/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

>>7737489
>if a customer is very demanding from their messages, their money isn't worth it.

1000% THIS

if you start getting messaged about changing the color of this "one" thing, or different sizes of this other thing, you're not getting paid.

I've learned to just say what you see is what i have, buy it or move on.

I felt the same way a few years ago. I stopped selling online all together actually. I only do cons now, doing semi-custom orders and will take custom orders from people at the con to be shipped out later. It was pretty much just like you said, girls being impatient or annoying, people hassling you for things then complaining that I must have done a bad job if it only took 2 days to make, bitch you just complained the estimated 5 days was too long.

Fuck people, fuck etsy, fuck everything.

Honestly though, it might not be entirely their fault, we live in a culture of I want it and I want it now, people want to spend as little as possible on a nice product that will arrive in 1 day.

>>7737489
I used to work at a bridal Couturier and it was the most stressful nightmare job ever. Not b/c of the work, but the fucking BRIDES. We made every gown to order so many of them never really could envision what their dress was going to look like until we were close to completion and then they'd want to change things! "Oh..... I don't like the sweetheart neckline after all..... you can change that right?" OMFG YOU WANT ME TO RIP OFF THE ENTIRE BODICE CUT DOWN THE NECKLINE, RECUT THE LINING, AND RE APPLY ALL THE TRIM WHICH IS HAND SEW ON. And they would be surprised when we'd tell them we'd have to charge more to do such a major style change. "Oh, I thought that all alterations were included." Yeah fit alterations, not major design changes you cray cray.

I'm sorry OP customers can be the fucking worst when they cannot see a finished product up close and in person I've discovered. <3 Here's hoping it gets better.

>>7737498
>>7737495

Ugh it feels so good knowing I'm not the only person who feels this way. When people started making cases against me on paypal just because they haven't received it within a week, I thought my life was ruined. Paypal is notoriously known for handing the seller's money to the buyer no matter what the scenario is. In turn, etsy should be protecting us because we hand make things but nope-absolutely not the case.

>>7737509

In the words of my gf, girls don't know what they want, only what they don't want.

>>7737509

Oh god I would never want to deal with brides. I guess that's why bridal alterations are so expensive haha. I bet those chinese sellers who sell bridal gowns for 200 dollars are making lots of money because they send out a shitty dress that looks nothing like the pic and they never respond back to the emails of the angry brides.

The worst that happened to me on Etsy (selling for about 2 years now) was that this woman asked for a custom size, I made it nearly exactly to the measurements she gave, made it a little bigger just in case, and she messaged me like two weeks after getting it, "It's too small, it's not perfectly symmetrical, loose seams, looks made in a rush, blah blah." I felt like calling bullshit on the whole thing, especially because I never leave loose seams, ever, but I didn't want to deal with it, so I gave her a partial refund, and she seemed satisfied.

>>7737516
Now I feel bad, because this is how I am, ha.

I do crafting for BJDs, the owners of which are simultaneously the best and the worst customers ever. I've stopped doing custom stuff unless it's going to cost over $200 and started doing stuff I've already made a bajillion times. My number one pet peeve was doll owners who didn't fucking know their doll measurements. And I don't mean off by a few cm. I mean people who owned 1/3 dolls telling me they had 1/4 dolls.

Are there any site alternatives to Etsy that are less frustrating to use for handmade items?

>>7737563
This is why I will only ever sell premade stuff, to my own doll measurements. Never custom size, never custom order. You never know who will screw up their own order, demand a daily update, or decide "may take up to three weeks to complete" means they need to write across the entire internet that you've scammed them when the parcel isn't on their doorstep 21 days after their first email.

>>7737489
is there anyway you could only have already made items in stock and when they want a custom order you ask for 1/2 deposit first?

Aw man, I have so much rage I can finally set down.

I offer commissions, based on my one, very, very specific niche.
But all the time it's
>Hey I see you can sew, can you make me this thing that is totally separate from what your brand is? I'll pay you $20 even though you'd have to get brand new materials and draft a new pattern.

Or even more infuriating
>"Hey, I'd like to commission you!"
>Oh! Yay! Great!
>"Yeah, all the stuff in your shop is really expensive, so I'd like to commission you to make the exact same thing... only for 1/2 the price."

I was so scared this week, I've been really sick so I wasn't able to ship a item on time. I sent an apology email along with a discount code, but it's the first time I haven't been able to ship in 1-2 days. I haven't heard from them, so I suppose it's alright.

/cgl/ is the best crafter support group I've found, since it's anonymous.

>>7737509
Fucking non crafters/steamstresses/artists who think they know better than crafters/seamstresses/artists. Yes I mad.

not a crafter but rather an artist that does commissions on the side and just

"Can you draw me my OC in this really specific setting, I have 20 dA points!!!"

also the rage of seeing good artists underprice their art. stop that.

>>7737758
Storenvy has no public feedback afaik

Good etsy experiences welcome too?

I recently commissioned someone for an accessory that I need by the end of August. They went out of their way to order a very specific type of bead to make my accessory with, and it looks wonderful. They also kept me updated on the whole process without me prodding (I actually only initiated the first email, they sent all the rest and I just replied to say thank you and let them know I received it). It should arrive this week or early next week and I can't wait to see it in person, the pictures looks perfect.

I'm fortunate enough to have a successful online shop that pays my bills and more. However, I have crippling social anxiety. The messages I receive are rarely rude but it gives me the biggest stress knowing I have to reply.
Sometimes I'll wait all day (or longer, if I'm doing particularly bad) and not even be productive at all because even just reading the messages makes me upset. I have no idea how most of you deal with actual rude and shitty customers. I have it easy as it could possibly come and it's still killing me. You guys are all troopers.

>>7738094
They buy it at full price first before you make it. I'm not sure where deposits are applicable, I've only seen people who make custom $200+ items do deposits but they work side by side with their customer updating them with WIP or not, it depends on the seller.

It's just that buyers can be assholes when you do custom orders with them. They are so extremely vague and they give you such a small time frame. The worst are the indecisive ones. I mean, you're going to get lots of nice clients who know what they want which are the best but the worst stand out so much. When I mean the worst, I mean it's the kind of messages you would expect if you worked in amazon/ebay customer service. They talk like this: "WHERE'S MY ORDER?? I NEED IT IN TWO DAYS?? I WANT MY MONEY BACK!" After ordering yesterday

Out of 100 sales, I would have like 10 who talk to me like ebay customer service and like 5 who make my life a living hell. When I mean they make my life hell, I mean they file a claim with paypal which is the WORST CASE SCENARIO. Paypal will freeze your account, give your money to them, and they keep your item and your money. I even had people say they never received it when the tracking number said it reached them, obviously they will win the case.

>>7737758
Bigcartel and storeenvy but it'll be difficult getting sales unless you can promote it yourself. We all have to deal with etsy because even though it's buggy, expensive, and buyers think it's just 'fancy ebay', it drives a good amount of traffic to your shop.

>>7738463
I only had good experiences with etsy so far as a buyer.
I can find very cute stuff at a resonable price and I receive it very quickly.

>>7738466
Yes! I feel the same way! I have crippling anxiety as well. I sometimes wonder if I could ninja cancel their order so they don't have time to leave me feedback after hearing their bitchy/demanding messages.

The prices for my jewelry are affordable so I deal with plenty of people. Sometimes I wonder if I should increase all my prices just so I can deal with less people haha. But the money is pretty good but sometimes I'm scared to look in my inbox and I would have my friend/boyfriend respond for me because I would feel to crappy and frustrated.

After making a store, it made me realize i was such an angel customer to all the other stores I was a customer on. My boyfriend tells me that the bitchy people I deal with are the type who send back their drink like 5 times at starbucks.

>>7737489
Hi there, I sell quite a lot of shit on Etsy and i'm here to give you a few tips that can help with your situation.

First off: bad feedback. If anyone leaves feedback solely complaining about shipping issues you can have the feedback 100% removed by hitting the "Report this Review" link under the feedback sentence in question on the feedback page. Select "Review is about Etsy or a third party" as the problem because it deals with USPS-related shipping feedback.

Second, I'm assuming you make your jewelry to order? If you already have your "ships in x days/weeks" hard edited into your listing (not the description, but the shipping time option near the shipping prices section), then you might need to consider enforcing preorder shipping dates into each listing's title (example (PREORDER TO SHIP ON 9/17). This will clear up any issues the buyer has with when they will get their item because you can state it will ship on the date in the items title. Downside of this will be having to maintain those titles consistently.

Third, there is a bit of a support group for artists on facebook who deal with artist alley stuff and not. Called Artist Alley Network International

>>7738496
I have a tip, too! Always, always request a nonrefundable 1/2 up front payment for commissions. This way, no matter how much shit your customer gives you, you'll still walk out with half of what you deserve.

>>7737758
I used also fb sales groups, they work very good for me while Etsy was a failure.

Man I've had nothing but good experiences with both buying and selling on etsy. Even when I'm a bit late with shipping my items, my customers are super patient and understanding. I guess it also helps that I always include a written thank you note and a freebie or two.
I just hope my good luck lasts.

>>7738429
Exactly why I stopped commissioning. These people can be so ridiculous! I needed to take a break from sewing all together because I was so stressed out. I'm back to sewing now but only for close friends and family.

>>7738429
>>7739170

It's nice to know I'm the only one who's shitscared of all my customers. We're the support group of people who explosively shit themselves and cry. Etsy should have this magical system where it seperates messages from good, decent people and sadists. Just so when I open up my sadist inbox, I'm fully prepared to bend over.

