Gordon B. Clarke
Banned
- Joined
- May 29, 2010
- Location
- Denmark
Someone asked me recently why I didn't sell directly from my website with a basket as so many do.
I gave several reasons for not doing so but I've kept on thinking about it and is it me that's just being stupid and are my reasons valid or just feeble excuses?
1. As what I make and sell is for the most part specialized, then customers usually contact me (email or phone) for advice before ordering anything. Most of what I regard as standard is in stock but about a quarter to a fifth of the orders I get has to be made.
2. I almost always invoice a customer after the order has been delivered and received. If it's specially made parts (as opposed to standard) then I'd have to trust the customer before going ahead. I might require an advance.
3. I'm simply not knowledgeable enough about computers to make my own "basket type" website. My current one is done by me and I've seen those that are much better LOL. Still it does work. I've tried paying a couple of web designers to make what I want but the sad part is that they might be good at web designing but they aren't technical and explaining what I want and need can take weeks! I'd want one that I could update myself no matter what.
I guess my main question is, are there any members that sell from their website and get prepaid as is the case with basket? I just can't imagine it working for me because of my main product line.
I gave several reasons for not doing so but I've kept on thinking about it and is it me that's just being stupid and are my reasons valid or just feeble excuses?
1. As what I make and sell is for the most part specialized, then customers usually contact me (email or phone) for advice before ordering anything. Most of what I regard as standard is in stock but about a quarter to a fifth of the orders I get has to be made.
2. I almost always invoice a customer after the order has been delivered and received. If it's specially made parts (as opposed to standard) then I'd have to trust the customer before going ahead. I might require an advance.
3. I'm simply not knowledgeable enough about computers to make my own "basket type" website. My current one is done by me and I've seen those that are much better LOL. Still it does work. I've tried paying a couple of web designers to make what I want but the sad part is that they might be good at web designing but they aren't technical and explaining what I want and need can take weeks! I'd want one that I could update myself no matter what.
I guess my main question is, are there any members that sell from their website and get prepaid as is the case with basket? I just can't imagine it working for me because of my main product line.