quality matters so represent

Here is something that bugs the hell out of me: when people put badly done work out there. I was searching on Etsy and came upon a seller making Coptic bound books. The covers were fantastic. So I looked at a bunch of their work. I found several books in their shop that I’d have been embarrassed to list myself. Why? Loose and sloppy stitching, crooked stitches, and spines that were lined up with the holes in the books and not the spine edge of the cover. This was selling for top dollar too. The seller had listed it with the rest of their listings as if it were the same quality.* ARGH.

I have 2 main issues with this practice by sellers. First it gives sellers of handmade goods a bad impression. By selling that book that seller is making all bookbinders look bad in the eyes of the buyer. As sellers of handmade goods we have to remember that we represent ALL the other makers of the same goods. When that book fails it will leave a bad taste in the mouth of the buyer. That seller is looking to make a quick buck but ultimately will tarnish his/her image.

Here is my second issue: Its bad customer service. Pure and simple putting out a subpar product will only damage your image in the eyes of your buyers. Craftspeople have a hard enough time selling our goods without people selling badly done work. No matter where it’s sold it doesn’t matter when you put your work out there you represent your work and all the other people who make something similar. Buyers who learn through use and looking at other handmade items will soon learn the flaws of a poorly made item. They will be unhappy. They will not be back. They will feel scammed.

A note to buyers: If you’re looking for some Coptic bound books where the seller has pride in their craft, does great work and has some spot on design skill? Check these sellers out:

KateBlack.Etsy.com Her books are amazing, well designed and well made

MyHandBoundBooks Very well made and fun books

Kristincrane.etsy.com Well made fun and funky and a lot of maps!

Additionally, buyers should feel like they can ask a seller questions. ASK questions of the binder. Ask how long they have been making books. My suggestion ould be to not buy books from anyone who been making them less than 6 months. Bookbinding is not an easy to learn craft and one that take patience and practice to get good at. I’ve been binding for close to 10 years and when I take a break from a particular binding style, I always make a few screw up books, and Coptic is one of those styles you foul up on. Even when I am making them on a regular basis I screw up regularly.

So for those of you who are sellers, if you must sell a piece please label it as a second, list the quality faults, be honest with your buyers and represent all of us well.

 *One could argue that perhaps the seller didn’t know that this was a flaw, but before going on my tirade I looked at the rest of the shop and found several books made properly and many books with different designs. This was obviously a seller who knew better!

Comments

[Kristin Crane]

Thanks for the shout out!