>>7738437
I sold a gouache and water color painting in a custom frame for $200 at a school show once. I super underpriced that because I was desperate for any sort of money. Everyone else selling originals were pricing them right at like $600 and such, but I was the only one who sold becuase I knew no one was going to pay what we deserve because "omg why is this picture $600?!"

What would you guys say is less stressful/better to use, etsy or storenvy?

>>7739400
Storenvy I think. I'm not good with coding but it's easy to list things and I don't think it takes a fee from you like etsy does.

I'm still new to both so take my words with a grain of salt. So far, I like storenvy more.

>>7739262
Is this bait

>>7739571
No. Not above poster, but i've had colored pencil pieces sell in highschool shows for $250+, they were only 8x8in max. I lived in a very artsy community.

>>7739591
Missing the point...
By underpricing themselves and undercutting other artists they bring down the value of everyone's work.

>>7738466
I'm the same way with my etsy store - sometimes I just don't want to reply right away and I'll wait a day or so to reply because sometimes the questions they ask are downright silly/ridiculous.
At any rate, I have both an eBay and etsy store and this one girl harassed me like crazy over a signed poster. She wanted me to close the auction so she could have it at a cheaper price and not worry about someone else outbidding her. It was idiotic. I had had enough so I just sent her a nasty reply and that was the end of that. Pic related. I didn't even care if my account got suspended for it - which it did not. Good riddance though.

>>7739616
You did the right thing anon

>>7738466
>>7738486
God, you guys are such fucking pussies this actually hurts to read
My fulltime job was ebay/etsy/amazon for several years and it wasn't even my business, and I had anxiety on top of it, so try dealing with a screaming boss on top of your dumbfuck asses not knowing how to deal with a customer wondering why you took two weeks to ship out a poorly sewn headbow with some glitter jizz on it. Here's a novel idea, ship it out on time, it's not like you have anything better to do all day than make ugly poorly made pieces of shit to sell online. That's your fucking business you chose to do. You don't see Mark Zuckerberg complaining about how people trying to friend him on Facebook triggers his social anxiety and makes his life really difficult.
Christ. It's really not that hard to deal with people online. Why are you even on 4chan if you don't know how to respond to assholes on etsy of all places? Seriously? I'm not trying to be rude I just don't understand the course of events in your life that would lead you to seriously complain about how hard your life is due to tacky, internet illiterate moms who demand their terribly beaded laminated pixel necklaces next week over email, on a place thats probably got the worst reputation of anywhere on the internet.
Get a real job, exposure therapy exists for a reason. It's not some massive coincidence people in third world countries who need to eat don't spend all day biting their nails and freaking out because some hambeast wants their clay macaron ring in two weeks and they somehow find that unreasonable. They just do their shit and get it done. It's not like these Etsy people who desperately want their crocheted merkin coasies are going to show up on your doorstep and give you the face beating you so desperately deserve.

>>7739591
Portland?!?!

>>7737509
Brides are the reason I never got into wedding photography. After being a photo assistant/second shooter for a friend of mine and the kind of shit he'd have to put with, I decided to not even bother pursuing it.

>>7737489
This, with the constant "why don't I have it yet" even when you give them an exact timeline of when they will get it.

I don't do etsy, but I had someone request a cosplay commission, tell me they only needed it by the end of the next month and not to rush, then started panicking nearly a full month before that because they hadn't gotten it yet, and cancelled their order entirely.

I don't think people ever quite realise that they are not your only customer, and that you are working on other things with closer deadlines too? I will always meet the customer's deadline and keep them updated on progress, but if they don't give me the actual day they expect it in their hands, they can't expect me to read their mind and have it there by then.

If your costume isn't due until a month from now and I have something complex due in less than a week? Yeah, I'm gonna spend more time working on theirs first. Doesn't mean your deadline won't be met too, but, you know, prioritising.

>>7739700
Not the anons you were replying to, but maybe they're complaining here because this is the only place people are anonymous enough to vent about this shit without getting too much customer backlash?

I don't know about you guys but my experience selling on etsy has been fairly benign. Once in a awhile I'll forget to ship something or I'll get an international customer who's package seems to have disappeared somewhere in England according to tracking. Messages and custom orders do give me a little bit of anxiety but nothing crippling.

However, there is one item I had been selling for a long time that I just shipped in big padded envelopes without a problem. Then the Xmas rush hit, meaning much more brutal handling of things in shipping, and I suddenly had 5 breakage reports in the same week. Had to remake all of them and send them out again for free. Now I ship them in long boxes with loads of bubble wrap.

Also, there are some series I'd like to sell from like Kill La Kill or Dramatical Murder, however, my dad follows the store and likes to discuss sales trends and seems to research the series to know what's popular with the kids these days. So I definitely don't want him looking into KLK or DM. All I can do is maybe produce a batch to sell at cons, but that's it.

>>7739700
Stop being so sandy. Sometimes customers are terrible. Sometimes customers don't know how shit works. This whole thread is about venting about those things. So why the fuck are you so mad? Because the thread is on topic? That's a fucked up thing to complain about on a board that derails faster than a Magic Mountain roller coaster.

>>7739713
Former-Bridal-Anon here.... it made me HATE weddings for a solid year after working there. HATE THEM, and I'm at that age where plenty of my friends are getting married... and it is all I can do to be like oh yaaay wedding dresses... yay..... and not go off on a rampage about how much I hate everything to do with brides ever FML. Getting over it slowly.

I do miss making some AMAZING couture gowns though. I doubt I'll get the opportunity to work professionally with such fine fabrics again in my life. We sourced laces from the same mills that made the laces for Kate Middleton's wedding gown (sophie hallette and solstiss). I'm sad the brides ruined it for me. I just wanted to make pretty dresses. I literally had persistent heartburn from all of the constant stress and rage, had to get out of there.

>>7737489

yeah, this definitely.
I used to also do jewelry and it would be SUPER crazy around christmas. I get super scared /anxious about customer messeges because they're usually bad if and when I do get them. I also NEVER check out my review comments, because even though there were a lot that were good, the ones that nitpicked at something small just got me really down if I saw it.

>>7739700
uh, this is a venting thread, you know
to share war stories and and the like? Why so mad?

>>7739700

Well no, you doing customer service and us crafters who do customer service are two different things. You know why? Because you're just a person who is bitter because you hate your job and your life whereas us people who own our own business can sometimes take things personally because it is our craftsmanship.

Clearly your boss wasn't capable of running the business you worked at because he/she didn't beat you hard enough. Maybe you have a thing against all those crafts like macaron rings because your boss would use them as a knuckle punch to your face. I don't blame him/her, you're really fucking stupid. Maybe if you didn't shove all the crochet cozies and pixel necklaces up your ass all day, you would have read the messages your customers sent you and you would understand what we mean.

>>7739700
Maybe because the situations are completely different and you're retarded.

>>7737563
>>7737810
I sympathize with BJD artists SO MUCH. I used to do custom faceups for a while, but just couldn't deal with it anymore after some point.

There were people who requested that I completely change the eyebrows even though they previously accepted the project, the sketch and I already finished them.
People who reserved a spot for may, even though their doll won't be shipped until july.
People who insisted that I must've botched the pinks completely because "it looks orange on their phone".
People who sent their $200 heads banging loose around a big box.

The pay was fairly nice but I felt as if I attracted the worst people in the hobby. Which is something, because 98% of the people I met in it were cool, levelheaded and generous. But the remaining 2% is all it takes to fuel stuff like truebjdconfessions.

I have a small storenvy that doesn't do a whole lot of business but I enjoy having something to do when I'm not working full-time. I haven't ever had anyone rude, just once a customer demanded that I take a return of a custom made piece because she ordered the wrong size even though I have sizing information up...
I hope I never have to deal with crazy customers, I have no patience for that shit.

I get completely outraged by stupid questions, or angry messages. It makes me totally lose it, but the rage evaporates quickly (I'm not a naturally butthurt person).

Which is mostly the reason why I chose online instead of opening a brick and mortar store. That way, I read the message, get totally pissed off for a few minutes, wait until I'm not angry any more before writing my response, then I read it over a couple times and, if it's totally in doubt, I wait until my boyfriend gets home and have him read it as well.

Then I go have some icecream.

I really hate this shitty attitude people have about customer service. I don't know like half of your struggle, but I did retail and I didn't know there was a way people could consistently be as bad or worse. Sorry guys

I'm a little gloomy because I opened my storenvy about a month ago for my charms and I still haven't had any business. What do you guys do to advertise??

>>7740384
Storenvy is really hard to get out there, that's one benefit of Etsy is that it does a great job of advertising for you.

I have a Facebook and a Tumblr (I can't bring myself to use twitter as well) and I promote there. I've gotten a couple sales from Tumblr.

Also contact blogs and see if they'd like to do a review with you. I had a professional model friend that wore some of my stuff for a shoot and it sent a lot of traffic my way.

NGL, this thread is making me a little paranoid about the online shop for bonnets, jewelry, and hair accessories that I'm trying to set up. Most of my stuff is going to be pre-made, but I was planning on offering custom orders, and this thread is starting to strongly deter me from the latter.
I've done retail and dealt with crazy, in your face customers before, but there's something about the possibility of having my PP account frozen on the word of some batshit insane anon from the other side of the world that scares me a good deal more.

>>7737509
I don't understand. Why didn't the brides go to a normal shop [David's Bridal] try on a few dresses, she what styles they liked best and then come to you guys?

