[VeniceTShirt]

Hello All

I hope you are doing alright in this %^&* economy!

I have a friend, who's got a brand new/first e-store. He puts the selling price of his TS, a bit too high for the market is in. He just started his store, did announcements on his market's forums, and run banners in those forums. He's got about 50 visits/day but not a lot of conversion ... NOT A LOT AT ALL!

It has been a week or so and the sale are not that good! Following some advices from members of this forum and from some friends, it appears that some of the shirts he is selling are a bit too expensive.

How could I, I mean my friend , how could he announce a change of lowest price without passing for:
1/ Someone who tried to make huge profits on people
2/ A perfect dummy that doesn't know what he's doing
3/ Loosing credit and the trust of the audience

Any ideas how to announce this to the forum members?

Please help me, my friend, us

Thanks
Patrick

 

[lben]

I would just quietly change the numbers. If he's getting 50 hits every day, he'll get 50 new people looking that didn't know about the higher prices. And if they are return lookers, chances are they won't remember the higher prices either, and if they do they'll be glad they didn't order at a higher price.

I have seen shirts online from $10 to $75. The higher priced ones weren't any better than the cheaper ones. But some people think their stuff is somehow better than anyone else's. And if they have a following with a popular brand they might very well find someone stupid enough to pay that kind of money for one. There is one nut case on eBay trying to sell his shirts for $50,000 and up!

Last week someone brought me an Armor All shirt to print on. I had the worst time with that thing. The label on the back of the shirt was off center and a little crooked which threw my print off whack. I finally had to alter my angle a tad to get mine to look right with the crooked label that was already there. He was happy. I was happy that it pressed well (used vinyl) and really glad I didn't have to pay buku bucks for a new armor all blank shirt had I messed it up!

 

[Louie2010]

I believe in never lying in life or business, however creating a story to better justify a benefit to customers is not hurting anyone so if you are comfortable trying to create a good feel story, and you want to be "creative" you might try something like this.

Announce that due to the tremendous response you happily have determined you are going to be able to buy your raw supplies in greater quantity than originally anticipated resulting in lower raw cost then you had originally calculated. Understanding this is as a result of the loyalty of your customers, you will be immediately passing those saving directly to your customers by lowering all prices accordingly.

For those few that did purchase you might want to issue them a credit for the difference out of good will, or at least issue a credit towards their next purchase.

Hope it all works out for you.

 

[VeniceTShirt]

For those few that did purchase you might want to issue them a credit for the difference out of good will, or at least issue a credit towards their next purchase.

Hope it all works out for you.

Louie

This is part is already happening, I'm giving credit to the one who already ordered. That won't be fair for them and create bad publicity.
Thank you for your expending "story" this is what I may do to minimize the mess my "friend" did ;D

 

[Louie2010]

Louie

This is part is already happening, I'm giving credit to the one who already ordered. That won't be fair for them and create bad publicity.
Thank you for your expending "story" this is what I may do to minimize the mess my "friend" did ;D

In any business just starting out you hate to look desperate and/or unorganized with a big splash and then quickly backtrack on all the prices you had just vigorously promoted. Giving customers a reason why you are giving them a better deal should help the situation. Additionally it helps re-promote your brand.

 

[TYGERON]

How have you definitively determined that lack of sales is due to overpricing?

Your first sentence sends a message:

"I hope you are doing alright in this %^&* economy!"

I hear you saying that as a result of "this economy" people aren't buying your shirts because they can't afford them or don't see them as worth the price you've set.

There's too many other factors involved aside from pricing. And there's a psychology to the whole idea.

One is the notion of perceived value. Let's face it, your shirts aren't necessities. You can't eat, drive, breathe them nor live in them. People have to be influenced to want them or convinced that they need them.

It's kinda like the "poor college student" myth. College students spend a WHOLE lot of money on stuff they don't NEED but are convinced they have to have.

If you haven't already, you should read the "Johnny Cupcakes" story. It's VERY inspiring and you may be motivated to come at what you do from a different angle and keep your pricing.

 

[royster13]

Many folks start off selling too high because they start with their costs and work towards a retail
price....

PS....The economy is just fine as far as I am concerned.....

