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Self-funded habit
https://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19205		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Brendan [ 05 May 2021, 16:21 ]
Post subject:  Self-funded habit
Last year I decided that I needed to spend some money on my habit. But that I would only spend money that I earned from my habit.

So now I need to sell a few trees, which I have never done before.

Also, I have only ever bought 2 trees. One from LeeV for £35 that died, and one from Rhinorock for £95 lives on. They are growers and I could glean little about pricing and presentation from their "shops".

I really need some advice from the forum about how to go about pricing a tree for sale. Is it best just to list it on eBay with really good pics and let the market decide?

Or set a minimum price and let the auction run?

I tried to apply the pricing advice from a Japanese nursery, but they assume the material costs nothing and calculate their time-cost based on a log-book they keep of all work done on a tree, plus a share of "overhead", to which they add a margin. Interesting approach but way too technical for me.

Are there any particular species that sell well? Any that don't sell?

What about returns? I will only sell healthy trees, but if one grumpy seller is to be believed, someone demanded to return a tree after their dog ate it.

I will probably list trees that I can post - I don't really want people around my house unless I know them, as I have heard horror stories of people having whole collections stolen.

Any advice welcome.
Author:  daryl [ 05 May 2021, 16:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
Brendan, is there a bonsai club near you? Most clubs have sales tables where you would probably get a sensible price in exchange for a small percentage given to the club’s funds. This avoids the need for postage or people knowing where you live.

Or you could put some pictures on here and we’ll give you an idea of prices?
Author:  Paul B [Swindon] [ 05 May 2021, 17:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
With all these lockdowns the clubs aren't able to arrange shows, so they are putting their efforts into car boot/traders sales at an outside location with a bigger area for visitors to distance.
Keep in contact with your local clubs to see if they have something planned. Also keep an eye on the UK Bonsai Association diary as there are already a few events being arranged over the next few months.
Pricing I also have problems with, it's down to what you are happy to accept and how quickly you want to pass on the things you are selling. Bear in mind what type of container is the tree in, how long it has been grown, what styling has been done. Species, etc
You can always hold out for the higher price but I know folks that still have the trees years after trying to sell them. Comparing against traders prices never work as they have overheads to cover, whereas reasonably priced stock will just go.
Fleabay and the likes can be a problem, I hear so many bad stories from both sellers and buyers. Some of the things offered for sale are at stupid prices......... probably put on by chancers
Author:  BFJay [ 06 May 2021, 16:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
Bit obvious but....Use the for sale section on here,
Its hardly ever used, but bet would be plenty of interest,
im intreiged and dont even know what your selling lol
ive had one tree off here though off a member, was happy to travel for
Author:  richardb [ 06 May 2021, 19:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
Brendan, I sold a few general trees and starter trees last yr , like you to part fund my hobby. As you say pricing is difficult, but you are not financing a business. E Bay has a lot of poor products at outrageous prices. If you look at e Bay and a few other bonsai sites you soon get a feel for prices and I am sure you probably have a price in yr own mind which you would be satisfied with which would be less than a lot of the overpriced products which you could find on the Internet. With shipping trees you can wrap stretch wrap to hold the soil and tree in the pot and you then need to secure the pot into the base of the box.i personally just used the local area village facebook selling sites. Post a pic of the trees and the prices you want for them. You may be amazed at the number of responses you get. You don't have to let them into your garden. They don't need to know you have any more trees around the back. Hope this helps
Author:  Rivulus123 [ 06 May 2021, 21:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
I met someone in a car park once with a Dawn Redwood. (Freebie) :07hysterical: (still got it btw)
Author:  Will [ 06 May 2021, 21:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
BFJay wrote:
Bit obvious but....Use the for sale section on here,
Its hardly ever used, but bet would be plenty of interest,
im intreiged and dont even know what your selling lol
ive had one tree off here though off a member, was happy to travel for


from what i remember the sale section on here was a nightmare? It could be good, I can't remember why it didn't take off? perhaps some of the older members could refresh my memory lol ;-)
Author:  daryl [ 07 May 2021, 08:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
Because posts were moderated and sometimes took a long time to appear then were automatically removed for some reason after only a few days. Hopeless.
Author:  Will [ 07 May 2021, 22:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
daryl wrote:
Because posts were moderated and sometimes took a long time to appear then were automatically removed for some reason after only a few days. Hopeless.


Ahhh that’s it I remember now :32crazy: could of been good for members to swap and sell without moderators delegating be anyone had chance to see or even offer etc thanks Daryl :21cop: we could do with a pot swap/sale area too ::lol:
Author:  daryl [ 07 May 2021, 23:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Self-funded habit
Why’s that, Will? Do you know someone with far too many pots? ::dunno: :07hysterical:
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