That's what my cousin did for her wedding for both her dress and mine [I was the cutest flower girl] and she was happy because she knew what she wanted.

I'm sorry people are pricks

I ask if people do alterations (jewelry or clothes) all the time. Damn.
I'm not sure if I should feel bad for wanting what I want or not at all. Generally, if I send a message I intend to buy (whether its in that moment or a few weeks later to rebuild funds).
I'm curious what commissioners are in this thread tho.
>its a simple concept (like: can you make this bodice/topshirtthing?)
>I cannot draft patterns tho
>also I'm scared to make it
Name yourselves so I can throw some well deserved cash at you

>>7740428
Not for me, but I think there would usually be people willing to take your commission on the board, however, I'd think no one here is really gonna put their name/contact details and thus admit they were bitching about their customers in a cgl thread....
Maybe post a wtb in the b/s/t or comissioner connection threads instead? Might have better luck

>>7740428
This >>7740441 ain't nobody fessing up to bitching. There is a commissioners thread going on here >>7738326

>>7740441
As someone who buys constantly on etsy, its okay to complain about your customers. Id still buy from you...
Just makes me think I need to start tipping.
Thanks for the advice, I didn't even think to ask in those threads.

>"You have this huge elaborate 300€ gothic headdress in black, can you make one in white? Oh no I don't want a custom order. Just make on from scratch and send me the photos tomorrow and I'll decide if I want it"

>"I need this for event x, please ship immediatly after I pay unless you want to risk a one star rating!!!" for an item that takes two weeks to make

>"Where did you buy the fabric for this dress you're selling? I want to make my own but cheaper. Also please tell me which pattern you used, thanks"

>Customer who tried to sue me because she thought I stole her money but didn't send her package. Turns out the item was at her local post office all along, while her lawyer sent me threatening letters that made my cry out of panic. I asked if she didn't get a slip from the postman. She said she did but "didn't know what it was and didn't feel like reading it" and calling her lawyer "was easier than walking to the post office to check, sorry lol".

There's always my personal favourite:
>"I need you to ship out this full costume in a week and a half. I can't pay more than $20 but I'll take lots of pictures and give you publicity!"
Or variations thereof

>>7737489
Man, I sell handmade jewelry in person at events and stopped taking orders for anything custom years ago. I will adjust the chain length on a bracelet or necklace on the spot if you have already purchased the piece, otherwise it's what you see is what you get.

I used to feel guilty about being "lazy" about not setting up an Etsy or making things available online, because people do ask me about it all the time at events- but the people who really want you to sell online are the same wishywashy/ demanding idiots you've been suffering with.
I just tell them I haven't got the time or interest to sell online. It always seems like the ones who can't wrap their heads around my lack of an online presence are exactly the sort I wouldn't want to deal with online anyway (They want you to conduct your business on THEIR terms)

Don't feel guilty about laying down your terms of service. Those people will be demanding and difficult to deal with no matter what, they aren't worth the money they might (emphasis on "might") be interested in providing to you.

>>7740459
There's this really good crafter I follow on Tumblr, and the stuff she makes uses some really interesting techniques I've never seen before.
Almost every week she's posting asks from people
>"Hey, how did you do -blank- I want to make one for myself!"
>"What do you use to do -blank- I'm a crafter and I want to sell these!"

It just baffles me. She's super nice about it and links them to her Etsy, but somehow people don't seem to realize that she's trying to make a living doing this.
Totally baffling.

>>7740496
That's really pretty, anon.

>>7740415
They would, but the moment they heard the word custom they would kinda go bonkers and never settle on exactly what they wanted. The couture process takes like 6 to 9 months starting with a muslin fitting and with gowns that had several overlays it could be hard to envision the final product. I get that. But we would have crazies that wanted to have us rotate a small placed flower appliqué like 1/8" to the left etc.

The main deal is that the brides are under an incredible amount of stress and they keep wanting everything to be perfect. The moment they tried on the gown all of the stress about all of the wedding would suddenly be real as they could actually see themselves as a bride and they'd just start freaking out by knit picking on the dress. I sympathize but I don't need that kind of crap in my life any more lol. Been out of there for 5 months now and suddenly my persistent heartburn is gone, I have a normal sleep schedule and I have the weekends off to be with my bf. Life's good.

"Hiiiiiiiii I'm a big fan of your work ^___^... I live on the other side of the world, I won't pay you a single penny, but would you please please PLEASE send me some of your expensive handmade items for a photoshooting? I will send it back to you immediatly after ten months. I'm a professional amateur model and you can even keep the pictures from the shooting :)))!! I need everything in two days, thanks in advance!!! *hugz*"

>>7740528
Oh god. This so much.

>>7740512
that picture is great

>>7740528
Usually the messages I get include 'I have over 1000 Tumblr followers~' (big whoop).

I've never actually had someone say they'd send back the items. I guess it's so generous of them to promote me that obviously they should get to keep the items!

I love how the messages are always so generic too, obviously cut and pasted into messages to a bunch of sellers.

While this is a really good idea in theory, if I was Dave from Dave's Bridal Store I would be so pissed at you coming in to try on all the dresses all afternoon just to walk out and go somewhere else. It's like reading the books in a bookstore before going on Amazon, only much worse if Dave runs a small business

I'm a graphic/web designer, and while I just make crafts for myself, I understand your struggles because we get the same kind of crap. It's somehow more annoying when it's from another creative person, because you'd think they'd get it, but that isn't always the case. I was asked by a bridal seamstress if I could make her a logo, business cards and a website.

>>Client: yeah so can you do me a logo, business cards and a website? I'm your mom's friend and she said you could do it cheap as a favour?
>>Me: Hi there. I normally charge $500 for a logo, $300 for business cards and depending on the website, it will be between $800-$1500.
>>Client: Yeah but I'm your mom's friend. I've known you since you were a kid. Could you do the whole lot for $350 as a favour?
>>...
>>After some back and forth, and calling my mom who says I should do "the right thing", I agree to do it.
>>Me: Hello again. If you still want, I'll do the work for $350. It will take a few weeks to get everything finished.
>>Client: Really? You can't just do it for free? $350 is way too expensive. My husband can do the site for free, he has the same computer you do. I can make a logo myself. I can get VistaPrint to design my business cards for me.

She now has crappy generic cards that say VistaPrint on the back, a logo that is only readable when viewed at full screen width, and a really terrible website.

I was glad not to have to do the commission, but if you create dresses for a living costing thousands, you should know what people's time is worth, and how important design is for marketing your business.

Yes she saved money, but it doesn't create a great impression for someone wanting to spend thousands on a wedding dress.

In case you're wondering, she doesn't have many commissions.

>>7740700
>now that I've gotten your mom to bargain down your price, why don't you do it for free?

WTF?

>>7740700
oh god my number one pet peeve when it comes to graphic design/art type of things

> I have photoshop too so I can ttly do it myself why are you asking so much omg

>>7740700
>>7740758
>I can do it myself!!!!

I always just respond, "Then why are you asking me to do it for you?"

Hey, this might be a good thread to ask on.

Is anyone open for cosplay commissions right now?

Don't need the costume until Katsucon, but I don't trust myself to make it look presentable.

>>7740700
>"Hey anon! I told your Grandmother about your cute little business and she wants to give some of your stuff to everyone in her book club!"
>"Oh! That's a big sale! Cool!"
>"Well, she's your grandmother. Just give them to her."
>"Mom, you realize I'm a college graduate and I make my living off this stuff?"
>"Yeah, but, it's not like it's that much!"
>"That's a couple hundred dollars worth of product, mom."
>"She's family!"

My mom keeps offering discounts on my stuff to her friends and my more extended family without asking me, and they get really pissed when I explain that she wasn't authorized to do that.

Also >cute little business
Nothing makes me froth at the mouth more.

>>7740773
See
>>7740446

>>7740619
Except David's Bridal is an actual existing chain store, silly anon.

>>7740782
Seriously, good on you for standing up for yourself and your business policies/prices in spite of all that.

It took me years to be confident enough in myself and my quality of craftsmanship to stop rolling over and taking it when people (especially family and friends, because you DO love them and it's hard to tell them no, and even harder when they're jerks about it afterward) come around with unreasonable expectations.

>>7740512
Hot damn, that sewing machine diagram made me spit coffee on myself haha. Thanks for the compliment on my work too! I loved that particular piece.

Similar topic, what do you seagulls do when someone claims they've already sent payment but your paypal shows absolutely nothing received? Especially if the product has to be mailed out soon? Is asking for a screenshot of the payment confirmation enough to safely mail it out until you can resolve whatever technical issue went wrong?

>>7740839
>one claims they've already sent payment but your paypal shows absolutely nothing received? Especially if the product has to be mailed out soon? Is asking for a screenshot of the payment confirmation enough to safely mail it out until you can resolve w

NO ABSOLUTELY NOT.Just tell your customer to wait a few days(1-3) for it to show. If not because they're in a hurry, don't risk it.

I craft a lot of wallets and jewelry. What happens if I accidentally use the wrong color zipper or the length of the necklace was correct?

And the customer brings it up to me, how do I deal with it? Do I automatically give them the option to return it to me and I will refund it? How do you guys deal with it?

My etsy hasn't had any trouble other than a girl giving the wrong address and not telling me till 5 days after I mailed the package. she still got it thankfully.