 

[VeniceTShirt]

Tygeron

Were the prices of my TS were a bit too expensive, yes I do think so: $29.90 for a 1 color shirt was a bit too much.
Am I certain that the sales are not that good because of the price? no. As you said multiple factors are in the loop: I'm just starting, the economy is tough (4 every1) and people are more careful about spending money, last month was taxes month, summer is not there yet, etc.
Lowering them at 22.90 make me feel also more comfortable.

Are my TS are a necessity?
I completely agree with you: For sure not! they are cool. Nothing exceptional but cool

I will read the book you suggested, can't hurt

thx for your answer, I appreciate

 

[TYGERON]

I hope you are doing alright in this %^&* economy!

Don't let your perception of the state of the economy drive your pricing (too much)

I have a friend, who's got a brand new/first e-store. It has been a week or so

Only a week or so? What kind of response did you expect in such a short time? Being so quick to change something as key as pricing after such a short time implies a bit of impatience.

Just a few more comments.

 

[VeniceTShirt]

PS....The economy is just fine as far as I am concerned.....

Lucky you Man, It's not the nirvana over here, but tomorrow is another day!

 

[TYGERON]

Ha!

I posted this before I saw your last one.

Funny thing is I haven't seen any of your designs. Don't have too. I really want you to BLOW UP and be successful because I just love to see people benefit and see fruit from their creative endeavors.

I don't know if Johnny Cupcakes has written any books. There are articles online about him and how he launced an incredibly successful line of printed wear and beyond.

And $29.90 doesn't have to be "too much". I really think you should hold off for a bit anyway on changing the pricing.

And to add (ha-haaa!) A HUGE part of whatever you do is YOU!
It's about how hype you are about your product and the energy you put into it and how you are when you approach people with it. Yeah you can be overbearing an irritating or you can be energetic and engaging (both in person and your online identity and representation).

There was a guy who posted a while ago who would take photos at parties and raves, alter them on a digital pad, e-mail them to a guy who then made shirts. People were intrigued just by watching him do his thing live and in real time. There was a "hook". Something unique and outside the box.

Marketing...

 

[TYGERON]

PS....The economy is just fine as far as I am concerned.....

I feel you. At least from my business standpoint.

I haven't missed a beat.

 

[VeniceTShirt]

Ha!
Funny thing is I haven't seen any of you designs. Don't have too.

Oh yes you do

www.legendlines.com

Let me know, if you want

 

[TYGERON]

Oh yes you do

www.legendlines.com

Let me know, if you want

THAT'S THE ENTHUSIASM I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!!!

I'll check in a bit.

 

[TYGERON]

Oh SNAP!!!

When I was about 9 I had a friction drive Navy Blue GT40.
I...LOVED...THAT...CAR!!

(Nostalgic tear running down cheek)`

 

[VeniceTShirt]

Oh SNAP!!!

When I was about 9 I had a friction drive Navy Blue GT40.
I...LOVED...THAT...CAR!!

(Nostalgic tear running down cheek)`

I'm pleased you liked it

What about the pricing? was a bit high no?

 

[TYGERON]

I'm pleased you liked it

What about the pricing? was a bit high no?

OK. Personally I don't think the prices are too high. Seeing that they are a more targeted subject matter, what I said earlier changes a bit...but not much. I don't collect, race or restore/build cars but I REALLY like the "Assembly Required" graphic and I see them as a whole to be appealing to your main market and maybe a bit outside in a more "trendy" Hot Topic-ish kind of market. Retro everything seems to be "in" and crosses many demographics.

I will tell you though, the "XX.90" just feels kind of odd to me. I don't know why. It's like a pricing "feng-shui" thing. Maybe the .9 reminds me of gas prices (LOL). But I've never liked .99 either. It seems kind of underhanded. XX.95 has a better feel to it to me.

 

[VeniceTShirt]

I will tell you though, the "XX.90" just feels kind of odd to me. I don't know why. It's like a pricing "feng-shui" thing. Maybe the .9 reminds me of gas prices (LOL). But I've never liked .99 either. It seems kind of underhanded. XX.95 has a better feel to it to me.

true!

Tygeron, thanks a lot for ALL your imput, I greatly appreciate your time and effort to boost me up .... and it works!

I looked at your videos, impressive jobs, if you were in LA, I would have pay you a visit for sure! The 4 colors are pretty a amazing!

best to you
Patrick