Wow! I was waiting for someone to ask these questions. I WOULD TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY! I absolutely love the challenge of dealing with difficult problems (especially websites and project management) It's what I do on a daily basis.
I would like to take a moment and address each of your concerns:
I've read though A LOT of problems on several woodworking websites and we all have the same type issues, but I personally believe pricing isn't one of them. If you price your items accordingly PROFIT will follow). If your profit area is lower...you will more than likely (depending on quality of product) will make the sale and have repeat customers.
Frankly, I disagree with this. There is a wide variety in the pricing of pens. Even when the pens are similar quality. Once someone has established a reputation, they can command better prices. And then they won't want their work shown next to similar pens at a lower price. And many times the pictures won't show the difference in the product. Even with good photos.
Would it be beneficial then to have an "Featured Artist" section to differentiate those with an established reputation and those who are a part of general population? I can agree some artists are better at crafting (for sake of pen type, let's say slimline), but the material type and plating drive up prices as well as quality.
Could you expand on your issue with placement?
On placement, who decides what pens are at the top of the pages. Or do the users have their own page. If so, then who's comes 1st. This really isn't that big of a deal, at least to me. But for instance, I wouldn't want all mine to be near the bottom of a page. I also wouldn't want my page at the end. If they rotated, that would help, but I can see that being a pain for the shoppers. They see a pen, and want to think about it for a day. The next day they come back, and it's not in the same location.
An Artist section might correct this small issue as well...good point though. Hmmm...I would have to think about this from a customer perspective, but if I liked a pen enough to think on it for a night I would send the URL link to myself :biggrin: so I can view it later or from my phone. At least I would know the exact site it came from
The pen turner page placement I could see as an issue...I have an idea, but would need to think this one through. Nice catch! That is why I need your intelligence.
Who would take the photos? If we couldn't get a volunteer from the forum I would seek out someone that would do it on a commission base. This is another topic on our boards and if someone needs "professional" type pictures that is a service someone else could benefit from...and it a known issue, but with a solution. We all can't take the perfect picture because of our lack of knowledge.
You're right about that, but some people wouldn't want to the expense of better pictures, and then that gets back to placement & price. If someone were selling higher priced pens with mediocre pics, I doubt they'd be happy next to a similar pen at half the price that looked better only because of the picture. Or someone with great pics and a similar price would overshadow a comparable pen with a picture that's not as well done. Of course, if each seller had their own page, this wouldn't be as much of an issue.
Artist section is looking better :biggrin:
But what about the pictures that are better than the actual product because of enhanced photos. I'd think the end customer would be contacting you asking for a refund. So what happens if the maker of the pen refused to give a refund. Then everyone using the site has an unhappy customer. But only 1 has the revenue.
I have not thought about this one yet...photo enhancing is getting better by the minute.
The shipping of pens could really be a talking/negotiating point. If the pen artist would like to Fed Ex, UPS or DHL a pen to their new customer would be their option...however it would be an easy task for me to receive the pen from my maker in bundles and then mail to the customer on their behalf as needed.
If the artist takes care of shipping, and then doesn't ship the pen, then the same problem exists. An unhappy customer that everyone shares.
If you handle the shipping, then that forces everyone to send you their pens. The problem for the artists is that he/she can't sell their pens locally without incurring a shipping charge back from you.
Artist shipping is always the best, but I definitely don't want to make it the only option. In my write-up of shipping I debated on holding onto the funds until shipping notification was received - I'm not sure about implementing this, but have seen success in numerous other stores. Of course, if the item is customized for the customer this may present a problem.
Who keeps inventory? Another talking/negotiating task. I could keep a storage room full of inventory or the artist could make pens on demand. I guess some would have their preference.
See above. I think it would be a mistake to allow some sellers to maintain their inventory when others sent their inventory to you. Which ever way it is done, would have to be consistent IMHO.
Consistency keeps things simple. I want to give both the customer and pen turner options vice the standard templates most go by.
Who would update the site? This would be the biggest full time job - but again I don't mind the busy work of updating as long as it's built in the beginning. I have a couple certifications and a degree focused on web design coupled with Lean Six Sigma experience.
I personally love the idea and am really excited, but I need support and identification of potential issues. I'm counting on you guys for that advice!
Thank you for your vote and response!
Don't get me wrong. None of the problems I see can't be over come. It would require the sellers to make some concessions for how the business model would work. Personally, I would rather sell pens through a site I managed myself. But that's me.
