How to run a destash on IG! (Friday Foto Fun #87)
This past weekend I ran a destash on Instagram. It wasn't an overly big destash, but I sent out a lot of packages (editor's note: her husband schlepped a lot of packages to the post office) and made a decent amount of money from selling off my stash. Here are the packages that went out on Monday and this is not including the 15+ packages that went out earlier in the weekend!
Here are things to consider if and when you decide to host a destash.
So why host a destash on Instagram? First, there are hashtags that people follow to see what people are destashing such as #thegreatfabricdestash, and it's pretty active. There are people that post to that hashtag every day. Also, I tend to invoice people through Paypal to make sure they get the seller protection and that I get the online shipping rates without the hefty fees from Ebay or the listing fees on Etsy.
Things to prepare for prior to listing any photos:
- Make sure to order enough boxes and envelopes from USPS prior to starting. I like the padded flat rate envelopes to most because they fit things of all shapes and sizes.
- Have an idea of what items you want to destash and for what price you are willing to let them go. This is the hardest part for me. I priced things at the price I wanted it out of my house. Meaning if I liked the fabric and didn't want to really let it go, I priced it at the point where I would only get rid of it if I got X dollars for it. Other items that I was completely over and wanted out of my house, I priced to sell.
- Make sure you give yourself enough time to host the destash. This does take a lot of time and effort to do this, more than you'd expect.
- Prepare a space in your studio to make piles of things which people bought. This helps with tracking everyone's order. Here's my disaster zone.
Posting the photos:
- Set some rules for your destash. How are items claimed, are you shipping internationally, etc.
- Make sure to use your hashtags and set prices indicating if shipping is included or not, etc.
- Be prepared for some people to haggle unless you put commentary stating that's not allowed. (Side note: I always thought it was weird that people put notes to the effect of 'If my price is too high, keep moving no need to be nasty.' But I did have a few people haggle WAY lower than what I posted.... like 40-50% off some priced-to-sell amounts.)
- Make sure to make a note to direct message Paypal addresses. Instagram has historically deleted emails from comments.
Lessons Learned:
- Because I had so much to list, I asked people what they were looking for prior to listing anything. Some people messaged me, and I was able to sell fabric for prices that I wanted before posting a single listing.
- I always asked if they were looking for anything else. (Think about the upsell if you have it!)
- Because my motivation was only partly about money and partly about space, I was able to price things to what I considered fair. I also didn't cave to the pressure of a firesale of my fabric. I bought it because i loved it at one point, and I still love almost everything that I listed.
- It takes up so...much...time...but it was worth it!
- I have so much fabric; there is a dent in my stash but just a small one!
I actually still have things that are listed in case anyone is interested. You can see everything here! And as always if there is anything you are looking for, let me know, I didn't get around to listing everything. I'll post more at a later time!
Oh yeah, in other news... I'm getting a longarm. I'm going to the KC Regional Quilt Festival next week to try out the Innova's to see if it's worth it over the Amara. Then I buy (unless I chicken out)! Wish me luck!
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Hi Sherry, thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve heard about de-stashing on IG but wasn’t sure what it was about. And good luck with the longarm!
Congrats on the de-stash, and for giving great notes on how to run one. I did a local de-stash 12-15 months ago, purging out older, grey cast fabric. Felt really good to lighten the load, though I should probably do it again. And good luck on your longarm search. Really spend time with both machines, checking for frame vibration, and smoothness of the machine on the track. Frames are just as important as the machine.
1. INNOVA IS TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! 2. I’m so jealous!! An Innova is my dream machine!! 3. I’m going to KCRQF too!! 4. Yay for getting a longarm!!! 5. Yay for destashing and clearing things out!!
Wow, way to bury the lead there! I hope you find the perfect longarm for you!
You will be so psyched. Good luck on your decision. You won’t regret it – the only thing is in the beginning it takes a little more time, but each one you will learn! Congrats on the successful destash – you did what you want, cleared out some space and made a little money. I may follow in your footsteps in the fall.