Business Page: 6 |
New Business Announcement: I would like to make a special announcement - I am now the owner of Old World Tile, the business that was the brainchild of Sheila Benjamin, Eve Karoblis and Ed Mabe. We offer paper tiles in kit form to make trays, counters, floors, table tops, back splashes, wall plaques and more. The grout is already printed on and the print is sprayed with a special spray to seal it against bleeding. The floors and countertops do not come to you mounted on board, but the others do. (It's easier to fit your floors and counters if they're not already mounted.) The tray kits include wood parts to make the tray. You have to coat the product with water based varnish. When dry you score the grout lines using an included stylus, and you have very realistic looking tile with very little effort on your part. The previous owners sold mostly wholesale, and I expect that will be the bulk of my business too. I have color catalogues available, and will have the products at CIMTA. Let me know if interested - and don't forget I will need your address.minimanr@vnet.net Beth, In A Miniature Manor |
Selling at Shows: Below is a copy of my "checklist". I've left some things off the list that are specific to us and annotated some of the things on the list bags and packing material [I would like to sell bedding and pillows. How should I arrange items? Should I have actual room boxes or can I just have little furniture vignettes?] A friend sells these type of items and she has a turntable with several levels. As long as the pieces are easy to see any setup is fine. I like to keep as many pieces as possible accessible so that people can pick them up, look them over, and check the price. [What are the best shows to go to? ] A loaded question. I would not want to make a public negative comment about a show. Also, a show that is good for one seller may be awful for another and sales at shows can vary from year to year. You also have to take into consideration the cost of doing the show. Sales at a "bad" show might be more profitable in the end than sales at a "good" show depending on your expenses. In general, we do best at shows located near large cities. The date of a show is important and weather is a factor, good weather being a show killer. [How do most customers pay? Cash, check, or credit card] Most of them bring checks and cash because many people at shows don't accept credit cards. However, they can run out of both and that's why we started accepting credit cards. If the pieces you're selling are not very expensive then you can probably get away with not accepting plastic. In the six years we have been selling at shows we have never gotten a bad check or a bad credit card (knock on wood) but I do know of people who have gotten burned. Selling from a website is easier to do than shows, but selling at shows can be a lot of fun. Carol |
Sales receipts at a show: Aside from the other reasons given in posts, I would like to add something else. Make sure the customer's receipt has your name, address, phone and web site address/e-mail address. I have no idea how much repeat business I have gotten over my 20 years in miniatures from customers who called or wrote because they came across or dug out a receipt of mine. Sometimes it is even years later! If you don't opt for having your sales books printed (Nebs does mine), it is very easy to have a rubber stamp made and stamp a couple of books before you go to the show. It's a little boring and time consuming but it pays off in the end. It's called FREE advertising:) Bobbie Schoonmaker, IGMA Fellow |
Sales receipts at a show: There is talk on small stuff of how to be a dealer at shows, about which I know little. But, like the hedgehog, I do know one big thing, and that is this - you MUST ensure that when purchasers leave your table they know your name and contact details. That is the only way to ensure a follow up sale, so you as dealer make more money. It is probably most easily achieved by stamping your name and contact details on the receipt. The number of times I have bought good minis at Miniatura, the big British show, which is huge, got home and have no idea from whom I bought stuff.. it is very frustrating. And at a big show where there are so many people, how can one remember everyone? So make yourself known. Helen from York, England |
Sales slips: someone talked about wanting seller/artisan names on their copies of sale slips. AMEN!! I either stamp the customer copy with a rubber stamp I had made for me or used address labels. Those come in the mail almost every day from various organizations free, requesting a donation which I am happy to send. It's simply a matter of going through your sales books periodically and pasting one on the original (customer) copy so they are all set for a show. I never bought pre-printed sales books, which saved money. I always dreaded getting home from shows and finding a slip with no name or no slip or a calculator tape with no info, because I always recorded all of my purchases (and still do). I can't say it ever got me repeat business as a seller for having done this, but as a customer, I certainly appreciated it. I did not always remember which table I bought something from so checking with the dealer chart (if there was one) did not always help. To my mind, it is a courtesy to your customers. Jeanette in Wisconsin |
