Chickens wondering what is going on….
I don’t think there is quite more of a contentious issue in the Bamboletta world as eBay. As soon as Petra (aka Bamboletta Helper) sees anything posted on the wall regarding eBay – she takes it down. I’ve had countless emails from upset customers each time a doll is listed on ebay – suggestions to ban the sellers, track down sales, etc. What can I do? Really? Of course it upsets me when people purposely buy dolls to sell at an exorbitant price ($450 current bid with a reserve not met – wow!)聽 – it’s capitalizing on the lack of supply to the demand. But it’s happening – there are currently 8 or so dolls up eBay and I think more will be coming in the next week. I’m not putting any judgements or whatever on the sellers. It’s business. I don’t like it – but it’s business.
Last week two good customers suggested that I put dolls up on eBay. My first reaction was horror – never! NEVER! But as I read what they were saying and the reasoning it made perfect sense. (Allison does have an MBA -so she’s kinda smart that way). First off putting dolls on eBay would flood the market. Customers out there willing to spend the money to get a doll聽 get good dolls backed 100% by me and have more of a choice. They will know exactly what they are getting – brand new, never played with dolls. Then there is extra funds that I will be making from these eBay dolls .. and that takes me to my next paragraph…
My ladies who work with me are amazing. Sherry spent all of last week in and out of Emerg with her son .. sewing dolls in the waiting room. Rachel spent 12 HOURS straight stuffing bodies (if you’ve ever stuffed a doll – you will be in awe of her mental and physical stamina). Brandi works until the wee hours making sure all your dollies go out on time – she is a shipping maven. And Petra – well – we know that Petra works her butt off answering questions, rehoming dolls – she is the ultimate Bamboletta Helper. ALL my ladies work hard – and it’s not just because I pay them – they BELIEVE in what we are doing and they are excited about getting the dolls out there and seeing all your little ones playing and loving their dolls. When I hire people on it’s not just skill I look for, there is a certain ‘something’ that all my sewing mama’s and in house gals posess. Now I would LOVE, love, love to be able to give them each huge bonuses for the holiday’s but ,in this point聽 of our business with our overhead and growing – I just can’t. SO.. ALL of the proceeds from these eBay dolls are going to gals of Bamboletta …. the sewing mama’s, my wonderful gals in the studio, Petra, grannie Rita – to them.聽 I’m not wanting to get into specifics but the money will be greatly appreciated .. this WILL make a difference.
So – later tonight I will be putting up 6 dolls. These are dolls I had set aside (so they are not coming out of the Chirstmas dolls we are making now). I actually set them aside over the summer to pay for a vacation for my family but decided to use them for this. Anyhow, there is my crazy eBay essay! I’ll be back later with day 3 of the 12 days of giving..
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