What am I doing wrong?

[cricketdiane]

I give up. I don't know what is wrong with my work - I don't know why so little of it sells and I don't know what to do. It is really hard to paint another thing when most of it isn't selling and very few people even look at it. I've tried to be cavalier about it but I really am frustrated. Since October 06, I've probably listed over 500 pieces on the auctions and on my store. Whenever anyone has bought something - I do get it in the mail quickly and send it packaged well. Is there something so wrong with my art that people don't want it? I was doing different subjects but they weren't doing as well as the seascapes and I thought I would try some stylized mermaids - but I've only sold two. What do I need to do? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[sunshinesketches]

Are you the guy who sells ground muskox horns as a cure for male pattern baldness?

[artistjillian]

Sheesh! $15.00 that is so CHEAP for Chinese, it's usually 4 times that amount!

[mllamb46]

Oh Diane, I am so glad you heard all of this. International shipping should not be nearly the headache you've been going through!!! Good grief. Even Global Priority is no biggy at all. Hope you have tons of Internetional sales now. :D ~Melody

[geripatch]

Heeheehee I bet I have my eye on the same seascape that Lynn (aliceraygallery) wants! I ship about 80% or more of my aceos to the US. I put them in a plastic sleeve, which is then attached with photo corners inside a stiff folded card (the type you buy to make your own greetings cards). I also put in a COA and the Paypal form. Postage costs differ according to how many aceos there are, but are still reasonable. Packages are a pain and usually cost me more than I quote! I have never been asked to put any info on a letter, but I have put customs forms on parcels. Good luck with selling overseas Diane! Chris

[cricketdiane]

Does anybody happen to know how to change 100 listings to international shipping without going to each one? I have worked half this day away - changing the ones on the auction and haven't even started on the store ones. Three on auction disappeared before I could get to them - so, there you go. I am so glad I asked - I have officially changed problems, now. Better than changing socks. This set is certainly more interesting than the ones I had yesterday. And, if you are interested in any of the pieces I have listed - let me know and I will ship it to you. It would be nice for them to have a good home. Everyone in this group has helped me so much that I would be happy for you to have any of them as a way to say thankyou. Back to work - I have mermaids that need watercolor - even if they don't ever sell, I want them finished.

[jjohnsonlowe]

I didn't know that I didn't have to fill out customs forms for aceo's that I ship to Canada. But, it is not hard to fill out the forms that you get at the post office. The ones on paypal are not really that bad, either, once you have gone through the process one time. I list mine as an "art card" -- you do not have to put a manufacturer, item no., etc. The GOOD part about using customs -- the government wants its money and will make darn sure that the package arrives! Since insured and/or tracked international postage is SOOOOO expensive (around $16), it might be worth your while to do the customs thing. 🙂 Jana

[perpetualplum]

I was wondering about the tracking too. Thank you for the information on international shipping. I've shipped small artwork overseas in padded envelopes. I've always filled out a customs form. I'm definitely going to check out the USPS guidelines. I think I might go look at some ACEOs from other countries. LOL, I like the stamps too! Plum

[inanire]

Hey, when you guys send your ACEOs overseas do you use any kind of tracking? (like Delivery Confirmation?) I know customers can get a refund, no questions asked (via PayPal) if there's no way to track the package. You can even have the PO receipt right in your hand, but that is not proof enough. - The customer will get "their" money back if you don't have a tracking number. (I found this out the hard way.) Right now I don't send overseas; but in reading through this discussion, I feel like I might want to eventually. Your help is much appreciated! -Jendria

[mreas]

To get the letterpost rate you give up tracking.

[sunshinesketches]

I don't know why some of you fill in customs forms for ACEOs shipped to Canada. I have never done so; and when I lived in Canada I never received one with customs form on it. Someone in this or another group suggested that the rules had changed and that the USPS has forms, I went to the PO and they looked at me like I was nuts. It's only for parcels, they told me. So I keep shipping the same way as always, in an envelope with lettermail postage. /Karen

[cricketdiane]

Now, if I get arrested by homeland security or some government agency - can I use this thread for my real good reason I did it that way? I'm about to try this sending the aceos as letters - we'll see what happens. thanks again for all the great info, suggestions and for getting my nose up out of the dirt yesterday. -Cricket

[mreas]

Thread? What Thread?

[mreas]

Cull Jillian, Cull!

[skymccready]

lol who are you again??

[mllamb46]

The big issue I have found, from what I understand, (and I have asked a few Postmasters) the only way to insure Internationally is Global Express. It costs about 25.00 including the insurance, shipped as a letter. I often ship Internationally via Registered Mail @ $9.00. This insures my ACEO up to 44.00 to Canada. I have NEVER had to fill out a customs form! I send all my ACEOs as letters, sometimes in a regular envelope, padded well. The Registered Mail is an option and I like to use it if my paintings have reached a combined value of more than $100.00. Its still not perfect, but at least half is covered. ~Mel