Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

Okay, time’s getting short. Just one week until we fly our magic carpets to NARTS Conference. For those of you who cleared their calendars and worked all year to stash away the costs, it’s gonna be an exciting and profitable trip. And to those who will stay at home, we’ll take notes, we promise!

Here’s what to do right now.

♥ Bring CASH MONEY. Or your ATM card so you can replenish your cash during the trip. It’s easiest on the time-pressed bus tour, and of course with cash you are not making your resale peers pay credit-card fees. It’s the friendly, considerate thing to do. And you all know how we love friendly considerate customers!

♥ Print out 5 or 6 copies of TGtbT’s PDQ booklet, Visiting Other Resalers, to get the most out of every shop on the Bus Tour. No sense going all the way to Texas just to resale-shop… when you could be learning at the same time!

♥ Last minute supplies to add to your suitcase: a highlighter or two to use when reviewing your notes and a Sharpie, to put your name on your Conference registration packet just in case you leave it behind somewhere. And you all have your index cards, your SASEs, business cards, and so on, right?

♥ Tuck an extra $100 bill to spend Sunday at the TGtbT booth at SourceMart. Incentive gift*, smiles, and a heart-felt handshake for cash buyers.

* I think you’re gonna like this year’s gift-with-purchase, and what it’ll do to increase your business!

♥ Raise your right hand and repeat after me: I will not sit with the one what brung me. I will make a point of switching seats on the bus and everywhere so I meet someone new every chance. I will forget that really I am shy and I will chat with everyone.

♥ Raise your left hand and repeat after me: I will talk to Kate. Just because she’s some big so-called muckymuck doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to hear all about me and my shop. And I will not mention those new grey hairs but rather I will say things like You been working out honey? and Don’t tell me you bought that outfit secondhand and Can I buy you a drink?

What to do Thursday afternoon before everyone else gets there: Walk over to the Alamo*. Take your picture in front of it (you close up, Alamo in distance). Turn resulting photo into a postcard for a direct-mail campaign for your shop: My MISSION is to bring you the best in resale. Don’t worry, there will be lots of folks standing around there who will be happy to take your picture for you. In fact, I’m betting a few of them might be Auntie Kate readers!

* Walk 2 blocks east on East Houston St., turn right on Losoya, 2 blocks, left on Crockett and you’ll see the Alamo at the top of that block. Less than half a mile. Better still, ask the hotel concierge.

If you have the feeling you didn’t complete the 4 Weeks, 3 Weeks, or the 2 Weeks til Conference checklists, let me tell you, you’re not alone! I’m gonna go double-check myself just in case…

See you soon!