Post #758596 by GROG on Fri, Feb 5, 2016 11:57 PM

On 2016-02-04 19:18, Trader Tom wrote:

I took over administering template building on Ooga-Mooga in 2011 after Tiki Kate.

Ooga-Mooga has been around for 10 years now.

Here's a few observations I find interesting:

Since 2011, I've raised the number of individual mug templates from 4,250 to almost 8,000. Note, the "Unique Mugs" above falls short of actual number of templates made.

Since 2011 the total estimated value of all mugs in Ooga-Mooga has gone up about $1 million.

Since 2011, the number of collections has gone from about 550 or 600 to 1,058.

In 2011 to 2014, the number of weekly posters on the front page typically hung in the low 20s but since 2015 it is more common to see it around 30.

Since 2011, the variations on individual mugs has greatly increased, so that more and more new designs commonly comes in multiple colors and versions.

The initial price for many of the newer mugs has greatly increased and eBay flipping often sees these prices double almost immediately.

The number of designers/manufacturers has greatly increased to the point that I feel like Lucille Ball failing on the conveyor belt line as I desperately try to keep up with mug releases and information as they unfold each week.

I think a growing trend is to directly contact artists and commission more expensive custom versions. The higher-end pieces are treasured and don't appear on eBay as often. So, even though they don't appear on market radar, that is not to say that business isn't being done.

The general market for mass produced and vintage mugs remains soft on eBay but makers have sought out higher-end niche markets and the interest is still there. The market isn't dying but it has changed significantly.

Anyway, food for thought. Some of these points have been touched on previously, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents and give a little data to ponder.

Thanks Tom. (Don't wear loose shorts to any tiki events. :D )