Very discouraged

[dlewis17]

Today we had a Silent Auction at work and everyone wanted me to bring some of my soaps. I've new to this and never sold any of my soaps. I usually just give them away. I brought a basket and put several of my soaps in it. Instead of bidding on the basket they sold them individually for $2.00 and $3.00 each. Only about half of them sold. I'm very discouraged. Also sending a picture if I'm able to download. Please give me your opinions.

 

[Relle]

Very nice soaps, I suppose they thought they were to be sold seperately because you have them packaged up individually and people just don't know how much handmade soaps are worth comparing them to commercial. Maybe next time if you want the basket sold as one, arrange the soap in the basket with some shredding underneath to raise and lower the soap to different levels and cellophane the whole basket and tie off with a ribbon at the top, then they'll know its for the whole basket and not for one item.

 

[Hazel]

Your basket and packaging looks gorgeous! It was very rude of the people to sell the soap individually when you took the basket in for a Silent Auction. Who's decision was it to break the set up and sell the soap individually? Plus to sell them so cheaply, too! The bars shouldn't have been sold separately but since they were they should have been sold for at least $5 or $6. Obviously someone doesn't know the value of handmade soap. You shouldn't feel discouraged just because someone behaved like an idiot.

Please don't take this the wrong way because I mean this in the nicest way. How long have you been making soap? Last month you posted asking for a recipe and didn't even know to double check recipes in a lye calculator. It makes me wonder if you should have donated soap for a Silent Auction. I apologize if I misunderstood the post from last month and you actually have more experience.

BTW, I thought Relle made a good suggestion about using shredded paper and cellophane.

 

[IrishLass]

Don't beat yourself up too bad. I've learned the hard way that some people just aren't that much into soap as we are (although I totally don't understand that :wink: ). For example, I have some die-hard fans of my soap amongst my family and friends, but there are at least 2 family members of mine that stick my soap away in their dresser drawers and never use it. My ego went through a little bruising when I found out (and I've since stopped giving them any of my soap), but the fact that many others amongst my family/friends use it and appreciate it makes up for the few who just aren't as into it as much as I would hope. That's okay, though- different likes for different bites as the old commercial jingle goes. Don't let this little glitch stop you from continuing to make it for yourself and those those who appreciate it.

By the way, I absolutely love the wrapping on the two soaps out in front (the one wrapped in the embossed black and the one wrapped in the swirly purple/white). Very pretty!


IrishLass

 

[ClaraSuds]

I wouldn't be discouraged at all. Auctions are where people try and get stuff on the cheap, it's not your fault nor an indication of what your soaps are worth. :wink: Over the years I've sold many artisan, handcrafted products of mine. Getting what your product is worth is usually a matter of having it in the right sales environment. I would never have taken my handcrafted silverwork to a market, but I sold them for $60-$200 range easily in clothing boutiques. Not everyone is a potential customer for your soaps even though nearly everyone uses soap. You will find the people who appreciate your soaps have very deep and personal convictions for doing so, convictions that a lot of regular folk are without. Regular folk will probably buy your soaps more readily as gifts, packaged appropriately and for a much higher going rate than $2-3 a bar. It's all about finding your little niche in the market.

 

[danahuff]

I agree with the others. I think it takes time, and I think that IrishLass is right. Some folks just don't understand soap. And it should have been $5 or $6, as Hazel said, too.

If it's any consolation, I understand how you feel. I'm trying to sell my soap through Etsy, and it's off to a very slow start, but I realize it's a new venture. I have so much fun making soap, and knowing that Christmas is taken care of, no matter what else happens, is huge for me.

 

[soapcakes]

Your soaps are packaged sooooo beautifully! Everyone has given great advice, don't be too hard on yourself!

 

[dlewis17]

Thanks so much for everyone's comments. I'm new to soap making and I hate to admit this, but I was reading my ounces wrong when I doubled my recipe. It took me a few weeks to figure this out. I also got a wonder recipe from Genny that I love.

I started making soap after a trip to Hot Springs Arkansas. There I purchased my very first handmade soap. It didn't matter if the soap was $7.00 it was wonderful!!!

I have a lot to learn, but I have a passion for soap making. I needed your opinion about my basket, and I will move on. I just ordered some new molds and liners today.

Everyone on Soap Making Forum is always helpful. I really appreciate all your comments.

Thanks again,
Debra

 

[Lavendar]

some people just don't know a good thing when they see it!!!

don't get discouraged!!!!! many people don't realize the benefits of homemade soap!

they are really beautiful!!!!!!! I would have bought several!!

 

[FOhoarder]

Your basket is fabulous! Keep on learning and keep that passion! I've been doing this for years and still learning all the time. Chalk it up to experience because you'll know how to handle it the next time you donate a basket. Those people are lucky to get your bars for that!

 

[dagmar88]

:wink: Though it looks very nice, in my experience people want to pick the soap up to look at it and sniff.
Especially the swirly/colorful soaps work like magnets :mrgreen:
When fully packaged, you don't know what you get.

 

[cp chick]

Yes, it can be frustrating trying to get people to appreciate the value of handmade soaps. Several of our friends are sensitive to scents and/or surfactants. They have all raved about my "freebies" of unscented soap, but none have taken me up on my offer to make a batch for them, even though I would only charge them for the cost of materials (about $2 per bar). Yet, some of the same people have paid $7-8 per bar in a local storefront shop. People are funny that way.

Keep a chin up. Perhaps next time you could wrap the basket, as suggested, but also include a few loose bars for that hands-on feel and sniffing experience.

I think you almost have to be a soapmaker to fully appreciate the true value of handmade soap. I know my friends and family will never be as obsessed with it as me.

 

[Fran2]

I am new here, but the soap packaging looks beautiful. You should be proud! Don't be discouraged, I think the more experienced members gave you great advice. Great job on your soaps!

Fran

 

[new12soap]

As so many have already said, a lot of people do not understand the value of handmade soap. That seems to be the case here, which would indicate that people were bidding on your soaps based on supermarket and mega-mart prices, where soap is 3 bars for $1. So when you look at it that way, in their minds they valued your soap very highly! It really may have been a compliment!

As for your packaging, I like the different elements and wrappings, but the way the whole thing is put together it looks kind of busy to me. I see cellophane and flowers and flowers and wrapping paper and flowers, it is hard to pick out the soap as being the star. It is very pretty, but I would like to see the soap as more of the focal point. JM2C.

I understand being passionate about soapmaking! We all are, that's why we are here (because our friends and families look at us like we are crazy when we go on and on about it!), but I would still caution you to be just as passionate about safety and quality, which you can only be sure of with time and experience.

 

[judymoody]

I think that your display looks very inviting although I agree, the packaging is so lovely that it overshadows the soap a bit.

Also, if you are going to donate soap or B&B products, I recommend that you get basic liability insurance. Even if you didn't profit personally from the donation, money was given and received and ultimately, you could be held liable. Unlikely to happen, but better safe than sorry.

I have a policy from RLI which was about $150 per year.