got a nice email and i have a question for you all

ilikepie2 · Joined: 08 Oct 2003 Posts: 371

i showed a friend in CA some new glass and she showed a friend and he sent this note. it's short but sweet and pretty encouraging:

Quote:
If I ever win the lotto and buy my home in Rustic Canyon, I would give this guy a call. Just beautiful work!

so my question is this.... would you ever buy a piece of stained glass on the internet? personally speaking i'd say i would be afraid to because i wouldn't necessarily have an accurate idea of the color or soldering quality. i've had a bunch of people ask me about selling on the internet though and i'm curious what people in internet-land think about this topic? (not that i want to sell things on the internet, i'm just making plans for next year when i plan on being a small business.)

Bud Bennett

homepage :

stained glass :

bbchris

I would buy over the Internet!!! As I'm in the export business, I would advise you to check up on the packing of the glass. You have to ensure it arrives in one piece. I think your headache will be packaging. Good luck!

ilikepie2 · Joined: 08 Oct 2003 Posts: 371

yeah, packing is a challenge. i've sent out a lot of things and i don't think anything has gotten broken yet. it's expensive to ship but sort of necessary! i'm just sort of overly cautious i guess in my thinking. i worry that if someone bought something it might not look exactly like they thought and they'd be mad. glass looks different from hour to hour in the day and solder is a really tricky thing to make look good (i still sort of suck at that). i don't think i will sell on the internet but i just wanted to ask some opinions on it.

Bud Bennett

homepage :

stained glass :

droolymutt

I don't think Internet sales will give you much, Bud.

You do nice glass, you have good product, but I don't think the Internet is the way to go.

I think most people like to "touch and feel" before they buy.

And I think they like to leave with the item in their possesion, after laying their money down.

That said, Internet sales may give you *some* revenue, but I wouldn't put much stock in it.

I think the way to go for a product like yours is to set up shop in a high-traffic, trendy, artsy location.

ilikepie2 · Joined: 08 Oct 2003 Posts: 371

ya, i agree with you. that's my plan sort of, only i'm not setting up a store, i'm doing the commission thing and doing custom work. i personally feel it important for people to see and touch the stuff before any cash changes hands. people keep asking me about websales and so i was just curious what some might think of that.

Bud Bennett

homepage :

stained glass :

bbchris

I think your internet site would be your back-up sales Bud, if someone has brought from you once before (personally) they may not necessarily want to travel to your physical shop to get some more. Also a web presence can give your (existing) customers more ideas of what they'd like to buy! hahahahahha I mean I'm guessing that you probably make one piece of something, sell it and then it's physically no longer in your shop, so the photos of it would still be available online.

Internet sites can be used as brochures and you can add customer's testimonials, make an address/map page to easily guide people to your shop. Don't underestimate it's power! :wgrin

ED1G · PIGGY MOONRUST Joined: 31 Oct 2002 Posts: 2644

well i got mine off ya bud.... in one great piece!!!! and its a long way to mine from yours!! haha

I think people will buy off the internet from you but i also agree with drooly on people like to feel things etc.

Your glass work is fantastic, you should sell loads!!

Me and Denise put a deposit down on some new furniture the other day and while we were looking around the store they had some " Glass Art " on the wall... it was great but at a great price.... £450 for one and £650 for the other....

Paul

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bbchris

PAUL BOUGHT A PIECE?!?!?! I didn't know you were SELLING anything Bud! hmmmpff

axella · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 148

Lovely pieces!

Lots of people are buying off the net these days, so why not try it? It would probably be better for smaller items, however.

In all honesty, I'd personally be too scared to try to ship something like that... My sister wants a window for her bathroom, and I've been reluctant to do it for that reason. Plus, I think the shipping cost from Australia to the US would be prohibitive!

ED1G · PIGGY MOONRUST Joined: 31 Oct 2002 Posts: 2644

No no no.. Chris.... Bud sent me a piece as a gift... its dam fine too and I will treasure it for the rest of my day's!!!!

Paul

NEW : RHYTHM CALLED LOVE Video

Down And Dirty Video : BITCH Video : LOOK AT ME Video

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SwanSpirit · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 27

If i saw something I REALLY liked and wanted ABSOLUTELY I would buy it on the net ............

I am just trusting that way .........

Love and HUGS

Swannie