My Jewellery in a shop!

[Trinity]

Okay so it's on a sale or return basis and I have no idea how well it will do but it's a fab wee shop in Fife, full of some gorgeous hand-crafted items. She really liked my new OSFA bracelets http://www.mumszone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26487 and I had also made some matching necklaces, so she took a few of those plus 6 of my polymer clay pendants!

She did say that it may take a couple of months as it is quite quiet at the moment but will pick up for MOther's Day and Easter when the tourist come it.

So it's my first wholesale business that I have done, I just hope it is the start of something good! :woot:

[Sarah]

Wow well done you :clapping:

[HannahBanana]

oooh i like the blue shimmer one! very nice!

Congratulations on getting them in a shop hun :clapping:

[chris]

Okay so it's on a sale or return basis and I have no idea how well it will do but it's a fab wee shop in Fife, full of some gorgeous hand-crafted items. She really liked my new OSFA bracelets http://www.mumszone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26487 and I had also made some matching necklaces, so she took a few of those plus 6 of my polymer clay pendants!

She did say that it may take a couple of months as it is quite quiet at the moment but will pick up for MOther's Day and Easter when the tourist come it.

So it's my first wholesale business that I have done, I just hope it is the start of something good! :woot:

Hi,
I am sure this shop is sound but please don't make the same mistake as me - please make sure you have an agreement in writing.
When I first started my business I was advised (by a national small business advisory company!) to do a 'sale and return' with a chap who was just opening a Fair Trade shop. Time went by, I could never get hold of him, he was never in the shop etc etc and I was too naive to think something was amiss (especially as he had been recommended).
He was in debt with his mortgage, the council, the landlord of the shop etc and did a runner. Most of my stock was missing or broken and I lost a lot of money/stock right at the beginning of my new business.
I know your venture will be fine but please keep your quantities small and get everything signed.

[Tanya]

woo hoo well done you!! I bet it feels fab and you feel like you are going places

[TinkerTailor]

Well done! That's great - you must be really chuffed! :party05:

[Trinity]

Hi,
I am sure this shop is sound but please don't make the same mistake as me - please make sure you have an agreement in writing.
When I first started my business I was advised (by a national small business advisory company!) to do a 'sale and return' with a chap who was just opening a Fair Trade shop. Time went by, I could never get hold of him, he was never in the shop etc etc and I was too naive to think something was amiss (especially as he had been recommended).
He was in debt with his mortgage, the council, the landlord of the shop etc and did a runner. Most of my stock was missing or broken and I lost a lot of money/stock right at the beginning of my new business.
I know your venture will be fine but please keep your quantities small and get everything signed.

I haven't got a contract as such but I have given the lady copy of an inventory with all the items that she has. I do know her through a few craft fairs that I have done and I guess I have gone on instinct as she is really nice.

Thanks for the advice and I am sure there are places out there who are out to fleece you - I was approached by a woman a few weeks ago who showed "great" interest in my jewellery and then proposed that I pay her £50 per month for shelf space and in addition to that she would take 10%. I didn't feel comfortable about it at all and I have heard a few things about the shop since makes me wonder that this woman is at it! I am sorry it didn't work out for you, Chris and hope other ventures have proved successful for you.

I have only started with a few piece and it is on a sale or return but the lady had said that if it proves successful then we enter into a contract where she will buy in my stuff on a regular basis, so fingers crossed.

I know nothing is certain in this business and everyone wants their cut and I find it hard to get my head round the wholesale kind of things but it's a little bit more exposure for me and hopefully it will turn out ok.

Cheers
xxx

[chris]

I haven't got a contract as such but I have given the lady copy of an inventory with all the items that she has. I do know her through a few craft fairs that I have done and I guess I have gone on instinct as she is really nice.

Thanks for the advice and I am sure there are places out there who are out to fleece you - I was approached by a woman a few weeks ago who showed "great" interest in my jewellery and then proposed that I pay her £50 per month for shelf space and in addition to that she would take 10%. I didn't feel comfortable about it at all and I have heard a few things about the shop since makes me wonder that this woman is at it! I am sorry it didn't work out for you, Chris and hope other ventures have proved successful for you.

I have only started with a few piece and it is on a sale or return but the lady had said that if it proves successful then we enter into a contract where she will buy in my stuff on a regular basis, so fingers crossed.

I know nothing is certain in this business and everyone wants their cut and I find it hard to get my head round the wholesale kind of things but it's a little bit more exposure for me and hopefully it will turn out ok.

Cheers
xxx

Yes I am sure it is fine especially as you have met the woman on previous occasions. It sounds as it could be the beginning of something good!
I had never met this chap - just recommended by my business advisor!! Citizen Advice Bureau said I had a good case for professional negligance against the small business company but it meant paying a solicitor and there was always the chance of losing (i.e. even more money lost).
It was a good learning for me that not everyone is honest. It is difficult as I think everyone works to the same morals / standards that I have so I don't expect to get ripped off!!
Perhaps I am too old to change!!!!

[Katiequiggle]

Well done you, thats brilliant news, I bet they wont stay there for long.

[Easties]

thats fantastic hun well done you :kisshands:

[knotjustjigs]

Well Done! thats fab news...
toniann x

[Trinity]

Yes I am sure it is fine especially as you have met the woman on previous occasions. It sounds as it could be the beginning of something good!
I had never met this chap - just recommended by my business advisor!! Citizen Advice Bureau said I had a good case for professional negligance against the small business company but it meant paying a solicitor and there was always the chance of losing (i.e. even more money lost).
It was a good learning for me that not everyone is honest. It is difficult as I think everyone works to the same morals / standards that I have so I don't expect to get ripped off!!
Perhaps I am too old to change!!!!