I think my only bad experience was when I went to help my aunt sell some old barbies on ebay. I got one person who messaged me 5 times in a hour asking "What does the pink label mean?" Something you could google in less than 5 seconds.
I replied with the answer, only to get 4 more messages of the same question from them. I told them to google it if it really mattered to them since they couldn't wait for someone who has a job to reply to their message.
"Well I'll take my money somewhere else then because you were rude"
Told them to fucking do it because I wouldn't sell to them anyway since they couldn't figure out how a collector's doll has a special label.

>>7740855
I would offer either a partial refund or a return and full refund. If it's your fuck-up (even if accidental), you should be the one to lose out.

If they take the return option, though, don't send the refund until the item is in your hands.

>>7740060
Honestly its not really, Im not even taht poster.
If you say you'll get it out in 2 days, or at X date, you'd better damn well do it. If I need to mail something I hop in my car and take the 30 minutes out of my day and get it shipped. Yeah sometimes its more convenient to go when you have a dozen orders or so to ship, but I'd rather take the extra bit of time and make sure these cheeky cunts get their shit in the estimated delivery period.

>>7740870
So if it's a 12 dollar necklace and is has the wrong length, how much is a reasonable partial refund? Or if it's like a 10 dollar wallet and one of the zippers are incorrect?

>>7740873

>If I need to mail something I hop in my car and take the 30 minutes out of my day and get it shipped

Why don't you just mail online? And our problem isn't that we have trouble getting it out in the mail, our problem is that the customer can be cheap, demanding, and indecisive.

>>7740782

>>cute little business

I frothed with you, anon. Did she actually say 'cute little business?' Or was it just in the tone of her voice?

>>7740881
For small errors like that I'd probably offer just 25%, so the necklace would become $9 and the wallet would become $7.50. Does that sound reasonable?

>>7740883
Actual words. I love my parents, but they can't deal with the idea that I'm not 10 with a lemonade stand anymore.

My grandma is worse, she calls me up and asks me when I'm going to give up making crafts and go back to college. I already have a degree (in business! Hahahahaha!) and I'm doing what I love... Eekads.

>>7740884
Yea that sounds like a really good, reasonable idea! Thanks!

It's just that I have nightmares about customers who 100% believe they should get a full refund and keep it but eh, sometimes if they're the spawn of satan who is threatening they'll stop at nothing to obliterate your business, you might as well.

I remember I sold crafts on ebay/etsy and I sold pastels and 2 in the case of 24 was broken and she demanded I give her a full refund and send her a new one. I gave her a full refund because I'm a pussy but since I didn't want to send her a new one, she was extremely angry and reported me to paypal.

>>7740896
And I thought I was bad on paypal.

>something smells like cigarettes
>something is missing (mostly manuals from playstation games)
>shipping took an excessive amount of time (2+ weeks)

I'll message the guy and ask them what they'd like to do to remedy it. Then I usually accept it because most of the time its super reasonable.
>1 thing is broken
>demand a full refund + replacement
Thats like, I wouldn't have even done anything about that. Maybe give a 10% discount but from my understanding its pretty shitty to sell on eBay

>>7739767
Can you show some of your examples? I'd love to see!

>>7740619
Except a wedding dress is a huge, personal purchase and shopping around to know what's out there and what looks good on you is considered customary.

>>7740619

fuck dave and fuck you

compete or get showroomed, caveman

>>7740592
How many tumblr followers would qualify as a good count?

>>7741073
We only have David's here in my town, with no private seamstresses. My best friend seriously drove an hour and a half away for another store

And you know what? She felt it was entirely worth it just to hear her photographer say "That dress is not from around here, is it?"

David's Bridal fucking sucks, though... I don't care how cheap they are. And when every girl in town wears it... fuck that

>>7740892

I am so sorry. I hate being condescended to by my family. Fortunately, it's really only just my grandparents, but my grandma can get under my skin like nobody else can with it, so I'm sorry you have to deal with that kind of bullshit.

>>7740892
>asks me when I'm going to give up making crafts and go back to college

Ask her when she's going to give up her house and move into an old people's home.

>>7741106
Daaaaaaayyyyyuuuuummmmm
That was stone cold anon.
I spit tea all over myself.

>>7740408
Don't do custom orders unless it's from someone who is known to be a good buyer. Just stick with the premade shit and have every little detail in the description. Shit like "this is handmade so items will not look exactly like ht photo" sound silly, but there are too many retarded buyers on there. Think of the average etsy customer as the kind of person who is the reason we have CAUTION: BEVERAGE HOT on coffee cups.

I feel less guilty about my custom order now.

I found someone on etsy who sells pony BJDs and asked her if she was able to make one with a custom head I made. I sent her the .obj and she said it was a go-go. I couldn't help but feel she didn't really want to speak with me, but I did my best to be to the point. (maybe I was too excited)

I never, ever did custom work for most of the reasons everyone else talks about, but I used to make clothes from vintage patterns and sell them.

People often have no fucking clue about the amount of work that goes into a good handmade piece, because they see similar things made in factories where people get paid $2/day and think that because that's the price at the store that they must be getting ripped off.

That being said, I am one of those customers that will ask a million questions and be a pain before I hand any money over. Although I'm happy to plonk down the money for your time and effort, I want to know that you're as good as, or a better seamstress than me before I pay you because generally I'm asking you for something that I know is a pain in the arse to work with and needs precision.

>>7741138
Some people just get the business out of the way without much other discussion. I have to remind myself sometimes that it's not like I have ot sit there and chat with the person personally, it's probably better for business to just come up with a few extra things to say to make it seem like I enjoy the project and appreciate their business.

It can be kind of grating when people pile on the praise for your work and they ask for a custom with lots of exclamation points and tumblr-esque superlatives

>>7739262
What if nobody else sold their originals because people saw your $200 one which made them think everybody else was absurdly overpriced?

>>7741234
Okay, I wasn't THAT excited... but there were some emoticons.

>>7741080

I know you should never "take exposure as payment" but if somebody on tumblr had a history of being able to move a product by gushing about it I'd take 1k. Fortunately, no one does.

>>7741247

Not that person, but they did say it was a school show. People buy expensive garbage art all the time, but that's only if there's a name behind it.

>>7741013
I don't want to jeopardize the company. It's so small and they have an excellent reputation. I may have a few accessory examples on my phone that would be impossible to know where they are taken.

>>7741292
Sample of some flowers and beading for a client. We ended up doing this to the entire bodice. Satin silk organza all hand sewn

I got a review the other day that's kind of annoying me.
"I love the item and the shipping was fast, thanks!" Only gave 4 stars.
What did you take away a star for if you think everything was perfect?

>>7741317
In general people don't realize that sales sites usually punish you for not getting a perfect score. So they try to "moderate" their score and "save" the 5 stars for only the greatest sellers who hand wrap it in fine silks and deliver it yesterday.
Sites can't be arsed to educate buyers because they don't give a shit.
I like including messages, like a slip of paper saying something like "did you know that anything less than five stars is considered negative by (website)!"

>>7741299
Where is the store what is the name I need this

>>7741324
If you don't earn a perfect score, you don't earn it.

People are so paranoid to give a review these days for crafts

Well, at least I can look at Amazon reviews before buying a major item.

>>7741317
I include notes to my customers in each package with explanations on the star ratings and recommendations on what they can do if they feel like leaving 4 of 5 stars (to contact me first to work out any issues).

>>7741343
And if they don't contact you and give you 4 stars anyways?

>>7741324
Good idea, I might start putting little notes in there too. I've also had a number of people message me on etsy to thank me for the item, and I always reply something like "I'm so glad you liked it! If you have time, please consider leaving a review by going to "Your Account" then "Purchases & Reviews"
But none of them have actually gone on to leave reviews.

>>7741299
no no no I wanted PURPLE flowers! do it again. I need it tomorrow.

>>7741299
Oh wow that looks really nice. props, Anon.

>be me
>run a scam online shop that sells "handmade crafts" and dresses
>put up pictures of nice necklaces and hair accessories and dresses and shit
>literally cut up fabric that's the same color and send it to customers (I shit you not), or do nothing and lie that I sent it out and it must've gotten lost or something
>failing that, I don't answer angry e-mails at all
>paypal account still not frozen somehow
>have just enough cash to live
>store isn't popular or anything so nothing comes up when you google "[store name] scam"
I feel bad sometimes, but what kind of retard orders """handmade things""" online without proper verification, honestly?

>>7740459
>calling a lawyer is harder than reading a slip
All of my what

>>7741363
how much have you scammed?

>>7741344
I just shrug it off. I have turned down a few orders before due to prior feedback left not being 5/5 stars. And i'm currently about to turn down an order because this spanish woman can't provide a correct address that USPS can verify. I don't have to suffer idiots when I don't need their business.

>>7741366
You're being trolled.

>>7741363
Given how many people post stuff like "I bought a dress five months ago and all I got was an empty box with a slip of paper saying "SUCKER" in it, is it too late to open a claim?" I am not surprised in the least
How many paypal claims have been opened against you?

>>7741363
I loled.

>>7741363
in the time you made that up and typed it out you could have ordered a ton of cheap shit from china that you can dropship/sell for 20x the original price, and that totally legal.

Lolitas are generally nice when they buy, I've noticed. I have a shop that sells rosettes and when I got my first custom order I sent her progress pictures and whatnot until it was over.

The other couple buyers I emailed immediately telling them when I will be sending it out.

The problem I have is shipping these things out. They are ribbons. Bows. And I have no idea how to ship them. I've used small boxes packed inside envelopes but usually I get an email about them being bent somehow.

