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Melissa
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What would you do?
« on: Feb 1st, 2008, 10:46am » |
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HI
As some of you know, I make mosaic crosses and sell them on eBay. I make them as they're purchased and usually list 3 of sky blue and 3 of pink for each auction. Because I only have 2 hands, kids and a husband, the most I can make in 2 days is 6, and even that's pushing it.
Anyway, I received a message from another eBay member last night and here's what it said...
Quote:Hi. I love your crosses and I was wondering if you would be interested in having them in my shop in Stillwater, MN? My store is opening in April and it is going to feature handcrafted gifts from midwest artists. Stillwater is a very busy tourist town and your items would have alot of exposure.
Thanks for reading this and for your consideration
Corey
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Now, my intial reaction was "is this spam?" but no, it's a legit question from an established member. My second reaction was, "am I going to have to just give some to this person and if they sell, THEN I get the money?" I didn't like that idea at all.
So, my question is, would I just respond to them as say something along the lines of, "You can sell them in your shop, but I require payment up front before I ship them to you."???
I've never come across something like this before, so any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm not looking to gain "exposure" per say, but wouldn't mind if a shop sold my crosses. Only thing is, I can't afford to just send them off for free and then hope I get paid if they ever sell, know what I mean?
Thanks!!
 mel
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DON'T WORRY ABOUT NOTTIN - NOTTIN IS ALRIGHT
My mosaic Crosses on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5494187
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chuckv
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #1 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 10:51am » |
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I would go the payment up front route.
Tell her you would be happy to ship her some to display and maybe offer them to her at a discount so she can make a little too.
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chewy
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What you want to do is first decide what it is you want to do and what it is you are capable of doing. A sort of business plan.
Then you want to request from the store owner a direct contact number so you can discuss the possibilties directly and begin negotiating.
It may very well be on a consignment basis. You could negotiate to have the store owner pay the shipping costs up front and then either negotiate a time line for full payment or a monthly percentage payment.
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| « Last Edit: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:06am by chewy » |
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PollyPocket
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #3 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:04am » |
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Mel, I used to make some unusual xmas stockings and a store in a tourist area wanted them in their store. I had to do it on a consignment basis, but they sold really fast even at their jacked up price!
The good part was that it generated a LOT of direct sales too, for special orders, and those I got deposits on. I think its a great opportunity. Crunch some numbers and work your plan.
Good Luck (and go for it)
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Yorky
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #4 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:07am » |
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cover your cost's ...to start (as a downpayment, for good's received)
good luck 
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chewy
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Remeber also that you dont have to committ to anything during the first contact. Write down her proposals and get back to her after you have thought them through.
Dont box yourself into a corner by agreeing to something right off the bat.
Have her put her proposal in writing and fax it to you.
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andrewjb
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #6 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:23am » |
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:57am, chewy wrote:| What you want to do is first decide what it is you want to do |
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 , wise words indeed. follow this advice and you won't go far wrong. andrew.
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Mosaicwench
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #7 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 12:40pm » |
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Stillwater IS a lovely little town. I've been a tourist there a couple of times. Grumpy Steve's is their great coffee shop.
All good advice given above.
My only addition is figure out what you MUST get for each cross (for instance, you won't sell them for less than $20 gross to you - that means SHE has to sell them for more to cover her overhead/costs/commission and still give $20 each to you). Don't sell yourself short, but don't price yourself out of future income, either.
Good luck.
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Melissa
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #8 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 4:28pm » |
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Thank you all for your input. I'm going to take the weekend to think about it.
mel
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DON'T WORRY ABOUT NOTTIN - NOTTIN IS ALRIGHT
My mosaic Crosses on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5494187
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Jonny
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #9 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 4:41pm » |
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:23am, andrewjb wrote:
, wise words indeed. follow this advice and you won't go far wrong. andrew. |
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LMMFAO!!!!! 
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deltadarlin
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #10 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 6:00pm » |
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Don't pay no nevermind to jonny , Chewy DID give you good advice several times over.
Another thing to consider, if she really wants your items, get her to put up 50% non-refundable deposits on however many she wants (I used to make little girls hairbows and headbands). That way, at lest the cost of your crosses are covered and the only thing you are out for is time.
How about small craft shows? or small gift shops that are close to where you live?
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chewy
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:57am, chewy wrote:| What you want to do is first decide what it is you want to do |
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I'll explain that for anyone who cant get it.
