Don’t Show the “Not for Sale” Items

by Ross T Nugroho
(Jakarta, INDONESIA)

The RED GODDESS, Necklace. Big Red Coral Gemstone, Java Beads, Sterling Silver big toggle. This necklace had been SOLD. (Photo by Ross T Nugroho).

The SEA DIVA, Choker. Sterling Silver Link, Barrock Mother of Pearl, Crystal. This necklace had been SOLD. (Photo by Ross T Nugroho)

GREEN SPACE, Necklace. Three Big Focal Disc Bottle Green Lampwork Glass Beads. (Photo by Ross T Nugroho)

QUEEN AYEESCHA, Necklace. Rare size Amethyst Chunk, with Java Beads and Sterling Silver closure. (Photo by Ross T Nugroho)

One day my friend (and a client as well) invited me to see her new house. "Bring some of your jewelries. You will meet my friend, a boutique owner."

So I bring some of my works, including one the pieces that I just "only want to show them" - the Red Goddess necklace.

That means, for the time being, I don't want to sell them yet, since I will put some of them on my coming website's Home page.

But. The lady boutique owner fall in love with my "not for sale" items. The more I say "not now", the more she insists.

At the end, I mentioned a "price" for those "not for sale yet" items.

Without thinking twice, she says, "OK, I take it!"

I was so surprised that she wants to purchase it with that price.

Actually I should be happy with that price. But . . . I'm not really. For months after the purchase, I still thought about my Red Goddess. I missed it.

First, I made jewelries with my heart. I used to fall in love with my own creations. And my son used to ask me, "Are you really wanting to sell, or do you just want to be a collector of your own creations?"

Second, it's hard to find the exact same fine gemstones and the raw material again.

Third, I had to find another design to put on my web's home page.

And fourth, I made only one of a kind. When it's gone, it's gone forever.

Couple of days after the purchase, the lady boutique call me. "Thank You so much, Ross. When I wear your Red Goddess my friends like it so much. . . ."

A few weeks ago, I sent SMS to her, that the image of the Red Goddess get lot of beautiful comments when I put on my FaceBook as my archive.

She answered, "I know you are so talented, Ross. But . . . I have no more your Red Goddess. Somebody insisted on purchasing it from me."

I have learned a lesson. If I don't want to sell my jewelry in that moment, better never show it to customers.

There are people who are attracted more to the "not for sale" items. For them, the price is not the main point anymore.

This Red Goddess necklace has been SOLD.

Ross T Nugroho
Ross Atelier
Chantik Jewels

Comments for
Don’t Show the “Not for Sale” Items

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Red Goddess
by: Kate

I can see why you wanted to keep the fiery Red Goddess, she is beautiful. This is a timely warning for the rest of us about beads of the heart.

Don't Show the "Not For Sale" Items
by: Ross Nugroho

Thank You so much, dear Kate.

The "not for sale" items
by: Rena

Ross, your jewelry and photos are gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

It's interesting how the more some people hear that they can't have something - the more desperate they are to have it!

I had the same experience
by: Ann Nolen

Thank you for sharing your story, I had a similar experience. I was doing a show and two women had just purchased several items each. At the end of the transaction, they asked me if I had a pendant like the large photo in my booth. Without thinking, I told them that I actually had that piece with me but wasn't emotionally ready to part with it. They wanted to see it...
Well, the same thing happened. I actually had about 5 different pieces that I absolutely loved and was not ready to part with. They got very excited and each woman saw a piece they just had to have. Just like your story, I ended up selling one to each of them.... They were so happy and have become good customers, but I came home missing those items!
After a little while, I decided that I just needed to fall in love with some new pieces, and so I got to work. It worked, but I have to say that I am so happy that I have faithfully followed Rena's advise and take a photo of every jewelry piece I make immediately when it is finished. So, at least I have the photos and can look at those whenever I want.

