Enamel Pins 101: Seconds Pins

Summary

In this video, Becky Holmes, also known as the Pink Samurai, delves into the world of 'seconds' enamel pins—those with minor imperfections that make them less than perfect but still sellable. She covers common defects like missing enamel, tarnish, and finish issues, sharing personal experiences with suppliers and how to handle defective pins. Becky also offers strategies for selling seconds, including clear marking, sales, and charity donations. The video aims to help pin makers navigate the process of handling and selling their seconds with confidence and transparency.

Takeaways

• 😀 Seconds pins are enamel pins that have minor imperfections but are still sellable at a discount.
• 😀 Common defects include missing enamel, black spots from polishing, tarnishing, and missing finishes.
• 😀 A defect rate of 10-15% is typical for seconds pins, but anything higher (up to 20%) should be addressed with your supplier.
• 😀 Don't hesitate to contact your manufacturer if the defects are severe; sometimes they offer replacements or credits.
• 😀 An example of a severe defect is tarnishing, where the gold or silver plating doesn't adhere correctly, making pins unsellable at full price.
• 😀 Always inspect all parts of the pin (front, back, edges) to catch any defects before listing them as seconds.
• 😀 Seconds pins should be clearly marked to avoid misleading customers into thinking they are perfect items.
• 😀 Pricing seconds pins at a 50% discount is a common practice to provide value to customers while acknowledging the imperfections.
• 😀 Hosting occasional sales for seconds pins can create urgency and help clear out defective inventory quickly.
• 😀 Some sellers donate proceeds from seconds pins to charity, offering an ethical and impactful way to sell imperfect inventory.
• 😀 There’s no one right way to sell seconds pins – it’s about finding what works best for your business, whether through sales, charity, or ongoing shop listings.

Q & A

What are 'seconds' enamel pins?

Seconds enamel pins are pins that are less than perfect but still sellable. They have minor flaws or imperfections that make them not quite up to standard, but they are still good enough for sale at a discount.

How many defective pins is it normal to receive in a batch?

It is standard to receive 10-15% defective pins in a batch. For example, in an order of 100 pins, having 10-15 defective ones is common. If the defect rate exceeds 20%, it’s advisable to contact the supplier.

What should you do if you receive a batch of defective pins?

If a batch contains a significant number of defective pins, it's important to contact the supplier. Depending on the severity of the defects, some suppliers may replace defective items or offer credit.

What kinds of defects can occur in enamel pins?

Defects in enamel pins can include missing enamel, black spots (often from the polishing process), tarnishing of the gold plating, missing finishes, or imperfections on the edges.

Can tarnishing occur on gold-plated enamel pins?

Yes, tarnishing can occur, but it’s often due to contamination in the gold plating solution, which affects how well the gold adheres to the metal. Tarnishing can make the pins look uneven or unsellable at full price.

What can be done to address defects like black spots or tarnishing?

Black spots might sometimes be polished off with a microfiber cloth, but if they don’t come off, the pin is considered a second. For tarnishing, silver polish cloths can help with silver enamel pins, but they should not be used on gold-plated pins.

Why is it important to check all parts of an enamel pin for flaws?

It's important to inspect all parts of the pin, including the edges, as defects like missing finishes or imperfections on the edges can be easy to overlook when only focusing on the front.

What is a common practice for selling seconds enamel pins?

Common practices for selling seconds enamel pins include clearly marking them as 'seconds', offering them at a discounted price (often 50% off), and holding occasional sales or charity events. Some sellers may also list them as an option in their regular shop.

How can you sell seconds pins if you have excess stock?

If you have excess seconds pins, you can sell them through a dedicated sale event, offering them at a discounted price. It's also possible to sell them through charity loops, where proceeds go to a good cause, or simply leave them in your shop for customers to purchase at a reduced price.

What is a 'charity loop' and how is it used for seconds enamel pins?

A charity loop is a sale or event where seconds enamel pins are sold, and all proceeds go to a charitable cause. This method can help clear out excess inventory while supporting a good cause, and it's become a popular way to sell seconds.