Aww, Chris that is a real shame but I guess you have to remain positive, you were very unlucky. We had the same when we rented out our property, we've always had great tenants then got really unlucky with one girl, we had to get a solicitor to evict and it cost time & money but we have to think of her as being the minority. Don't lose out on opportunities because of this one guy, they are not all like him! :)

And I have just had a look at your site and I am liking the look of your jewellery rolls! I have been looking for something like this to carry items.

[nicholamarie]

well done.

[stormfairy]

Wow thats fab news, well done and hope they sell fabulously for you

[chris]

Aww, Chris that is a real shame but I guess you have to remain positive, you were very unlucky. We had the same when we rented out our property, we've always had great tenants then got really unlucky with one girl, we had to get a solicitor to evict and it cost time & money but we have to think of her as being the minority. Don't lose out on opportunities because of this one guy, they are not all like him! :)

And I have just had a look at your site and I am liking the look of your jewellery rolls! I have been looking for something like this to carry items.

Many thanks for your words of encouragement and sorry to bore you with my problems. I thought they were in the past (it happened 2½ years ago) but when i saw your message I just didn't want it to happen to anyone else!
If you are looking for a few jewellery rolls - email me as I don't have a discount facility yet but sure I can do something with the price! :happy72:
They were 1 of my biggest sellers at Christmas!

[whirl]

Hiya!

I am SO SO SO pleased for you!!

You really deserve it, I love your stuff!!! I bet it sells in no time!

Well done, so have you got more shops that you are going to go and pester?!

[Arianna]

Congratulations!! I hope it is very successful for you!

Arianna

[Al1x]

well done :D

[NikiJ]

That's fab news well done!

Niki
xxx

[Mary Poppins]

Oh WOW, many congratulations to you. Hope that things go really well for you.

[Trinity]

I have another appointment on Sunday for another shop and I am also going to see a gallery in the Borders next week, just need to arrange child-care.

I will be able to sell a more expensive range at the gallery as well, so finally things are starting to take shape!

I just hope they sell!!:cheesy:

[knotjustjigs]

OOOOOHHHH Just notice your 10% off for firstimers so i have HAD to buy a handbag charm i have been hanging my nose over ( well 2 actually) lol well thats my excuse anyway!

Toniann x

[Trinity]

Thank you Toniann! I'll get it posted out to you tomorrow! I am sure you will love them............well, your handbag will! :laugh:

Thank you!

[Trinity]

Had another shop visit today and she just loved my bracelets, so much so she took all 7 that I had made up! I don't have any of these bracelets left! The other shop took 5 of them and I have sold 4 and I have another 2 to make up!

The lady in the shop today also took 5 necklaces and really thinks they will sell and has asked me to make more in different colours with matching earrings.

It is a fab wee shop that is well known in Edinburgh with loads of gorgeous stuff, so I am really hoping that this is the start of a beautiful and rewarding business relationship with her!

I'll now need to get cracking and make more of these bracelets!

And Toniann, apologies once again! Lesson to me: if I want something done, best do it myself and not leave if for dh to do!

[duck_egg]

Wow, I love them, i would definately buy one as a special pressie for someone and with mothers day round the corner.... well done you!!! x x x

[Catkin]

Well done hun

x x x

[Chutney]

Wow Trinity - you have been busy! Well done! Your jewellery is lovely and unusual so I am not surprised you are being snapped up. I am also going to start trudging round some shops. We have finally moved into our new house and have internet access at long last - HOORAY!
Catch up soon
Chutney
XXX

[Trinity]

Good to have you back Chutney! I hope you are settled into your new house!

I would say go for it when it comes to shops but go and visit them first to get a feel for the place and definitely to see if your jewellery would fit in. And even just to see how the jewellery is displayed and if they do care about it. I knew the shop in Edinburgh and know that it has some lovely stuff in it plus the lady who owns it just loves jewellery! I didn't know the shop in Fife but I knew the lady who owns it and have seen her stall at craft fairs and she in actual fact approached me.

And I would make an appointment as you might get them at the wrong time and therefore not show much interest in your items.

Chutney - have you tried displaying your jewellery at hairdressers etc? I am thinking of giving that a go but not sure how to approach them as I would feel I would need to make an appointment to get my hair cut!! Also I have been asked by a wee cafe/bistro to display my jewellery and you should check out your local library. I have booked a 3 week display for June/July and 1 week display in October and the best thing the rental is free!

[Chutney]

Good to have you back Chutney! I hope you are settled into your new house!

I would say go for it when it comes to shops but go and visit them first to get a feel for the place and definitely to see if your jewellery would fit in. And even just to see how the jewellery is displayed and if they do care about it. I knew the shop in Edinburgh and know that it has some lovely stuff in it plus the lady who owns it just loves jewellery! I didn't know the shop in Fife but I knew the lady who owns it and have seen her stall at craft fairs and she in actual fact approached me.

And I would make an appointment as you might get them at the wrong time and therefore not show much interest in your items.

Chutney - have you tried displaying your jewellery at hairdressers etc? I am thinking of giving that a go but not sure how to approach them as I would feel I would need to make an appointment to get my hair cut!! Also I have been asked by a wee cafe/bistro to display my jewellery and you should check out your local library. I have booked a 3 week display for June/July and 1 week display in October and the best thing the rental is free!

Yes, I agree with you. I have had offers before and then been told it is a £50 per month rental fee PLUS a percentage of sales. The display stands were tucked away too. Pah to that! The problem with where I live is there is so much jewellery everywhere. I think there isn't anywhere left untouched. Unless I approach Off Licenses!!! Actually not a bad idea - ha ha! Am going to walk around with a notebook very soon and get some ideas.
Glad it is going well anyway.
Take care
Chutney
XX