An interesting situation happened with me yesterday and I thought I would share. Ive been doing research finding online 'stores' where I could open up shop and sell my beaded jewelry. So far so good! I have successfully opened five with a few more to go.
Yesterday's project was 1000 markets. Easy to use interface, impressive store front and its free. Heres the catch: Your shop is subject to being turned down based on poor photography. I have never heard of such a thing! I mean, yes...good pictures help a customer really 'see' your stuff! But perfect? Im a graphic designer and artist..not a photographer. I use a flat bed scanner for my imaging and yes, it produces shadows and multi background tones of gray and tan. The scanner has worked very well for me for many years and I have never had anyone critique my images! Ive used them on my websites, my print patterns, and my store fronts. Sure..theres a way to get a perfect photo...if you have a good camera, know how to image edit in photoshop, and want to take the time to set up a lightbox so you can control the lighting and color casts. But for a free web store? C'mon! Why should I spend several hours re-shooting 'good enough' images for:
-a free shop that allows you 5-7 products
-they charge you 5.5% + .50 cents for each sale you make
-you have to give personal information to set up through amazon payments
No thanks. I politely asked them to close my shop down.
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ReplyDeleteJust read your Wed blog and I fully agree - why go out and buy expensive camera equipment (which none of us can afford these days!) just to satisfy their shop requirements? Come on people, you need to get real! I have looked at your jewelry pics and they are very good - crisp and clear, color is great! I don't see any problem at all with your pics, I'd say your scanner works very well.
By the way, I just looked at your latest bracelet and it is very pretty! I love the new "twist" with the chain extender - a nice variation! Love your other bracelets too that you have on Etsy - all are very fashionable. For myself, I love Etsy - love looking at the different shops, the variety on there is just amazing! Whether you sell or buy on Etsy, it is great fun - more fun for me than shopping at the mall - and you can do it in your nightie!
ReplyDeleteyup...I can understand IF i were a photographer...of course i would need to show my very best work! And, i can see what the store approval person was talking about..the background shades of gray and off white...but that goes with using a scanner. They arent offering a good enough deal for me to 'want' to go and reshoot all my images with a camera just for that site (and i know how.)Also, when i looked around in other shops on there, I saw others whose pictures were the same? Well, no matter, there are plenty of fish in the sea!
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