eBay referral, wtf

Very good tips I really appreciate it and the time you’ve taken! I will take what you’ve said to help myself progress. I did let the fly on the wall go and I am confident in my pricing as I’ve been selling consistently with folks saying how happy they are. Again thanks!
 
I let it go because it was clear you needed to vent. Also, your thread was mainly about Facebook conduct.
However, talking about knife sales and customers is a privilege of a Knifemaker membership level. Basic and registered users are prohibited from such discussions.
 
I have a set of rules, you may call them that, regarding my posts in social media, been doing for so long that is almost second nature to me now, I'll try to enumerate:

1) compliments are always welcome
2) price request always replied in private
3) other knifemaker replies with the slightest reference to their work unless its pertinent, removed
4) other kind of hidden sales of any stuff on my post (my wall or posted in a group) removed
5) any kind of derailing a sales post maliciously, removed and blocked
6) this happen mostly on instagram, post within the 1st minute by autoposter apps or scripts usually with a couple of emojis, removed
7) any questioning of stuff discussed in private made public, removed and depending on who makes it or what was about, also block
8) if the same person ask prices for every single post, month after month and never makes the slightest move that signals a purchase or future purchase, I stop responding, this one takes a looooong time, but I've done it.

I think I didn't miss any important point, if I recall a new one, I'll edit the post.

Pablo
 
FaceBUTT is about the last place on Earth I’d sell my knives! Your Buffon heckler is case in point!:rolleyes:———————-I sell hombre a hombre or hombre a mujer .... the most important things in making sales I was Taught, are to build a one on one relationship with your customers & Never lower your prices! It’s the Kiss of Death! You will never recovery and don’t suffer fools!—/—Just a polite smile and good bye!;)
 
Facebook is my main channel of sales and Instagram is growing steadily. Of course f2f is important and I encourage my customers to visit my shop, but Argentina as the US is a big country and this is not always possible...

Pablo
 
Thats true. I've got customers all over the world, so ya don't meet many of those. But I've also done some big ranch roping shows with folks from all over where its kind of cool to meet people from who knows where and have them tell you they follow you on Instagram. Case in point: Brannaman Pro Am Ranch Roping. You show up with a team of two and your third partner, the Pro, is drawn out of the hat the night before. We drew Wes, coming in here for the heels, after I headed this one. Had never met Wes before, didn't even know the name but I'd made him a couple pair of leggings and 5 knives over the years. Cool to meet a good customer ya didn't know, he's from Montana so a little drive from California.

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This goes back to the niche idea I mentioned in an earlier post. Who are you? Find your niche and sell there. Next year at the same event I counted 48 knives I'd made on folks I didn't know personally and sold another 37, I think it was, that weekend. Gonna see ya there Laurence? R Rhinoknives1 Its in Santa Ynez in Oct.
 
Horsewright said:
Thats true. I've got customers all over the world, so ya don't meet many of those. But I've also done some big ranch roping shows with folks from all over where its kind of cool to meet people from who knows where and have them tell you they follow you on Instagram. Case in point: Brannaman Pro Am Ranch Roping. You show up with a team of two and your third partner, the Pro, is drawn out of the hat the night before. We drew Wes, coming in here for the heels, after I headed this one. Had never met Wes before, didn't even know the name but I'd made him a couple pair of leggings and 5 knives over the years. Cool to meet a good customer ya didn't know, he's from Montana so a little drive from California.

3vQttxF.jpg



This goes back to the niche idea I mentioned in an earlier post. Who are you? Find your niche and sell there. Next year at the same event I counted 48 knives I'd made on folks I didn't know personally and sold another 37, I think it was, that weekend. Gonna see ya there Laurence? R Rhinoknives1 Its in Santa Ynez in Oct.
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Sounds like a fun time and great way to show your products ... I have many customers that we have never met, My early statement was a bit to broad., ——-I use Instagram .. and have a web site.. for some reason, FaceBUTT has always given me a rash! LOL .. just don’t care for it....
 
kuraki said:
Just let it go. I've seen it too many times where a successful talented proprietor or maker has waded into the trenches of sh*$ slinging wielding his righteous indignation like the Sword of Truth. No matter how right they are, no matter how witty or successfully they put people in their place, the maxim "arguing on the internet is like the special olympics" invariably comes to pass and negatively impacts that talented individual.

"Private" arguments or heated discussions, fine. But you know someone who thinks $40 custom eBay knives are high quality is going to drag you down to their level and keep picking at you with lunacy until you pop and say something publicly you can't take back. It goes double for Facebook and Youtube comments. Those forums are like the grease traps of the internet.
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And keep in mind that "private" discussions can turn un-private quickly if the dork simply posts the discussion. They could edit it as well. As I sit here the most I would think to do would be to just say that you use fine quality components and charge a very reasonable price for a and crafted item.
 
Yeah but ya still got to sell em. One thing that bears mentioning is treat your customers right, build a good product and they will be back.
 
Thanks.
So far I've had what I heard through the grapevine, happy customers. Some of the buyers friends have hit me up for some blades, so makes me feel they are happy with their buddies product. There's always room for improvement obviously, and as I have OCD I strive to make each knife better knowing what I could have done on the last. I do get overwhelmed occasionally because my expectations are so high and I feel I can never produce good enough. I understand how Facbook "BUTT" can have its major downsides but its been a great start for me and for how many knives I want to produce per month. I am well past the "hobby" stage now I believe so I need to start looking for a more broad range of customers, as I feel my well is going to dry up on facebook. I did start an Instagram but have yet to figure out how that is going to work or how I reach potential buyers other than viewers... My next knife on the plate is heading to Belgium, so I'm getting a wider view than just my local area which is convincing!
 
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