Do you want to partner up? Do you want to enter into a business agreement? Do you want to work independantly ? Do you want your merchandise marketed by someone other than yourself?
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Jonny
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #12 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 7:43pm » |
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 7:37pm, chewy wrote:| I'll explain that for anyone who cant get it. |
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Yeah Andrew, he will splain to you, got it?....LOL
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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Samurai
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #13 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 9:10pm » |
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One thing you can do to create a paper trail, is to ask her to send a purchase order for your crosses. That should tell you how many she wants and how serious she is about stocking your stuff regularly. It also gives you a chance to decide on your payment terms, and maybe talk to her about them. Then, when you've decided on your terms, you create an invoice to ship with the crosses. This makes the sale an enforceable contract if things get weird. As mentioned above, consignment versus advance payment is a matter of whether or not you can afford to wait for them to actually sell. Usually you get a little less for product when you ask for payment in advance, since the business owner has to take the risk that it will sell. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me, I spent ten years managing warehouses and now I'm in college for Business Administration.
Good Luck!!
Jason
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Jonny
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #14 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 9:19pm » |
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Excelent advice, Jason! 
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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cash5542
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #15 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 10:38pm » |
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A few more things to add to Jason's post.... Ask for references. A reputable dealer provides these without question. The invoice also protects you if the product is broken in shipment. FedEX (1st choice)or UPS is the way we do our shipping. Most terms are net 30 days and the usual rule of thumb is wholesale is marked up 50% and consignment is 30%. We have had a pottery business for almost 30 years and have done alot of mail order. We have only had 2 payment issues. One was a beautiful shop in DC that went bankrupt in the early 80's and I cant remember the end of that. Another store changed their mind after shippment. We ended up in court and won. It was small claims and very simple thanks to the receipt and the terms stated on it. Good luck!
Charlotte
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Jonny
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #16 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 10:51pm » |
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You ROCK, Charlotte.....
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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andrewjb
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #17 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:09pm » |
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 7:43pm, Jonny wrote:
Yeah Andrew, he will splain to you, got it?....LOL
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yup, clear as mud, . andrew.
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Jonny
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #18 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:14pm » |
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:09pm, andrewjb wrote:
yup, clear as mud, . andrew. |
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Your killing me, bro....ROTFFLMMFAO!!!
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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Annette
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #19 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:53pm » |
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I recently bought a cross from Mel and it is absolutely beautiful !!!
You will do well Mel selling them to a shop but you need to check with this lady
1- How many does she want a week/ month, to see if you can actually supply.
2- Check with her how quickly she needs them by if she wants more stock. Be upfront with her about how many you can make.
3- Dont sell too cheaply. I personally think they are worth more than what you are currently listing them for on Ebay ( retail price that is ).
4- Check with her if she wants to just sell them in your shop as a trial or does she want to sell them long term as a regular feature item. That way you can work out how much material should be you stocking up on.
5- Sell to her at "whole sale" price and make sure she pays up front as well as for shipping. Get the money first before you start making them.
Hope that helps and I wish you every success
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billlmack
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #20 on: Feb 2nd, 2008, 12:22am » |
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You've been given good advise.
Try not to dwell too much on what can go wrong.
Focus on making the best product you can.
Good luck.
P.S. there will be risk...... SO WHAT... u have to try.
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Jonny
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #21 on: Feb 2nd, 2008, 1:08pm » |
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 11:53pm, Annette wrote:
I recently bought a cross from Mel and it is absolutely beautiful !!! |
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I bought six of them....LOL
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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Annette
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #22 on: Feb 2nd, 2008, 2:48pm » |
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on Feb 2nd, 2008, 1:08pm, Jonny wrote:
I bought six of them....LOL
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Thats why you are the King, bro 
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Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius.
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Jonny
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #23 on: Feb 2nd, 2008, 5:05pm » |
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on Feb 2nd, 2008, 2:48pm, Annette wrote:| Thats why you are the King, bro |
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Thank you, Honey!
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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Melissa
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Re: What would you do?
« Reply #24 on: Feb 2nd, 2008, 5:48pm » |
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Awesome! Thank you all so much! I think I know what I'm going to do now.
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DON'T WORRY ABOUT NOTTIN - NOTTIN IS ALRIGHT
My mosaic Crosses on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5494187
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