Selling your own merchandise :)

[MTDesigns]

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if this is in the correct category, but it does have a lot to do with being able to sell your own merchandise on your website, which is why I put it here :).

I just added my store which sells Official website merchandise, and a third party takes care of everything.[nbsp][nbsp]Has anyone had any experience with this service?[nbsp][nbsp]Here's my store if you want to check it out :):

http://www.stopsexoffenders.com/ssostore.html

I know it's not as sheek as having a real store, but for those web owners who can't afford much, it's a good option.

If you're interested in signing up, I'd really appreciate it if you use "sso" as a referrer, or just sign up through my site ;) .

Joi

[wolfstalks]

Joi,[nbsp][nbsp]Thanks so much for posting this.[nbsp][nbsp]I had signed up with them 2 weeks ago, but didn't like the way the web pages showed.[nbsp][nbsp]I never thought of incorporating it into my actual web site, DUH![nbsp][nbsp]When I saw yours, it's like a ton of bricks hit me on the head and I woke up.[nbsp][nbsp]Thanks for the Brain Jog :)
Here's mine:
http://jaxfountain.com/store.htm
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Have a Good One
Bob

[Deb]

Excellent find![nbsp][nbsp]I know quite a few ppl who would find this useful!

Thanks for posting it!

Deb
[nbsp]- Playing with it now :P

[Dan Kaplan]

Very interesting.[nbsp][nbsp]Ready for a barrage of questions...[nbsp][nbsp]For those of you that have used them, how does the t-shirt setup work?
Mugs are 9.99, Large Mugs, T-Shirts, and Mouse pads are all 10.99. There are no additional fees. No set-up fees. No minimum orders. No fee for the merchant services. No fee for the store. No fee for hosting the pages for you. Absolutely everything is covered by our pricing system with *zero* cost to you to set up. The only time you incur a cost is the cost of buying something! Does that mean all t-shirts are $10.99, regardless of number of colors or the complexity of the screen?[nbsp][nbsp]Do they even use a screen, or is it image scans only?[nbsp][nbsp]If it's the latter, what's image quality like?[nbsp][nbsp]It appears from Joi's site that they allow front/back pictures, but I see no mention of this on their site; they only mention positioning.[nbsp][nbsp]Have either of you purchased one of your own shirts?[nbsp][nbsp]Quality?

Dtain

[Brian]

I would assume that they are not using screens due to the fact that they are not requiring startup costs etc. This is a nice alternative for people not wanting to mess with the costs or overhead to do screens though.

-Brian

[Deb]

I'm curious about quality myself... as for the rest, it takes about 2 secs to get an account, login, and start putting your "stuff" together.[nbsp][nbsp]Once in you can add an image to the front and back of the T-shirts, one image for the mugs, and one image for the pads...

You'll also set your own pricing etc for them and if you price higher than their cost you'll receive a check for your earnings....

Doesn't look like you can go "all out" with Ts or anything like that... they provide a simple white T, stick your image on it and that's that.[nbsp][nbsp]For better quality etc I would assume you would need to use a different service..but for a quick and easy fundraiser or to add flair to your site this seems to be the simple and free answer :)

How their actual business practices are I havn't a clue..hopefully those already using them will let us know...

Deb
[nbsp]- Luv new toys

[wolfstalks]

I ordered a couple of items from my store just now.[nbsp][nbsp]So I will let you all know when I get them and how they look.[nbsp][nbsp]The order process was pretty simple and straight forward and[nbsp][nbsp]secure, Thank Goodness![nbsp][nbsp]We shall see????[nbsp][nbsp]:)


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Have a Good One
Bob

[MTDesigns]

Hey all!

I'm glad I posted this...nice to help out so many (and I hope you all signed on through me ;) .

I just got an email today that my mousepad order is shipping..should have it in a couple of days, so I'll let you know how it looks!

I couldn't believe how simple this was to start up...I bet we'll be seeing more of this type of business soon ;) .[nbsp][nbsp]I hope they get other products soon...maybe caps, keychains, pens...that'd be cool!

