Taking the bad and learning from it

So I had that 1 star review that totally freaked me out.  I love what I make, I have my signs in my home, and it is hard not to take those bad reviews to heart.

I since had a 4 star ( good quality and nice sign, but again not happy with the non crisp letters), and then two 5 stars.  The one raved about the quality and how cute the sign is.

So we decided to learn from the comments and just move forward.  I know take a close up photo with every sign we make, and while it is drying and waiting to be assembled I send it to the buyer.  This gives them an opportunity to see the actual sign they are getting, and if they are not happy, I can fix it before the item ships.

We then upgraded our wood, we purchased select pine, which is $6.30 more per length, or .71 cents per sign.  We stopped free shipping, so we are absorbing that cost.  The select pine is more smooth and I think the results are nicer.

We then added a disclaimer to every listing in bold letters that with ink transfers the letters will not have the crisp look of vinyl letters and that the signs are meant to be rustic.

So hopefully that should help with our future reviews.  Live and learn!

The good, the bad, the ugly

I need to grow a thick skin.  My husband has skin like an elephant, my skin is like tissue paper.  I made a sign last week and shipped it in record time.  It came out so cute.  The customer then leaves a 1 star review without ever contacting me,  She stated it was cheap and poor quality and the wording was blurry.

My signs are created from good quality pine, the listing states it is meant to be rustic and that wood has grain and flaws, so imperfections are all part of the appeal.  I would gladly refund her money, but she never responded back.  I know that people can be difficult, but as a online buyer, if I have a problem, I ALWAYS contact the seller before leaving a negative review.  As a new online seller, I depend on those reviews.  What is frustrating is that the folks who love my products do not leave reviews.

So here is the poor quality sign....the font has a "fuzzy" look, it is part of the font, but I love the sign.

Then I did a custom order for someone who absolutely loved her order, left no review, but at least made me feel better...."My husband was just arriving home from international work travels the day after it arrived, so it was perfect timing! He loves both the signs and I have referred you to several others that I know and are looking for somethings like this!

                                                               We love it, thank you!"

Well, as my husband says, you cannot make everyone happy, but I really do want everyone to love whatever item they order.

So moving forward, I decided to send a picture and a quick message to each buyer before shipping their item if it is not a ready made item.  I guess you just need to learn a lesson, grow thicker skin, and move on!

Keep cool as the heatwave continues!!