From the Caribbean, want to sell this.

Try listing a few different styles on eBay to gauge the market...
PS. I think at $50 a pop you're going to find it difficult to break into the US market.

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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by salegurus

Try listing a few different styles on eBay to gauge the market...
PS. I think at $50 a pop you're going to find it difficult to break into the US market.

That is useful info because I don't live in the us. What price point do you think would make it viable?

Thanks
1 reply

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Jesus Perez

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Caribgyul

That is useful info because I don't live in the us. What price point do you think would make it viable?

There is always a market for every price point. Don't let one person's comment dissuade you from selling at that price. Test, test, test. Try selling at $60, $50, $40 and lower if you like. Then you'll know what resonates with your market the best. I can easily see them selling for $60 with the right marketing message and backstory.

This is a good read about pricing: Predictably Irrational Chapter 2

Thanks
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Alexa Smith

Banned 10 years ago

Originally Posted by salegurus

I think at $50 a pop you're going to find it difficult to break into the US market.

I must admit this was my first thought. I was actually expecting you'd say something more like half of that.

Originally Posted by Jesus Perez

There is always a market for every price point.

This is right in principle, of course, but I suspect that the other factors involved in "buying shoes online" (which I've done myself), when they're of "unknown manufacture" and coming from an "unknown vendor" may well, in this case, predicate against that price.

.

Thanks
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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Alexa Smith

I must admit this was my first thought. I was actually expecting you'd say something more like half of that.

This is right in principle, of course, but I suspect that the other factors involved in "buying shoes online" (which I've done myself), when they're of "unknown manufacture" and coming from an "unknown vendor" may well, in this case, predicate against that price.

.

But it is hand made. The shipping is expensive as well cause it has to come from the caribbean, where I'm from.

Thanks
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Alexa Smith

Banned 10 years ago

Originally Posted by Caribgyul

But it is hand made.

Yes, I see that that may justify higher prices, if you can "present" the benefits of that well, online.

Originally Posted by Caribgyul

The shipping is expensive as well cause it has to come from the caribbean, where I'm from.

I understand this; but that's not exactly a selling-point to the US customer, is it? Not when you're choosing to compete against other products to which that consideration doesn't apply?

.

Thanks
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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Alexa Smith

Yes, I see that that may justify higher prices, if you can "present" the benefits of that well, online.

I understand this; but that's not exactly a selling-point to the US customer, is it? Not when you're choosing to compete against other products to which that consideration doesn't apply?

.

I get what you're saying. It isn't a luxury item so I can't charge a premium for it. It's a sandal. Maybe if I brand it well, it would gain some recognition and have a place in this niche market. I have had encouragement on this so I will try to get the formula right.

To break into the us market is important. Just need to find the right balance between price and quality. I need to find similar products I can emulate I think

The

Thanks

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Jesus Perez

10 years ago

This is not theory. It works in real life. There is an upper and lower price point for all markets. Just look at the Ford and Ferrari's of the world or Casio and Rolex's. It's our choice where we want to be in that market.

After some quick research, it looks like your pricing is perfect for Etsy. I even see some $262 sandals with 13 reviews. That's $3,406 in earnings from those 13 reviewers. There are probably more that never bothered reviewing.

More leather sandals at Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=hand%2...als&ship_to=US

There are people out there with lots of money that wouldn't think of spending less than $50 on leather, handmade sandals from the caribbean. Add a personal, heart-warming story about the caribbean community it's helping and the people that make it and you have a wonderful (and possibly viral) product. There are people that will purchase the product just to say it's hand-made in the caribbean.

But again...I revert back to my old recommendation. Test different prices because you'll never know if $60 outsells $50 without testing.

That said, those are beautiful sandals. And don't stop looking for shipping alternatives!

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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Jesus Perez

This is not theory. It works in real life. There is an upper and lower price point for all markets. Just look at the Ford and Ferrari's of the world or Casio and Rolex's. It's our choice where we want to be in that market.

After some quick research, it looks like your pricing is perfect for Etsy. I even see some $262 sandals with 13 reviews. That's $3,406 in earnings from those 13 reviewers. There are probably more that never bothered reviewing.

More leather sandals at Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=hand%2...als&ship_to=US

There are people out there with lots of money that wouldn't think of spending less than $50 on leather, handmade sandals from the caribbean. Add a personal, heart-warming story about the caribbean community it's helping and the people that make it and you have a wonderful (and possibly viral) product. There are people that will purchase the product just to say it's hand-made in the caribbean.

But again...I revert back to my old recommendation. Test different prices because you'll never know if $60 outsells $50 without testing.

That said, those are beautiful sandals. And don't stop looking for shipping alternatives!

It's about marketing, marketing, marketing I reckon. Thank you for the encouragement. I know people like a story and ethical products. I can use that slant as well. You have given me sooooooo much to think about. I am grateful

Thanks

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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Jesus Perez

There is always a market for every price point. Don't let one person's comment dissuade you from selling at that price. Test, test, test. Try selling at $60, $50, $40 and lower if you like. Then you'll know what resonates with your market the best. I can easily see them selling for $60 with the right marketing message and backstory.

