Thursday 3 February 2011

Bits 'n Bobs


Buttons and hairclips may not be legal tender, but pottery shards - surely?

I'm trying to find a casual way to announce that I'll be raising the prices in my Etsy shop next week, but it's something I'm so squeamish about....

I'm sure every international Etsy seller understands the frustration of trying to keep up with fluctuating currency exchange rates: my prices are worked out in Rands and then converted to US$ for listing on Etsy, and I try to keep them constant for as long as I can. It's been a while, though, since I last checked what these US$ prices convert back to, and things have gotten a bit out of line.

On Monday the 7th of February I'll be raising all my prices to better accommodate the current exchange rate.

7 comments:

grace said...

That's really interesting -- I'd never thought about how fluctuations in exchange rates would affect Etsy sellers' prices. How frequently do you update your prices?

Jesse said...

I did it once a month for a while, which was better for me but unsettling for buyers, I'm sure. Now I've opted for picking a USD rate that the Rand isn't likely to fall below, and sticking with that until it does fall below it. Then I wait a few days to see if it's staying there, and change the prices.

Same goes, of course, for a move in the opposite direction, should that happen.

mizu designs said...

Good on you! It's so important you do that and I completely understand why.

Unknown said...

I'm re-opening my Etsy store soon and I'm just thinking about prices...way too hard.

I think pottery shards should be legal currency...it's the only way I'll ever be considered rich!

Jo said...

You've got to do that - there's so little margin in handmade anyway, that you can't afford to lose money. And I'm sure anyone who thinks about it will understand.

Danya Ristić said...

Ha, nice way of introducing the change. And I agree, you have to do it, wouldn't make sense not to.

That sweet looks like it could be a pottery shard too.

danielle said...

You have to do this! I know myself that these things cause worry, but you have to be properly compensated for your work. Which is beautiful by the way ;)