The item in question was this, my silver-plated Sea Monster (hello!):
Somebody convo'd me and asked why I charge $25 for this necklace when they can get "the same thing" from China for $3.99. They even included a picture to prove their point:
Sigh. Here we go again.
First of all, making jewelry is my job and I will be paid for my time. So there's that.
There's also the issue of the charms themselves. Maybe it's the jewelry designer in me, but I can tell just by looking at the second octopus that, yeah, that thing is mass produced. The metal (which, based on the price, is obviously not real silver) is thick and clunky, there's a giant ring on top of its head, and the "oxidizing" to make it look aged is actually black paint. I've seen it before.
My sea monster charm, on the other hand, is purchased from another Etsy seller who casts them in brass first, then plates them in silver. A real handmade charm. No factory orphans were used in the making of this creature. That's not to say that I never buy any materials that come from overseas, I do, but when there's an alternative, I like to take it. Yes, it makes my prices higher, but I feel like it's worth the extra money.
Not everyone will agree with that--and that's fine, I don't know your life--but you don't need to go around leaving accusatory messages because you disagree with my price point.
End of rant.
I know this happens to other people, too, so feel free to share your stories in the comments.
Ugh...some people! It's not even worth your time to respond to the message...they wouldn't get it anyway!
ReplyDeleteI get the same thing with glassware once in a while. So frustrating!
What a silly person. Anyway, I always tell people they are welcome to buy elsewhere if they are not happy with my prices. There is a world of difference between your pendant and the China factory one. I'm not a jewelry designer, but I do know quality when I see it :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am sorry this happened to you. It's SO rude. You don't email Tiffany's and ask why they charge SO much more for the "same thing" as Eve's Addiction, do you? No, of course not! So why the heck people think it's okay to do that to people like yourself, is beyond me. Secondly, even my untrained eye could see the big difference in quality of those two pieces. As a consumer, yea sometimes I buy the cheaper knock off (like, in the Tiffany example). If I'm buying something on Etsy, I know that I'm getting something handmade with care, sometimes just for me especially, and the meaning behind that is totally worth the difference in price. I'd rather have a good quality piece (that, if something happened to it, the seller would be more likely to stand behind) than a mass produced piece of junk.
ReplyDeleteUgh, that is SO rude! Where do people get off??? Nobody is forcing you to buy it, so just shut your mouth and move on.
I think that people who understand the real meaning of "handmade" goods are always going to be willing to pay more for the care and attention that goes into each piece. Thanks for bringing this topic up, it is definitely one that I think all handmade sellers deal with.
ReplyDeleteLiz
That is really rude. Why does a person have to go out of their to message someone about a price. I mean..if they found something cheaper that they want and prefer to pay that price then why bother emailing people. I don't often get messages from random people regarding my prices but I do get them from friends and family and sometimes I feel like I'm defending myself when I explain the prices. I feel my price points are fairly reasonable and I don't even include a huge labor fee for myself in my price. It's like people want handmade unique items but they want them at mass produced factory prices. I think they would feel differently if spent hours creating jewelry or handbags.
ReplyDeleteoh..btw I really like the sea-monster necklace.
ReplyDeleteI get so frustrated when I see low-end price items on Etsy. I use to sell octopus necklaces too years ago but I stopped because I started seeing these cheap imitations pop up. Good for you for sticking to your guns. There are definitely people out there who will appreciate the work and craftsmanship put into it.
ReplyDeleteI can totally see which one looks better, even if you hadn't said which was which. Especially in metal jewelry you can absolutely tell. If I'm buying something costumey or trendy that I'll only wear a few times, I go the cheap route. But you definitely can't with silver. But really, who takes the time to message that? If you don't want to spend $25, just move along your merry way...
ReplyDeleteSO frustrating...and it unfortunately doesn't stop there. "Why would I pay you to design a house when I can just buy a plan for $400." And the best is when stores have "free design advice" - thanks for completely cheapening our profession.
ReplyDeleteBut, on the flip side - you can TOTALLY tell your necklace is way nicer than the other - even at first glance. So kudos to you for using high quality stuff - it will pay off in the end!
