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| | | Author: | Upstate_Brickz  | | Posted: | Feb 26, 2022 15:42 | | Subject: | N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 180 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Hello Bricklink,
I'm just curious if there is any way to gauge how well I'm doing with
sales?  I don't know of any data or charts I can look at on BL to compare
my store to other stores of similar size that opened around the same time, or
if it's just a question I have to ask here and get responses to. Is 13 a
good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
I'm kind of adrift with BL's lack of data for sellers. I wish I knew
if people were coming to my store because I had the lowest price for an item,
buy now on their wanted list, advertising, people buying to get feedback to open
their own stores or a specific search.
Thanks for any advice!
Upstate_Brickz
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| | | | | Author: | Teup | | Posted: | Feb 26, 2022 19:54 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 73 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Upstate_Brickz writes:
| | Hello Bricklink,
I'm just curious if there is any way to gauge how well I'm doing with
sales? I don't know of any data or charts I can look at on BL to compare
my store to other stores of similar size that opened around the same time, or
if it's just a question I have to ask here and get responses to. Is 13 a
good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
I'm kind of adrift with BL's lack of data for sellers. I wish I knew
if people were coming to my store because I had the lowest price for an item,
buy now on their wanted list, advertising, people buying to get feedback to open
their own stores or a specific search.
Thanks for any advice!
Upstate_Brickz
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I know how you feel, it's often hard to figure these things out, and usually
there's no hard evidence. If you're doing "ok" really depends on what
country you are in, what kind of things you sell, which payment methods you accept,
etc, etc.. No two stores are the same. I guess the answer is, 'it is what
it is': Your store is doing the way it should be doing. And if you want to
compare, compare your store to your store + a change. Like, see what adding inventory
does for your sales, see what higher or lower prices does, etc. Getting to
know your own store is most important. For example, I know that my busiest month
is January, and that is really useful info for my planning. But this is different
for every store. I don't know what other stores are like, but at least I
know what to expect from mine.
(But when experimenting with changing things, evaluate the results after some
months, not after some days. That way you're sure you're not being fooled
by random factors.)
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| | | | | | | Author: | Upstate_Brickz | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2022 17:02 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 24 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Teup writes:
| | In Selling, Upstate_Brickz writes:
| | Hello Bricklink,
I'm just curious if there is any way to gauge how well I'm doing with
sales? I don't know of any data or charts I can look at on BL to compare
my store to other stores of similar size that opened around the same time, or
if it's just a question I have to ask here and get responses to. Is 13 a
good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
I'm kind of adrift with BL's lack of data for sellers. I wish I knew
if people were coming to my store because I had the lowest price for an item,
buy now on their wanted list, advertising, people buying to get feedback to open
their own stores or a specific search.
Thanks for any advice!
Upstate_Brickz
|
I know how you feel, it's often hard to figure these things out, and usually
there's no hard evidence. If you're doing "ok" really depends on what
country you are in, what kind of things you sell, which payment methods you accept,
etc, etc.. No two stores are the same. I guess the answer is, 'it is what
it is': Your store is doing the way it should be doing. And if you want to
compare, compare your store to your store + a change. Like, see what adding inventory
does for your sales, see what higher or lower prices does, etc. Getting to
know your own store is most important. For example, I know that my busiest month
is January, and that is really useful info for my planning. But this is different
for every store. I don't know what other stores are like, but at least I
know what to expect from mine.
(But when experimenting with changing things, evaluate the results after some
months, not after some days. That way you're sure you're not being fooled
by random factors.)
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Do you have any idea why Jan would be your busiest month? I would think it would
be extra slow due to everyone spending in Dec for Christmas and spending the
rest on Jan 1st release Lego. Maybe they are all just still addicted and need
more! (like me  ) Good idea waiting a few weeks/moths to see if changes work.
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | wildchicken13 | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2022 17:45 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 32 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Upstate_Brickz writes:
| | Do you have any idea why Jan would be your busiest month? I would think it would
be extra slow due to everyone spending in Dec for Christmas and spending the
rest on Jan 1st release Lego. Maybe they are all just still addicted and need
more! (like me ) Good idea waiting a few weeks/moths to see if changes work.
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I can't speak for others, but January is my busiest month as a buyer. I typically
have a couple weeks off of work, and with the weather so cold outside I prefer
to stay inside and work on LEGO projects. This year, I build a model of my house.
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| | | | | Author: | crxefx | | Posted: | Feb 27, 2022 01:44 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| I've talked to other store owners and given advice numerous different times.
My point of view :: No two stores are alike. Your comparing apples to oranges.
Even if you compare yourself to stores that have a similar parts count or lot
count, your parts are all different. People may pay far more for a part from
a different store if they have other parts that you don't have. So being
cheapest really doesn't matter either, unless you have the quantity. We
price near the 6 month average and don't run sales, buyers always leave feedback
for great pricing and quick shipping. If you are running this as a business don't
under sell yourself. Keep expanding your inventory and have great customer support
and sales will follow. To even try and answer your questions.. We had 7 orders
our first February and 17 in march. That was starting from zero at some point
in February and having maybe 10k parts at the end of march. All used from a $80
bulk box off ebay. Best of luck! Andy A&R Brick
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| | | | | | | Author: | Upstate_Brickz | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2022 16:57 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 28 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, crxefx writes:
| | I've talked to other store owners and given advice numerous different times.
