Merchandise and competing with vendors.

[Randy Parrish CPF]

At WCAF there was new vendor selling laser cut maps, I have some for my shop and they are huge draw, but I have yet realize any sales, however it has only been 2 days they have been in my window. I have a lot if inquires and I always get people asking who makes them?
With more and more vendors and creators of merchandise selling their products online, on Etsy how do we respond when some one asks the source? I would love to be the exclusive dealer in my city or at the very least my zip code, but how do you compete with a manufacturer when anyone can get online and find the source?


On a side note, I searched online and found on a forum thread the creation of this product. http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/columbus-cut-map/page/6

I will also say this is one reason I have been a strong supporter of Urban Ashes, Paul gets it.

 

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

Randy,

We have had this discussion with many of our gift vendors on a regular basis.

Those that are exclusively in the manufacturing/distribution business are in a minority. Some will have a full shopping cart on their website with retail pricing (typically ONLY keystoned with FREE Shipping), while others will sell through third parties like Wayfair dot com or Amazon dot com. Some will outright own a new name/domain etc. so as to not become obvious that they are selling directly.

Some will support their retail distribution network with a Where to Buy Page which we love to see, while others straddle the fence and do both, sell directly AND provide a listing of their retail clients.

It's been a problem throughout the Retail sector especially since the Great Depression, American Greed and Big Boxes have created an "Every Man for Himself" mentality.

John

P.S. Here's the sad statistic from a Gift Trade Publication... (already two-three years ago): 50% of the Gift Suppliers polled currently sell directly to consumers or feel that it is OK to do so.

 

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

P.P.S. Your front window display looks Fantastic! :thumb:

John

 

[Ylva Callewaert]

Have you checked what they retail for online? What shipping costs would be? Are you far off? You can use this to your advantage you know. Sell it a little less than online, which will make future shoppers think you are less expensive overall (as in framing). Of course this does probably mean giving up some of your margins and you might not want to or able to.