busy saturday...this nice pile sold and on its way to ohio....to a great store over there and a cyber buddy...
... part of a great day....we were swamped most of the day..
lots of retail and a nice bit of wholesale....
road trip on thursday
we went to a hobby lobby....saw tons that i was getting ready to order...including word frames, signs and even those wonderful bottles with the big leaded stoppers...and almost all of it was half off....there they were at my wholesale or less.... i cant swallow that my customers would think my made in china is better than hobby lobbys made in china......
i dont see how to deal with this... they have current things, its not old rejects....what is the smart thing to do...? i think i will be rethinking some of my ordering ....
question of the day....do you know any strictly gift stores who are making it? wow ....the barriers are huge..
..im glad to have the things that make us different....but i need gifts for sure!!!
im buying like crazy this week for the 4th quarter....
8 comments:
That's the problem, how can they make any money at half off? They can't be getting it that cheap! Just like Kohl's. I don't even know what to buy anymore!
I talked about the Hobby Lobby and Creative CoOp problem I have in my area on Abby's blog also. I saw where you said you needed that price point. Well, I do too! But we are not far from many Hobby Lobby's and TJMaxx, etc. That is why I am trying to get more handcrafted items (some that I make) and not use so many of the large vendors. It seems like a lot of them are selling to big box stores. I guess they need the money, too!! Again, this is where jewelry comes in. There are alot of indie jewelry makers and their prices are a little higher but not outrageous. People buy jewelry year round for gifts. I buy ornaments for Christmas , but have found that people in our area do not want to pay a lot for them bc most of the big stores have the half off NOW! (again hobby lobby). I think that is what Abby is talking about with the higher quality-higher priced items. People do not see that stuff everywhere so they may be a little more apt to buy it. It seems more special.
i hear you on the jewelry....im seeing that helping lots of places.... i know thats what im sure to buy on a girls day out.....ann
I agree, what are we to do? I just received the Creative CoOp catalogs and I see many things that are at Hobby Lobby, TJ Max, Gordmans. I too am going to be making more and doing more small antique & things of old that are re-purposed. Thanks for doing this blog site. It helps to know that I'm not alone in this game of retail.
Laurie
Anne,
I'm looking for Christmas Trees for my shop. Mine are getting pretty worn out. I want ones that are narrow and have some space between the branches. If you have any ideas to share I'd appreciate it.
Laurie
The Whistle Stop
Elkhorn, NE
Sorry, I added an "e" to your name. I have a friend who spells it with an "e" so it was automatic.
Laurie
i would check the country comapnies for trees....especially, cdm and cwi.....
well, i made my big creative coop order yesterday....we are pretty far from hobby lobby etc....i didnt see many alternatives..and i cant make it all on handmade....... i cant go the 50$ for a 10x 10 picture frame or sign.......i dont have that many customers who can or would spend that...
i did have a lady buy herself 4 of my big roosters for 400$ yesterday...but they were big and awesome!!!
ann
Ann, I agree with you about Creative CoOp. If their are not Hobby Lobbys or other stores like that in your area, I would sell it too. That is not the case for me. Before I had a shop where I am now, I was part of a shop in a very small town, not close to anything, and I bought it bc they did not have a big box store near them to buy from. So, I do think it is a personal choice based on your customers and location.
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