Unsuccessful in selling handicrafts via crypto

[msdjaw]

Hello.

I live in a country where there are many sanctions against, Iran, and therefore impossible to use international money transfer systems. I have always tried to sell handicrafts using cryptos. I have tried different websites including bitcointalk.org but have been completely UNSUCCESSFUL. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong or how to transform this situation?

Do you think buying a paid subscription of bitcointalk.com helps? I always think that no one is going to buy via crypto when he can buy using PayPal escrow.

[mocacinno]

Well, a link to one of your efforts on bitcointalk might help us pinpoint the problem.

A payed subscription will only allow you to post pictures and reply to your customers a bit faster, but don't expect some "magic" to happen if you buy for a copper membership... It'll make your life a bit easyer, but i don't think it'll increase your sales by a lot.

The best advice i could give you is to clearly state in every thread that you will always use a trusted forum escrow to hold all funds your receive untill the customer indicates he or she received your items. Without using a forum escrow, it'll be nearly impossible for you (as a newbie) to conduct any business on bitcointalk at all.

[jackg]

I'm guessing this is one: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3714167.msg36882337#msg36882337

Maybe you could do with showing links to a picture of what you've made?

Edit: I found a link to the photo but you might want to show more than one picture of it...

[joniboini]

I think one of the obvious reason you fail to sell your handicrafts is that not many people here are interested in things like that. I'd suggest you to use other forum or e-commerce platform to sell your product. But that would be a problem too if your buyer is not familiar with crypto. I don't know which fiat payment processor is accepted in your country, maybe you can try fiat-crypto payment processor? I know Payeer, it can accept fiat and then exchange to crypto but I don't know how reliable they are (seems like you already use it though).

[msdjaw]

Well, a link to one of your efforts on bitcointalk might help us pinpoint the problem.

A payed subscription will only allow you to post pictures and reply to your customers a bit faster, but don't expect some "magic" to happen if you buy for a copper membership... It'll make your life a bit easyer, but i don't think it'll increase your sales by a lot.

The best advice i could give you is to clearly state in every thread that you will always use a trusted forum escrow to hold all funds your receive untill the customer indicates he or she received your items. Without using a forum escrow, it'll be nearly impossible for you (as a newbie) to conduct any business on bitcointalk at all.

This is one sample
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3714167.msg36882337#msg36882337

This is another sample
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2564866.0

[mocacinno]

Thanks for the sample posts...

joniboini is probably right, i'm not sure if there is a market for these items on bitcointalk... But it's certainly worth a try. Posting on bitcointalk is free, so there is no reason not to try.

I'd suggest 4 things:

• post "different" pictures. The pictures you post now look like stock photo's, people on this forum need photographic "proof" you have these items in stock. They don't need to look at stock photography (if they want to see a stock photo, they can use google to find one). Post a picture of the items you have in your store and place a piece of paper with your forum username and today's date in front of the items when taking a picture
• offer the use of a forum escrow
• never ever try to move the discussion to skype, telegram, phone, email,... Keep all conversation on the forum in plain sight. People like me think it's fishy when you try to move the conversation off-forum (it looks like you're hiding something)
• You can always try to give some vouch copies... I know it's an expense for you, and it's not certain you'll gain some business... But nothing beats a green trusted, long-time member vouching for your product. Don't give vouch copy's to just about anybody, only give one to longtime, very trusted members that have some kind of link to the product you're selling. In this case, it would be a good idear to find a DT member who's into cooking to send a free saffron sample.

[msdjaw]

I think one of the obvious reason you fail to sell your handicrafts is that not many people here are interested in things like that. I'd suggest you to use other forum or e-commerce platform to sell your product. But that would be a problem too if your buyer is not familiar with crypto. I don't know which fiat payment processor is accepted in your country, maybe you can try fiat-crypto payment processor? I know Payeer, it can accept fiat and then exchange to crypto but I don't know how reliable they are (seems like you already use it though).

I have tried different websites and platforms like OpenBazzar and an Ebay-like one that I forgot its name with escrow features

[gentlemand]

Very few people own crypto. Even fewer want to spend it. Even fewer will want to spend it on what you have for sale.

I don't think there's any point in advertising on a crypto specific platform. It would be better to advertise on a handicraft specific website and then mention crypto as the payment option. It might turn off some customers but at least there'll be customers to turn off.

[BitBustah]

Very few people are interested in purchasing art.  Haven't you heard of the term "starving artist"

People have no problem paying for mechanics or doctors but they don't hold art and handmade crafts to the same value.

The problem is your products, sorry.

[gentlemand]

Very few people are interested in purchasing art.  Haven't you heard of the term "starving artist"

People have no problem paying for mechanics or doctors but they don't hold art and handmade crafts to the same value.

The problem is your products, sorry.

So everyone on Etsy is doing zero business? Don't be daffy.

