I worked on this new design this week, but haven’t had enough time to complete it for the Friday shop updates. Here is the sneak peak! Remember I talked about how I wanted to make a piece with a key hole detail in midriff area? I’m making that now 🙂 To balance out the skin showing, I am making the skirt longer and the flatter sleeves. Although, sleeves pattern needs to be adjusted, as you can see above!
Also, I need your input on this – I’ve been shipping my orders to the U.S. and elsewhere using the Japan Postal Office’s “small air package” method, which is the cheapest option available. The method does not provide tracking number or insurance, but depending on the weight, it costs 400 yen and up for a dress. By using that method, I have been able to maintain reasonable shipping fees to the U.S. ($5) and other countries ($7). I do not want people to not purchase my items because of high shipping fees.
However, this past month, I’ve had some costumers telling me that they did not receive items that had been shipped. That got me thinking, perhaps I should change my shipping method to EMS, Expedited Mailing Services, which comes with tracking number and insurance up to 20,000 yen (about 250 USD). This method is more expensive, starting from 1300 yen for an item, more depending on weight. I’m considering changing shipping fee in my shop to $10, and eat the rest of the cost. What do you think? Would you still purchase an item with $10 shipping fee? I offer EMS option for my customers and it is included in my shop policy (that I ship by EMS with extra charge), but I don’t think most buyers read the policy before purchasing.. Also, with U.S. dollars doing so crappy (76 yen for a dollar now 🙁 ), it is getting hard for me to eat the extra costs. Any thoughts?
zhing says
i’d pay $10 in shipping for your dresses! 🙂 xx
Sarah says
I would too! 😀
Alessa says
Why not write a little note about shipping on every product page? That way people could decide if they want to pay less and take the risk, or have insured shipping for a few dollars more, without having to read your policy (which, honestly, I seldom do, either…).
Chie says
hi alessa, that’s a great idea! i will do that for the future listings!!
cathy says
hi there, i like the style in key hole midriff. im just new in sewing. i like to know how to cut fabric in breat portion. (sorry i dont know yet the right term for that) hope u understand what i mean. thanks
Chie says
hi cathy!
thank you for your comment. what do you mean by breat portion? im an ESL, so i might not be understanding you correctly. can you explain so i might be able to help?