Guideline Discussion Thread

[AJ "3zArt"]

I had this posted in the other thread but someone gave me a great heads up that I should probably separate the threads so here is the second half of the "poll"

a few questions that we can discuss later...

4. Should there be a price range requirement (I.E. atleast 5 items under $10.00)?

5. How many ambushes should go by before the un-sub can have a theme we've already ambushed (I.E. The 2nd Ambush was jewelry, how long should we wait until we can have another jewelry seller as the un-sub).

6. Should we put a time frame on the ambushes or just let them "die" on their own?

7. Any other input you may have:

[AJ "3zArt"]

There were a few posts in the other thread to these before I moved them..wanted to copy & paste them here as well:

WooleyCreek said,

"There is enuff catagories that we could probably go thru several before we started repeating.
I think letting them die on their own may be better.

I think on the page amount, they would need at least 2 pages so the ambushers would have something to choose from!"

and ColtPixy Said,
"4. Should there be a price range requirement (I.E. atleast 5 items under $10.00)?
I don't know if it should be a requirement but it will help with getting sales in this economy. Sucks but true.

5. How many ambushes should go by before the un-sub can have a theme we've already ambushed (I.E. The 2nd Ambush was jewelry, how long should we wait until we can have another jewelry seller as the un-sub)
At least 2 weeks of different before going back to the same theme.

6. Should we put a time frame on the ambushes or just let them "die" on their own?
Let them die on their own.

7. Any other input you may have:
A question: What if we discover a seller who is positive on twitter/blog etc. but never posts in the forums?"

[AJ "3zArt"]

And this was my response to CPs question, "Someone who is positive on twitter/blog etc is fine, basically we don't want to ambush someone that has been making it publicly known that they don't like AF and don't plan on sticking around.

[jennuinecandles]

4. I'm not sure if there should be a requirement, but I definitely think it will help with sales for the un-sub. Maybe once a month or so, have a more expensive shop.

5. Personally, I would say a month because there are only typically 4 Tuesdays in a month so that's plenty of time to showcase other shops, but not "block" a category. Unless, the ambushes are increased to more than one a week, in which case so many days would have to be decided upon.

6. I think they should die on their own. I know for me living on the west coast and working until 6:00, if a time limit was set there is a good chance that I could miss it.

[Valmade]

Hi,

My pennies worth.

I think up to 10 sales would be ok if it's over a long time frame to be eligible for selection.

A range of cost requirement is a tough one as some people just don't make cheap items so it would a bit unfair to exclude them. Even if no one can afford to buy, they can still help promote which is just as helpful.

Agree that there should be a fair amount of items listed though so people don't find an empty shop if they sell quickly.

Agree as well that a month trying not to repeat a category should be enough.

Let the ambushes die on their own. For me living in Hong Kong I can't always catch the start of it, and any other participants that live over my side of the world could miss out too.

Attitude is definitely important. I know some people never post, blog etc. about anything which is fine, but checks should be done for any negativity on the un-sub's part.

Val

[Birdy's Knits]

4. Should there be a price range requirement (I.E. atleast 5 items under $10.00)?
I think price range helps...I would say that if we have a unsub with more expensive items we should limit this to one out of every 4 ambushes, so that we don't loose momentum with too many shops with expensive items in them.


5. How many ambushes should go by before the un-sub can have a theme we've already ambushed (I.E. The 2nd Ambush was jewelry, how long should we wait until we can have another jewelry seller as the un-sub).
I am going to advise one out of every 4 ambushes, that way if we increase to twice a week, we are not limiting ourselves too much in variety, but if we do not double up, then we can still have once a month!

6. Should we put a time frame on the ambushes or just let them "die" on their own?
I say let them die on their own. Then our international teammates can extend the ambush into the next day! And who knows it could last 24 hours if we get enough people involved ;)

7. Any other input you may have:
I have to agree with pop...we need to try and make sure most if not all ship internationally, maybe not a requirement, but posting that it is taken into consideration would be helpful. I for one am still worried about shipping internationally, but I have it available on most if not all items. I am willing to give it a try, but I'm not sure if I have listed the price on all items, due to trying to still figure it all out! I have in my shop to have them message me so I can figure out the cost to their country, I ship at actual cost of shipping plus about 35 cents for the envelope. I then round up or down to something simple. To make it like $2 or $2.25 you know what I mean. This may help them broaden their reach too!

Ok that's my two cents!

--James, Birdy's Husband and Online Shops Manager

[Rainwolf]

have to think on the others but I think we should have a 24hr ambush.. all the promoting will carry over that but as far as the thread etc.. we should also maybe get someone who is on the other half of the world to help the ambush?

[kris]

4. Price range requirements - that's a hard one - I have a few items that are $10.00 but for the amt of time I put into my items, I really can't see charging less than I do.
So no, I don't think there should be a requirement of having so many items under $10. Perhaps just that they have price range - ie: everything isn't $200.
5. 2 wks
6. let them die
7. I will do all I can to participate in this - may not be able to purchase a lot, but I'll certainly help promote.
I think ArtFire rocks!

[With our Hands]

4. Should there be a price range requirement (I.E. atleast 5 items under $10.00)? Definitely. I think the majority of the time we should find sellers with price points of items that would gain more participation. Once we build a good following then we can ambush some shops that have higher price points. I would hate for us to start with shops that have items in the $40+ range - we'd lose a lot of people who just can't afford that price point. They may not return because of it.
When I participated in the Sneak Attacks on Etsy, I loved that I could stop by and buy even one item and only spend $10 (including the shipping sometimes). It was a way for me to give back to the Etsy Community and not take a lot from my pocket. Many times I purchased items I didn't really need but wanted to help support the sneak attack. I wouldn't be able to do that with a higher price point.

5. How many ambushes should go by before the un-sub can have a theme we've already ambushed (I.E. The 2nd Ambush was jewelry, how long should we wait until we can have another jewelry seller as the un-sub). I'd say just one. Jewelry can be so varied (as well as other categories). For instance, you could have a jewelry seller that sells silver items and only silver items. That is great for one group of people who love silver. Then you could have a jewelry seller who only sells handmade beads that they make that are vibrant colors - that could be a different type of buyer. So I think that one ambush is sufficient - although I would like to see different types of jewelry ambushed.

6. Should we put a time frame on the ambushes or just let them "die" on their own? Just let them die on their own but most of time with Etsy Sneak Attacks, I think they died within a few hours.

[FABULOUS Creations]

4..Price Range? Hard to say but a guality product that is a little over $10. should be considered.
5. Since there are so many Jewelers and jewelry suppliers...I think they can be given more consideration for ambushing their studios sooner than a longer length of time.

6. Die on their own. I think a time frame would put some pressure on participants and the attack is a volunteer attack.
7. If the items in the selected studio are out of reach for most attackers, then promoting is worth much more in visibility and advancing the product of the artist!

[LaDeDaCreations]

Here's my answers to the questions
1) 3 or less sales

2) 3 months or more

3) at least 2 pages of items

4) I think a price range is good cause we have to have a cut off somewhere. $10.00 is good with me plus it will help people to see they need to have a good varitey of prices in their shop to make more sales.

5) I think once a month on the type of product for the ambush. Say week one is jewelry then it couldn't be available again til the first week of the following month.

6) As far as a time frame i think it's easier for those in other countries to not have a limit on the time.

7) I will have to thhink about if I have any more input. LOL!