This is a good read about pricing: Predictably Irrational Chapter 2

Thanks. I plan to test it on etsy and if I see there is a demand I would move it to its own website. Branding for me would look something like putting a face to the creator of the sandals, telling their story on the website and marketing it as part of my culture. I feel that is an effective way. What do you think?

Thanks

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alvinhy

10 years ago

I would suggest listing them on Ebay and Etsy.
Etsy is more of a crafty website where people put their hand made crafts up there for sale.

Once you have established yourself pretty well on there you can always start an e-commerce website to start selling online.

Thanks
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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by alvinhy

I would suggest listing them on Ebay and Etsy.
Etsy is more of a crafty website where people put their hand made crafts up there for sale.

Once you have established yourself pretty well on there you can always start an e-commerce website to start selling online.

I think that is the best way to go too. There are a few other ppl selling similar products on etsy so I know customers can find it. Thanks

Thanks

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miklanderson2

10 years ago

Would it be possible to sell them in the Caribbean to tourists? I'd imagine you'd have an easier time selling them at a lower price point as a souvenir people can take back home and show off to their friends. Selling them online for $50 is going to be a tough sell, but it's worth a shot if you have a compelling story and can position yourself in the proper market.

Thanks

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travlinguy

10 years ago

If they're hand made and high quality you might want to be looking for a distribution deal rather than trying to sell them one pair at a time retail. These kinds of items might do very well in upscale shops, especially if you have brochures and other marketing stuff that shows the people making them and gives some history on their tradition of making high quality sandals. Of course, this approach will require you have a lot of inventory.

Thanks

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Brent Stangel

10 years ago

If they're hand made and high quality you might want to be looking for a distribution deal rather than trying to sell them one pair at a time retail.

This is what I would suggest.

Start looking for distributors who might be interested.

Thanks
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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by travlinguy

If they're hand made and high quality you might want to be looking for a distribution deal rather than trying to sell them one pair at a time retail. These kinds of items might do very well in upscale shops, especially if you have brochures and other marketing stuff that shows the people making them and gives some history on their tradition of making high quality sandals. Of course, this approach will require you have a lot of inventory.

Originally Posted by Brent Stangel

This is what I would suggest.

Start looking for distributors who might be interested.

Won't that eat into the profits and make the product into a commodity rather than a niche product?

Thanks
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travlinguy 10 years ago

Originally Posted by Caribgyul

Won't that eat into the profits and make the product into a commodity rather than a niche product?

No. You'd need to sell hundreds of thousands, if not millions before that would happen.
- Thanks
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Mark Hess

10 years ago

I think you can get that price point... the fact that it comes directly from the caribbean lends itself to a lifestyle angle in the U.S. in addition to the handcrafted quality of the product itself. Free shipping is ALWAYS a selling point.

Slapping up photos, posting available sizes, then sticking a buy now button on the page may not get it done.

Take a look at what J. Peterman does with their catalog and product descriptions: The J. Peterman Company | Unique Vintage Inspired Women's and Men's Clothing, Apparel, Accessories, Luggage, & One-of-a-Kind Merchandise.

Craft a story that goes with each style of shoe. Then when you ship the product, make sure you put some thought into the packaging to make it memorable (this doesn't have to be fancy, something rustic that says "yes, these actually came from the caribbean" will work.)

TheBouqs.com does an awesome job with this also, they hooked me on the story the first time I visited their site. I order my wife flowers from there all the time now and each time she's impressed that they shipped from Ecuador and were grown on the side of a volcano.

Just some food for thought if you're going to be moving forward with this...

Thanks
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Caribgyul

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Mark Hess

I think you can get that price point... the fact that it comes directly from the caribbean lends itself to a lifestyle angle in the U.S. in addition to the handcrafted quality of the product itself. Free shipping is ALWAYS a selling point.

Slapping up photos, posting available sizes, then sticking a buy now button on the page may not get it done.

Take a look at what J. Peterman does with their catalog and product descriptions: The J. Peterman Company | Unique Vintage Inspired Women's and Men's Clothing, Apparel, Accessories, Luggage, & One-of-a-Kind Merchandise.

Craft a story that goes with each style of shoe. Then when you ship the product, make sure you put some thought into the packaging to make it memorable (this doesn't have to be fancy, something rustic that says "yes, these actually came from the caribbean" will work.)

TheBouqs.com does an awesome job with this also, they hooked me on the story the first time I visited their site. I order my wife flowers from there all the time now and each time she's impressed that they shipped from Ecuador and were grown on the side of a volcano.

Just some food for thought if you're going to be moving forward with this...

If they were from any other place it might be harder to sell, so I have my culture to help me in selling them. And from there maybe I can expand to beaded jewelry and other rustic arts and crafts we have. It's really an interesting market. I shall be working on my confidence to try to be the one to bring it to the world

Thanks

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From the Caribbean, want to sell this.

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