I mentioned on this blog that I am downsizing my leather and boots collections. I have made more adjustments to the BHD Gear Sales Site in response to some visitor feedback, as well as listed more items.
What changes have been made to my sales site? Why am I selling my gear & boots? Why am I doing this via my own site instead of existing merchandise sale sites? If you see some of my boots or gear not shown on the sales site, is it available? Will you sell boots or gear beyond the U.S. or Canada? Read on…
1. What changes have been made to my sales site?
As I stated when this started — this site is a “work-in-progress.” Besides adding more items (listed on my “what’s new” page), I added 4 additional static pages:
1. What’s New page where I list all items for sale as I add them.
2. Page that explains payment methods and security
3. Page that explains shipping methods and choices
4. Page that explains my refunds and returns policy
2. Why I am selling some my boots and gear?
Rather simple: I am getting older and do not wear or need so much stuff. I want to move some of my boots and leather to other guys who can enjoy it. Simple as that. These items have value, especially some of the top-line boots and top-line leather, so I am selling it for what it is reasonably worth considering the market, quality, and residual value.
3. Why am I selling some of my boots and gear via my own site?
I am not fond of eBay; it is more costly to sell items on eBay than I am comfortable paying. Passing on the eBay listing fees by padding my prices is unrealistic, and in my opinion, not fair.
I like “tinkering” with on-line activities such as WordPress and WooCommerce that is the sales engine behind my site. WooCommerce offers all the “bells-and-whistles” to make my site work efficiently and securely.
I have integrated payment options with PayPal, Venmo, and Stripe for credit/debit cards — all PCI-compliant, highly secure and encrypted methods of processing payments. I do not see credit/debit card numbers and I do not see that data. All payments are processed on these third-party sites.
I absorb the fees they charge for payment processing (which isn’t cheap) so I can offer such a secure payment method to give buyers confidence and also have both buyer and seller protections. That’s the cost of doing business which I accept and don’t pass on to buyers.
Since I do not have (by choice) a mobile device that uses apps, I do not use any other marketing / sales sites like Poshmark or similar. I am happily “app-less.”
4. If you see some of my boots or gear not shown on the sales site, is it available?
I am willing to consider selling most of my boots and leather gear. It has taken decades to build my collections, and it will hopefully take less than a decade to sell most of the gear.
Most of my cowboy boots and motorcycle boots older than five or more years are “eligible.” The boots with years (and some sizing info as well) are shown on this list. Visit the list and if you see a pair of boots you like, use this contact page to send me a request as well as the link of the page from my website and I’ll get back to you with a prompt answer and more details.
The gear on my “retired gear” or “fetish gear” sites are also available. Why this gear? Simple again — retired gear no longer fits; *most* (not all) fetish gear isn’t an interest since my husband died. (I still wear leather shirts, jeans, leather ties, and motorcycle jackets that fit; however, most of my fetish gear is older and it is time to move that stuff out. Note also, my famous Muir cap is not for sale; I still wear it for fond memories from time to time.)
5. Will you sell boots or gear beyond the U.S. or Canada?
No (for now). I have been “burned” by sales with two people in the U.K. where “seller protection” did not protect me because the buyers lied. Sales from my site to people unknown to me are restricted to the USA and Canada. IF I have a relationship with you as a friend and you live in Europe, Australia, or New Zealand, write to me and we can work out a direct sale.
I hope this explains things a little more. I invite polite and constructive feedback or questions if you have it.
Life is short: move things on as one grows older.
Good thing I found this blog before or else I would be stuck in a endless cycle of worrying about what others would think of what I am wearing. I was once afraid of what other people would think when I want to wear a pair of tall boots. Now I am not afraid of wearing a pair of tall boots with pretty much anything I would wear. Thanks for helping me to get over of what other people would think of what I like to wear. For now I don’t have a pair of tall boots yet but I am going to make a pair of tall boots later.