do you have - a small failing business + some new confidence in your self- .

**Aletheides** · 09-18-2008 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Hurray

Hi,

There are many hair salons around where I live and sometimes I feel like stopping by to ask them if they would be interested in putting some of my jewels on their shelves to attract their customers.

I'm pretty sure my mom does this with her jewelry business...

**sunnyjiang** · 09-18-2008 11:47 PM

Maybe your jewels are too expensive.

**Hurray** · 09-19-2008 02:12 AM

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Yes, I may just stop by the hair salons and see what they say. Afterall I have nothing to lose.

As for the price being high, I agree my prices are on the higher end. But after closly following french online market (French Ebay), suggestions from french friends, and having tried to sell items for cheaper price, I have realized that french tend to buy when the price is slightly high. Apparently they go by the logic of "Higher the price, better the quality". I have lowered my prices before but trust me I did not sell more.

But anyway keep posting any other advices you may have. Thank You to all.

**Aletheides** · 09-19-2008 03:55 AM

You're only selling on ebay france?

**Hurray** · 09-19-2008 05:27 AM

I sell on ebay USA and also in Ebay france. There are so many competition these days so I was looking to take my business off line. But I do not have enough resources to open up a store. That is why I was wondering what else I could do to sell. The best senario for me would be to collaborate with someoone who already has a store. But how do I go about doing that? How would I find the interested people?

**rogercbryan** · 09-19-2008 11:10 AM

Step 1- Get your sites translated into English
Step 2- Use worldwide eBay
Step 3- Expand your sales market by doing the above two steps

**smartsmart** · 09-21-2008 09:20 AM

(putting some of my jewels on their shelves to attract their customers. That way they take some commission on the price when it gets sold)
i dont recommend this idea..your jewels should be more respected than being on the hair salons' shelves, i think you should consider the following regarding selling offline:

-make sure nobody is selling similar jewels at less price
-try to look for store owners to share you.
-you can't rent any less expensive space at shopping mall ??
-consider more attractive packing for example if you are importing jewles from different countries,why dont you include cards about the history of the jewels in those countries,....,..

**Hurray** · 09-24-2008 04:25 AM

Thank you everyone including smartsmart for your suggestion.

Smartsmart, could you please elaborate on this point "try to look for store owners to share you?"

As for the idea about renting a place at a shopping mall, it is a good idea but I am not sure if it will suit my business. I travel to other countries to get these jewels. I hand pick them as I have realised merchants from developing or under developed countries are not trust worthy just to communicate over the net or by phone. So when I am away I do not have anyone looking after my business on the front end. I just put my webiste on vacation. But I cannot do that if I rent a place at the mall, or lose on the rent.