Zazzle sales crashed

[GreenOptix]

Hey people,
since about 2 month i dont sell a lot. Last year i got every month 30+ sales, but since november there are maybe 5-7 sales every month. Even the christmas-business war really bad. Did zazzle changed something?

[SuperPhoto]

That's a big open question. Taking a quick look in the news, looks like some people were whining/attacking them/causing them business problems recently, so it could be that.

- OR - could be a whole bunch of other things:

a) competition
b) desirability of your products/seasonability/etc
c) market conditions in general
d) something else (tech bug/glitch/copycats/etc/etc)

There isn't really a "guarantee" that you will "sell for life" (which I think some people think will happen or the expectations they have). While it is possible to create items that have a long shelf life (a year, several years, maybe even 15-20+ years) - it doesn't mean every item you have will sell like that.

Hope that helps.

[k_t_g]

Or it could be that real world denial of "people can't afford as much as they use to" kind of slap in the face reality. Its like this all over. Its like things or do you by food or medication or bills?
Most of the time trying to make a decent living is like chasing a water fall. I really wish it wasn't. 

[SuperPhoto]

Or it could be that real world denial of "people can't afford as much as they use to" kind of slap in the face reality. Its like this all over. Its like things or do you by food or medication or bills?
Most of the time trying to make a decent living is like chasing a water fall. I really wish it wasn't. 

interesting theory - but I think people who buy images/videos tend to be in a market where they will at the very least get their money back, if not double, triple, or 10x it...

you don't have people "casually"/for fun purchasing images/videos because they want to hang it on their wall. People who purchase it are using it for business purposes to make more money.

[Pauws99]

Or it could be that real world denial of "people can't afford as much as they use to" kind of slap in the face reality. Its like this all over. Its like things or do you by food or medication or bills?
Most of the time trying to make a decent living is like chasing a water fall. I really wish it wasn't. 

interesting theory - but I think people who buy images/videos tend to be in a market where they will at the very least get their money back, if not double, triple, or 10x it...

you don't have people "casually"/for fun purchasing images/videos because they want to hang it on their wall. People who purchase it are using it for business purposes to make more money.

But Zazzle sell products rather than images.  Most people I talk to find them expensive plus its getting easier and easier for people to create their own design. Zazzle has never been viable for me just sell a few postcards now and then.

[trek]

Zazzel is adding a $2- per month fee for inactive contributors. 

https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019101674-Non-Contributing-Account-Fees

I'm considering closing my account there but before I do:  Is anyone having any luck at Zazzel? 

[nomore]

Zazzel is adding a $2- per month fee for inactive contributors. 
https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019101674-Non-Contributing-Account-Fees
I'm considering closing my account there but before I do:  Is anyone having any luck at Zazzel?

Perhaps, but not me.

Anyway, what is the definition of a non-contributing account? Not uploading new products for how long?

[Pauws99]

No its been a big time waster for me though I don't think this change should be an issue provided you post a new product every 15 months. Probably a site where you have to work at it to find what sells. I just sell the odd post card now and then.

"Zazzle is at its best when you and the rest of our community are engaged and involved. In the future, an account will be deemed a �Non-Contributing Account� if either (1) a public Product has not been published, or (2) there has been no Referral Sale attributed to the account in the previous 15 month period. Non-Contributing Accounts will be subject to a monthly �Non-Contributing Account Fee.�

[nomore]

No its been a big time waster for me though I don't think this change should be an issue provided you post a new product every 15 months. Probably a site where you have to work at it to find what sells. I just sell the odd post card now and then.

"Zazzle is at its best when you and the rest of our community are engaged and involved. In the future, an account will be deemed a �Non-Contributing Account� if either (1) a public Product has not been published, or (2) there has been no Referral Sale attributed to the account in the previous 15 month period. Non-Contributing Accounts will be subject to a monthly �Non-Contributing Account Fee.�

Thanks.

P.S. The nerd in me would think that "Either ... or" means XOR, so if both conditions happen (no sales and no new uploads) it's fine. Although I guess it's not what they mean.

[cathyslife]

.

[Pauws99]

No its been a big time waster for me though I don't think this change should be an issue provided you post a new product every 15 months. Probably a site where you have to work at it to find what sells. I just sell the odd post card now and then.

"Zazzle is at its best when you and the rest of our community are engaged and involved. In the future, an account will be deemed a �Non-Contributing Account� if either (1) a public Product has not been published, or (2) there has been no Referral Sale attributed to the account in the previous 15 month period. Non-Contributing Accounts will be subject to a monthly �Non-Contributing Account Fee.�

Thanks.

