Hey there…It’s me again. I’m that one person who complained about payment options when it comes to being an online reseller. Quick intro in case you didn’t read it. I resell stationery and other kawaii things from Japan. I sell via multiple platforms, but mainly Instagram and Etsy.
Sometimes it is really hard for me to maintain all the platforms so I might put one in like a “vacation mode” from time to time. This just means my shop is technically still my online shop, but it is temporarily closed and customers are not able to purchase items. Just like when you go on vacation! Sometimes I just need a damn break! If only my shop’s vacation mode really meant I was on vacation. Anyways…being in vacation mode REALLY annoys my customers the most. They see it is as them not being able to purchase items from me. But the truth is, they can purchase even more items from me via Instagram!
I don’t think that customers realize the time I have to put in just to even sell one item. Let’s say I was going to be selling on Etsy. I want to share with you the steps I have to take to be able to sell one item. First, I have to go to the mall or small shops around Tokyo doing research on all the new items my customers might be interested in. Then, I have to take photos of all the items discretely at the stores because they don’t allow for photos. While at the store, I also have to take note of prices of all the potential merchandise. I also have to calculate the reselling prices of all the items. By now, I have a lot of prices memorized but sometimes it is nice to have a calculator handy. Lol, p.s. there are constantly new items being released every day. Keep in mind, I have to take public transportation.. So I still have to pay for all my train fees even if I go to a store and end up not buying anything. #TokyoProblems Also, could you imagine bringing all of your shopping sprees with you into the crowded trains of Tokyo? UGH, you’re lucky you only have to imagine it.
Can we pause the ranting about all the work I put in to sell on Etsy for a second? I LOVE going shopping. That is why I chose to do this whole only reselling gig. But, it is definitely not my main source of income. I am actually a full time high school teacher who works non-traditional hours. Some days, if I’m lucky, I get off at 5 pm. Most days though, I get off at around 7:30 PM or 10 PM. Stores around Tokyo basically all close at around 8. This means that I have to rush my ass to the store when I get off at 7:30 PM; this is also before I get a chance to eat some dinner. Basically, I am a 22 year old recent college graduate who is trying to making some extra money since living in Tokyo is hella expensive. I am just one person.
Back to needing a break.. Etsy is a great platform to sell on. I love how convenient it is when I use it to shop for things for myself. Simply search for an item, decide if it is worth the price listed, pay for the item, and wait for it to be delivered to your humble abode. (P.S. “humble abode” is just a fancy term for somebody’s house.) However, uploading items to Etsy is a b*tch. First you have to take a bunch of photos of the item so that the customer can see all the details close up. Then you have to create a catchy title for the item(s). Usually I stick with something super basic like, “Tsum Tsum Juice Pen.” Then you have to click a bunch of options saying who made the item, when it was made, and what category it fits into. THEN you have to write up a description of the item. To be honest, no one even bothers to read this section. Everyone loves photos. It is easy to see and you don’t have to use your brain to read and encipher the sentences I have eloquently written out in English. After I spend a good 5 minutes describing the product and enticing you to buy the product, I have to estimate how much it costs to ship the item to countries all around the world. Basically meaning I have to weigh the item, and calculate average shipping costs to different countries. Dear Customers, SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY IS GONNA COST YOU.
There is just so much work that goes into adding one item to my Etsy shop. I hope now that you can understand why sometimes I don’t like to sell on Etsy. There are many pros but all the work I have to put into it, it just isn’t easy for me. Or, maybe I’m extra lazy. Either way, I just want to go on a vacation to paradise.
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