Ann
www.AnimalCoin.com

Put not of sale on more items
by: Lina

Hi there, I thought it was so funny reading the comments about saying something was not for sale and becoming irresistable- perhaps if we put more not for sale on items we DID want to sell we might get more sales. Not sure if this will work as it could also backfire.
Anyway good lock to all fellow creators of fine jewellery and may all of our creations find a place where they will be treasured
Lina from ZaniL Design Jewellery
www.zanildesign.blogspot.com

Sold or NFS items bring in more customers!
by: Julie T.

I've often thought about moving my sold items to a separate area on my site. Each time I think of it I get a custom order for an item which was sold.
The items which are marked sold, seem to get a lot of interest from buyers. Since I sell one-or-a-kind items I recreate the sold one slightly differnet from the original; changing gem stones etc. so the buyer will still receive a one-or-a-kind.
I now have no intention of moving my sold items into their own category. I'm receiving too many orders for the sold ones.
Physiologically customers want something they can't have or what's not readily available.
If you love something that bad, pass your love onto someone else and share it!

"Nor For Sale" Items
by: Anonymous

I guess this experience touched a nerve, and brought me out from lurking.

I've had this happen before and how I handled it was offering to make one for the person who insisted on having the design that wasn't for sale. Most of the time I can reproduce the original close enough to keep the customer very happy.

In those few cases where I can't get an exact reproduction (a unique pendant stone) or such I call the customer up and arrange to meet with her and have her pick out her own unique stone.

When meeting with her, I do not bring the original again. I don't want her comparing the two side by side. I want her happy with her choices and not unhappy she can't have my original.

I also make sure I know if there is something specific about my design that she is in love with. Sometimes I'm surprised by what that answer is and it makes re-creating a piece for her easier. They also seem to like the idea that I'm creating this specifically for them.

Debby Caldwell

Put your photos up!
by: Lisa W.

Ross, I am thrilled for you that you sold that beautiful necklace!!! Let it go, try not to pine for it, something equally beautiful will fill its place. That's why you make them, after all! To find their place out in the world! letting them go keeps the energy of your business moving and fresh, so new wonderful things can come through.

Also, I would not hesitate to put the photo of your necklace on your home page. You make one-of-a-kinds, EVERYTHING you put there will eventually be sold! That's a GOOD thing! (Most of the pieces in my web banner are sold, but that's fine, it shows my style, and I can always make something similar for a customer.) Put it up there and let others enjoy it, maybe mark it sold and see how many more potential customers want you to make something similar! Let that "sold" strategy work for you!

re: Don't Show the "Not for Sale" Items
by: Qyn

Ross, I just love the "Red Goddess" piece and can see why it sold so quickly!

I've had a similar experience. Sometimes when I've just completed a new sample, I will test the construction of the new piece (chains, clasp) by wearing it for a day or two before photographing it and putting it into the assortment on my website. When women ask me about them, I explain that they are not yet available. Sometimes they don't want to take no for an answer! Maybe it's the energy of "new" that surrounds the samples--who knows! Now, I'm trying to remember to photograph and price everything first so I can say more than, "Ummm....." when people ask!

Thank you Rena, for this website. It is invaluable!

Qyn
www.qynnewyork.com

Thank You so much
by: Ross Nugroho

Thank You so much dear Rena for having your news letter for a long years.I learned a lot from you and all the nice friends.
(I knew you years ago, from Ken Evoy's SBI! I wish I could have SBI! service someday)

Thank you so much also to dear Ann,Lina,Julie, Debby,Lisa,and Qyn.Your sharing are useful to all of us.
Have beautiful days.

Warmest love from the other side of globe..
Ross Nugroho

Red Goddess
by: Linda

I love your son's comment. I guess there are some of my pieces that I maintain as part of my collection. Since they are one of a kind, it's hard to advertise them. I, too, have a hard time parting with some items and did the same thing you did. Great advice!

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