The problem is that the approach is arse backwards. You don't go to crypto fans and ask them to like your product. They like crypto. The chances they'll like your obscure product are effectively nil.

You go to the places where your product is going to be liked and then crypto is tacked on at the end.

[harizen]

Hello.

I live in a country where there are many sanctions against, Iran, and therefore impossible to use international money transfer systems. I have always tried to sell handicrafts using cryptos. I have tried different websites including bitcointalk.org but have been completely UNSUCCESSFUL. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong or how to transform this situation?

Do you think buying a paid subscription of bitcointalk.com helps? I always think that no one is going to buy via crypto when he can buy using PayPal escrow.

Target your local crypto social media groups if doing advertisements on other websites is not doing well.

But honestly it's not with the platform but the people's interest. Since it was an "item", the process would be hassle to them before they can received. Shipping, taxes etc. it will take days or several weeks just for the item to arrived and it sounds not good for them sinc if they like a good handicrafts like that, they can take chances at nearby stalls or handicraft shops.

I know the purpose is to get paid by cryptos but since it's not doing well then sell it by the usual fiat system and just buy crypto. People nowadays have lots of considerations before buying online especially if it will be paid in crypto.

[Jet Cash]

It's difficult to tell from the imges, but I think you may have some good work there. You should try to build your own brand image,and you can do that by creating your own website. You can still link to product sales on other sites.

Also, you should try to target your markets. If you are trying to sell to crypto enthusiasts, then you need to start with crypto related products.

[jseverson]

I always think that no one is going to buy via crypto when he can buy using PayPal escrow.

For what it's worth, I don't think anyone buys anything with Paypal here. The problem is that most stuff sold here are heavily crypto/tech related while your products aren't. The currency isn't the problem.

The way I see it, you could either pivot into crypto related handicrafts, or you could shift to more traditional platforms and convince interested parties to use crypto. I'd recommend the former, as it would be incredibly difficult to pull off the latter.

[msdjaw]

I always think that no one is going to buy via crypto when he can buy using PayPal escrow.

For what it's worth, I don't think anyone buys anything with Paypal here. The problem is that most stuff sold here are heavily crypto/tech related while your products aren't. The currency isn't the problem.

The way I see it, you could either pivot into crypto related handicrafts, or you could shift to more traditional platforms and convince interested parties to use crypto. I'd recommend the former, as it would be incredibly difficult to pull off the latter.

Well, I can sell physical hand-made Bitcoin coin symbol made up of silver or coppoer or brass. You think any chances to sell them?

[msdjaw]

Hello.

I live in a country where there are many sanctions against, Iran, and therefore impossible to use international money transfer systems. I have always tried to sell handicrafts using cryptos. I have tried different websites including bitcointalk.org but have been completely UNSUCCESSFUL. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong or how to transform this situation?

Do you think buying a paid subscription of bitcointalk.com helps? I always think that no one is going to buy via crypto when he can buy using PayPal escrow.

Target your local crypto social media groups if doing advertisements on other websites is not doing well.

But honestly it's not with the platform but the people's interest. Since it was an "item", the process would be hassle to them before they can received. Shipping, taxes etc. it will take days or several weeks just for the item to arrived and it sounds not good for them sinc if they like a good handicrafts like that, they can take chances at nearby stalls or handicraft shops.

I know the purpose is to get paid by cryptos but since it's not doing well then sell it by the usual fiat system and just buy crypto. People nowadays have lots of considerations before buying online especially if it will be paid in crypto.

Please look at the above reply.

[xxkaiwaxx]

Hello.

I live in a country where there are many sanctions against, Iran, and therefore impossible to use international money transfer systems. I have always tried to sell handicrafts using cryptos. I have tried different websites including bitcointalk.org but have been completely UNSUCCESSFUL. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong or how to transform this situation?

Do you think buying a paid subscription of bitcointalk.com helps? I always think that no one is going to buy via crypto when he can buy using PayPal escrow.

I think that it is simply a matter of nobody wants to sell their crypto right now.

At least, not while the bull market is about to begin.

So unless your crafts are more valuable than cryptos potential right now, it might be a tough time to sell.

[gentlemand]

Well, I can sell physical hand-made Bitcoin coin symbol made up of silver or coppoer or brass. You think any chances to sell them?

The chances of selling that would be much higher than anything else, but obviously it's not guaranteed. Maybe it would be better to post examples of work that exists and then concept art for Bitcoin related stuff. You could see what interest there is before actually making anything.

This would be the best place to see if there's interest - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=217.0

[Jet Cash]

I think that it is simply a matter of nobody wants to sell their crypto right now.

That was my first reaction, but then I thought that when Bitcoin does start to increase in value, then interest in memorabilia is likely to rise as well. Any Bitcoin that you spend now can be replaced easily, and if you are careful, you can even get a bit of a discount if you can catch a dip.

The real problem in selling memorabilia is setting the price, and if you can think of a way to make creations unique, then you could ask a premium price.