Joi~
http://www.stopsexoffenders.com/ssostore.html[nbsp][nbsp]

[MTDesigns]

Bob, I see you've added the zoom pics to your site...looks great![nbsp][nbsp]I love the design ;) .[nbsp][nbsp]Your image swaps aren't working though...did you add the script for it?

Joi~
http://www.stopsexoffenders.com/ssostore.html

[Dan Kaplan]

CafePress.com is not responsible for any deletion, alteration, or loss of data due to network or system outages, file corruption, accidental deletion, or any other reasons. I don't know if I like the sounds of that, but what the heck, I think I'll sign up and explore the offerings a bit.

Dletion

[MTDesigns]

I noticed that too, but you see that disclaimer everywhere ;) .

Joi
http://www.stopsexoffenders.com/ssostore.html

[Dan Kaplan]

Well, only if you actually read the disclaimers you see everywhere...[nbsp][nbsp];)[nbsp][nbsp] The only reason I read in that much detail is that I saw something that looked like possible loss of copyright/trademark based on the wording, but the next section cleared it up.

To answer my own question from earlier, the store options do allow you to set a separate picture for front and back.

I'm curious, to get the store within your site (i.e. yourdomain.com/store/ as opposed to cafepress.com/yourstore/) did you just copy the code they produced into your own page and place the correct path to images?[nbsp][nbsp]I don't see any reason why this wouldn't work, although it would make changing things quite a pain.[nbsp][nbsp]Is there a simpler way that I've missed?

Disclaimer

[MTDesigns]

I did do that...but I didn't change the location of the "zoomed" images.[nbsp][nbsp]I left those on the Cafepress site.[nbsp][nbsp]When I get around to it, I'll move those over too :).

It wasn't too much of a pain, compared to some other pages I've had to figure out!

Joi~

[Dan Kaplan]

Sorry, by "pain" I meant if you later change anything in your store such as prices, graphics, sizes, new offerings, etc.[nbsp][nbsp]Automation is my friend![nbsp][nbsp]:)

Dabbler

[wolfstalks]

Yes Joi, I had just discovered that, DUH, I left out the head java script on the final page, Geezzzzz, you'd think I'd be smarter than that by now :P

Anyway, the image swaps are fixed now, and I have all the images on my site so that if the site is running I'll know that they are working!!!!

(and I bet we here at FQ have a better up time than Cafepress does,[nbsp][nbsp]:)

The copying of the code was Joi's idea and I am so glad I saw what she had done, cause in my Duhness, I never thought of it!!!!!![nbsp][nbsp]That's what makes this look so good, in my opinion, that we can incorporate the actual products on our own web sites, and don't have to just have a link to an outside source to see them!!!!

Thanks once again Joi, for your example!!!!! :)
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Have a Good One
Bob

[MTDesigns]

You're so very welcome everyone![nbsp][nbsp]Oh, and by the way...if you purchase a product from your own store you just pay their base price...and you get $1 off another Cafepress member's store ;)[nbsp][nbsp].[nbsp][nbsp]

There are only 4 places where the prices are...easy to change ;) .

Happy selling!

Joi~
[This message has been edited by MTDesigns (edited 03-27-00@7:40 pm)]

[wolfstalks]

I just got my Coffee Mugs and T-Shirt, and in my humble opinion :P[nbsp][nbsp]They are awesome.[nbsp][nbsp]Great service and the product is all that is advertised!!![nbsp][nbsp] I would highly recommend this outfit to any small sites like mine!!!
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Have a Good One
Bob

[Dan Kaplan]

Cool![nbsp][nbsp]How was the image quality on the t-shirt?[nbsp][nbsp]Did you do the graphics at 150 dpi?[nbsp][nbsp]I was trying to convert some .psp 72 dpi graphics to 150, but some of the copied in parts are quite ugly when scaled (.psp is Paint Shop Pro's extension which allows you to change just about anything after the fact, including dpi), so I'll probably need to redraw them...

Here's my very early attempt at a store, without much thought to products or pricing:

http://cafepress.com/rundown/

I should have some time after Saturday to actually work with it...