Its a fine complaint but bums me out that I can't do anything about it.

>>7741395
Diff anon but I've tried the dropshipping thing and it's hard to find products, because of course everybody else wants to do it too.

>>7741425
By "hard to find" I mean it's hard to find stuff that isn't already selling on ebay from china for like five cents about cost.

>>7741425
Do it on storenvy and make a really overdone kawaii storefront.

It'll attract 14 year olds like no tomorrow.

>>7741418
Put cotton balls/cut foam/batting inside the loopy areas?

>>7741418

Yeah, lolitas are extremely forgiving to the other end of the scale. I think it's because we generally deal with so much shit that a two week wait on shipping seems really mild in comparison to 2 weeks until reach SS, one week until combine order, another 6 weeks by SAL to the house. I think we've gotten used to shitty service, in other words.

That's when you get things like >>7741373

On the other hand, on etsy, you're dealing with people who haven't had experience with anything other than maybe buying from amazon. They think because etsy markets itself as being a site that allows only trustworthy buyers, that it's basically amazon that ships out in 1 day or less. That's where you get problems I think.

>>7741440
I did and I even tried posting it on tumblr
I got a few sales but it wasn't really worth the effort imo.

>>7741467
The amount of sellers who treat etsy like it's their tumblr shop sadden me : ( They literally just resell things off ebay, price things 20x more, and ask for a 4-6 week shipping time so they can order it through ebay first. And the sad part? Lots of people are eating out of that hand.

>>7740408
Yea having your account frozen really sucks. It's literally like having a gun pointed to your head and paypal is telling you that you should just let the sale go and have the buyer keep your item and money.

I sold things that appealed to a general audience and so they weren't niche. So I would have customers who never used etsy before come buy my things. Instead of contacting my etsy for questions, they contacted my email used for paypal. Who does that? I had so many people message me through my paypal email directly. And instead of tracking their package like a normal person, they would file a claim with Paypal. And that sucks even more because you have to message the buyer and tell them their tracking number that they were too retarded to check, you have to report the buyer that did that on etsy just to tell them it wasn't your fault. THEN you have to sit on the phone and make an appeal about your case to customer service just so they can unfreeze your account. There's so many paypal horror stories that they'll sometimes even prolong the frozen state of your account and you have to resort to making up some fake lawyer just so they can bring it back to normal.

If your customer uses direct checkout, then you're immune from their retardedness to some extent. Just pray your customers aren't ebay/amazon fags like mine was.

>>7741080

12k at least.

>>7741947
>tfw 22 followers
Life is truly suffering.

>>7741949
I have 43 and I hit my three year anniversary there a few months ago. Oh well.

>>7738533
No reasonable business could ever ask for a 50% deposit. 20-30% is the most you could go to and still expect people not to assume you're a scam artist.

>>7741879
>you have to message the buyer and tell them their tracking number that they were too retarded to check

I had one buyer file a claim on me out of the blue because it had been 2 weeks since I'd shipped the item and she hadn't gotten it yet. It turns out it was at the post office and she never checked the tracking. Some people are too stupid to have money.

>>7740528
Oh fuck, I used to get this on storenvy. They would write some big long bs about how they had SO many followers and they regularly get thousands of reblogs!
Apparently they expect everyone they contact to be retarded and gullible because I would always look them up and without fail, they had a ton of shitty grainy outfit pics that were doing well to get 20 likes.
I don't know if they were just blatantly lying or they did once get a lot of reblogs and decided that made them "efamous"
People are so entitled. I'm popular on the internet, give me stuff!

>>7738533
>>7741969
I do sewing commissions and I ask for materials cost up front, which people accept as reasonable, so I don't waste my own money on an asshole who walks.

shitlikethis.jpeg

>>7742056
>>7742062
that's the same fucking chick who messaged me, christ
at what point do these lazy bitches, I don't know, get a real job?

>>7742018
I do the same, and everyone seems to agree/understand. Especially when the price is broken down into the individual materials and they see how much you'd basically be paying out of your own pocket otherwise, they're more than happy to pay that part upfront. Since you're only breaking even on what you need to start and not making any profit for yourself yet, there isn't much "oh is this a scam" mentality. Besides, who'd go through the trouble of such annoyingly detailed price quotes and measurement-taking, etc, for just a scam anyways?

>>7742072
Here's another, this one was slightly more professional

>>7742072

I have another kid who admitted to only having a facebook page and turned out to be 13. Cant find the convo for the life of me to laugh at now. Have to trudge through over 5k convos to find it at this point.

>>7742086
Dropped pic

>>7742091
Jesus could I fail any harder

>>7742096
Anyway, I asked her about her ~urban outfitters review~ and this is the reply I got
I didn't respond to either of these girls.

>>7742099
Hahaha wow. The toppest kek one I had, I must have deleted straight off after finding out it was just a kid wanting to promote one of my $50 items on his facebook to his friends. I laughed pretty hard that night. Kids are fucking stupid.

>>7742114
Yeah I wish you could find it. You must have a pretty popular store from the sound of it, does this happen all the time? I owned a really shitty shop with shitty taobao tights so I'm surprised I got these people at all, but I guess they don't have anything better to do

>>7742133
I had a really small etsy store but had a shitload of bloggers/youtubers asking me to sponsor them. It really depends on what you're selling

>>7742133
I'm mainly known for selling handmade books of specific fandoms. It's an absolute shitfest most of the time. Those were just the ones I was able to find searching in my messages. The most common annoying messages are buyers asking for information blatantly given in the item description. Like somehow if they ask what the price is twice or three times it will change, or i'll typo it and they'll try to hold me to that price (one old bag did this, harassed me for days, and she was banned from my shop)

>>7742179

LIAR, you can't ban people on etsy can you??? Even if you block them they can still buy your shit to piss you off right?

>>7742213
Liar? I don't mean ban literally using the site. I have a list of addresses associated with names of people not allowed to order from my store again. If they were to attempt to buy from me again I would just reverse the transaction immediately.

>>7742213
Good lord, are you 12? Calm down with caps, accusations, and ???

>>7742232
I call that ninja canceling. Someone so pants on head retarded buys something from me so I stealthily cancel it and pray to allah that it takes them longer than two days to find the feedback option.

(Even if you cancel they have a 48 hour window to give you feedback)

Reading this thread makes me so sad. I'm only a buyer, but every etsy seller I've spoken with has been super-nice and accommodating, I asked a seller if she could make a brooch in a custom color, and she showed me all the materials and was a joy in general. You guys are awesome.

Rant: dA/tumblr commission prices piss me off. How am I supposed to draw a colored fullbody illustration for 20$? Ho much per hour is that, $4 if I rush it? I know dA commissions are not serious illustration work, and most of them are teens wanting some pocket money, but come on, all that underpriced shit really hurts artists.

>>7742242

Your reply was a joke too right? Because I didn't know 78 year old grandmothers visited 4chan

>>7740377
I had to quit my retail job after 3 months because I just couldn't handle it anymore. The store was going really badly so there weren't a lot of customers to begin with, but I got bitched at several times an hour and couldn't even get up to pee. I got a completely different job and never looked back.

>>7741949
>>7741961
>20-30 followers on the blog for the past year
>post a few photos of my BJD for the first time
>suddenly gets 2000+ notes
>over 50 new followers in 2 days
>oh god they're all expecting more dolls I don't have

I'll forever be sandy about just how much more popular it is over my more polished OC.

Wow, girls running around hoping to convince people into sponsoring them. When I get the point I want to promote my shop, I'm aware of the blog etc. circle well enough that I have my own list of girls I'd be interested in giving stuff too.
Based on the following:
What sites they use and how well known they are in the fashion related niche of that site.
Do I like their style?
Their personality also has to not irritate me so it's actually a small list

If any girl on that list decided to ask for a sponsorship it would probably bump her off the list for personality reasons.

I've actually had two positive 'exposure' experiences.

>Have friend who is a professional model
>Like actual professional, not teenager who's kinda pretty
>Trade her a product, and in exchange she wears it for a shoot, I get the photos
>Got professional, modeled photographs in exchange for a product that costs me $5 in materials

Second time
>Get messaged on Etsy by a review blog
>Not Tumblr, a legit blog that's dedicated to doing detailed in depth product reviews in exchange for products
>Try it out, get a glowing review
>Worked out okay, got a lot of extra traffic, probably won't do it again

I would say that if they're anyone from Tumblr, don't do it. If they're someone you know, though, or they're reputable, it's not that big a deal.

The thing to look out for is a patronizing attitude, they should be excited that you're willing to work with them, not the other way around.

>>7742254
I'm so glad I got out of retail. Office jobs are much lower stress.

>>7740372
>icecream

fatty detected

>>7739616
hot damn you shower her who's boss.

>>7747519
>be me
>be professional model
>like actual professional model
>do trade for product all the time
>delicious items
>see this
i hope the designers who do this with me are as happy as you

tfw you were thinking of getting into jewelry making
I dont think I'll have too much trouble, no preorders or commissions I would think, but I love doing custom orders and now I'm worried

I deal with all the typical craftshop bullshit with the added bonus of selling cosplay/furry related things that are also assesories for electronics.

I've been able to calc out that 3% of my customers can't read. At all. Because 3 out of every 100 customers who purchase the pieces made to be compatible with the device spazz out when the device doesn't come in the box with the accessory. Or will purchase a standard item only to put a complex custom order in the notes on the order.

