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Archive for the ‘Shopkeeping talk’ Category

What is Perceived Value and where can I get me some?

Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged on July 7, 2008| 11 Comments »

Day One of a week-long mini-webinar. You are encouraged, if you like, to add your comments after this post.

Every shopper past the stage of preferring a nickel to a dime because the nickel’s bigger, understands that the value of anything offered for sale depends not only on its intrinsic worth (is it silver or silverplate? Polyester or silk?) but on the worth that specific buyer puts on it for a hundred other reasons. That’s why the same item will sell at a garage sale only if offered at a fraction of the price it would fetch in an antique shop. The location and ambiance of a market adds to the perceived value of the item.

A study says that people who were given a sip of the same wine, in two different glasses, one a basic Styrofoam cup and the other a Tiffany goblet, rated the wine in the goblet better-tasting. When asked how much they would spend on a bottle of “these two different wines”, the wine in the more luxurious glass was valued much higher. That’s perceived value. The experience of sipping the wine in an elegant glass added to the perceived value.

Why would a resale retailer care keep reading>

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The only language with “making money”

Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk on July 3, 2008| 3 Comments »

Somewhere, I once heard that American English is the only language with the phrase “making money”. That’s what came to mind whenone consignment shop owner who attended the NARTS Conference said she heard resalers of all types making comments like:

“I don’t think it’s fair to buy something from someone for $1 and sell it for $6.”

How that rankles me! This is (more…)

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Day 4: Focus on the Big Picture

Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged on June 29, 2008| 1 Comment »

(If you’re just arriving here at Auntie Kate’s Blog, we’re in the midst of a mini-series. Read our beginning message.)

It’s really easy, in any business, to get hung up on the little stuff…dare I say the petty stuff? And in retail,Don't get so caught up in the sea gulls that you don't see the sea there are petty details galore to draw your attention, energy, and concern. Add to the standard retail issues, the unique twist of RESALE and consignment, where every piece of merchandise is unique and requires individual attention, and you could have the makings of a disaster on your hands…unless you remain aware of The Big Picture.

And just what, you may will ask, IS The Big Picture?

I’m so glad you asked. The Big Picture is (more…)

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Day 3: Collect all available info

Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged on June 28, 2008| 2 Comments »

(If you’re just arriving here at Auntie Kate’s Blog, we’re in the midst of a mini-series. Read our beginning message.)

The lesson implicit in the 3rd question of our quiz is collect all available information before you answer or act.

Where’s the available data?

If you’re trying to make a decision about your consignment, thrift, or resale shop, the first thing you need to do is (more…)

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Day 2: Think about the consequences of your actions

Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged on June 27, 2008| 5 Comments »

If you plant pole beans, you better plan on getting some poles.(If you’re just arriving here at Auntie Kate’s Blog, we’re in the midst of a mini-series. Read our beginning message.)

The consequences of your actions. Sounds like something your mother would say to you, doesn’t it.

But it is a real problem for some folks. They forge ahead with a policy or procedure in their resale or consignment shop without projecting forward and examining what they have just set in motion. If you plant pole beans, (more…)

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