Thanks to both of you for pointing out this resource and keeping us informed![nbsp][nbsp]It looks quite promising.[nbsp][nbsp]:)

Dsign

[MTDesigns]

I just got my Mousepad today![nbsp][nbsp]I love it![nbsp][nbsp]I can't wait to do some more designs :).[nbsp][nbsp]I'm going to order my daughter a shirt so word will get on the street ;) .

To tell you the truth, I didn't quite pay too much attention to the dpi...I took the actual size of the mousepad and worked full size in PSPro.[nbsp][nbsp]It printed just as clear ;) .

hehehe

Joi~
http://www.stopsexoffenders.com/ssostore.html

"As luck would have it..."

[MTDesigns]

Ever since Cafepress switched to jsp, my code hasn't worked.[nbsp][nbsp]Could someone please take a look at http://www.stopsexoffenders.com/ssostore.html and let me know what isn't right?[nbsp][nbsp]I'd appreciate it sooo much!!!! TIA,

Joi :-)

[Dan Kaplan]

Well, the zoom in on picture doesn't work, but the switch between views works fine...

Dan

[wolfstalks]

Joi, I checked your store at cafepress and this is the location of your zoom T-shirt image.[nbsp][nbsp]It does not appear to be the same address as the link on your pages????

http://cafepress.com/cp/store/zoom.jsp?producttype=tshirt&storeid=sso&groupno=1

Hope this helps?

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Have a Good One
Bob

[MTDesigns]

Hey Bob!

I just checked out your code...did you receive the email from Cafe Press saying to change all the .asp to .jsp? When you click checkout from your store, you get an error (the same one I did before I changed it). After I changed the code, my checkout worked, but the zoom didn't.[nbsp][nbsp]I'm checking my code again now...the only thing that doesn't work are the zoomed images.

BTW, I love your image!

Thanx ;)[nbsp][nbsp].

Joi~
[This message has been edited by MTDesigns (edited 04-19-00@09:45 am)]

[wolfstalks]

Joi, I got the e-mail, but the only thing I changed was the checkout code, as I put the zoom images on my own site so I could control more of the environment. :)

I just created my own pages and changed the link from the buttons to those pages.

Thanks for the compliment on the image, (though I am not sure which image ????)
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Have a Good One
Bob

[MTDesigns]

I got the e-mail, but the only thing I changed was the checkout code, as I put the zoom images on my own site so I could control more of the environment.
I had previously changed the checkout code as per their email also, but it stopped working.[nbsp][nbsp]Got that and the images to work again :).

Love the images for your store's images ;)[nbsp][nbsp].

Joi~
[This message has been edited by MTDesigns (edited 04-19-00@11:39 pm)]

[wolfstalks]

Glad to hear that you got yours working again.[nbsp][nbsp] It just goes to show that a webmasters job is never done, and when you think you have it all figured out, something new breaks ???[nbsp][nbsp]:P

Thanks

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Have a Good One
Bob

[tedloh]

Some of you have samples of the products they offer - I'd like to hear your opinions about them. In particular, are the images silk-screened, or heat transfer, or what?

I just went there to have a look, and it looks pretty good but I think the prices are on the high side, and I want to check how much they can be done for over here.[nbsp][nbsp]But I know for sure we can match or beat those prices quite easily.

I was thinking about doing this for the online casino industry anyhow, but obviously I can take that concept and open it up to anyone.

Any comments?

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Ted (Sidelined Chief Do-It-All)
Got2Bet.com - The Net's Winner's Circle
http://www.got2bet.com
ted@tygresystems.com
[This message has been edited by tedloh (edited 04-21-00@9:21 pm)]

[Dan Kaplan]

I haven't ordered any of the stuff yet (very sloooowly playing with things), so I can't comment on quality.[nbsp][nbsp]I agree that the mug, and especially the mousepad, prices are quite high.[nbsp][nbsp]The t-shirt prices aren't bad for a printed shirt, although consider that those same shirts unprinted retail 3 for $9-$10...[nbsp][nbsp]I guess that's the main reason I haven't put much energy into it yet.

Still, I've shown my preliminary setup to a few friends and they say it's definitely something they would buy.

Discerning