Yes, you fucking troglodyte, a random crafter on a craft website is absolutely selling $75-100 pieces of hardware with custom accessories for $30. Absolutely. Makes perfect sense!

On the note of the 'surprise forced custom orders in the notes of a normal order' thing it has worked out for me before. I made a custom listing for someone who purchased a complex custom order with their name and ALL OTHER PURCHASERS WILL BE CANCELED all over it and someone purchased it to place their own custom order in the notes. Only their order was simple, 1-hour-of-work bullshit. So I kept their $70 and shipped them their at-most-$30 order.

>>7749555
reminds me of when I see shitty lolita skirts on etsy with the added note "DOES NOT COME WITH PETTICOAT" you know they got so much shit from idiots thinking it was just normally that poofy

>>7740512
I get a lot of people who ask me this kind of shit too. Some are polite, but some are really demanding about it.

>"What pattern did you use to make these, also send me the link to the fabric you bought and any tips you have."
>"How do I make x thing that you're selling?"

>>7749621
Selling patterns doesn't get rid of that kind of tard ether, they just get ANGRY that you dare sell a pattern for something 'so easy' you should give it to them for free! Because... it's so easy... they can't figure it out themselves?

I have a truly wonderful example of one of these idiots preserved on my DA. I should post screen caps because it's truly a thing of beauty and it went on for DAYS.

>>7750133
please do

>>7742096
>>7742062
>we'll sponsor you
>you give us free shit and we blog about it

>>7749403
>professional model
>on /cgl/

pics or GTFO

>sell jewelry at a con
>GOTTA PEE
>booth neighbor is watching my booth
>come back and see a girl taking pictures of every. single. item. I have
>I ask her wtf she's doing and she just walks away
>neighbor: "Oh she's a friend of mine, she also makes her own jewelry! She liked your stuff so much and found it so inspiring, she took pictures of everything teehee!"
needless to say we had some words.

>>7750133

Please do anon. I need a good laugh.

>>7750505
>such butthurt

>>7741429
proest of pro-tips: sell that stuff IRL, not online.
normalfags are easily impressed, too dumb to google and used to expensive retail prices. I've made a four-digit profit just by reselling cheap chinese necklaces for 15€

>>7748579
you sound like someone without icecream

>>7750543
right cause I'm not a fatty

>>7750528
huh?

>>7750442
Not that anon but you realize we have Choke and plenty of other pretty girls here, right? It's not hard to imagine that hugely appearance-based hobbies like cosplay and Jfashion attract good-looking women who know how to use that to their advantage. Plus it's not like models are some kind of endangered species, they're fucking everywhere.

>>7750519
>>7750234
I'm trying to dig up the comments from a journal (their journal) that was deleted. I know they're still up but I can't for the life of me remember the URL.

It's a good part too, because they took 'go teach yourself to make something' to mean 'I challenge you to make Pokemon ears and if you make them first I lose and you win forever!' and they got an underaged girl and a Nice Guy involved, and managed to somehow lose the contest they imagined I challenged them to, and then bawww that they can't afford things because they work at mcdonalds.....

Anyone know a good way to dig up DA comment threads?

>>7750687
I found a link! It's incomplete, but it marks the start of me going on the offensive for my own entertainment and the entrance of The Nice Guy.

While I edit it together have part 1! I think it'll be about 3-4 parts? All together?

>>7739606
Poster about the paintings. I completely understand that and normally I would sell that shit for $700 at least, but I know what the assholes who came to look at my school's art were like, and since I was in the illustration department, anyone that would actually bother to come by would not actually understand how much art is worth. All the big spenders mainly stuck to the main floors where all the painting majors and good GFAs were.

I was super pressed for money and needed to make some sort of profit so I super underpriced that shit despite how many hours I spent painting it and the cost of materials. But lo and behold I was the only one in the department that sold for that much. Everyone else either priced their paintings right and didn't make any money, or were selling $40 prints and sold a few. It actually kind of killed me to part with that piece for that low of a price, and in that nice of a frame, but sometimes you need to make ends meet and just bite the bullet.

But if it's any compensation I also sold a print for $80 too, so that was probably the one thing I priced correctly for the night.

>>7739767
Would you mind sharing a story or two about what the brides did to make you hate it so much? I kind of love bridezilla stories...

>>7740700
OH my god that makes me so mad. I had someone that I guess was a family friend call my mom since I wouldn't go down low enough for them for a comission they wanted. And my mom was like fucking harassing me about "did I do this, did I do that. You need to do blahblahblah why is this so expensive." After a bit I finally told my mom to fuck off and told her that last time I checked, I was the professional that went to school for this, I think I know what I'm doing.

I just find it so unprofessional when people try to get your parents involved, like do you want to look like a fool or not. This is a professional commission, not a soccer mom asking a favor from their friend's kid.

>>7741949
I-I have an art blog and I just got to 139 followers. I'm really proud of myself since I only post art on it, but all of my friends have at least 10,000 followers ;_;

>>7750733
what a fool, and considering on her dA it states she's 20 and still describes herself as "hyper" I think that says enough. Gotta say those plush ears look nice.

>>7750733
you need to post more of these omg

>>7750733
Eagerly awaiting part 2-3/4

>>7750802
She's really... grating. I wasn't going to reply at all until I realized she's older than some of my classmates.

I'm really particular about materials. The most common fur used by furries/cosplayers is awful for small, structured objects because the fibers 'flow' directly outwards. I wanted something more structured and durable, even if it was more expensive.

>>7750505
...I have no words.
I am outraged.

>>7740782
Er, I hate to say it but I do bargain with friends. However, they're the kinds of friends who bargain back. I've accepted payment in energy drinks, and I've paid for things in Wendy's Frosties before. I have to have a damn good reason to do a trade like that with you, though.

>>7750733
I had to snoop, and she's bitching all over the place about people selling, or just not sharing, their original content for the shitty 3D rendering software she uses. Even arguing ad neaseum that it's illegal (lolno) to sell because the rendering software is freeware. (She's allegedly been rendering for years, but never visited the Daz3D store?) All over downloads that cost literally pennies.

Of course the people on DA can give away slightly tweaked 3D models, traced anime "bases" and similar worthless clutter. Those barely take more effort than jacking off.

>>7751843
How did I fuck up ad nauseam? Anyway, people like this are the cancer of DA. They're so festering in recolored reposted garbage, they really think everybody is as lazy as they are, then get pissed when other people have real works.

>>7751871
Her beauty knows no limits because apparently she right-out steals a lot of things. Check the post she made about getting her headset, she bragged that the seller shipped it before she paid so she cursed at them and didn't pay.

How do people even end up like that?

>>7750733
Human stupidity truly is limitless. I'm not sure whether to be depressed or keep laughing

I feel like this thread made me have my first bad experience with eBay.
>ship item 8/6
>item delivers 8/11
>buyer says they didn't receive item 8/11
>says they need item by 8/13 for gift
>wants me to file claim with USPS
Do I just have to wait for them to file a claim against me asking for refund?
Honestly I wouldn't be so weary of them just trying to scam me if they hadn't filed a claim the same day USPS "mis-delivered" the package and the "I need it by 8/13!!" BS. If it was that time-sensitive then it's mighty convenient you got it a day before that.

>>7752661
People who act like I should know they needed an order rushed without saying anything are the bane of my existence.

Oh? What's that? Your daughter/mother/uncle/dog's birthday is tomorrow? And you placed the order three days ago despite multiple warnings indicating a two week build time? Wow, I don't fucking care. How am I supposed to know a random person's birthday when the people who love them can't even be assed?

>>7752661
If you've got free long distance, call up their local PO and explain the problem. If the mailman left it at the neighbors' house, there's still a chance he'll remember the mistake OR remember making the delivery correctly.

>>7752987
>>7752839
Buyer replied back to me with "I tried everything and opened a claim with USPS but I want YOU to investigate this or I want a refund because now I don't have a present for my sister!"
I don't understand what else they want me to do if they already opened a claim. Tried calling their local PO with no luck. Just going to tell them I can't investigate any further and to either just keep waiting or flag down their mailman. Not looking forward to receiving that negative feedback. Shit.

>>7753340
Technically, once it leaves you with the postal service, it's the postal service's problem. As long as you have all your paperwork saying you shipped it and stuff, it's not your fault what happens.

I suggest you tell her that and refuse her a refund. If she leaves you bad feedback, isn't there some way to dispute it?

>>7753366
Just asked ebay and if all goes right they should just remove negative feedback if they leave any.
Apparently I just need to call eBay and have them escalate then close the case. I sent the buyer one last "I can't do anything about it but at least go check with your local post office in person." message, if she still insists on a refund after that I'm calling up eBay.

>>7753390
paypal might be the bigger issue if she pushes it

The only time i have ever done a commission for someone was the absolute last time i will ever do one. It was supposed to be for a headbow and wrist cuffs in black, the end result was that the buyer messaged me 6 times in one day sending me "inspiration" images that were nothing alike and nothing like what we agreed upon. I normally have no problem with exacting people, i can understand wanting to get the best possible product, but her asking for the design to be completely altered several times for something that the seller was charging $25 for... nah that shit wasn't worth it.

I'm commissioning a guy to draw me a picture for a daki. I like it so far, but I noticed that the boobs look off. Like, I'm not an artist, I don't know shit about proportions or whatever, but they looked not right. I even pulled out my mirror and got into the same position as the character to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I wasn't. My tits, which are about the same size as the character's, could not be perfectly framed under my arm.

I email the guy, and he agrees, they ARE off. He corrects it.

