How are vintage sales on Artfire?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Le Petit Poulailler on October 7, 2011 at 12:49pm

Hi there!

I have all but closed my shop on Etsy. But, it *is* still open and I don't get much traffic (only 3 items listed so how much traffic can I expect, after all)

ArtFire, as a site, is much younger, much smaller, has far less traffic, and has had far less media attention than Etsy.

That said, I like that my ArtFire customers are not required to join the site in order to buy from me. (Approximately90% of my customers come straight from Google and are not *members*.)  Additionally I'd say that, of that 90%, a quarter of those customers contact me directly, either via ArtFire messaging or directly to my email, and ask for a PayPal invoice.

I try to avoid that as I like seeing my shop stats increase ... but, when it comes down to it, a sale is a sale and if my customer wants to not go through the site, I'm fine with it.

The nice thing is that ArtFire is fine with it, too.

ArtFire sees their job as creating a great selling platform. They want me to be happy there so I'll keep my shop there so I'll continue to pay the (very reasonable) monthly rent I pay to have my shop there.

Etsy didn't work for me ... or, at least, didn't work for me in a way that I could stomach. As far as vintage sales, I did quite well there. I just don't like the site.

If it works for you, that's great. Try them all (I have a shop at Zibbet as well ... and it's humming along quite nicely as well)

It's all up to you. Honest, it's really not up to the site.

I guess the answer to your question would be, from me ~ I'm busier on ArtFire than I am on Etsy. And I'm happy about that.

Good luck however you decide. If you want to talk to me privately, just let me know. 

Permalink Reply by JenniferLynn's Finds on October 7, 2011 at 3:52pm

Things have been really slow for me since August, but what Karen said is accurate:  Artfire is a great site, and I believe in them and have faith that things will pick up there.

 

My views are picking up, though, which is always a good sign.

 

They really are doing a great job!

Jen M.

JenniferLynn's Finds Vintage

Permalink Reply by SelectionsBySusan on October 15, 2011 at 7:22am

I love my Artfire shop. I have noticed than when I list an item it get more hits here than Etsy. I do have an Etsy shop too. Sales are picking up, and slowing down on Etsy. I have about 200 items on each. I feel Artfire is so much more user friendly.  A agree with you that Artfire wants us here, and just a number on Etsy.

Sales were slow in September on both. I have had a few sales on both now, so I hope the selling season is beginning.

Etsy is making changes, and I hope for the good. It is so hard to do a Treasury list on Etsy, and a pleasure to do one on Artfire. Time will tell, and I hope we benefit from all the changes going on.

Permalink Reply by SelectionsBySusan on November 7, 2011 at 2:38pm

Hi, my sales are better on Artfire now than Etsy.  It was Etsy for awhile, and now Artfire is better for me. I have added Propay and had two sale in a row with them, and now one with Paypal. Three in last week, one 3 items. I find that my Artfire products are viewed more now than Etsy.

I hope Artfire continues, as I enjoy Artfire more than Etsy. Does anyone else have any feedback?

Permalink Reply by JenniferLynn's Finds on November 7, 2011 at 3:53pm

I had two sales on Thursday! Two sales in one day is rare for me,so I was really happy about that!

 

Jen M.

 

Permalink Reply by SelectionsBySusan on November 7, 2011 at 4:04pm

Good for you!!!

Permalink Reply by Time Was Antiques on November 22, 2011 at 7:49pm

I have only been really adding things to the site for about 6 months...have about 130 and have had 3 sales which I think is not bad! I like the format and the price, and wanted a site for my more retro stuff. So I am happy!

 

Any chance you could like my Facebook page? I've just gotten it going 3 months ago and have virtually no "likes". I will be glad to return the favor!

Ruth

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/ATreasureCottage

Permalink Reply by fioridizucca on December 4, 2011 at 4:06am

Thanks for the input, very helpful. I'm very much wanting to leave Etsy and have a shop on a site where shop owners are treated respectfully. I'm trying to figure out how to import my items over to Artfire from Etsy and Bonanza. Are you using the same shop names on Etsy and Artfire?