P.S. The nerd in me would think that "Either ... or" means XOR, so if both conditions happen (no sales and no new uploads) it's fine. Although I guess it's not what they mean.

Yes I wondered about the wording it would be clearer to say what a contributing account would be.

[georgep7]

Offtopic

The new user agreement / policy, will be effective from April the 1st



(I didn't exactly understood how this #ZazzleMade tagging thing work)

[Uncle Pete]

But Zazzle sell products rather than images.  Most people I talk to find them expensive plus its getting easier and easier for people to create their own design. Zazzle has never been viable for me just sell a few postcards now and then.

Pretty much my experience, but I know people who worked hard and did well there. Another one of the place I used to work. 

I don't understand how it hurts Zazzle to have an inactive account? I mean the products are there if someone wants them. Unless they just want to consolidate and get rid of non-performers and too many duplicates. Does storage cost them that much?

Lean and mean, maybe that's the idea. Easier for buyers to find the better offerings. I don't think the reduction will hurt someone like I was in the past, making a few dollars here and there, and it can't hurt the site, if they have a more popular (by sales) collection.

[Pauws99]

But Zazzle sell products rather than images.  Most people I talk to find them expensive plus its getting easier and easier for people to create their own design. Zazzle has never been viable for me just sell a few postcards now and then.

Pretty much my experience, but I know people who worked hard and did well there. Another one of the place I used to work. 

I don't understand how it hurts Zazzle to have an inactive account? I mean the products are there if someone wants them. Unless they just want to consolidate and get rid of non-performers and too many duplicates. Does storage cost them that much?

Lean and mean, maybe that's the idea. Easier for buyers to find the better offerings. I don't think the reduction will hurt someone like I was in the past, making a few dollars here and there, and it can't hurt the site, if they have a more popular (by sales) collection.

Maybe they genuinely think it may make people a bit more active...but that would only be marginal I would have thought. It reminded they exist so I might post a couple of products up.

[k_t_g]

Humm. Well that bites.  Looks like I might have to do a bit of product juggling if I don't make any new products according to their supposed limit. Very similar as to what I do elsewhere with another account I have. I'm not saying what kind of account but is similar to if you have two buckets of water. Every 3 days for example I move a bit of water out of bucket one over to bucket two and then back again to the other bucket the next 3 days. I think that should solve that problem that is if you wanna put in that effort. 

Over all this new policy is just for the company to make more money. Sort of like a shifty bank.

[Pauws99]

Humm. Well that bites.  Looks like I might have to do a bit of product juggling if I don't make any new products according to their supposed limit. Very similar as to what I do elsewhere with another account I have. I'm not saying what kind of account but is similar to if you have two buckets of water. Every 3 days for example I move a bit of water out of bucket one over to bucket two and then back again to the other bucket the next 3 days. I think that should solve that problem that is if you wanna put in that effort. 

Over all this new policy is just for the company to make more money. Sort of like a shifty bank.

n Wouldn't be easier just to put a post card on sale once a year or so?

[Noedelhap]

The whole inactive account thing is a cash-grab. What does storage and account management cost these days?
There are better and less pushy ways of stimulating contributors. 

That being said, I don't mind posting a product every 15 months to keep my account active, but I also expect some more revenue from Zazzle. Redbubble is performing a lot better in that respect.

[k_t_g]

Humm. Well that bites.  Looks like I might have to do a bit of product juggling if I don't make any new products according to their supposed limit. Very similar as to what I do elsewhere with another account I have. I'm not saying what kind of account but is similar to if you have two buckets of water. Every 3 days for example I move a bit of water out of bucket one over to bucket two and then back again to the other bucket the next 3 days. I think that should solve that problem that is if you wanna put in that effort. 

Over all this new policy is just for the company to make more money. Sort of like a shifty bank.

n Wouldn't be easier just to put a post card on sale once a year or so?

Hummmm not totally. 🤔You still have to put in the design and layout work.
Best to have something more simple. Not sure what but something you could just slap on with no layout work. I'm sure everyone will figure out that. 
In the mean time I don't think I'll have to worry about that right now. Maybe somewhere down the line. 

[changingsky]

Had sale which gave 100 times less royalty than calculated. Because of this disabled "transfer design" and "sell on other sites" features. Not sure if it will work because exactly about this there are complains on their forum.