My point of view :: No two stores are alike. Your comparing apples to oranges.
Even if you compare yourself to stores that have a similar parts count or lot
count, your parts are all different. People may pay far more for a part from
a different store if they have other parts that you don't have. So being
cheapest really doesn't matter either, unless you have the quantity. We
price near the 6 month average and don't run sales, buyers always leave feedback
for great pricing and quick shipping. If you are running this as a business don't
under sell yourself. Keep expanding your inventory and have great customer support
and sales will follow. To even try and answer your questions.. We had 7 orders
our first February and 17 in march. That was starting from zero at some point
in February and having maybe 10k parts at the end of march. All used from a $80
bulk box off ebay. Best of luck! Andy A&R Brick
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Wow, OK good to know. I was trying to expand my inventory every week for a while
but I have since run out of storage space. Glad to know you can make it without
sales. I agree customer care and inventory are more important than amt of sales
and having the lowest price. Seems like I'm on the right path, patience seems
to be key.
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| | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Feb 27, 2022 04:24 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| | | Is 13 a good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
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Are you happy with those sales? If so, it is good. If you are unhappy with them,
it is bad.
The number of sales is a really bad measure to compare to others. Reduce your
prices by 25% and you will get more sales. Reduce by 50% and you'll get more.
Would you be happier with the increase in orders though? Similarly, would you
be happy with twenty $2 orders in which each has 100 different 2c parts but unhappy
with a single $100 order that is a single set that is quick and easy to pack.
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| | | | | | | Author: | Shiny_Stuff | | Posted: | Feb 27, 2022 04:37 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 53 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, yorbrick writes:
| | | | Is 13 a good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
|
Are you happy with those sales? If so, it is good. If you are unhappy with them,
it is bad.
The number of sales is a really bad measure to compare to others. Reduce your
prices by 25% and you will get more sales. Reduce by 50% and you'll get more.
Would you be happier with the increase in orders though? Similarly, would you
be happy with twenty $2 orders in which each has 100 different 2c parts but unhappy
with a single $100 order that is a single set that is quick and easy to pack.
|
Continued price decreases may bring in more orders, but the end result may be
less overall revenue and definitely less money for more work. Also, super low
prices may cause inventory to be purchased by other sellers with the intent to
re-sell for much more money -- money that the original seller loses out on.
Generally, in any type of business, always offering the lowest prices may not
be a sustainable long-term business practice.
____
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | Upstate_Brickz | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2022 16:51 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Shiny_Stuff writes:
| | In Selling, yorbrick writes:
| | | | Is 13 a good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
|
Are you happy with those sales? If so, it is good. If you are unhappy with them,
it is bad.
The number of sales is a really bad measure to compare to others. Reduce your
prices by 25% and you will get more sales. Reduce by 50% and you'll get more.
Would you be happier with the increase in orders though? Similarly, would you
be happy with twenty $2 orders in which each has 100 different 2c parts but unhappy
with a single $100 order that is a single set that is quick and easy to pack.
|
Continued price decreases may bring in more orders, but the end result may be
less overall revenue and definitely less money for more work. Also, super low
prices may cause inventory to be purchased by other sellers with the intent to
re-sell for much more money -- money that the original seller loses out on.
Generally, in any type of business, always offering the lowest prices may not
be a sustainable long-term business practice.
____
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I'm happy with ANY sale. That is a really good point about others buying
to resell, I hadn't thought of that. I generally try to keep to 6 mos sales
avg and don't really feel sales are necessary at that price.
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| | | | | | | Author: | Upstate_Brickz | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2022 17:09 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, yorbrick writes:
| | | | Is 13 a good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
|
Are you happy with those sales? If so, it is good. If you are unhappy with them,
it is bad.
The number of sales is a really bad measure to compare to others. Reduce your
prices by 25% and you will get more sales. Reduce by 50% and you'll get more.
Would you be happier with the increase in orders though? Similarly, would you
be happy with twenty $2 orders in which each has 100 different 2c parts but unhappy
with a single $100 order that is a single set that is quick and easy to pack.
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Right now I'm happy to get any sale honestly. BL isn't the easiest thing
to set up properly, so I'm just amazed it worked. So far I haven't run
into orders that require a lot of effort to pack but I see your point!
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| | | | | Author: | Upstate_Brickz | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2022 17:03 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 29 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| Thanks everyone for your detailed feedback! I'll patiently keep at it!  |
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| | | | | Author: | jgrossman1025 | | Posted: | Mar 14, 2022 17:51 | | Subject: | Re: N00b Questions- How To Gauge Sales? | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| In Selling, Upstate_Brickz writes:
| | Hello Bricklink,
I'm just curious if there is any way to gauge how well I'm doing with
sales? I don't know of any data or charts I can look at on BL to compare
my store to other stores of similar size that opened around the same time, or
if it's just a question I have to ask here and get responses to. Is 13 a
good or bad number of sales for only being open 2 months?
I'm kind of adrift with BL's lack of data for sellers. I wish I knew
if people were coming to my store because I had the lowest price for an item,
buy now on their wanted list, advertising, people buying to get feedback to open
their own stores or a specific search.
Thanks for any advice!
Upstate_Brickz
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I started in September of 2021, and have 142 orders, so I am doing roughly 1.75-2
times the sales you are doing a month, but my prices, and selection is probably
very different.
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USA, New York
Netherlands, Utrecht
United Kingdom, England
