The eBay business has been unbelievably slow lately, although thankfully my "special find" clients have been keeping me busy. I've been strongly considering toning down the eBay and dialing up the personal shopping lately because frankly I have so much fun on these special assignments it's like I'm not doing any work at all.
This weekend I went on the hunt for a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps for a new client. The trick with these shoes is that the sizing on them is really inconsistent, and varies wildly by style.... so I just had to try a few pairs on myself so I could get a good sense for which sizes would work and not work. :) I have to tell you, while Mr. Louboutin makes some of the most exquisite shoes I've ever seen, some of his styles leave me kind of cold, while some are downright hideous. However, when he does it well, he does it very, very well, and I had to give myself a good talking to to keep myself from buying a pair of $600 shoes.
But I digress. Back to the personal shopping. As much as I love it, there's definitely a few kinks I have to work out in the business model. It first started as a service to get people nice things at a discount, taking advantage of my eBay nagivation skills and outlet proximity. I would then split the discount with the client, keeping part for myself as payment. The problem with that is that sometimes people ask me for specific things that are hard to find or difficult to get at a discount, in which case I either have to work for free OR not take the assignment because, frankly, I don't feel right asking someone to pay more than retail for something they could have easily have bought for themselves. In fact I feel very guilty making money off this model at all, but at the same time I don't want to turn someone away knowing I could do something to help them even if I don't get paid. Some people just don't have the time to go shopping to identify the right article of clothing or the right pair of shoes and are more than willing to pay someone to do it for them.
So this is what I've decided for a process and fee scedule. First, I ask the client how much they are willing to pay for the item and I do my best to stay under that price. I calculate a fee for myself that is 10% of the price of the item or a minimum of $30, BUT I try my best to use the tips and tricks I gave you here to come in under what the client is willing to pay even with the commission. It feels like a win-win, but I'm still having some qualms about whether this is fair.
What do you guys think?? How would you price this service?
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2 comments:
Are your qualms about whether you think it's fair to charge a 10% finders fee or minimum of $30? I think it's totally fair. I mean, I'm one of those clients and my concern is that I'm ripping you off since YOU are doing ME such a big service.
I could sit on ebay every night and search for the perfect pair of Louboutins, but I wouldn't have a clue if I was getting ripped off or if I was even getting a *real* pair. Your help has been invaluable and I think your services are worth the finders fee - however much they are! :)
That's sweet, Lisa. Thanks! I'm glad you feel like you're getting your money's worth. Hopefully you'll still feel the same way once we finish the process and you have your (HOT) new shoes in your possession. :D
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