It looks even worse now. Before, they were at least sagging/deforming properly to the ground, they were just too "Hawkeye Inititave" if you know what I mean. Now they look like he literally just cut out a pair of perfect bra-d pair of tits and glued it to the side of my waifu's chest. It looks weird, but I don't know enough about proportions to tell him how I want it fixed.

I'm strongly considering posing in the mirror again, taking a picture, and sending it so he knows for sure what I want, but I'm pretty sure that idea is retarded. And I don't know how much is too much when asking an artist to redo things.

>>7753618
either way you should pose and post the picture here

>>7753696
If you tell me how this pic should be fixed, sure.

>>7753701
If you don't want to pose you can find some art or another reference similar to what you want and send it over.

>>7753618
I think the top picture is more accurate, just that her left breast shouldn't be as visible. I honestly can't say how to fix it without a reference picture of a human though. Maybe fixed the retarded bra will help?

>>7753735
>implying I haven't tried

I'm trying to find this exact post, but for once in my life, I can't find bikini models lying on their stomachs, heads on arms, hips facing the camera.

Honestly, I think the boobs should just not be showing. At the very least, I shouldn't be seeing any cleavage.

>>7753739
You're right, the left should be barely visible.

It's Rachnera, so I expected the proportions to be weird regardless. I wasn't expecting the problem to happen here, though.

>>7753618
The guy drawing for you is just godawful at women.

>>7753701

get to it

>>7753784
But anon, those boobs are nowhere near the size of the boobs in that picture. Maybe you should get your glasses?

>>7753820
It's just a reference. It has the same general angle and you can see how the breasts act when they're lying down. Use a little imagination to picture how bigger breasts would look and you should have a pretty good idea.

>>7753784
Thank you, that's really helpful. I'm going to send that over.

>>7753820
That's probably the best she could get. I pulled a couple of those pictures myself.

>>7753802
I hope you're satisfied.

Taking the picture made me realize there's really no reason for the breasts to be seen at all. Propping my elbow to allow them to be seen and still hold up my body was uncomfortable.

>>7753858
>this pleases me

>>7753858
It's a body pillow though. You don't want to hide the titties.

>>7753820
jesus christ no wonder you pay another untalented dude to draw a fucking dakimakura. you sound dumb and weebish

>>7753858
we may also need one from the other side. for things

>>7753618
The top one is much better, more alluring. They give the impression of softness and natural weight

the bottom are like implants, cartoonish or one of those extra padded faux satin wonder bras

.. they're pretty much just two circles

>>7753869
It has two sides. The other side has her nipples showing.

>>7753870
Uh, that's not me? As I said, I have my own tits to go off of whether or not his drawing made sense. Also, weebish? What's with the buzzwords?

>>7750733
>from the cheapest material i could afford
I never would have guessed.

>>7753899
Yeah, with the first, I just wanted him to pull her arm down a bit. It didn't look terrible, it just showed more than was needed.

The fixed was just...I'm hoping that he just thought I was some virgin dude who'd never seen a pair irl.

>>7753915
>the cheapest material i could afford
That statement doesn't even make sense

>>7753915
>>7753922
Unless by "cheapest" she meant the highest price for the worst quality

>>7753915
While that part was lost to her bawleeting the journal, she stated that she was planning on making her ears from the leftover costume satin from that cosplay. I think I reference it in a reply?

Why does costume satin even exist?

>>7753963
So little kids can cross the street on Halloween night and be easily seen.

PROPS TO ALL OF YOU CRAFTERS/ ARTISTS/ SEAMSTRESSES

How do you seamstresses do it?? Someone asked me for a commission once and I'm not professional or anything but decided to take it on because it seemed pretty simple to most of what I had done before. (I'm leaving out a ton of details because anon commissioner may be a lurker?) Anywho, I did it and let me tell you, I immediately was so stressed out by it that I cried. a family member of mine died during this time so I was a mess. After the messages I received from this person I just apologized, said it was free, and delivered the absolute worst thing I have ever sewn together. No fucks given. they should have just bought this stupid thing online. (it's flipping 30-40$ WOW) After that I decided to NEVER make ANYTHING for ANYONE unless it be something smaller like a bow or simple stitch for a hole.

If there is one thing I have learned in my almost 10 years working, it is that the customer is most usually wrong.

>>7754039
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOXAs9o3xUE

>>7753915
She left this comment on the famous Real or Fake Kimono tutorial:
>im makng my kimono out o satin, only because the chacate im cospaying as is a high ranking kitsune and can afford it

>>7753340
>>7752661
Conclusion:
>buyer yells at me again to give refund because they're tired of this and I can't do anything else
>sends me message 2 hours later "It arrived today!!1 Thanks!!"
Wow, if only you'd have listened to my first message about waiting another day or two to see if would arrive.

>>7755329
Wow, what an idiot. Glad it worked out okay for you anon!

>>7753915
Is that lining fabric?

What is the best way to ship shoes/flats internationally? Seems like shipping through a box would be very expensive. Does anyone here ship shoes through mailers? Does that regularly go well or do you layer up on the bubble wrap?

>>7755523
USPS has some flat rate (domestic and international, I think) boxes and one size is specifically for shoes.

>>7741080
for jewelry, fashion, etc, you generally need to have a really big following. especially if you're trying to get some from indie stores.

books, on the other hand... pretty easy to get review copies nowadays.

I just missed that I got a commission...

>Person comments on my personal page instead of my business one "Wow! I'd love a thing like that but with - reasonable variation-"
>Me "Well, I do accept commissions!"
>Person "Haha! I'll sign right up!"

I assumed she wasn't serious, because, well, if I actually made a sale for every person saying "Oh my gosh I love it I will buy every color" I'd have a lot of money.

Turns out she was serious, but I had no idea until she comments on my business page with "I'm still waiting for my commission, lol. It's okay, I don't need it for a few more months."

I sent her an apologetic message from my business account explaining that to commission me she'd have to have contacted me privately and we'd have to discuss a price, but it frazzled me a little bit.

I'm writing a actual post on how to commission me now, for all my social sites.

>>7756785
Experience says no one will read it and you'll get the same retardation, possibly more.

GOSH! I have had some awful customer experiences on storenvy.

> last year
> busy con season
> clearly state in my FAQ that my shipping may take over a month - even on small orders - due to busy with cons
> Girl orders $6 sticker pack
> Explain to her read FAQ for shipping times
> week later
> Girl is ass-pained because I haven't mailed her stickers & sends me rude ass e-mails
> Try to calm
> Wants refund
> Offer 1 free print
> Girl agrees & says she understands
> Third week, ready to finally ship her order & e-mails to confirm her address
> Girl sends an ass-pained e-mail about waiting for 3 weeks & how she has to change the address to her mom's house & DEMANDS that the package now include 3 extra prints and stickers or she will write bad reviews of my store on every single social media I have
> Find out she already talked shit about me all over Tumblr - which was my main form of communication back then
> Scared because my solo-store JUST opened
> Agree & end up wasting $20 of additional merchandise on this $6 order

I have no idea why people don't read FAQ's - or even when you explain things clearly - cause such unnecessary problems or hassles for sellers.

I feel like it's a catch-22 - either refund their order & have them bad mouth you or placate them & have them bad mouth you

>>7757719
This is the same anon, my other story is:

>Be selling at Supercon 2013
> Greasy, neck-beard w/ mom walks up to table & looks at my Dangan Ronpa print
> Print features spoilers
> Looks me dead in the eyes and says, "Did you draw this?"
> Nod, smile, & say "yes"
> "You are disgusting."
> Confused, I look at his mom
> "How dare you make a print with spoilers?! I had no idea what happened in DR. What makes you think you can do this?"
> mfw he asks if I played/read the japanese version
> mfw he asks if I frequent the SomethingAwful forums
> "Say no" and have the man call me "disgusting" and "trash" again
> Neck-beard walks away and mom profusely apologizes

I don't understand people. The other girls in my booth were so shocked, and now it's a running joke in our group.

>>7757719
Even if you're busy, making someone wait for three weeks just to mail one thing is a bit ridiculous. If someone did that to me I'd be pissed too. You should have just refunded her at the start instead of offering free stuff.

>>7757741
it says it's going to take a long fucking time why the fuck would you get pissed off
maybe you shouldnt order shit if you can't be patient

>>7757741
I mean, yeah, it's ridiculous, but you as the buyer are told in advance!

If you're not willing to wait the time - even AFTER I TOLD YOU - then don't buy it. I don't force you to press "purchase" or ask for an immediate refund because you didn't realize how long it would take.

Don't wait a week and cause problems esp since I have a clearly stated "no refunds" policy

>>7757706
I have a sinking sensation that you're right, anon.

On the plus side, I just got a $50+ commission form this girl and she's willing to pay up front because of the misunderstanding.

>>7757719
That's why most people just close their webshop during cons. Also easier to keep track of inventory.

I do miniature sculptures (between 1,5 and 7cm tall) and sell them at cons and I was thinking about opening an Etsy store, but I'm from Argentina and I'm not sure if anyone would be willing to pay international shipping for something that costs $15 at most =/ Have you ever bought something from abroad or do you stick to national stores?

>>7758144
Buyers on etsy don't really discriminate what country the seller is from unless shipping is over priced. I recommend you find the cheapest way to send your goods out before starting one, if you have it low and reasonable like $6 USD, then you are good. If you have only one method for shipping and that is 'everywhere else' for $20, hardly anyone will buy. You'll be surprised how many sellers do that.