Yikes...preaching to the choir here. I actually LAUGHED OUT LOUD...yes worthy of typing it out here when I saw the second photo. Someone who seriously can't tell the difference between the two (or doesn't care about the differences) doesn't belong shopping on etsy. Yea...I'd LOVE to welcome everyone to increase our business, but not at the price of stupidity. Hopefully you were able to find a way to get your point across without insulting them (or maybe they deserve to be??) That's something I struggle with...being nice in those situations!
ReplyDeleteFor the last 10 years, I've dealt with similar questions/rants from people asking about why my clothing label Mountains of the Moon's designs are so expensive. Unfortunately, chain stores with goods mass produced overseas (especially in China, which is the worst) are to blame for this more than the consumer. The best we can do is explain the process - like you did. I explain how much eco-friendly fabrics cost, and how much it costs to have production done locally. Handmade, eco-friendly, and locally made goods strengthen the economy and make things better for everyone, but in a society based on consumption and fast fashion, it's a huge challenge to get that message across. Don't let it bring you down girl. Your work speaks for itself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the comments/stories, you guys. Hopefully people will eventually get it.
ReplyDeleteThat is SO crazy! You should tell them if they'd like to buy something at Forever 21 then they should probably close their Etsy account because clearly they don't understand what buying handmade and small businesses is all about.
ReplyDeleteI love your Octopus :-)
Oh man. I rolled my eyes sooooo hard on this!! First off, love your necklace! Second, what the hell is wrong with that person! Their 3.99 necklace is definitely going to break/fall apart by next week. I feel like I deal with those people all the time at my shop! We have a few handmade artist, and while we have lots of customers who "get it" and love handmade items there are those who just don't get it. They say they can make it or know someone who will for them. Or, they wonder why a necklace is $30. It's so hard sometimes to stay calm and not want to pick them up and throw them out my store. But since I can't do that, I have to sweetly explain and stand up for my handmade girls. Mostly when they mention those things above they are talking to friend so they get surprised and a bit embarrassed when I start defending my artist!
ReplyDeleteIt's that damn full moon, I tell ya!
You get what you pay for. It's more cost-effective to invest in higher quality pieces versus a $4 necklace from China (aka Forever 21) that will tarnish and/or break after the first wear. Keep doing what you're doing and ignore the cheapo haters.
ReplyDeleteDana is right. It's too bad that more people don't understand that. It's still frustrating when people have the nerve to say something like that to you. Your work is great and people who want a quality handmade product will continue to buy it.
ReplyDeleteSome people are just clueless. You did a good job of explaining and I think your charm looks so much better:) higher quality!
ReplyDeleteGah!!! Why do people feel the need to put people in their place when they are wrong to begin with? Honestly, what was the person's point by contacting you? People don't understand quality and that's quite sad. It's like the people that convo me asking to get two sets of cards for the price of one because they think my cards are too expensive. Many people shopping on Etsy don't realize that items are handmade.
ReplyDeleteI haven't got anything to say except that I support you, agree with you and enjoy your posts and your shop.
ReplyDeleteListen up girl, if someone has enough time to hunt down a picture to send you to 'compare' your item to, they have TOO much time on their hands and perhaps they should make their own sea monster necklace. the nerve of some people. continue listening here.............it took me MUCH TOO LONG in my 3d business to start pricing what I was worth. STILL there are those who want it CHEAPER ( i won't say less expensive because it really is about things being CHEAPER). you will never make everyone happy so i don't see any sense in even trying. i know that you have figured your price point based on your materials, your time and what you need to make for a profit because my dear, you are NOT in this for your health. So whoever was so kind to take time out of their day to send you their picture can simply shell out 3.99 for the 'cheap' sea monster they really want. ok, stepping off soap box. you don't have to justify your price point to anyone but yourself.
ReplyDeletePopping over from Mercantile Muse - obviously I echo all of the above. I think that is why blogs are so important for us crafty-preneurs - it is a place where you can expand a bit on the processes that you go through, the lengths that you go to when you create a piece. I suppose a bit of this can be explained in the Etsy listing but your blog lets you educate people about the difference between handmade, ethical, known supply chain and something that is so cheap you often have to ask 'how is it so cheap??'
ReplyDelete