I'm only asking this from a business POV. There are many things I do not know and would like some details. Let me back up a step. I get t-shirts made for two groups I'm involved in. I'm assuming you are not the one making those shirts, that physically you never touch them.
Correct.
My point is: if you are only making $3, then the company charges $14. Subtracting the cost of shipping, they are making up to if not over 200% profit. Some of that may be taken by their location (California), and definitely by website costs but that is a nice margin for not doing any extra work.
On your side is the infamous Laffer curve. You aren't collecting taxes, but there is a relationship between what you charge and what you'll get back. Do you expect a hundred people to buy the shirt? Would 150 buy it if the price dropped another dollar? (I'm assuming no on both questions.)
Yeah, you're probably right -- it's hard to imagine me getting that many sales, at least at first. My initial plan was to sell a few shirts through the site as a proof of concept, to see how they sell, before trying to get my own shirts made locally, and shipping them out myself. The first shirt isn't selling through the site so far, at least not at the current price. Some time this week, I'll see what it takes (and costs) to print shirts locally, and see if doing that can lower the price enough to help.
What does the image feel like? Is it inkjetted on or like an iron-on?
I'm embarassed to say that I haven't tried ordering from there yet.
I just plain didn't do enough research beforehand. At least I was careful to read the legal agreement, to make sure I get to keep copyright on the images I upload to them (I do). I didn't think to check out reviews of the print quality. What I've found doesn't sound too good, like this epinions.com review of the store:
http://www.epinions.com/content_67901361796
"FABRIC ITEMS NEED IMPROVEMENT: The fabric items are much like the print-at-home and iron-on products you can buy locally. They only have white and ash shirts because the design is printed on a white heat-applied fabric. It's not professional looking, in my opinion. I've ordered the boxers and t-shirts and while I think they're a great idea, they need more work to be worth the money."
The reviewer does seem to really like the quality of other items like mugs and ceramic tiles. Maybe I should concentrate on those.
Charities, what about the WWF? Their expenditures are high, but I don't give them money so no harm no foul.
It's certainly one to research, at least.
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