>>7757719

These shitty buyers happen a lot.

I face a really frequent problem as someone who does custom work/commissions. I sew things with custom fabric and materials. So my customer will message me the type of materials they want for what piece then I go and buy it. This is really risky because I have really retarded/annoying buyers who I cannot stand during the process and I cannot escape them as I already bought their supplies.

So basically what happens is that me and the buyer agree I take two weeks before I ship it out. The buyer pays me, I buy the custom fabric and materials online, then hell begins. The buyer will then message me everyday asking if I shipped it out yet, then not even a week after they order they start telling me that they absolutely need it NOW. Then they get really upset and annoying and I'm trapped in a transaction with Satan himself because I don't want to end up having to cancel the order and be stuck with some ugly ass fabric.

Everyday I'm just replying with variations of "Teehee, let's be patient? okay? :D"

>>7758193
State a ship on date. Start having them expect it to be shipped on a date before you start any work for them. I've never had an issue with this method and I have sold hundreds of preorder ship-on x date items. You need to manage your customers better.

>>7758208
Did you even read what I said?
>So basically what happens is that me and the buyer agree I take two weeks before I ship it out

I doubt you even have that many sales if you've never come across to this problem before because lots of people in this thread admitted to having the same issue.

Thanks for the shit, condescending advice.

>>7758240
Again, you need to manage your customers better. When you start an order with someone and take payment on it, put the ship-on date in the custom listing title. "Taking two weeks" is apparently not descriptive enough. Give them an exact date.

Also, if your first reaction is to get pissed off at advice then you're going to sink. And the only problems i've had are people trying to get free things for their *~*blog*~*.

>>7758254
How is that even impressive? You can't even live off of that. I'm pretty sure people who sell trash on ebay earn more. Why the hell would i get advice from someone who isn't even successful with it and doesn't even have that many sales?

And yes I'm insulted because I'm being given advice from someone who does this as a mini hobby/fun fun project. Maybe when you're older and you have more sales, you will understand what I mean

>>7758262
>implying I don't make 4x from conventions.

Now you're trying to attack my credibility? Yea i'm done. Sink scrub.

>>7758264
Ohh so successful and so knowledgeable. Can you please write on a paper saying "EARNINGS: ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM CON FUCK YOU ANON" that way you can prove me wrong and your credibility as a person whose profits are on par with a housewife who sells random junk will stand taller?

Sorry for hurting your feelings btw ;(

>>7758271

Different anon. I read in one of those small business books that very few people make six figures on etsy. Do you? Why don't you tell us your secrets? You seem to be making much more with shitty customer service.

>>7758275
The shittier your customer service, the more people will flock to your store

>>7758262
Girl you have an attitude problem. I can only imagine that with your outburst at the helpful anon above that you blow up at your customers too.

>>7758289
>Helpful anon

More like condescending/boastful anon who got really angry when I shot him/her down by saying his sales are shit. I mean it's good if you like a full time job, don't get me wrong.

That reaction image likely means they're laughing at you now, not angry.
???? Am I missing something here other than this trainwreck of text here?

>Girl A: I have problems
>Person B: Solution
>Girl A: WOW DID YOU EVEN READ? I BET YOU DONT EVEN SELL THINGS BECAUSE THERES NO PROOF. THANKS FOR THE SHIT CONDESCENDING ADVICE

Oh my god cgl never change.

>>7758305

>Girl A:I have an impatient customer and we agreed to have it shipped out in two weeks
>Girl B: You need to tell them when you'll ship it out
>Girl A: I ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT CAN'T YOU FUCKING READ
>Girl B: How dare you talk like that to me! Posts sales
>Girl A: Your sales are shit
>Girl B: I have more sales than that -laughs at girl A-

>why arent people agreeing with me and giving me asspats because my customers are satan and overreact to my messages

>gets advice and overreacts

I think we've figured out the problem here.

>>7758335
>>7758254

Wait a minute, didn't you post your sales to get asspats to begin with?

>>7758352
>I doubt you even have that many sales if you've never come across to this problem before

No, they asked.

>>7758361

The situation is more like you posted your virtual dick(stats) then angry, stressed anon made fun of its size. Then you're just making a shit ton of messages saying anon overreacted. You should just leave it, it's not even a big deal.

Not crafter related but since I've been selling second-hand stuff and working customer service, I'm constantly dealing with shitty customers. People in real life get mad about the smallest details like when a coupon doesn't work because they can't fucking read. People online don't pay or find the smallest mistakes and say the item is "unsalvageable".
Been waiting on this person to pay for a shirt, they suddenly send a message saying "I'll pay tomorrow it's $10 not 10 million" like I was hounding them over it. Now it's tomorrow and they haven't paid.
Basically, customers suck period.

I make charms and sell them on storenvy. I've sold about 20, and my shipping times are pretty random but everybody's been patient and nice. Sometimes I even make the charm right before I send it out.

>>7758254
>>7758264
>>7758275
>>7758289
>>7758305
>>7758335
>>7758361

Lol it's so obvious it's the same anon acting like different people. Guys, if you have an arguement with someone on the internet, don't have an identity crisis and refer yourself as 'they'. Sage for off topic.

>>7758450
And it's pretty obvious that this is butthurt OP

>multiple people disagree with my shitty opinion? On MY internet?
>SAMEFAG!!!!!

>>7758503

Come on bro, now don't go attacking me, I had nothing to do with this thread. Maybe you need to simmer down. Besides, why would a bunch of people be part of your army on a small banter that doesn't even matter? And it's all within a small time frame as well? From a bystander's point of you, it sounds all you. Good thing you only posted your stats and not your actual store because it probably would've been a target.

I agree with >>7758510

>>7758503 filled out all the traits of someone who would be a target on 4chan

>boasts/shows off something and doesn't expect criticism/backlash
>makes an army of fake replies to back himself up
>super defensive and literally won't stop shitposting
>takes things personally
>feels like he/she has something to prove on an anonymous discussion board

Maybe 4chan isn't for you. I suggest going on tumblr/reddit where you can downnvote people and grab your pitchfork when someone is being a meanie.

>>7758144
People complain about my $5 shipping but they buy my shit anyway. Even if shipping is free you'll still get people bitching that it's too expensive.

>>7758450

I always use "they" or "them" instead of "he/she", I thought it was the proper manner :/

>that moment when i keep mixing up the snk thread with this in catalog view on my phone....
sage for no contribution

>>7758450

I was >>7758275 and I was merely pointing out that for an etsy seller, anon was doing pretty well.

Most successful sellers sell not only on etsy, but on multiple channels to expand their customer base. That's really the smartest way to go about it. In the long run, sticking to one platform like etsy won't make a viable income, that's all.

>>7758262
>>7758193
You guys are in the business of doing custom commissions for money, you're both fucking morons. It's worthless arguing who is the bigger moron out of you when you both could do well with getting an actual fucking job.

>>7758903
It is, if you don't know someone's gender.
That anon's just being salty, it has nothing to do with tumblr transtrenders.

All this makes me super glad that I decided not to sell needlecraft stuff. Not only does knitting and crochet take assloads of time, but people seem to think that time doesn't factor into the cost of an object. Yes, I would be undervaluing my time to sell you a cables & lace hat for 20 bucks.

I'm inherently a selfish crafter: I knit and crochet for myself first (delicious lace shawls and hats and armwarmersss), and then for people's babies as a gift, since baby hats are easy and baby-friendly material is cheap, and my mom. Anybody else and I'm making an exception. But I'll teach them if they really want. I like teaching. Most of them don't want to learn and just want knits without the hours spent making them.

I may try figuring out amigurumi patterns and sell those, though. They're also a lot faster than knits.

>>7737489
Seagulls, I'd like your help with something.
I won a dress in an auction on ebay. I paid for it. The seller messages me and tells me that they didn't mean to put free shipping with their item, and wont send it until i pay $8.50 of the $13 shipping.
I said that I'm willing to pay up to half of the cost, but it has been three weeks since I won the auction and I just want the dress.
Should I open a case? This is the first time something like this has happened so I'm unsure of what to do.

>>7764598
open a case. You aren't getting that dress either way, it's probably a scam. Best you can do is get your money back.

>>7764598
The seller sounds like an immature idiot. If they didn't list shipping, you are under no obligation to pay for any portion of it. Open up a case - they probably have no intention of sending you the dress regardless of if you pay or not.

>>7764598
Check ebay terms and conditions or ask customer service, maybe see if they are legally obligated to give you the dress if you paid for it

>>7764598
I had something like this happen once before. First look at the persons vendor rating. If they are new ( less than 100 or so items sold not total auctions) it is probably a scam. If they aren't new then it is their mistake. When you bid on that auction you agreed to the terms listed on the auction as the seller put it.

They can easily agree to just cancel the auction, you and them, and put the item back up for bid again under new terms instead of refusing to ship you the item.

I had that happen to me once as well, the seller apologized that they meant to put a reserve on the item and I went a little under what their reserve price would have been (this was a power seller). After some discussion with the power seller they ate the loss and we both proceeded to close the auction.

It's up to you to determine how far you wish to go with this, but if the seller isn't a total idiot it is more than likely a scam. You have legal grounds to file a claim against them for breach of terms.

Write them one more time, make it clear you wish for a good resolution but they posted the auction on Ebay and you bid in good faith under those terms. If they still refuse to make good on the auction under that agreement send all correspondence between you and the seller to the Ebay resolution team.

Most likely however you will not be getting that dress so I would start looking at other options.

that struggle tho