More Closures
Wow this last few weeks has seen a glut of Scrap Shop closures which is both sad and worrying. Contrary to what you may think, although we are competing for business for the most part the retailers get on well and seeing people take the difficult decision to close is sad.
I am seeing lots of "oh no why are they closing?" posts and at the risk of sounding like a broken record the problem is that there are too many shops which are not operating in a sustainable way and their bad business practises jeopardise the whole range of retailers.
Believe me - none of the retailers I know are looking to make unfair profit margins - we are scrappers ourselves and know what is reasonable and what isn't. However when a shop opens and thinks they will attract more customers by undercutting the existing ones by 5% you can guarentee that another will open undercutting that one by 5% etc... Of course when you open you have NO IDEA how much time the business demands what with maintaining a website, processing and packing orders, ordering new goods, answering questions from customers, dealing with telephone and email enquiries, preparing for craft fairs and events, organising crops and of course maintaining a high profile on the craft forums.
Soon the constant undercutting, huge sales and requests for free p&p mean that you are working 18 hour days, seeing very little of your family, doing NO scrapbooking for a pittance. And then guess what, that pittance you made on last months sales can't be paid to you in recognition of the 550 hours you worked in the month (31 x 18 hours less 8 hours to account for a part day off!) because you need to reinvest it in the latest new releases because if you don't get them in you are not keeping uptodate and the customers (understandably) want the latest and greatest and will go shop elsewhere!
Phew - ok so why do you do it you may ask... because we love what we do and pride ourselves on providing great stash at reasonable prices with grat service to boot. We have a loyal customer base who respect and appreciate that and in return we appreciate them. HOWEVER, just read the shop til you drop forum on UKS and you wills ee constant requests for x y z items in stock, with free p&p and preferably in a sale too....
I love running an online shop but it takes time and lots of it. Would you do your job for free just because you love it? - if not PELASE don't expect the UKS sponsors and other craft retailers to do theirs for free. Please shop responsibly so we can all continue to enjoy a wide range of shops and stash!
I am seeing lots of "oh no why are they closing?" posts and at the risk of sounding like a broken record the problem is that there are too many shops which are not operating in a sustainable way and their bad business practises jeopardise the whole range of retailers.
Believe me - none of the retailers I know are looking to make unfair profit margins - we are scrappers ourselves and know what is reasonable and what isn't. However when a shop opens and thinks they will attract more customers by undercutting the existing ones by 5% you can guarentee that another will open undercutting that one by 5% etc... Of course when you open you have NO IDEA how much time the business demands what with maintaining a website, processing and packing orders, ordering new goods, answering questions from customers, dealing with telephone and email enquiries, preparing for craft fairs and events, organising crops and of course maintaining a high profile on the craft forums.
Soon the constant undercutting, huge sales and requests for free p&p mean that you are working 18 hour days, seeing very little of your family, doing NO scrapbooking for a pittance. And then guess what, that pittance you made on last months sales can't be paid to you in recognition of the 550 hours you worked in the month (31 x 18 hours less 8 hours to account for a part day off!) because you need to reinvest it in the latest new releases because if you don't get them in you are not keeping uptodate and the customers (understandably) want the latest and greatest and will go shop elsewhere!
Phew - ok so why do you do it you may ask... because we love what we do and pride ourselves on providing great stash at reasonable prices with grat service to boot. We have a loyal customer base who respect and appreciate that and in return we appreciate them. HOWEVER, just read the shop til you drop forum on UKS and you wills ee constant requests for x y z items in stock, with free p&p and preferably in a sale too....
I love running an online shop but it takes time and lots of it. Would you do your job for free just because you love it? - if not PELASE don't expect the UKS sponsors and other craft retailers to do theirs for free. Please shop responsibly so we can all continue to enjoy a wide range of shops and stash!
posted by Mel at 11:56 pm
8 Comments:
Well said Mel, completely agree with you.
Carol,
Craft Heaven, Paisley.
With you 100% Mel, even as a customer I get cheesed off with all the cheeky folk wanting free p+p as I can imagine that would totally wipe out any profit being made on many orders. I always feel embarrassed if I actually buy with free p+p as it doesn't feel right (especially when I see the £ it cost when the parcel arrives).
I'm sure I keep my local shops well in business mind :D
Well said Mel, as a "just closed" store, you've hit it on the head.
Sarah
ex Paper Trends
Well said Mel! maybe you should post this on UKS as well:)
Have a fabby time with the angels next weekend I will be jealously thinking of you all lol. See you in October
Wise words indeed Mel - I am so totally with you on all you have said.
Well now that you put it that way.....
You do a fab shop Mel...you deserve success....your words are right on!!!
xoxo
mel, good on you, there is too much of this happening and let just hope other people realise this soon as keep requesting these silly things is just shooting themselves in the foot when all the best shops will shut down :(:(
hear hear hun xx
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