Business out of home: For some reason when we have a business out of our home, our customers seem to think that we have no other life aside from being at their beck and call. For those of you who are the 'customers' I certainly don't mean all customers. There are ways to tactfully handle the little problems that arise for us. For instance, when we do have a customer come early and we are not ready, for instance our too short shorts!! PJ and our hair not done. We can politely say, well hi, you are a bit early, just give me a minute to change, shut the door and go and change. Be sure to take your time, and not feel rushed. You are on time, they may be early for what ever reason, you need to take that time so that you are calm and don't miss something (like two different colored socks). Remember that they should have phoned and said hey we made it to town early, would it be ok to come now. If they can't do that, then they will have to wait until you are ready to accept them early. Remember also, that if you go to a store that isn't open until 9 and you get there at seven that the store owner isn't going to open their doors for you. It helps to have a closed sign for the times when you are expecting someone. Put the sign in your door until 15 minutes before the appt time and don't answer the door. Remember, you could have stepped out to go to the doctor/grocery store etc. You knew when the appt was, who says you were going to be home prior to that? Again when people are late, more frustrating than early. Remember once again. How long should the appt take? If someone is not there at the appointed time give them 15 mins or what ever you feel comfortable with, then close your 'store'. I and a friend have store hour signs. And the wonderful closed signs. When someone is late by 15 mins the store hours sign...(by appt. only) goes up and the closed sign. If I have someone coming and they say they are going to be here at 10:00 I know that an appt should take 30 mins to 45. I give the 15 min rule and then know that I can schedule or plan something for around 10:15. I have a life and can't wait for people to be late. Neither can any of you. An at home business is a lot like the thoughts that people have of stay at home moms (I just happen to be one of them also)...we are always there to help. Do you know how many neighbors have put me on their to call list if their children need to come home and their mother isn't there? Five families have done this, one with asking. Don't get taken advantage of. People don't realize what our lives are like at home. Educating them does help. Remember to use tact when addressing the issues that bug you with your customers. I wouldn't dream of being more than 10 mins early / late for an appt. Some people think nothing of it to come 1/2 hr either way. Kind words, in a non-offensive way often will strengthen your relationship with a customer. Theresa |
Copyright: I agree that if someone BUYS a pattern to make something for resale that it is all right. A lot of people do not buy patterns to just make things for themselves. The same holds true for a DIY kit. If you buy a kit, put it together and then resell it as a finished product, that is okay too. I don't think many people would buy a DIY kit or a pattern if they could not resell the product. Look at all of the Simplicity, Vogue, Butterick, etc. patterns of stuffed animals, purses, hats, etc. that people buy patterns for to make items for resale at bazaars, churches, etc. If a person sells a pattern that CANNOT be used for resale then it should state that in bold print somewhere on the front so that a person will not buy it and then later find out that it cannot be used for resale. I know in searching the web, I have seen web sites that say the patterns cannot be used for resale, which is great because it lets the buyer know in advance. What about all the dollhouse kits on sale at auction sites. Buyers buy them, put them together, electrify them and then put them up for resale. I see no difference in doing this than buying a pattern, cutting it out, choosing a type of fabric, making the product and then reselling it. Thanks for listening to my two cents worth. Marlene, Sacramento, CA |
