I've sold wreaths :-}

    Back on March 20th of 2015, somebody had left this comment on our blog, "Heard you sold a wreath, tell us more about it".  That was right after I'd had my first order off my etsy shop. I waited to write it, so that I could include the comment from the buyer. Never got one. Which me, being me, made me question if they hadn't really liked it, o-r .... ? 

    Since then, I've sold several wreaths. Some were orders I shipped to unknown people. Some were sold to people I know in real life. Then recently, I received a message from a lady, inquiring if I'd do special orders and if I'd make extra large sized wreaths. My answer was yes to both.

    It turned out that she really liked one of the "spring grass" wreaths I have listed and she wanted two (2!) of them made on 30 inch frames.  I gave her a quote, she was fine with the price. She questioned if the shipping price was per wreath, or if they could be shipped together. I replied that I 'should' be able to ship both in one box for $__ . She answered that not only did she want to order two extra large wreaths, she also wanted me to go ahead and add her order to my site, so she could pay for it. I was thrilled!

   It took me a couple of weeks, but I got both wreaths made and a ride to the place I ship from. The next morning, I sent this message to the lady,

   "Your wreaths are on their way :-> They are coming to you via FedEx Ground Home Delivery Tracking #:______________ .
    Remember when I said, "By putting both in one box, it 'should' be able to go out for $55.00. " Well, I was wrong. W-a-y wrong 8-/. Turns out, that the size of the box needed, made a huge difference in the price of shipping it. While it wasn't very heavy, they charge for how much room a package takes up in their delivery vehicles. That, combined with the distance the wreaths were traveling, came to a shipping price of $102.17 . And that was the lowest price I could get amongst the various shipping options. I was literally stunned!
    I enjoy checking every day to see how far packages have traveled :-]"

   That cost for shipping not only stripped me of any profit, but also cost me. But I had set the price, so I sent them to her, figuring lesson learned. Turned out that God not only taught me a lesson, He also had grace planned out for me as well, because the very same day the lady replied, "I will be happy to pay the difference in shipping if you set up an invoice for me. I can't wait to receive the wreaths." I literally had tears of joy as I replied back, "Thank-you ever so much!! !! I will set one up as soon as I figure out how to do so ;-b" 

   I never did figure out the "how". Instead, Byron used his phone to take a picture of the receipt and I sent her this email, "Hi ____ :-]    Cheryl B. here.  I could not figure out how to set up an additional invoice on etsy. So instead, I'm sending you the info. this way. If you know how to go ahead and pay me through Pay Pal, please do. Otherwise, I'll give you my mailing address so you can send the money to me.  THANKS AGAIN for being willing to do this!!!

   The total for shipping was $102.17 - $55.00 (you paid) = $47.17  (difference)

    there should be a copy of my receipt attached to this email ;-] "

   She didn't know how to use paypal like that either. So I sent her my mailing address. Yesterday, I sent her this message, "Hi _____ :-]   the check arrived today, THANK-YOU!!  According to shipping notification the wreaths were delivered to you this weekend. Hoping you like them.   Cheryl B."

    Before I went to bed last night, I checked to see if she'd replied. She had. "I was gonna email you today.  I received the wreaths on Sat.  They are beautiful.  Thank you!! I am hoping to hang it this weekend as it's supposed to rain for the next couple days.  Thanks again."  I sent back, "your absolutely WELCOME!!!  :-]  and thanks for the compliment! ;->"

     I was so-o-o-o-o excited and happy last night, that it took quite awhile to go to sleep. :->  I'm still thrilled to pieces!!! 

    Here's the wreaths I made for her -

And here's the link to my shop -   https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftedbyPinkbunnies