Musings
I have been pondering the future of Smelly Stuff as an internet business. As those of you who got packages know, the shipping was ridiculously high. In order for me to cover the shipping costs, I would have to charge a fairly high price for my products and I question whether or not I could build any kind of clientele with higher prices. Still, I have an idea that I would like to bounce off you guys.
I am thinking that I might offer an initial jar of bath salts at a fairly high price. The jar would be larger than the 16 oz one I used this time. I would probably buy a nice glass jar about 26 oz to use. Examples are below. Then I would offer refills, which I would ship in a ziplock bag.
I think in order to make this work, I would charge about $35 for the jar and one free refill. Refills would probably be about $12 each. Initial shipping would be $10. I think I could charge shipping the refills for about $7.50. All of these are significantly below the actual cost of shipping, but I should be able to make that up in the pricepoint.
So, testers, what do you think?
I am thinking that I might offer an initial jar of bath salts at a fairly high price. The jar would be larger than the 16 oz one I used this time. I would probably buy a nice glass jar about 26 oz to use. Examples are below. Then I would offer refills, which I would ship in a ziplock bag.
I think in order to make this work, I would charge about $35 for the jar and one free refill. Refills would probably be about $12 each. Initial shipping would be $10. I think I could charge shipping the refills for about $7.50. All of these are significantly below the actual cost of shipping, but I should be able to make that up in the pricepoint.
So, testers, what do you think?
Labels: Creative pursuits
posted by allison | 6:40 PM
5 Comments:
This seems like a great idea, but I'm worried about how much of a hit you'll be taking on the shipping costs. Is it [significantly] cheaper to ship within Canadia rather than to the U.S.? Would it be more financially advantageous to build your clientele there first? Is that a possibility? Am I talking out of my head?
That said, I really, really, really like the idea of the refills coming in Ziplocs. Unlike normal people*, I can reuse Ziplocs for lots of stuff, but I have need for only so many glass/plastic containers.
As for the larger jar size, I like it. I don't know how often "regular" people use bath salts, but I use them twice a week, max.** I figure the 16 oz. size you sent me will last me two months (eight weeks) if I use one ounce twice a week. So the 26 oz. jar would last me about 3 months, giving me a nice, reusable glass jar*** to put my Ziploc refills in.
I think your pricing structure is beyond reasonable considering the quality of your product and its related costs. I can't wait to find out what other scents you offer so I can place an order. (I have a sister with a birthday soon!)
*I am one of those weird people who rinses out Ziplocs and drapes them over the neck of the kitchen sink faucet to dry so I can reuse them for storage and such.
**There's that whole thing where I shower all week except Wednesday and Saturday, when I bathe/shave/exfoliate/etc.
***The second jar is nice, but I prefer the first, taller jar from your photo examples.
Building on Bradi's comment, would it make sense shipping-wise to have an American employee (for lack of a better term), to whom you could ship the salts who could then package them and mail them to American customers? It might be a ridiculously complicated idea, I don't know. But it might save you some of the shipping costs.
I am terribly sorry to say that I have still not tried the salts, having not yet once had the time to take a bath by myself. Very annoying.
Also, I always reuse ziplock bags. I don't think it is that weird.
Bradi's first paragraph is exactly what was going through my mind. There really are times when bricks and mortar have appeal - like when you have to consider the weight of your shipped products!
I very much like this idea of you selling refills in the way you've described. Maybe you could even make the jars part of the main attraction, too. You can choose ones that are really unique and pretty so that when you advertise your products online, they'll really stand out in the photos. That, of course, will affect pricing, too, though.
And, some people already have jars that they'd like to fill with something, and might just want to buy salts, so a non-jar option is good sense.
Shipping in canada (domestic or international) is insanely expensive. INSANE.
This is partly why I'm considering going strictly craft-fair. You can build up stock, do a fair, and get local customers. Sell through some local B&M (real stores) and that cuts out the shipping.
I love the bathsalts. I use them and love them and smell them and the kitties try to chase them.... which is amusing.
I will think on the jar idea. I'll also send you some links via etsy as people ponder these things there.
Actually, you'll probably want an etsy shot or to at least take a boo through the forums for ideas (and look at other bath salt shops).
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