Copyright: I just wanted to correct a misunderstanding of enforcing a copyright. A copyright claim CANNOT be brought in Small Claims Court. Copyright is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts, and there is no small claims equivalent in the federal system. Therefore, you must have some resources to sue, and it just isn't a great idea to represent yourself unless you're an experienced copyright attorney. Also, to be practical, if you expect to recover $$ damages, the defendant must have resources as well, otherwise there'd be nothing to collect. However, the court can prohibit further infringements, if that's what you're after. The damages for deliberate copyright infringement can be substantial, especially if the copyright is registered. So infringers (or potential infringers) really shouldn't take this lightly. Also, to clarify what you get when you buy a pattern book -- or a Simplicity pattern, or a kit, for that matter -- the creator of the pattern gives you a license, or a right, to use the pattern for your personal use. He or she, however, is the only one who can copy it, make new patterns derived from it, sell items made with the pattern, or publish it. Think about a songwriter. If a singer wants to record one of his or her songs, the singer must pay for the right to do so. Then, the songwriter is paid a royalty for every recording that is sold, and for each instance in which the recording is played commercially, e.g., on the radio, on a movie soundtrack, at a club -- but not when a consumer plays it for his or her own enjoyment. Make sense? Rosemary in Cleveland |
New Miniature Store Announcement: Dollhouse Miniatures at the Antique Emporium The Biggest Little Miniature Store in Reno has just opened up in Reno/Sparks Nevada. 834 Victorian Ave Sparks, NV 89431 775-331-2288. I would like to invite all miniaturist to stop by and visit our latest "baby" while enjoying the Biggest Little City. The store is owned by Jean Johnson of Creations by Casady and Deb Laue of Dragonfly and is a "small" part of larger Antique and Craft mall in Sparks Nevada. We are located in a beautiful little area called Victorian Square across from the Nugget Hotel and Casino. The Streets are lined with Antique Shops and the area takes you back to a quieter time of window shopping and shop browsing. Deb (the Dragonlady) |
Marieangela's shop in Minano: This gal is one classy lady. Her web site is as follows: COSEDIUNALTROMONDO Dolls House and Miniatures http://i.am/cosediunaltromondo La prima CHAT LINE Italiana dedicata alle Case di Bambola Jack Wallace |
Free dollhouse plans.: To all SS'ers who are looking for dollhouse plans, there is a plan for a 7 roomed Victorian to download at the following site - http://www.thewoodcrafter.net/projects.html Maureen in Hemel, UK |
TV show roomboxes: - --Was someone here looking for pics of the show "I Love Lucy"? Some roomboxes featured on the following site include Lucy,"The Waltons", "All In The Family", "Addams Family", "Mash", and "TheHoneymooners. Sherry in Arlington, TX |
Business European payments: Deidre asked about payments between Europe and the US... and since Birthe from Denmark, a SSer and I just conquered this problem when I made her Chow Chow for her, I thought I'd answer. Although there are probably several ways to solve this, this is what we did. I emailed her my bank's 'wire instructions', my branch and account number and she had the money wire transferred to my account! There was a fee on my end, and I presume on hers as well. But the bank took care of converting the money and the transfer was instantaneous! Alice Zinn-Pt. St. Lucie FL |
Paying in Europe: Here in Canada we can have funds direct deposited in any foreign bank. You have to know of course the name of the account holder - the account NO. Bank name- address and branch No. I have had no problem in the past getting this information from business in Europe and sending funds this way. My Bank does the conversion and deposits direct into their bank. Fast - painless - easy . Paddy |
Currency Converter: Here's a link for converting currency-- http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic Tricia |
Chinese Miniatures: I am happy to inform you all that I am going to run a miniature shop in Hong Kong ,hoping to bring back alive the unforgettable past--- the East meet West culture of Hong Kong of the bygone years, and also the contemporary designs of the city. I have had a very simple website of my own at the moment. Do come to visit my site if you feel interested in Chinese cultures. Loi, Hong Kong |
Oriental Miniatures: I found a site with miniatures that is really unbelievable, it is Japanese or Chinese, but there are English links too, just look at your cursor and click You won't believe what you will see and it is all mini. Klara |
Gothic Dolls Houses: There is a wonderful Gothic house at http://www.angleseydollshouses.co.uk it's certainly on my wish list. Jacquie |
Battery operated water pump For miniature waterfall: George Hoffman |
Medical miniatures: here are some medical things. Tom & Kari |
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