Made in America

[santamonicajeweler]

I manufacture jewelry and manage our second generation business. We're doing great pre COVID and successfully design, manufacture and give service to our online clients. Had large contracts. Unfortunately, things changed and all of our clients moved their manufacturing overseas. They asked us to service the merchandise but we didn't accept

We don't want to service and be responsible for overseas manufacturing. Not that I am affraid of hard work or our company isn't capable of handling the demand. I declined because of low standards of jewelry made overseas.  

Then we moved exclusively to eBay. It's amazing results of 0 sales for past year on manufactured designs. My one of a kind pieces have much more success on eBay than my quantity listings.  Same exact designs are still selling online at exclusive jewelry sites but not even one piece at eBay. Why is it? I tried few items at other sites and sold a few, but I don't want to go. This is my home and I need to make things right 

I think there is an issue for 'Made in America' jewelry on eBay. If not supported by community, art of jewelry making will die in United States. Remember, same happened to watchmakers in 50s and 60s. 

[bonjourami]

I expect because jewelry is an oversaturated commodity on Ebay. And with all the foreign sellers and their cheap jewelry..it seems to me most people want cheap..not quality. I was a fine jewelry, power seller, here for many years..now I wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole.Too many scams with Ebays mbg, and PP buyer protection.

[chapeau-noir]

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@santamonicajeweler wrote:

I manufacture jewelry and manage our second generation business. We're doing great pre COVID and successfully design, manufacture and give service to our online clients. Had large contracts. Unfortunately, things changed and all of our clients moved their manufacturing overseas. They asked us to service the merchandise but we didn't accept

We don't want to service and be responsible for overseas manufacturing. Not that I am affraid of hard work or our company isn't capable of handling the demand. I declined because of low standards of jewelry made overseas.  

Then we moved exclusively to eBay. It's amazing results of 0 sales for past year on manufactured designs. My one of a kind pieces have much more success on eBay than my quantity listings.  Same exact designs are still selling online at exclusive jewelry sites but not even one piece at eBay. Why is it? I tried few items at other sites and sold a few, but I don't want to go. This is my home and I need to make things right 

I think there is an issue for 'Made in America' jewelry on eBay. If not supported by community, art of jewelry making will die in United States. Remember, same happened to watchmakers in 50s and 60s. 

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Kudos for refusing the cheap outsourced stuff.  Unfortunately, you 'can't make things right' with a site where your market is super-saturated and the site itself tilts toward cheap and easily replicated.  Etsy also tilts towards cheap junk these days, but jewellery artisans have a much higher profile there.  I think to achieve this on eBay, if you're not doing it already, you'll need to do a lot of marketing to raise yourself above the herd and bring people in. 

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with made in the USA. However, when I view what I believe are your designs there is nothing in the title or the description telling me this. Your descriptions just mostly say for example: 14k Citrene stone size 4.5 ring will ship USPS. 

     That is your place to shine if these are your designs. Let the buyer know they are receiving a one of a kind piece proudly made in the USA. Tell the buyer a little bio about your company and show more than 4 pictures and a model hand maybe nice. Remember your not just selling your rings you are selling your company for repeat business as well.

[santamonicajeweler]

Very depressing,

Sure, I need to self promote. I've been doing that all my life. Thought, quality will show itself rather than me taking about it and post some pretty pictures or talk about how I do manufacturing process.

Guess, I am wrong, no one cares anymore. Dollar is king! 

[oneblindcat]

Okay, I understand that you are depressed. But three people took their time to think it over and type out their responses in an attempt to help you improve your sales.

And you reply with sarcasm.

My turn:

The perception of quality is based on more than the physical. It is also based on location of manufacture, the reputation of the creator, and the presentation.

Not going to try and tell you what to do, as I know nothing about jewelry, but if I were selling here, I would include the best photos I could, including the item in use. A ladies ring on a lady's hand, for example. I would also include "Custom made in the USA" for the increased perception of quality.

No, quality is not a selling point. The perception of quality is, but even a painting from a famous artist will be presented using the best possible display techniques to include top-notch photography and lighting. Because selling is much more than just the quality of the items sold, selling is marketing of the item, increasing the perception of quality in the customers' minds.

Which is why some car salesmen make six-figure incomes and others barely get by, selling the same cars at the same dealership. They're better at increasing the perception of quality of the cars they sell.

[chapeau-noir]

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@santamonicajeweler wrote:

Very depressing,

Sure, I need to self promote. I've been doing that all my life. Thought, quality will show itself rather than me taking about it and post some pretty pictures or talk about how I do manufacturing process.

Guess, I am wrong, no one cares anymore. Dollar is king! 

---

No, people care a lot which is why they're not going to spend their money unless they are sure - there are too many options out there.  You need to make your work shine and stand out.

[santamonicajeweler]

What can I say?!

