When was your last Random Act of Kindness?
Did you offer the free use of a punch bowl to a charity who only needed it for one evening… buying it from your consignor, then putting it in the store account for sale when it was returned?
Did you (more…)
Archive for February, 2011
Random Acts of Kindness: How they fit into your consignment or resale shop
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged small business on February 28, 2011| 5 Comments »
Be proudful. You’re the best consignment or resale shop around, right?
Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged advertising, competition, HowToConsign.com, profit on February 27, 2011| 4 Comments »
Hi guys…just a quick check-in with my consignment, resale, thrift buddies on a beautiful Sunday. I was searching around for a meaningful message to send to you, before I take off for places non-resale-related (and consisting of palm trees, pure quartz sand and mojitos. Sorry.)EVERYone wants to be associated with a winner.
So here’s today’s task: Take PRIDE in your business. Not only that, but TELL everyone how proud you are to be successful.
After all, you’re successful because your business provides your community with something they want.
Toot your own horn. Don’t hide your light under a bushel.
Why? Because everyone (read: potential shoppers and suppliers) wants to be associated with a WINNER. And if they don’t know that you just opened a second location “because OtherTown deserved the best, too!” or “showcased 10,000 new items last month” or even just “Come meet Stacy, our home-decor advisor and coordinator, who will make your shopping easy, fun, and stylish!”
But they gotta KNOW you’re a winner. So today, as I sip my mojito and stretch out in the warm sun, I’d like to think of you all, furiously listing all the ways and places and reasons you can tell the world that your shop is a winner.
Dreams do come true. So tell them you’re the best consignment, resale, or thrift shop around. And that they deserve the very best, to coin a phrase.
5 Things your NONconsignor won’t tell you
Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged consignment, consignors, starting a consignment shop on February 25, 2011| 3 Comments »
Yesterday, we discussed (well, I discussed…have you added your thoughts there yet?) 5 things your consignor won’t tell you.
Now, 5 things your NON-consignor won’t tell you.
Ever wonder why (more…)
5 Things your consignor won’t tell you
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged consignment, consignors, success on February 24, 2011| 3 Comments »
Ever wonder what your consignor’s not telling you?
And for consignor, read seller or donor if you’re not a consignment shop. Yes, even those receiving cash on the barrel head, or donating to your nonprofit thrift shop, have unspoken concerns.
We’re not mind-readers. When you tell us we have to choose only 15 items to bring in to you, it’s stressful. Should I include that mink in the batch or will you tell me “no furs”? Are suits 2 pieces or just one? It gets so confusing, I’ll decide just to give everything to my cleaning lady.
We don’t REALLY want to pick things up. But sometimes, your agreement and your web site seem to make us think we have to. What a hassle. We’d much rather just let you donate them.
We want to feel like our things are going to a good home. It’s silly, we know, and we’d be embarrassed if you knew we were thinking this way. After all we’re selling it, right? But we want to feel that you’ll find our underloved possessions a good home. Cuts down on the guilt of passing Mother’s mahogany chest on.
We’re more than willing to brag on you, but we need help. Whether we’re proud of our eco-correctness or excited that we made $250 with no effort, we’re happy to tell others about you. But darn it, what’s your shop called again? Where on Main Street are you? What’s the name of that nice blonde who helped us?
We’d love for you to keep in touch. We like hearing how the shop’s doing, so let us know. Don’t just hand out a check without a little human contact. We like to think our relationship is based on more than money.
Are any of these unspoken concerns, something you could address to make your suppliers feel more comfortable as your business partner?
Also, read 5 Things your NONconsignor won’t tell you.
Making consignment, resale, thrift customers feel even MORE special.
Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged advertising, email, perceived value on February 22, 2011| 2 Comments »
Justin Tyme. Your new secret agent… (Or, if you’d rather? Justine Thyme.)
Turn your broadcast email into a “for-members-only” secret spot by suggesting one delectable piece of merchandise, once a week, to those who sign up for your Justin Tyme club.
All you need:
- Your phone and 5 minutes to get a good photo.
- A pre-set email format with a character to represent your club’s mascot (find some free graphics like these at http://www.clker.com )
- To add text to the photo use your favorite app for free…quick and easy
- And someone to answer the phone/ respond to emails!
These emails can be in addition to those you send out to everyone. Most of the graphical email providers, such as Constant Contact, allow you to maintain separate listings so you can send an email to a single segment. Of course, you COULD send a weekly Justine Thyme Find to all, but
if you promote exclusivity, people will value your messages more.
Add a few goodies to your JT Club, such as birthday savings, preview parties for your seasonal clearance sales, and gifts with purchase every so often…and you’re on your way to cultivating some seriously very enthusiastic fans!
Got something unusual on consignment? Have Justine add a few words…
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