- I am getting advice from @bonjourami whom doesn't sell high end jewelry on eBay anymore and graciously sharing her bad experience here with me. Thank you @bonjourami 

-I am getting news from @chapeau-noir that I will fail and there is nothing I could do, making things right. I get it @chapeau-noir , you're right, it's an uphill battle 

-I am getting Advice from @silverstatetreasureboxes  to mark jewelry as " Made in America" on title  as of political atmosphere is correct or winds are blowing that way. Something to think about but I don't think so. Specially, promoting eBay listings on other platforms. It sounds like promoting eBay but it's a solution that eBay advertises.

eBay needs to promote me, it's not the other way around 

-Finally, I am getting advice from @oneblindcat which has no experience in Jewelry but telling me in five paragraph how I should drive my business. I admire that. Wonderful, this person has courage 

Few points;

Quality is what has built our business for many decades.  Without quality, no one will stand alone in any business. Any business which gives only a perception of quality, will fail in long run. Have seen that in first hand experience

Placing rings on female fingers is another anomaly. You see every body is doing it, however, none of bigger auction houses do that. There must be a reason! It could be psychological, I don't know

 Thank you all, thank you for your inputs. I truly appreciate it. This gives me an excellent birds eye view to eBay community 

 It's great to know neighbors here. I don't want to continue analyzing inputs because if I do, I'll look 'sarcastic'. @oneblindcat has a great point 

I feel the person who knows the most is the one tweaking his or her listings in right direction and has no time to be here now 

But keep it comming guys, I appreciate all inputs and ultimately will use them to my benefit. You're great

All help is appreciated 

I am here, listening 

[reallynicestamps]

No.

Talking about the process is part of why you make sales.

I'm sure you are aware of "aspirational selling".  It's what all those "influencers" are doing.

They are selling a dream. Some also sell their own goods (or an advertiser's goods) from their sites, some make their money working as "spokesmodels".

So make the first part of the Description and the first one or two pictures about the item.

That 's the part that is seen in Search and to phone buyers.

But then you can show your process. Fly a flag** or two. Promote the family business aspect and the long time you have been in business. Add your Better Business Bureau 25 year plaque. And your membership in the American Gemologists Academy (I don't know the name of that respected group).

Then raise your prices.

There are a lot of people out there who are happier paying more on the basis that more expensive is better.

Use Promoted Listings (but not on all your items since you only want the punters to visit your Store). Use Best Offer (but set the automatic rejection fairly high).  Use Free Shipping.*

Not in the jewelry business, and here I am selling off the remaining stock of a 40 year business.  But we are still involved with high end selling in our own field. (https://sparks-auctions.com/tag/twelve-penny-black/page/3/)

*Don't panic.

Free Shipping means you have your costs for tracked insured swift shipping included in your asking price.

Which is a better deal? A $500 necklace with $50 shipping or a $550 necklace with Free Shipping. 
And with Free Shipping you can choose what level of security and speed you want for delivery.

**Literally. You want the customer to know that she is buying American quality from an American artisan.That really does mean something. (And this is from Canadian.)

[coolections]

Anyone can take a pretty picture. It is of the utmost importance that you describe why your jewelry is better than the one million other pieces listed on ebay.

[chapeau-noir]

@santamonicajeweler   No, you are NOT listening. 

-I am getting news from @chapeau-noir that I will fail and there is nothing I could do, making things right. I get it @chapeau-noir , you're right, it's an uphill battle 

When did I say you would fail and there's nothing you can do?  I'm telling you that you must take matters into your OWN hands and not expect eBay to do everything for you - there is no such thing as 'making things right' with a site like eBay - it's too big.  You have to make things right for yourself.  It's a competitive world out there. You need to up your game, or you'll be avalanched by the other many, many jewellery artisans who ARE willing to give their buying public a little something extra.

But go ahead - be your own worst enemy - cherry pick the advice given you.  Sit on your hands and moan. 

[downunder-61]

I have seen some of your posts on the Jewelry boards, and checked out your items, some of them are absolutely stunning.

And I had no idea these items were handmade in USA so promoting that sounds like excellent adivce

[oneblindcat]

I have time to be here because I am retired, with enough money to spend on my hobbies.

I have money to spend because I understand selling well enough to make a lot of money at it.

It doesn't matter if I know anything about jewelry, I know about SELLING.

"Which has no experience in Jewelry but telling me in five paragraph how I should drive my business."

Okay. Fine, little Miss Snarky. Do it your way. I've given you some good advice, advice which has made me a LOT of money, but you want to blow it off because it didn't come from a jewelry expert? Go ahead, learn the slow way, disregard any advice on selling from people who know how to sell, and insult anyone who tries to help you sell your product better. That's a certain pathway to success.

Sheesh. You're on your own from here.

[dnasilver]

Markets change, very few people buy quality jewelry. They mostly buy accessory jewelry for a specific look. When you consider half of Americans cannot come up with 500 dollars for an emergency it is easy to understand they would not buy high end jewelry. The demographics have greatly changed with the middle class being mostly wiped out. The rich are going to buy from high end established international jewelers and the poor from low end big box stores. You have a small market and lots of competition.

[d-k_treasures]

**Literally. You want the customer to know that she is buying American quality from an American artisan.That really does mean something.

^^ THIS!

You should be touting the fact it's handmade in America, one of a kind, quality jewelry, by a family business that has been around for xx years. People buy for many reasons, in jewelry, this would be one of them.

Otherwise people would buy cheap knockoff's of Native American jewelry instead of real NA jewelry.